Ashley Dusek
Sep 28, 2021
"Circumstances may appear to wreck our lives and God's plans, but God is not helpless among the ruins. God's love is still working. He comes in and takes the calamity and uses it victoriously, working out His wonderful plan of love.
Eric Liddell penned these words in 1919, years before he would fully learn what they meant–years before he would live them out! Liddell was born to Rev. James Liddell in Tientsin (Tianjin) North China, and went on to be an Olympic medalist and a missionary. In 1924, his plans changed when he gave up his first gold medal in Paris' 100-meter race to stand for what he believed. In 1941, his plans changed as political tension grew in Tientsin, and he was forced to send his wife and children to Canada while he stayed to serve alone. Two years later, he was taken to a Japense internment during WWII and his plans changed yet again as he turned a war camp into a mission field, and changed countless lives of discouraged fellow prisoners.
A young man's words in 1919 became a shining beacon of light as Eric's life and testimony pointed a weary world in WWII to a faithful God Who works not just in spite of our changing circumstances, but because of them.
MMO has seen its own share of change in the last few years as we've navigated each tricky detail of travel and clinical logistics in an ever-changing pandemic world. And yet, we have seen God's faithfuless shine through over and over! We have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with our teams on the front lines, and watched God bring many hurting people to Himself in the midst of circumstances we wouldn't have chosen.
This past summer, MMO was priviledged to have Ashley join us for our Summer Internship Program, and she shares her own experiences of seeing God at work in the unexpected as she served with us in Tanzania and Honduras!
We love how she put it in her own words:
"Not only did I get to see God work in Tanzania and Honduras this summer but I even got to see Him work between destinations–on a plane!
After extending my stay in Honduras for an extra week at the last minute, I ended up on a different plane ride back than I had originally planned. My flight was getting ready to leave and I had two seats open by me. Selfishly I thought “Yes! I don’t have to sit by anybody!”, but as soon as the plane was rolling out, a mother and her son sat down next to me. I was bummed I didn’t get the row to myself but I played it cool and introduced myself, and then put my headphones on.
About an hour later the son, Jordan, talked to me as we ate our snacks. The conversation started with questions about Honduras, but soon developed into what we liked to do for fun. This gave me an opportunity to share about my passion, the church. I explained to Jordan that my love for missions was the reason that brought me to Honduras. This transitioned into the perfect opportunity to share the story of creation, the miracles of Jesus, and the Gospel story.
After about an hour-and-a-half of talking and answering his questions, Jordan decided that he wanted to follow Christ. Right there on the plane, somewhere between Honduras and Georgia, Jordan prayed and surrendered his life to Jesus! This was definitely a divine appointment, and a reason God had me stay an extra week in Honduras!
When your plans change, His faithfulness does not. His goodness extends beyond your disppointments, and His promises remain an anchor no mattter the circumstance.
May you rest today in the knowledge of a God Who works in the unexpected!