From This Side of the Ocean
A Parent's Perspective on Short-Term MissionsBy Debbie Hodgdon
March 1, 2005: a day that was suddenly here, yet at the same time it seemed an eternity before we could turn the calendar page to reveal it! Actually, we weren't home to turn that page. We were at the Sacramento airport, about to see our precious daughter launch into the blue yonder... with people we didn't know... to an UNKNOWN LAND!!! Well... unknown to us, anyway! PANIC ATTACK!!! What did we think we were doing!?! Romania? Gypsies? Strange food and people? Weird diseases? YIKES! Were we really going to let her get on that hunk of metal and fly halfway around the world? With God's direction, provision, and PEACE... we did. And so the adventure began and the scenario has been repeated five more times as the Lord has given her the privilege of serving Him in Romania, Russia, and Mexico. "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee." Ps. 56:3
To be honest, the preparation time leading up to that first trip was probably the most nerve-wracking, exciting, unbelievable experience that these two parents have been through, and especially this mom! We had never done anything like this.There were SO MANY questions to ask, details to know (as many as could be known at the time), and things to purchase. And just where would the finances come from? What if "this" and what if "that"? All the bases have to be covered, you know! Not to mention, our daughter had never been overseas and was usually a "home body" type of person. How would she do so far away with no other family members or close friends with her? Can't forget this question (one of the first ones, actually): who are the leaders? That's a biggie! It's all a "mom thing," you know! We never stop being "moms" no matter how old our kids get! Although they do need to be addressed, the questions and concerns could go on and on forever, paralyzing ministry! The Lord certainly showed us that He is bigger than anything we can worry about or fear. "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Phil. 4:6
In the last two and a half years each trip that Loriann has taken has brought with it new questions and concerns for us as parents. Yes, we still get a tad nervous about her being in that hunk of metal for ten hours, flying over oceans, getting stuck at airports, or lost in metros. There's a host of all kinds of things one could worry about when a daughter (or son) is 4,000+ miles away in a foreign land they (and we) have never seen before. But God is there. He can take care of His child better than I can. And He does, "...for he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." Heb. 13:5b
International missions has taken Loriann outside of her comfort zone. The Lord has sharpened in her His desire for the souls of men. We have seen God challenge and stretch her faith and trust in Him (and ours, too) by putting her in situations she would have never chosen for herself. We see her spiritual growth and maturity in her calm assurance that God knows what He is doing. Global Encounters trips have definitely strengthened her desire to love and serve the Lord with her whole heart, mind, soul and strength. And we have the privilege of 
being part of it through praying and giving. What a blessing to us! And a challenge: to make a difference in this life for eternity by sharing the Gospel of Christ wherever the Lord takes you! "...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15
Debbie's daughter, Loriann, continues to go on international mission trips. She will be one of the team leaders for the upcoming trip to Chiapas. Click here to read Loriann's bio.