What It's Like to Go on a Mission Trip with Bill Rudge
by Rick Chenoweth
An overseas mission trip with Bill Rudge is an exciting adventure. You will be challenged as to your limits and capabilities. New sensations, tastes and opportunities will open before you daily. You will be in a position to be used by God in a way that you've never been used before. If you are ready for this, read on!
There are many things to be considered before accompanying Bill Rudge on a mission trip.
My preparation included the following:
Relationship with God
1. My relationship with God had to be strong and secure; Jesus Christ is and always will be my Lord and Savior.
2. After prayer and study of the Word, I had to make sure the Lord was REALLY leading me on THIS proposed trip. This is important because Bill goes on many trips and takes many people with him. He prays and fasts concerning the people who are to accompany him and only wants those whom he feels led to have with him.
What You Need
Besides saving up to cover your own travel and food expenses, there are other various personal needs to be considered before embarking on a trip. One needs a passport and possible visas to countries being visited. One suggestion is to bring an extra passport photo and a photocopy of the actual passport in case the original is lost or stolen. This should be kept separate from the passport.
Medical insurance should be up to date and any physical problems that you have that could affect the trip need to be made known to Bill. In my case, I have periodic migraine headaches. I made sure Bill knew about this. Remember, physical limitations will keep anyone from going on these trips if they are considered detrimental to the goals of the trip; for example, if you cannot walk for long distances, have a difficult time digesting new foods, or are easily overwhelmed by culture shock. One needs to be healthy, physically in shape, and spiritually ready for whatever happens.
Not Everyone Is Meant to Go
The decision to go is a tough one –– not everyone is meant to go on a mission trip with Bill. If you like comfort and predictability and are adversely affected by challenges and constant change, don't go. These trips stretch a person to the limits. In my trip to India with Bill, the first day in Calcutta put me into overload. I had a monster migraine along with the 11-hour time zone difference from the States. It was one of the toughest days of my life! Change and challenges were everywhere.
Unpredictability is the norm for mission trips. You are removed from your comfort zone. Many of the following are faced: eating foreign foods, cold showers, bugs, changing weather conditions, more bugs, potentially hostile natives, no electricity, and still more bugs. Many times, you are not staying in hotels, but in the homes of natives or missionaries. You must be able to adapt to your surroundings graciously and with joy.
Traveling Light Is a Necessity
Traveling light is a necessity. The more you bring, the more YOU carry. Also, Bill has a tendency to give away almost everything that he brings. It is a good idea to have the same attitude. Be willing to give whatever you have to anyone in need. Outfit your trip from the Salvation Army store. It is also a good time to clean out your closet of clothing which you don't wear very often.
Come with a Servant Mentality
Christian missionaries and nationals have heard about Bill through his radio ministry, literature and tapes and invited him to minister in their country. You are there to support and assist Bill with his ministry goals and reach others in any way possible. You will have opportunity to share the Gospel personally. This may involve giving your testimony, leading a Bible study (many times through an interpreter), praying aloud or singing. You will also have times of sharing your faith one-on-one in remote villages and on city streets.
Bill Runs a Tight Ship
Bill does run a tight ship. As he and the teammates deal with spiritual warfare, hectic schedules and potentially life-threatening situations, there can be no room for dissension. God often uses Bill in extraordinary ways, and he in turn needs people who will be flexible and adaptable, expecting the unexpected. No matter how bad conditions get, there is no room for complaining as the Israelites and the 10 spies did at the border of the Promised Land in Numbers 13 and 14. But rather, we need the encouraging and obedient attitudes of Joshua and Caleb who said, "... the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid ..." (Numbers 14:9).
Readiness is Essential
During the recent trip to Jordan, Israel, and Egypt, I had many opportunities to put into practice these guidelines. The times that Bill shared in Israel and Egypt were fantastic. People surrounded Bill and asked him many questions. I stayed in the background, taking some pictures and being ready to help Bill in any way. Because we had to be at another location for Bill to speak again as soon as he finished ministering, he and the host came back to where I was sitting and said, "Let's go." I was up and out the door with them immediately with all literature and equipment packed. Readiness is essential. When it is time to move on to the next ministry opportunity, one cannot be caught unprepared.
Very Busy and Tiring
The long days on this trip were also hard physically; many times we were up before 6 am, traveling throughout the Holy Land most of the day researching Biblical sites and doing some ministry, speaking in local fellowships and churches in the evening, and finally getting to sleep around midnight. There were also evenings that Bill worked on book projects into the wee hours of the morning. Several evenings he requested that I assist with some proofreading. Wrap all this around the personal daily devotional time, and you have a very busy and tiring schedule.
But It's Worth It!
In conclusion, a Bill Rudge mission trip will change your life and be the adventure of a lifetime. You will have a new outlook about the world and will come back to the United States with a new love for the Lord and the missionaries and nationals you met. Now when you pray, you have faces instead of just names to lift up to the Lord. You will never be the same!
Thanks
Any money Bill receives from speaking engagements goes into a special account to be used when he travels and does missionary work. Also, all monies Bill receives from the sale of his cassettes, books, and pamphlets, is used to provide these materials free of charge to thousands of people throughout the world who cannot afford to pay for them. Thanks for your prayer and financial support which helps to make our ministry such a fruitful outreach.
