ICC - Theology of Suffering and Counting the Cost

The most sobering part of our Intercultural Communication Course was the session on "Theology of Suffering" and "Counting the Cost".

As the Laura Story's  "Blessings" played  with  lyrics such as "What if Your blessings come through raindrops"  and "What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise." ICC each staff came before course participants with a wooden signs; one one side was written a trial, hardship, type of suffering they had endured while serving abroad on the mission field. Each  flipped their sign to show us how how had provided or a blessing that came via the trial.:

War  --  HE GAVE SHALOM

Alone: Coup attempt --  GOD IS MY COMFORT

Missed grandkids  -- Grandmother to MK’s (missionary kids)

Defamed by colleagues   --  UNDERSTANDS FORGIVENESS

Children and I hospitalized  -- LEARNED TO TRUST GOD

Missed Mom’s funeral   -- GOD was CLOSE to Me

Fearful Pilot’s Wife   -- GOD SET ME FREE

 For homework we were assigned to read Philippians 1-4 or 1 Peter, and list everything we learned about suffering from the passages. We discussed our learnings in class. I challenge you to read these passages and list or highlight what the Bible says about suffering.

The most heart-rending part of this session was a DVD of Reid and April Satterfield about Reid and fellow missionary Erik Lawrence being shot, seriously wounded, and left to die. Reid and Erik returned to show their love and forgiveness to the Aringa villagers in Uganda. On returning, they saw much fruit from what happened to them, both in development around the village and spiritually. Their story is summarized in "Mission to forgive". 

Suffering, hardships, sacrifices are a part of life. Especially as missionaries, it is crucial we are well grounded in God's Word and firmly committed to making His Word known to the world.