mission trip highlight: austin 2026
Testimony by Trista Cao
This past April, I had the opportunity to join our church’s four-day short-term mission trip to Austin. Before we left, as a first-time participant, I felt quite nervous. I kept wondering, “What can we really accomplish for God in just one weekend?” and “We haven’t received any special training—can God really use us?”
For me, short-term missions had always seemed like something very spiritual, yet somewhat distant from my own life. I often thought that only those who were especially gifted, capable, and skilled at evangelism could truly be used by God. But after this trip, I came to realize more deeply that it is not we who do the work—it is God Himself. And through this mission trip, God was also building and restoring each one of us.
The primary purpose of this trip was to support the Austin church in reaching local young people and helping establish a youth ministry. Although the trip lasted only a few days, we continually experienced God’s guidance throughout both the preparation and the event itself. To be honest, none of us felt completely confident at the beginning. We did not know how many people would come or how successful the event would be. Many things seemed limited: our time, our experience, and our manpower. Yet within those limitations, we saw God opening doors step by step. More than twenty young people attended the youth gathering on Saturday afternoon and evening. The event went smoothly, and the atmosphere was warm and natural. Through conversations, games, and sharing, strangers gradually became friends. The entire experience was even more relaxed and joyful than we had imagined.
What encouraged us even more was hearing later from Uncle Bob at the Austin church that many of those young people continued attending church after the event, and that the church has now established its very first youth fellowship. When I heard this, I was deeply moved. I suddenly realized that the expansion of God’s Kingdom has never depended on human ability. It is God Himself who works, watches over, and brings things to completion. We often worry that we are not good enough, capable enough, or spiritual enough. But God is not looking for the most qualified people—He is looking for those who are willing to respond to His call. Simply being allowed to participate in His work is already a grace and a privilege.
In addition to witnessing God’s work, I am especially grateful for every member of our team. Looking back on our prayers before departure, many of us admitted that this was our first short-term mission trip and that we were unsure what we could contribute. Yet afterward, it became clear that God had placed each person exactly where they needed to be. Cassie faithfully handled many financial and communication tasks with patience and attention to detail. Ivy carried her camera throughout the trip, capturing many precious moments. Qinghua tirelessly drove us wherever we needed to go and always worked hard to keep the atmosphere lively. Linda quietly filled in the gaps wherever help was needed. Chloe naturally connected with others and brought warmth and ease to the team. Meihan contributed her previous mission experience by helping us plan games and activities. And Pastor Norman, our team leader, shepherded each of us with love, grace, and patience. Individually, we may seem ordinary and may not possess extraordinary abilities. Yet when God brought us together, we became a team working side by side for His Kingdom. We became a group of “soldiers of God’s Kingdom,” gathered by God and serving together for His purposes. However, the most memorable lesson from this trip came through something very small.
Before the youth event began, we expected our preparation to consist mainly of rehearsals and setting up the venue. But because the scheduled cleaning staff did not show up that day, several of our team members were asked to clean the church instead. By the time the rest of us arrived, they had already been working for quite a while, so we joined in—cleaning windows, wiping tables and chairs, and preparing the facility. To be honest, I felt a little uncomfortable at first. This was not what I had imagined “ministry” would look like. As I cleaned dusty windows and outdoor furniture, I even felt a little frustrated and resentful. Yet I kept reminding myself that we were serving God, and whatever task we were given should be done willingly. If we were going to do it, we should do our best to make God’s house clean and welcoming. What humbled me, however, was realizing that the other team members had much better attitudes than I did. Throughout the entire process, they never complained. They simply worked quietly and faithfully. Even more surprising was hearing later from the Austin pastor that one of the things that touched him most deeply was seeing our team willingly clean the church without being asked twice.
At that moment, God convicted me in many ways. I had always thought ministry meant leading activities, sharing from the front, or standing on a stage. But God showed me that true ministry can sometimes be as simple as quietly wiping down a table. I also realized that there were still many areas in my heart that resisted being a servant. I wanted to do things that seemed important. I wanted my efforts to be noticed. Yet when Jesus walked on earth, He consistently chose the humble path. As a servant of God, having a heart of obedience, humility, and willing service is perhaps the greatest lesson God reminded me of during this trip—and one I still need to learn.
Although I returned home physically tired, I also felt restored in a way I had not experienced in a long time. After most trips, I usually need several days to recover. But after this mission trip, I felt as though God had filled me anew. The genuine fellowship among teammates, our daily times of prayer and devotion, and the ways God spoke to and illuminated areas of my life all refreshed and strengthened me. I originally thought I was going to Austin to work for God. But in the end, I discovered that the ones God truly wanted to build up and restore were us.
I thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to participate in this mission trip. And I thank Him for reminding me once again that a “soldier of God’s Kingdom” is not someone who is the strongest, most capable, or most complete. Rather, it is someone who is willing to obey God, be shaped by Him, and offer themselves wholeheartedly for His purposes.
今年四月，我有机会参加教会去Austin的四天短宣。出发之前，作为团队里第一次参加短宣的一员，我心里其实很忐忑。我一直在想：“我们短短一个周末，到底能为神做什么？”“我们也没有受过什么专业训练，真的能够被神使用吗？” 对我来说，“短宣”一直是一件听起来很属灵、但离自己有一点遥远的事情。我总觉得，只有很有恩赐、很有能力、很会传福音的人，才能真正被神使用。但这次短宣结束后，我越来越深地感受到：真正做工的，其实不是我们，而是神自己；而神也借着这次短宣，在建造和恢复我们每一个人。
这次短宣最主要的目的，是支持Austin分堂接触当地青年人、建立青年事工。虽然整个行程只有短短几天，但在预备和进行的过程中，我们却不断经历神的带领。老实说，一开始大家心里其实都没有太大的把握。我们不知道会来多少人，也不知道活动的效果会如何。很多事情看起来都很有限：时间有限、经验有限、人手有限。但就在这样的有限里，我们一步一步看见神亲自在开路。周六下午和晚上的青年活动，最后来了二十多位青年人，整个聚会过程非常顺利，气氛也特别自然、温暖。大家一起聊天、玩游戏、分享，原本陌生的人渐渐熟络起来，整个过程比我们想象中还要轻松和喜乐。更感恩的是，后来Austin分堂的Bob叔叔还分享说，那次活动之后，有不少青年人继续回到教会，现在甚至已经成立了第一个青年团契。听到这个消息的时候，我心里真的非常感动。因为我突然意识到，神国的扩展从来不是靠人的能力，而是神亲自在运行、看顾和成就。我们常常会担心自己不够好、不够会做、不够属灵，但神并不是在寻找“最专业的人”，而是在寻找愿意回应祂的人。能够参与神的工作，本身就是一种恩典和荣幸。
除了看见神的工作，我也特别感恩这次团队里的每一位同工。回想出发前一起祷告的时候，很多人都说自己是第一次短宣，也不知道自己能做什么。但后来回头看，才发现神把每个人都很奇妙地放在了合适的位置上。有耐心又细心的Cassie姐姐，默默承担了很多财务和沟通的工作；有Ivy姐妹，全程扛着大相机，为我们记录下许多珍贵的瞬间；有Qinghua弟兄，一路任劳任怨地开车，也总是努力活跃气氛；有细心的Linda姐妹，总是在大家忽略的地方默默补位；有Chole姐妹，很自然地和大家建立连接，让整个团队多了很多轻松和温暖；有Meihan姐妹，用她过去短宣的经验帮助我们策划游戏和活动；还有Norman牧师，作为领队，用爱心和包容牧养着团队里的每一个人。我们每个人看起来都很普通，也不一定有什么特别厉害的能力，但当神把我们放在一起的时候，我们却像一支彼此配搭的队伍，一起为了神国而摆上。我们每个人看起来都很普通，也不一定有什么特别厉害的能力，但当神把我们放在一起的时候，我们却像一群被神聚集、彼此配搭的“神国精兵”，一起为了神国而摆上。
而这次短宣里，最让我被提醒、也最触动我的，其实是一件很小的事情。在青年活动开始前，我们原本以为预备工作只是彩排和布置场地。但因为当天原本安排的清洁人员没有来，临时请几位我们的同工先去打扫教会。后来我们到的时候，看到她们已经默默打扫了很久，于是大家也一起加入，擦玻璃、擦桌椅、整理场地。老实说，当时我心里其实是有一点不舒服的。因为那和我原本想象中的“服事”很不一样。我一边擦着满是灰尘的玻璃和室外桌椅，一边心里甚至有一点委屈和气愤。但那时候我不断提醒自己：我们是为神做工，那无论做什么，都应该甘心。既然做了，就应该尽力把神教会的环境整理得干净整洁。但真正让我惭愧的是，我发现其他同工比我做得好很多。他们从头到尾都没有一句抱怨，只是安静认真地做着手上的事情。而更奇妙的是，后来Austin的牧师分享到，他最受感动的，正是大家愿意默默地把教会打扫干净这件事情。那一刻，我心里被神提醒了很多。我原本以为服事是带活动、分享、站在台前；但神却让我看见，真正的服事，有时候可能只是默默擦干净一张桌子。我也开始反思，自己里面其实还有很多不愿意“做仆人”的地方。我会希望做看起来重要的事情，会希望自己的付出被看见，但耶稣在世上的时候，却常常走在最卑微的位置上。而作为神的仆人，那种顺服、谦卑和甘心服事的心，是我这次短宣里最深被提醒、也是最需要学习的功课。
短宣结束后，虽然身体其实有一点疲惫，但我心里却有一种很久没有过的“被恢复”的感觉。以前旅行回来，我常常需要花几天时间重新调整；但这次短宣结束后，我反而觉得里面像重新被神充满了一样。无论是与同工之间真实的联结、每天一起祷告灵修的经历，还是神对我生命里的提醒和光照，都让我得着很多。我原本以为，这次是去Austin为神做工；但后来我才发现，神真正要建造和恢复的，其实是我们自己。感谢主，让我有机会参与这次短宣。也感谢神再次提醒我：所谓“神国的精兵”，并不是能力最强、最完全的人，而是愿意顺服神、被神建造、甘心摆上的人。