Calling to Remembrance: Boston 2x2 Trip Reflection
“I was in a place of finding it hard to care, and my walk needed to be transformed”
I haven’t even scratched the surface of Boston yet, but there is a significant amount for me to unpack. That’s one of the beauties of going on a mission trip: similar to a verse in the Bible, something short can be life changing. Boston is like Kansas City but on speed. Everyone is busy all the time. It’s like there is a sense that if you’re not busy, then you don’t fit in or you're doing something wrong.
For context, I didn’t really have an in depth “why” in regards to going on this trip to Boston but more of an attitude of “why not?” Maybe that sounds unspiritual of me, but that was my heart at that point. I was very nonchalant in my response to going.
This very heart attitude was confirmation for me that I needed revival. I was in a place of finding it hard to care, and my walk needed to be transformed. So I went. After all, not feeling spiritual is never an excuse to not participate in spiritual activities.
I will say God prepared me. He used Greg , Micah , and Michael to stir in me a more mature love for my brothers by meeting frequently for prayer and discussions in anticipation of Boston, and I got to learn more about these men and their desires in going. This is a necessity with any mission trip, but especially a 2x2. You have to learn to love people.
“It’s for God’s glory, not yours”
I struggle with pride, and in regards to the mission and evangelizing there is a subtle desire for me to want to be some sort of spiritual superhero. I catch myself in vain imaginations of winning a large number of people to Christ or having a quick and sharp response for a difficult-to-navigate biblical question. It is not wrong to hope to win people to Christ, but it is wrong to hope to win them so that you can feel some type of way about yourself. It’s for God’s glory, not yours . These were all things that I was becoming acutely and intimately aware of in Boston.
Proverbs 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
That is precisely what occurred and how I felt on some moments of the trip. This prideful Image I conjured up brought me to moments of shame.
God was still faithful for me to be used, to grow, and to learn that a mission trip will not cleanse you of all your carnality and sin. I know it sounds ridiculous, but that's how I acted and subconsciously felt going into this trip.
“I was reminded of all the amenities that I take for granted at MBT which these members were joyfully worshiping God without”
To continue on the topic of God’s faithfulness, he blessed me with being encouraged by the team in Boston . Literally every member is a minister there, often holding up three or more ministries each. They imbued an obvious recognition of need showcased by their attendance of Hit the Streets, which most of the members showed up for. It was humbling all around. On top of that, I was reminded of all the amenities that I take for granted at MBT which these members were joyfully worshiping God without.
Don’t start to think I forgot about the boys: Greg, Michael, and Micah. Each one of these dudes were used not only for Boston but for my edification as well. I got to experience meek and servant leadership through Greg. He was always considerate of what we wanted to do, often asking for our input, and he came planned and prepared for this trip without leaving us in the dust. Michael was bold, from striking up conversation with people on the train to being the first to share the gospel on our flight. It was evident that he knew the purpose behind being in Boston. Micah was also bold, and he had an obvious gift for connecting with people that we encountered on the day to day (even a crazy Uber driver). I also loved his heart for Boston and his desire to extract as much as he could and bring It back to KC. I was incredibly blessed by these men, and if I'm being honest, I needed them to stay grounded to the mission. I believe they were used to mature me, and I’m sure I was used to grow them in longsuffering.
As far as practical spirituality goes, it’s easier to love something when you’ve experienced it. So go on a mission trip, meet the people, adventure, discover it, get lost in it. Fully expect God to humble you to show you that you're not some superstar. God will use it.
Kalem Eisenhower is a member of Midtown Baptist Temple and is a part of C&YA. He serves on the security team and is part of a UMKC men’s Bible study.
