CFCI-Nicaragua

One of the perks of missionary life is that you get to meet amazing people through short-term mission (STM) projects. I met this guy, Bill Cecchini, when he came to Costa Rica on a medical mission with Seacoast Church in 2007. Our mutual love of blogging, sports, being sarcastic, and the concept of “real, raw Christianity” caused us to bond from the word “go”. We’ve been friends ever since. Bill and I had some more bonding time on another STM — this one in Nicaragua — a couple of months ago. I asked Bill a few questions about his experience. Here’s our conversation:

Nathan: Thinking back on your trip, what makes you chuckle?

Bill: Our group! What a bunch of idiots (of course I mean that in a good way). Practical jokes, nonstop laughs, late night games – the fun never stopped! We were very blessed to have such an awesome team.

Nathan: When you picture a face associated with your mission, whose face is it?

Bill: Fantastic question. There are a few faces that I see:

• Richard. I don’t know what it was, but I had a HUGE section of my heart reserved for Richard (it could have been his sweet mustache - haha). I looked forward to his hourly high-fives and “Bill es muy fuerte” comments. When we left the church for the last time, he pulled me aside and, in a “preacher sort of way” told me to stay strong, keep doing God’s good work, and that he’d see me again in Heaven.
• Jeff Gresh. I strongly believe that God spoke directly to me through “Dr. Jeff.” He told me that I’d make a great PA. He inspired me and spoke wisdom into my life. This is the only time that I’ve ever felt God telling me to listen to every word that a person says to me. Quite the experience.
• My pharmacy team! Awesome!!! “It’s for fiber, y’all!”
• Nathan and Amber. I hope I have the opportunity to serve with you guys for the rest of my life. You guys rock.

Nathan: Looking ahead, how has this experience changed your outlook, priorities, and plans?

Bill: The trip literally changed my life. I came home, changed my major at school in preparation for a career as a Physician Assistant, and for the first time felt a possible life calling into mission work. I’ve always heard that God speaks to us very loudly and clearly on mission trips. He definitely rocked my world.

Nathan: How has your understanding of the Great Commission changed since your trip?

Bill: It’s all about love, man. The more I study scripture, the more I serve, and the more I understand God, the more I see it. Going and making disciples doesn’t mean telling people that they’re a sinner, nor does it mean scaring the hell out of them (get it?). God wants our hearts. He wants us to CHOOSE him. If there’s a better way to make disciples than by showing the love, faithfulness, joy, and spirit of our Lord, then I’m all ears.

Nathan: Your Christian friend has never been on a mission trip and says, “It’s just not for me.” How do you respond?

Bill: Before I had gone on my first mission trip, I always said that I would willingly go when I felt God leading me to go. One day during church, after three years of waiting, I felt God fill my heart with a passion to serve on a mission trip. Without any hesitation, I headed directly to the mission trip booth after service was over and began gathering information. The rest is history. I say all that to say this: if you had asked me to go on a trip any time before God changed my heart, my answer probably would have been similar (”it’s just not for me”). I believe in a big God who is very capable of changing our hearts to accomplish his good work. I would tell my friend my story, pray for his/her decision, and allow God to be God.

You can follow Bill on the web in a few places: his awesome, popular, in-your-face blog on “Christianity 101″ is FriendlyChristian.com; his hilarious personal blog is JustBill.org; and he “tweets” here.