Should I join a team?

Jonathan Parkhouse, a recent team member explains what it was like to sign up to SOMA.

Am I ready to join a SOMA Mission?

This was the question I asked myself when I first learned of a SOMA mission to South Sudan.

It is likely to be a question asked by many prospective volunteers. And so let me explain why the answer was a resounding Yes for me and may well be for you too:

Who’s asking the question?

In my case, it is a 52 year old, married man, with 3 mostly grown up children. I attend a Vineyard church on Sundays and also HomeGroup midweek, when I can. I read the Bible regularly and pray. And I practice some of the spiritual disciplines, albeit imperfectly. But I have never given a sermon/teaching and have not been to Bible college. My Christian CV is decidedly low key.

Excellent FAQs

Selecting ‘Get Involved’ on the SOMA website takes you to the FAQs.

One caught my eye. it asked ‘who can go on a mission?’ and answered ‘anyone who subscribes to our SOMA values’. These would be a belief in the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.

Elsewhere the FAQs describe ‘humble people wiling to serve and learn in an overseas context’. I can wholeheartedly agree with that.

And as a Bible and Holy Spirit believing Christian, those FAQs deemed me suitable! And so it proved.

Comprehensive instructions to help pack and prepare

SOMA has been going on missions for years. From this experience, the kit-list is very fit for purpose. Give it an early appraisal eg vaccines need booking in advance. But, having assembled the kit, I had everything I needed during the mission, except for a hot shower…

Simple course structure

We were invited to deliver two 2-day youth leadership conferences. The mission plan/key objectives were all laid out in a document sent to us ahead of time. This was a constant source of reference as the trip developed. Two good reasons spring to mind: the team leader caught Covid and could not attend for the first two days. And when we were faced with a wide range of needs, on site, the mission plan was helpful to keep us focussed.

Constant support

We were a team of 5 (plus the Holy Sprit) and we met several times each day to plan and pray for what was ahead and behind.

Proverbs 16v9 ‘the heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps’

This was the case every day: we planned, we prayed, we proceeded. But then practical issues would intervene: the generator for the church wouldn’t start, the Police detained the driver who was to collect us (through no fault of his). These and a range of other details would constantly require us to adapt. But very happily and consistently, the Holy Spirit was at work. Whatever situation we faced, the day’s objectives would be achieved. It was a joy to witness!

As a team we worked together and continually supported each other. So it was that our different skills, including mine, all contributed to the mission. This sense of purpose added significantly to the trip.

My experience

Working within this servant hearted, mission focussed team, I did not feel out of my depth. Although lacking the gifts and cultural connectivity of other team members, I was able to contribute to the mission usefully.

When I agreed to go, I prayed that I be useful and not useless to the mission. Richard, the team leader, assigned to me a role that I could fulfil. And by the Lord’s grace, my words brought blessing to people at the conference. This makes for a happy chap!

Summary

To be focussed on the Lord’s will, as a team, from waking to sleeping, is a privilege – but not one that I have had before. Yet by virtue of joining the mission, I found myself in exactly that position. Witnessing the Lord at work among us, for his people, is joyous. And the absence of hot showers and other challenges could not take that away.

SOMA advocates a two-way flow of blessing, as two cultural groups meet through mission. For my part, the Lord used me, within the group, to bless South Sudanese delegates. And I in turn was blessed (be prepared to receive a large dosage…) through the many people I met. Observing the love of Jesus blessing all of us and learning how other peoples worship the Lord is… joyful (no apologies for the repeat use of that word).

As we sat, tired but happy, in the airport for the journey home, we considered our contentedness over work well done. Someone asked –

“How much money would you pay for a holiday that left you feeling this good?”

Excellent point!

At the outset, I took a step of faith, secured the time off work and paid for my trip in the manner of sacrificial giving. But I returned from the trip having had an unforgettable time with God, my co-workers and the South Sudanese people.

I came home much richer than I left.

And so, with God’s help, the answer to the question was Yes - I was ready to join a SOMA mission.