Mathiesen: What have you learned on this trip about having a burning passion for a people group, and what affect has this had on your approach to the Word of God and your relationship with Christ?
Niemeier: We were there just long enough to taste the culture, visit with the people and to really grow in our desire for the Lord to move among them. We wanted more time to meet more Chinese and for genuine trust and friendship to develop. Simply visiting the Chinese people gave us a rather strong desire to share the gospel; it was overwhelming to imagine how Christ must desire to be with them, in their hearts. With this in mind, we looked more deeply into God's Word and tried to apply what we had just read. It humbles me to consider how much Christ wants to be in my heart and the price He paid that I might have that joy always.
Mathiesen: What was the most memorable part of this trip for you?
Niemeier: I would have to say that the debriefing time was the most memorable. This is perhaps an odd part of the trip to take as most memorable, but it was the most significant for me. We were encouraged to reconcile ourselves to the other members of the group so as not to allow for anything to get in the way of our friendships and the Lord's glory. So I walked up to the guy I had the most tension with (which was quite limited) and apologized for sinning against him in a number of areas. Then I asked for his forgiveness. At that moment I came to a fuller understanding of Christ's love for me and became heart-broken because of what He'd done for me. Then, I was Spirit-compelled to talk to the rest of the group and to ask for their forgiveness. It's hard to describe, but that was what I knew needed to be done for all of our sakes. Afterwards I felt a very deep sense of peace about all of our friendships being anchored in Christ's love.
Mathiesen: As a seminary student, do you see these kinds of mission trips as beneficial to your seminary education?
Niemeier: Most definitely. I believe the most detrimental part of the Church today is its disconnectedness within itself. Congregations don't communicate enough with each other. The grandeur of the Body of Christ isn't realized nearly enough by the youth or adults. The opportunity to go on mission trips allows the mind to wrap itself around the idea of the Church. Sometimes congregations are bogged down by local drama between families, or what have you, and not enough people are in the position to poke their head above the clouds of the local church to see the bigger reality that is God's love for all people. As a student, it’s refreshing to allow my mind to be forced in a direction I'm not used to focusing on. Cross-cultural studies is so enlightening and broadening for me. There's no better way to mature than to expose oneself to a variety of cultures and challenges. I'm grateful for the things God's allowed me to see and experience in
