Things God Taught Me From My Time In Nigeria, July 2017 Michael R. Daily
The trip to Nigeria was the second mission trip that I have been on, the first one being to Zambia a few years ago. One of the things I have learned from these trips is the power of those who pray. For example, although I do not have the gift of evangelism, I have seen that the prayers of over 100 people praying for me makes things happen in witnessing that don’t normally happen in my everyday life. People on airplanes and in Nigeria are more open to talking to me and letting me share how I became a Christian with them. The impact of hearing God’s Word while witnessing seems to have a deeper impact on them. For example, I led people to Christ on the airplane flight into Nigeria, in Nigeria, and on the flight out of Nigeria. This also happened on the Zambia trip. Even the ones who don’t receive Christ seem shaken from the experience of hearing the Gospel, more so than usual. Team member, Rich Smith, commented, “I wonder what would happen if this kind of prayer was going on all the time, not just during mission trips?” Excellent question! I see the impact of these prayers even in conversations along the way. For example, before boarding a British Airways flight to Dallas, I was questioned by the agent – “Where are you coming from? (Lagos, Nigeria), What were you doing there? (Christian mission trip), What organization are you with? (Grace Community International), Was it successful? (yes, a number of people became Christians and the churches were encouraged). Then I said, “How about you, are you a Christian?” He said, “I am a Catholic”. I said, “Very good.” He then studied my paperwork for another 5 seconds, looked at me and said, “Yes, I’m a Christian”. Even in this short conversation God seemed to be working in him.
In addition to the British Airways agent, I also had interactions with Nigerian British Airways agents that were similar in content. It was very obvious that the airlines knew I was a Christian missionary from their records. These experiences reminded me that it is very important how we dress and behave while traveling on the airlines because we are being watched by people who know we are missionaries. Even though the travel time from Nigeria to Albuquerque is about 27 hours, I kept my tie on the whole way. I was also asked to change seats by a BA agent since I was travelling alone, to allow two family members to sit together, which I quickly and happily agreed to. Another aspect of this is that on these long flights most people were watching movies on the airplane, at least heading back to the US. The selection of movies seemed to be mostly R rated so I settled on watching some cartoon movies, like those you might take your children to go see.
Another lesson that was affirmed during the trip was the importance and effectiveness of short term mission trips. Until I had been on a few of these trips, I always wondered if they were worth the financial cost of sending someone from the US to Africa for a week or two. What I have concluded is that people often get into routines and habits in the things they do as well as how they think about things (including scripture), often due to the secular and local Christian cultures they live in. Having someone come in from the outside who can stimulate their thinking and challenge these habits using the Word of God, even if they are only there for a week or two, can help people correct blind spots and recognize deceptions they had slowly bought into. The result being a lasting positive impact in the Christian community that continues long after you leave. As mentioned previously, it is also not unusual to see a year’s worth of results in witnessing happen in a week or two during a mission trip. From what I have seen, if the mission trip is well prepared for with intention, and effective prayer support is engaged, the impact of a one or two week mission trip can be extremely high and very cost effective.
Michael R. Daily
The trip to Nigeria was the second mission trip that I have been on, the first one being to Zambia a few years ago. One of the things I have learned from these trips is the power of those who pray. For example, although I do not have the gift of evangelism, I have seen that the prayers of over 100 people praying for me makes things happen in witnessing that don’t normally happen in my everyday life. People on airplanes and in Nigeria are more open to talking to me and letting me share how I became a Christian with them. The impact of hearing God’s Word while witnessing seems to have a deeper impact on them. For example, I led people to Christ on the airplane flight into Nigeria, in Nigeria, and on the flight out of Nigeria. This also happened on the Zambia trip. Even the ones who don’t receive Christ seem shaken from the experience of hearing the Gospel, more so than usual. Team member, Rich Smith, commented, “I wonder what would happen if this kind of prayer was going on all the time, not just during mission trips?” Excellent question! I see the impact of these prayers even in conversations along the way. For example, before boarding a British Airways flight to Dallas, I was questioned by the agent – “Where are you coming from? (Lagos, Nigeria), What were you doing there? (Christian mission trip), What organization are you with? (Grace Community International), Was it successful? (yes, a number of people became Christians and the churches were encouraged). Then I said, “How about you, are you a Christian?” He said, “I am a Catholic”. I said, “Very good.” He then studied my paperwork for another 5 seconds, looked at me and said, “Yes, I’m a Christian”. Even in this short conversation God seemed to be working in him.
In addition to the British Airways agent, I also had interactions with Nigerian British Airways agents that were similar in content. It was very obvious that the airlines knew I was a Christian missionary from their records. These experiences reminded me that it is very important how we dress and behave while traveling on the airlines because we are being watched by people who know we are missionaries. Even though the travel time from Nigeria to Albuquerque is about 27 hours, I kept my tie on the whole way. I was also asked to change seats by a BA agent since I was travelling alone, to allow two family members to sit together, which I quickly and happily agreed to. Another aspect of this is that on these long flights most people were watching movies on the airplane, at least heading back to the US. The selection of movies seemed to be mostly R rated so I settled on watching some cartoon movies, like those you might take your children to go see.
Another lesson that was affirmed during the trip was the importance and effectiveness of short term mission trips. Until I had been on a few of these trips, I always wondered if they were worth the financial cost of sending someone from the US to Africa for a week or two. What I have concluded is that people often get into routines and habits in the things they do as well as how they think about things (including scripture), often due to the secular and local Christian cultures they live in. Having someone come in from the outside who can stimulate their thinking and challenge these habits using the Word of God, even if they are only there for a week or two, can help people correct blind spots and recognize deceptions they had slowly bought into. The result being a lasting positive impact in the Christian community that continues long after you leave. As mentioned previously, it is also not unusual to see a year’s worth of results in witnessing happen in a week or two during a mission trip. From what I have seen, if the mission trip is well prepared for with intention, and effective prayer support is engaged, the impact of a one or two week mission trip can be extremely high and very cost effective.
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