When Jesus "called" the Twelve and sent them on mission, He told them specifically to "take nothing for the journey'' (v3). They were to rely totally on the providence of God for all their needs. He "gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases" (v1), and to "proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal" (v2). They performed as instructed, because they were like the prophets of old, envoys of God's words, but now it is of Jesus'. Their credibility is anchored in Jesus, Who empowered them that their words and deeds are the wonders of Jesus working through them.

Have you been on a mission? Going on mission is not without challenges. However, those who have been on a short mission trip would have at least experienced to have seen the unseen, their mind opened to the unknown, and their heart conceived the impossible. Those who committed their lives as missionaries would testify differently and with much conviction, attribute everything to the faithfulness of God in providing and empowering them in their proclamation of the Kingdom of God.

So, other than making pilgrimages to sanctuaries, especially to the Holy Land, prayerfully consider mission trips to places where people need to hear and receive the fruits of our Christian faith. Whether short mission trips or full-time missionaries - we have been empowered to witness God's compassion. In every trying encounter, we submit to God and God will sustain us (Ps 55:22).