Man on a Mission

But what? Where? Why?

Last Thursday, I boarded a plane at Changi bound for Thailand's Suvarnabhumi Airport, where I caught a connecting flight to Vientiane, Laos. It was a work trip primarily to interview an 'in-field' Singaporean volunteer who was serving a one year stint teaching English to government officials in an institute there that's equivalent to our Civil Service College here.

The secondary school teacher in his early thirties had chosen to veer off a comfortable secure career he'd held for six years in the education sector to do something radically different. As if taking a pay cut and going on no-pay leave was a harsh enough trade-off that would deter most from contemplating becoming a volunteer teacher, the young man must now also serve out a two-year bond thereafter with the Ministry of Education.

A travelling companion asked me on the trip if I'd be interested in becoming an in-field volunteer for a time like the young man. After a moment's reflection, I said, "I would, but not for a humanitarian mission like this". It wasn't that the work wasn't good enough for me or that I felt there's no room for going beyond oneself to help others in practical ways. Were I still a swinging single with less financial obligations to meet, it would have been a different story and the option would be there - but that's the rational side of me speaking.

But the well of purpose that stirs from deep within would have me contemplate a mission and serve as a volunteer only on the premise that it's soul-focused. However I am not ruling out the possibility that souls can be led and won to the Kingdom through practical demonstration of love and help. But if it were strictly on the premise of a humanitarian mission for a medium to long term, I'd pass.

Will I heed when God calls me to be where He wants me to be when He wants me to go?

May I never turn a deaf ear to His prompting if He wants to send this man on a mission.