Terhi Ratalahti's trip to Kenya and Uganda in December 2009

Experiences from being in a minitryteam.
I felt privileged having God call me to travel to Kenya and Uganda. The trip, together with Outi Välimaa, was scheduled December 1-23, 2009. In Kenya we were awaited by Mikko and Norah. The fact that we were already well acquainted with each other eased the thought of staying close together for three weeks. On our first trip in 2003 there were seven of us, all strangers to each other, and because of that it took quite a lot of time and effort on behalf of the team to learn to get along and function properly.

The first leap toward "team harmony" on this trip was at Nairobi airport where we missed our flight to Mombasa. I was going through a battle within myself, trying to make up my mind whether to allow my flesh to rule or to choose to walk in the Spirit. Pretty soon I discerned which was better. It became a burden of prayer! We didn't fully realize why we found ourselves at that airport praying for the nation of Kenya. Also, this was Outi's first night shift in full-time ministry. Eph.6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." God put us there just to pray!

Mikko and Norah joined the team in Momaba.
The team started to develop right away. Teambuilding goes through various processes, and in my opinion, this time everything went smoothly probably because we already knew each other quite well. One challenge I had to face was the barrier of English language, which I don't understand very well, so I needed Mikko to translate in many situations. Sometimes this bothered me, but the main thing was I didn't let it tick me off. I didn't understand every part of the conversations -didn't have to, either. It probably spared me from a lot of things that would have otherwise taken my thoughts out of focus and drained my energy.

I also felt that on this team it was important to feel a sense of belonging so that we could each find our own place and benefit each other. My duty was to commit to support the team and its leader Outi, because she carried the greatest responsibility. My aim was to try not to let my behavior cause any disturbance and give Outi any cause to worry. We discussed the fact that a teamleader, with all their character flaws, must be respected and talking behind anyone's back is not an option. It would have grieved the Holy Spirit and held back His blessing. Being in a team also meant that one must lay down their own needs and preferences. I thought about the difference between living according to the flesh and by the spirit. I saw in a new way the great power of intercessory prayer. In general, I was at peace and had joy, even though the schedule didn't always move according to our plan: meals were irregular, some of us only had a few hours of sleep, and I didn't have a chance to go running for three weeks. But the Holy Spirit taught me in many ways.

I first suspected my poor English to bring me much disappointment, but this was not how it was. As I committed myself to the corporate vision and did my own part in prayer and practical tasks, I really got to enjoy myself. It was wonderful to be out in the mission field in a far away country! I saw that God's paths are straight indeed. As people we tend to make things more complicated than they really are, but to me this trip was a "straight road" all the way, thanks to so many of you who are praying.

As a team we got to experience God's protection and blessing. I witnessed how Outi got to lead many people to Jesus and pray for the sick. Of course, I got to pray for others as well, in the Finnish language and in other tongues, even though I didn't know exactly what situations and circumstances people were going through. But most importantly, Jesus knew everything! I got to bless African children and adults alike, and I was blessed in many ways in turn because of them. Giving and receiving is so extensive.

Thankful for Outi, Mikko, Norah, Jukka and Jarkko. The Lord fulfilled His promise and ordered His angels to guard us wherever we went.
Terhi