I told myself earlier today that I would write a blog. When I came to my site, I realized that I had already written in my last blog post what I wanted to write, but now I will take the time to expound a little more.
As I have stated in my last blog post, I will not be returning to Germany this summer, but instead I will be going else where for about 9 to 15 months. I am not telling the place I am planning on serving because I have not been given a definite "Yes" from the people on the ground that I will possibly be working with. The country I am praying about is in South East Asia.
Preparing for this trip there are prayer needs:
1) Pray for a male partner to go with me. This will help in ministry and outreach, temptations that I might face while on the ground, living expenses, and also provide me with an accountability partner.
2) Pray that this trip will work out according to God's will. Like I said I have not been given a definite "Yes" but if this trip will not work out, there are 2 other options for me to consider
3) Pray for finances. Being gone for 9 to 15 months will be expensive. There is a likely-hood that I will not have a job during the time I am gone.
There are two reasons for why I will not be returning to Germany this year. One of those reasons is to help confirm my heart to Germany. I have been on 4 international mission trips in the past 4 years. My first trip was to Venezuela where I would spend a week. My last 3 international mission trips were to Germany where I would spend 2 weeks to 6 weeks to 9 weeks. Really never in a different context of the world. Getting out of the context of Germany and Europe(even the United States) I pray will be a way in showing my heart where the Lord is truly leading me. The other reason in not going to Germany this year is to help prepare me better for missionary life in a different context. I have never been outside of the United States or away from my own home for more than 5 months (freshman year at Bob Jones University; however I did return home for Thanksgiving and also for a weekend trip). Getting away from home will help prepare me for the reality of not living with my parents and living own my home. Also I pray that it will prepare my heart for life as a missionary; this so when I do begin my life as a career missionary and I head out for the field, I am not tired of it and wanting to go home after 6 months or so.
I don't know if I am looking at this in the wrong way, but I am looking at it as an internship. But at the same time, I understand there is something greater with this trip and that is to glorify God. That is how I want this trip to turn out, not just as a learning experience for myself, but to bring glory to God by ministering to a possibly unreached people group that is lost in their sinfulness.
I ask that you please join me in prayer while I seek to follow the Lord's will for my life and bring glory to Him
In Christ,
Tyler A. Bowman
