Many of us schedule our lives based on who we want to be and what we want to accomplish. For me, my past determined what I want for each day. Through changes and hardships, I released my plans for God’s plans.
American Becomes Asian
I grew up in Oklahoma and learned many things from my parents, with two things at the forefront: work hard and be involved in church. Fast forward 10 years and my bags were packed to go to Asia and lead people to Christ.
The shock for me and many of us who serve God overseas is this: EVERYTHING is different! Working hard meant nothing when I didn’t know the language or how to relate to the people. There was no church that I could understand; no pastor to lead and encourage me.
I had to adjust my thinking. I had to adjust my days. At the beginning of serving overseas, I felt more like a boat being tossed by the wind. I had no choice what my days looked like and no control. I was to do whatever I could to learn the language and figure out how this small town girl could use her little knowledge to reach others for Christ and help the sick.
Over the years, I came to realize what it would take to impact Asian lives for Christ—I had to become Asian to win them to Christ, following the Apostle Paul’s example to the church in Corinth,
“To the Jews, I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.” - 1 Corinthians 9:20a
For me, being Asian means living life in community with others, calling your neighbor “mom” and your friend “sister”. Asian means going to the market almost daily and cooking fresh. Early to bed, early to rise! Asian also means looking at the gospel and life with a different worldview: interpersonal relationships come first. It’s less about the goal and more about those you meet on the journey.
Once I began to comprehend their way of thinking and living, “A Day In My Life” began to look different in Asia than it had in America. But, changing my ways did not come quick!
Learning the Hard Way
I began ministry in Asia 18 years ago in a very driven American way! I accomplished language quickly and was off. Being a nurse practitioner, I knew what it meant to work hard. Alongside my husband, we began a water and health organization that quickly became international and growing. Within a few years, we found ourselves living like we had in America. Busy, busy, busy. Each day began with brief prayer, sending kids to International School, and working all day getting clean water and the gospel to Asian people. We spent the weekends discipling others. We were successful and things looked good on the outside. But, inside I felt life was running away from me.
We maintained this pace for about 13 years until our schedules and plans took a major shift. This was not because I chose to make changes, but because a period of deep anxiety and depression in my life forced us to change. I thank God now for what he taught me through this painful time.
Finding God’s Plan For My Days
In order to heal, we moved out to a very rural area far from city life, international schools, and the fast growing organization we had begun. Life got quiet. I began to homeschool my kids and listen more to the Lord and what he was teaching me.
I realized I was weak and needed so much more of Him to sustain me and work through me. My previous schedule didn’t allow the time of quiet, meditation, and intercession for others that I needed.
“Time spent in prayer will yield more than that given to work. Prayer alone gives work its worth and its success. Prayer opens the way for God Himself to do His work in us and through us. Let our chief work as God’s messengers be intercession; in it we secure the presence and power of God to go with us.” - Andrew Murray
Now, at times, I spend an hour in prayer morning, noon, and night. At times I spend an hour in prayer before a busy day in the village or in the evening when I return, but there is no exception to this hour. My work of sharing Christ and doing ministry will never be more important than the hours spent with Him and interceding for the lost.
“If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day. I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer.” - Martin Luther
After my time alone with God, I begin teaching my 3rd grader and assisting the three older kids with their online school. Most days this is done in the morning and the afternoon is free for market errands, emails, or a nap.
Making dinner is often not an easy process as everything is made from scratch and many of the convenient food items that are available in the states are not available here. We make our own bread, tortillas, butcher our own meats, and cut whatever vegetables are in season.
Life is quiet and our evenings are too. With the exception of a few Bible studies and social events, most days are at home as a family. We play card games, board games, watch a movie, or spend individual downtime. The town shuts down at dark and it's early to bed and early to rise.
These “normal” days for us are always interrupted by exciting ministry times. At least once a month, we will all travel six hours to the city or eight hours to a ministry site. We stay at different locations and in various settings. Sometimes, we sleep in hammocks in a school house or find a nice hotel for cheap.
On the road, I continue to homeschool while I also teach partners or meet with other Christian workers to encourage them. These breaks from the norm are hard on our kids schooling but good for their socialization. We have no activities that American kids may enjoy. No soccer team, school plays to be a part of, or book clubs for our kids. Most of their socialization is within our family, with our Asian partners, or meeting with other families in the city on our visits.
Once a week, I set aside a full day to do ministry while my husband takes over homeschooling. This is my favorite day of the week! I get to leave early, pick up Asian partners, and drive an hour or two. We visit the sick, share the gospel, meet with house churches, teach health and Bible, and return home by evening. It’s a long day, but this chance to use my spiritual gifts fills me with God’s presence and a chance to see Him at work in lives around me.
I must say that one big difference living in Asia are the unexpected curve balls each day may bring. Sometimes our internet will go out because the company can’t seem to keep track of when we paid the bill. This means no internet for school for a few days. At times, a holiday will fill our town with so many travelers that the market sells out of meat! We now keep a supply of canned tuna for our meals on these days. And, you never know when our car may be pulled over for legitimate checks or a quick bribe from a corrupt cop. These kinds of experiences can drain my energy which is also why rest and time for meditation with the Lord is a must!
What I have discovered is that “…his burden is light and He will give me rest because He is gentle and humble in heart. His yoke is easy and His burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Overall, I have learned to allow God to schedule my days into who He wants me to be and what He wants me to accomplish. That is the “A Day in the Life” I want to characterize all my days.
Meet the Author!
Ann Hall and her husband, Marc, currently live and serve the poor in Southeast Asia, where they have been the past 18 years. Along with raising their four kids, Ann is a Nurse Practitioner and graduate from Oklahoma Baptist University, with a Masters degree from The University of Oklahoma. Ann has a heart to serve others in need, especially those suffering from depression.