When Discouragement Hit, God Reignited the Mission

Serving in the mission field has been both a blessing and a challenge. There was a time when I was consistently visiting our fellow believers, full of energy and passion. I was motivated, excited, and deeply committed to the work. But slowly, something changed.

There came a point when I felt drained. My enthusiasm started to fade.

I had so many plans for the youth in our area—programs, activities, and ideas that I believed would help them grow spiritually. I prayed earnestly for these plans to succeed. I gave my time, my effort, and my heart into preparing everything. But despite all that, things didn’t always go as expected. Some plans failed. Some didn’t push through. And honestly, it discouraged me.

There were moments when it felt like my prayers weren’t being answered. That feeling hit hard.

I remember asking God, “Lord, what is really Your plan for me here in this mission field?” It was a quiet but honest question coming from a tired heart.

Then one day, while scrolling in my social media, something caught my attention. It was a simple reminder not to lose hope—that God has a purpose for everyone. It may seem small, but that message spoke directly to me. It was exactly what I needed in that moment.

I felt something shift.

Right after that, I opened my Bible and read Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

That verse hit differently.

In that moment, I surrendered everything to God—my plans, my frustrations, my disappointments. I let go of trying to control everything and chose to trust His timing instead.

And slowly, things began to fall into place.

One of the programs we started was the “Talent Market” with Kevin.

It became a simple but meaningful way to encourage participation.

Every midweek service, vespers, and Sabbath morning attendance had corresponding points. These points could be exchanged for items we prepared. If someone had perfect attendance, they could receive more rewards.

It wasn’t just about the points—it was about connection, consistency, and rebuilding faith.

Our goal was to bring back those who had slowly drifted away. And by God’s grace, some of them returned. Not everyone responded right away, but seeing even a few come back was already a victory.

What truly made me happy was seeing the change.

Before, attendance during midweek and vespers was very low. But now, because of the program, many were encouraged to come. The church felt more alive. More people were showing up, engaging, and reconnecting with God.

Looking back, I realized something: not all prayers are answered the way we expect—but that doesn’t mean God isn’t working. Sometimes, He redirects. Sometimes, He rebuilds. And sometimes, He uses even our moments of discouragement to lead us into something better.

And honestly? That season didn’t break me—it brought me back to trusting God’s plan, one step at a time.

Name: Alfred P. Elorde Jr. I 64th Batch 1000MM

Address: Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay 

Mission Field: Laak, Davao De Oro