Serving Without Distraction
Jayne Cash

That first Tuesday as we sat around the table and told a little about ourselves, I became very overwhelmed. Most of the ladies going on Christmas Joy 2007 had very specific reasons and motives for going. I did not. All I knew for sure was that God wanted me to go.

I had been on a personal spiritual journey for several months. As the trip approached I found that I was overcome with fear and anxiety. The only place I knew to find relief was in God’s Word. As I searched His Word, God gave me many promises such as Psalm 29:11, “The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.” And Proverbs 30:5, “Every Word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.” I especially learned to treasure Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not for I am with thee, be not dismayed for I am your God, I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

I learned some valuable lesson in the months before the journey that became my lifeline during it. I found that faith is choosing to believe and act upon God’s Word, regardless of my feelings or circumstances. I know that His will for my life may be difficult at times, but it is always good, acceptable and perfect (Rom. 12:2). God’s Word is true and He fulfills every promise. 

The trip itself was more wonderful that I could even imagine. Yes, the travel was long and tiring. The country was foreign and overcast. I was definitely out of my comfort zone. Yet, I found myself experiencing a rare luxury; the luxury of being able to minister and serve without distraction. All of us had laid aside our normal roles of wives, mothers, employees, etc to take on the role of servant. And did we ever serve! 

The BMI staff mapped out a schedule that allowed us to minister at least twice a day in many different settings. As we became involved and exposed to the ministry there in Kazakhstan, I became convicted and humbled by the overwhelming focus on evangelism. The BMI staff seemed to exhaust every means they had to get us into places (some for the first time) to share the gospel. We shared with the poor and needy, at boarding schools, a blind center, an AIDS hospital, a TB hospital, and at church outreaches. We even made small group home visits to the handicapped. Twice a day, every day, we presented our program and gave out the gospel. 

We also had the chance to be part of an even bigger outreach program. The BMI staff was in the midst of preparing 100,000 packets to be used in a special one-to-one outreach. We had a chance to assemble some of these packets and to pray over them. As we worked, I was challenged to think of ten people here at home that I can pray for and share with this year.

There is so much I could say about the trip. Each and every lady on the team was a blessing to me.  The BMI staff overwhelmed us with their care and hospitality (and their love for lost souls). The accommodations were fine and the food was good! It was a privilege to get to know some of our own missionaries up close and personal. 

The highlights of this trip to me were getting to know the believers there in Kazakhstan; seeing the faces of the children who were thrilled to see us just because we were from America; and seeing the faces of the adults who were grateful that we brought gifts to their children who had so little. This trip for me was a rare opportunity and I am very grateful that I had the chance to go.