A Question of Trust

A Question of Trust

by Veronique Charbonneau

Being a missionary is saying ‘yes’ to being the student and letting God be the teacher. Throughout my entire mission experience, I have had to trust God.

First, I had to trust that God would provide. I learned about Adventist Frontier Missions (AFM) in the middle of 2021. When I had completed the paperwork, I had two weeks to raise all the money needed to attend training. I was sure I would not succeed in raising the money . . . but I forgot that what is impossible for men is possible with God (Mark 10:27). God was faithful to provide, and after the training, it took only about a month to raise all the funds to launch to Benin, West Africa. This experience has taught me that if it is God’s plan, time and finances are no problem for Him.

Second, I had to trust that God had already figured out every detail. When I came to Benin, I only had a one-way ticket. That scared me. I knew that I could have problems entering the borders. I prayed a lot, but I knew it was not a situation I could control, so I surrendered it into God’s hands.

When the plane touched the ground in Benin, my heart started pumping feverishly. I knew that I would soon face the border agents, and they could ask me for proof of my return to Canada, which I did not have. When I arrived at the security station, I said a quick prayer, and soon the man at security called for me. He asked me some questions about my reasons for coming and the work I would do. Then he told me that I was good to go. I praised God that he did not ask for proof I would return to Canada.

Third, I have learned to trust God’s voice.

In Natitingou, Benin, I started helping a kindergarten teacher at a school near our home. I walked there a few times each week along with the other missionaries at my project. In the beginning, the situation was difficult. We were not used to instructors being physically and mentally rough on children when they didn’t listen or when they gave a wrong answer.

We prayed a lot about that situation. At first, we tried to defend the children without offending the teacher. God, however, led us to realize that if we helped the teacher, we could benefit the children and the other instructor at the same time.

As we continue to pray, we are seeing God work in the life of that teacher. She seems happier, and this has impacted her interactions with the children. God is progressively changing the instructor’s heart.

Through this experience, I have learned that sometimes when we are focused on helping certain people or helping in specific ways, God knows who exactly needs our prayers and help and the best way to do so.

Learning to trust God can be a long process—one that is not always easy—because things don’t seem possible for us most of the time. But God is always faithful!

Veronique Charbonneau is a student missionary with Adventist Frontier Missions, serving the Otammari people of Benin.

World Church Prayer Requests

July 1 - 7, 2022

  • Pray for the July 2nd Quarterly Day of Prayer based on the theme “Praying the Three Angels’ Messages.” For materials, click here!
  • Pray also for the 1Heart4Families 24/7 United Prayer program that will run July 2nd. For more info, click here.
  • Pray for Adventist Missions as well as the ministries Adventist Frontier Missions, ASAP Ministries, Jesus for Asia, and others that are sending missionaries on to the front lines.
  • Pray that we as a church would be especially generous with mission work abroad, for as we give, our own home churches will be richly blessed.
  • Pray for the General Conference Sidewalk Evangelism initiative. For more information, please click here.

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