3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 42,676

I am always amazed at the excitement and nervousness from those going on their first short-term mission trip, most of the time they don’t know enough to know what they need to be nervous about. There is an excitement in their eyes as they head into the unknown. They prepare testimonies and lessons, not knowing how God will use them or if they will be effective. They pack what is recommended and wonder if it will be enough. They comfort their parents and loved ones, and try to reassure them everything is going to be alright, while at the same time not knowing what the future holds. But through leading and prayer, the journey begins.

 

A lot of mission team members, especially those who have never been on mission before usually become broken spiritually sometime during the week of the trip. They discover a new outlook on sharing, faith, trust, and God. Why is this? It is simple, during the week they are constantly hearing the word of God either from others sharing or through the preaching or their own study. They also see the word of God come to life. That doesn’t mean that the bible gets up and starts walking around. But they see the Spirit of God begin to work in the lives of the people they come in contact with. They walk the streets with a single purpose, to find the person of peace with whom they can share the good news of the gospel. Some are hit with the hard truth that not all will accept the gospel, so they plant a seed not knowing the condition of the soil. Other times they begin to pour out water onto unknown soil, unaware that a seed exist and has been waiting for the moisture that God will use to bring it to life. They get excited and don’t know what to do when out of the ground springs forth life. A miracle, they get to see cold dead bones come to life. After that experience, they have a drive to share and no longer need to be pushed in front of people to share with. Oh what it would have been like in Acts to walk the streets and see God work, bringing people to life through the proclamation of the Gospel. But wait, could that still happen? And could it happen here?

After returning home and a couple weeks of rest, life returns to normal. The mission was accomplished, people were saved and now we are back comfortable, safe, fed, and loved. Or are we? There is always a sense of completion at the end of a mission trip. Not that that would be wrong in the short term, but there is a since of that was where we were on mission at, but now we are back and we have things to get done. Real stuff, school, work, friends, problems, and you know life. Right?

One of the greatest tragedies we have is short-term missions. I know you saw a bunch of people get saved, and God really “showed up”, but stay with me. There is a since of awe and wonder during the week of a mission trip. And we look forward to the next year when we can go and feel that same since of awe and wonder. But let’s compare it to a race shall we. Anyone who runs foot races understands that you have different splits. These are markers throughout the race to gauge your progress, and to ensure you are on pace. A short-term mission trip is sort of like a split. It is a time to see if you are where you need to be in your spiritual life, in your reading and study of the word, apologetics, doctrines, and if you can articulate them to the world around you. The shortness of the week gives you the opportunity to push yourself hard and to evaluate yourself. The tragedy is that the short-term is looked at, as the race itself. We return with a sense that we ran and will rest up to run again next year.

The race however is not over. In fact it is just beginning. When you return home, it is like passing the first mile marker. The street is no longer filled with cheering fans, the road narrows, and the reality of the race sets in. Here is where we must work our hardest. This is where we must pull from prayer and scripture, the strength to press on. Where most might sit and rest, we must run to win. We don’t just return to normal life, we return with a renewed sense of awe for what God has been doing and we must now trust even more so that He will continue His work. We saw on foreign soil God work in others lives. Now we must trust that He will work in ours for His glory and to reach those around us. We are home; this is where we must turn from our sins, where we must love God more than mother and father, more than friends and things. This is where we live out what we preach, if we believe that which we have taught. Did we believe it? Do we believe it? If so, then are we disciplined for the miles ahead? Paul tells the church at Corinth “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified”. Are we disqualified or are we still in the race?

There are no short-term missionaries; there are only missionaries in different context. When we return to our Jerusalem, let us seek the hope that is only found in Christ. Let us not lean on our own understanding, our own wisdom, which is foolishness. Let us not fall victim to busyness and the lure of shiny objects that promise fulfillment. Let our knees be worn out for those nearest to us. Let our time be determined by the cross and His call, trusting that He will provide the time for work, family, fun, and ministry, as we continue the race. We have found our greatest joy in walking by faith; let us not check our faith with Homeland Security as we return home. But let us be reminded daily where our ultimate security is found and where our joy is greatest. Wherever you woke up at, wherever you find yourself, wherever you stand today, then that is your mission field. Time to get running.

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    Artificial Intelligence has revolutionized various industries, and the world of Japanese animation and
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    Here, we explore the various ways AI is changing the anime and manga industry and enhancing the
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    The process of anime requires multiple steps, including writing,
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    – **Automated Character Design:** Designing distinctive
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    – **Animation Enhancement:** AI technologies can improve the clarity of
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    – **Artificial Intelligence in Story Development:
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    – **Transferring Art Styles:** AI tools can apply specific art
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    Beyond production, AI is revolutionizing the distribution and promotion of animated series and comics.
    Artificial intelligence-based technologies are assisting companies engage bigger
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    – **Targeted Marketing Campaigns:** AI analyzes user information to create
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    – **AI-Based Suggestions:** Streaming platforms and digital comic collections
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    – **Predictive Analytics:** AI can analyze patterns in viewership and online activity to
    forecast upcoming trends. This enables producers to stay ahead of audience demands and tailor their offerings
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    ### 4. AI in Fan Interaction

    AI is additionally changing the way fans engage with animated series and
    comics. Ranging from fan art to virtual assistants, AI is improving the user interaction in numerous ways.

    – **Creating Fan Art with AI:** AI programs can generate
    fan art by studying existing characters and creating new pieces in similar styles.

    This allows fans to show their creativity without requiring advanced drawing abilities.

    – **Virtual Assistants:** AI-powered virtual assistants can respond
    to fan queries, suggest series, and provide information about new
    releases. This enhances fan engagement and retains
    them up-to-date about their favorite anime and manga.

    ### Artificial Intelligence-Powered Manga Image Creation

    Among the fascinating developments in AI for comic creation is the application of AI-powered
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    – **Creating Initial Designs:** AI image generators can quickly produce initial designs
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    – **Style Adaptation:** AI technologies can study and imitate the visual aesthetics of specific manga artists.
    This allows creators to produce images that match the visual identity of existing series or try out new styles.

    – **Creating Comic Panels:** AI programs can assist with the creation of
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    ### Artificial Intelligence in Creating Anime Images

    Just as in manga, AI is taking a significant role
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    – **Designing Characters:** AI tools can generate anime characters based on given parameters,
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    – **Scene Generation:** AI tools can produce detailed scenes for animated productions.
    By analyzing existing scenes and requirements, AI can create backgrounds that fit the intended look and atmosphere.

    – **Dynamic Animations:** AI tools additionally assist in generating dynamic animations.
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    ### The Future of AI in Anime and Manga

    Although AI provides many advantages to the animated series and comic book
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