Please pray for Camino missionaries Mark and Michelle Fittz and their family today. Mark’s sister and her family were visiting from Texas. Mark’s nephew, Aaron, went out on a kayak in the Caribbean Sea last night around 6pm and has not returned.
The search had to be called off last night, but is resuming this morning. The search will now be extending to Belize as well.
This from Aaron’s Dad, Daniel:
Please continue to pray for Aaron to say afloat on the kaiak, him to have peace as he remains lost on a huge sea at night, for Mary Beth and the kids. Also that The Holy Spirit with guide the rescue effort straight to Aaron’s location. I am eternally grateful for the prayers and the outpouring of love and support from both those who know us well and those we have never met. May God richly bless you. Hug your kids.
So here we are, at the convergence of the past and the future. This week in particular.
We’re madly trying to finish all the year’s schoolwork, filling in end-of-the-year forms, asking final questions. At the same time, filling out registration forms and planning for next year.
We’re going over medical files from the past in order to plan for doctor’s appointments for the future. Preparing for future Bible studies, talking to a few different people about future long/short term ministry, while preparing for interns and teams coming this month. Planning meetings, taking care of van maintenance, updating paperwork, planning speaking engagements, complaining to customer service because they sent us the wrong item…
Missionaries around the world are frustrated. Not because they have to prepare for a Bible study or visit someone who is sick unexpectedly – those are very “spiritual” activities.
No, they’re frustrated because they have to find a new vehicle, apply for a visa, fix the leak, take someone in their own family to the doctor (again), go to the meeting, and carry the water up the hill.
You see, we just want to do “ministry”. No, not just because it looks good to to the family and friends back home (easy to fall into that trap), but also because it “feels good” to us. It feels like we’re doing something worthwhile.
Delayed paperwork, broken pipes and returning items to the store for the third time – these are more likely to be “attacks of Satan”, and reasons for discouragement.
I don’t think we’re entirely wrong here – Satan, the world, and the flesh certainly don’t want us sharing the Gospel. And these things can end up taking up far too much time if we let them, and sometimes when we’re doing all we can to not let them.
And missionaries are often dealing with an added level of complexity – language barriers, cultural barriers, and the expectations of many different groups of people.
But that being said, maybe sometimes – sometimes – we just shouldn’t get quite so worked up.
Remember those people back in your “passport country”? Guess what? They may be going through just as much – often far more. As believers, they want to serve the Lord too, you know.
And that goes for the people you’re ministering to “on the field” too. They just may have it a lot harder than you. Just like you, they have to balance the “spiritual” things with the mundane, the unexpected with the planned, the things that they are “gifted” in with the things that they “have to do”.
And let’s not forget Genesis 2:15. God made man – and put him to work right away! Doing what? Gardening. Farming.
Those forms and trips and meetings are very often about loving your neighbour, taking care of your family, improving the system. Without minimizing the importance of sharing the Gospel – sharing has to go along with all these other activities in order to be effective. All work – assuming it’s God-honouring – is “spiritual”. A fire hall, trucking, driving to work … which activity is “better”?As I preached this past Sunday about “the Church”, one thing I tried to emphasize was that we all learn and grow and serve in different ways. The brick layer can learn from the school girl. The teacher can learn from the banker. The housewife can learn from the saleswomen. God is in all these things, the Church is doing all those things. They’re not “extras” – they’re part of the Christian life. Most of “church life” goes on outside the walls of the building (if you have one).
The cross cultural missionary does have unique challenges. But it’s time we remembered that those “extra” things are only making us a little more like the rest of the world.
In fact, it may actually be helpful to remember: our specific tasks may not be the same as the tasks the people around us have. But they have to deal with health problems in the family, make sure their children are prepared for school, make sure they have the money to pay the bills – just like the missionary. Maybe if we can learn that God is in it all, and that we can serve God in it all, and serve the Church in it all … maybe we’ll be able to pass that wisdom on to someone else.
And now? I do actually have a Sunday School class to prepare for. 😉
Well, I’m still working on it, but I’ve fallen behind. I thought it would be worthwhile to mention some of the reasons why this has been a little more difficult.
Actually, in some ways it’s been easier – the verses seem to be shorter in John so far, and easier to memorize than the verses in Philippians.
However, the plan was a little more open-ended for John, because it’s so long. I had a plan up until May, but it’s not the same as being able to complete a whole book in a few months. The “end” is too far away to see.
Second, there were at least a couple of people who said they would memorize Philippians along with me. Not having the extra accountability has been a downside to memorizing John.
Once I fell behind, and didn’t have a new goal, it also became harder to continue.
Another thing – the chapters of John are lllooong! The first chapter has 51 verses.
I was going to come up with a new plan in this post, but we are now in the busiest part of the year, so I’m not sure if it’s wise. Of course, if I don’t, I’m all the more likely not to do much of anything!
I think what I’ll have to say for now is that I’ll continue reviewing Philippians, and try to keep working on John as I have opportunity. (No, this isn’t the only time I’m spending in the Bible – so I’m not suggesting I’ll just skip any time in the Bible if I don’t have “opportunity”!) I’ll see where things are at and report back when the extra-super-extreme busy season is over – sometime in October. Maybe.
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Heb 4:14 (18 May 2015)
Worth a watch: The Ultimate Proof of Creation – Dr. Jason Lisle [link] (18 May 2015)
A thoughtful post for missionary men: How to Protect Yourself from Moral Failure on the Mission Field ow.ly/LjNuB (20 May 2015)
. . . your faith in God has gone forth everywhere . . . (1Thes 1:8)
Summer may actually start on the 21st of June, but the season of summer activities begins here in only 13 days – the 11th of June. Lord willing, our first intern (Abby!) will be arriving that day, followed on the 12th by a team of 20 from Mt Calvary Church.
It’s always nice to have graphic designers around, and we’re thankful to Samuel again for coming up with a logo for our summer, which should explain itself –
So what are some of our goals for the summer? Well, we want to see cross-cultural relationships built for the glory of God. We want to see some major steps forward taken in the construction of the ministry centre and church meeting place in Jesús MarÃa. We want to serve our community, helping people in practical ways as well as giving spiritual food. We hope to reach out to those with physical and mental disabilities, and to city street kids. We hope to see the work in Las Palmas grow, as relationships are built with believers, unbelievers, and ultimately with their Lord. We want to know our God better, worship Him more completely, and serve Him in love.
We can’t do it on our own – so join us in prayer, that the Spirit will open doors and hearts, give wisdom and strength, and do what we could never do.
At the moment we would especially appreciate your prayers for the intensive time of ministry right at the beginning. Safe travels for those coming on the 11th and 12th, and then for all the activities over the next week – a soccer tournament, baking, English, and craft classes, construction, wheelchair distribution, and time spent just being with people.
So what are some of our goals for the summer? Well, we want to see cross-cultural relationships built for the glory of God. We want to see some major steps forward taken in the construction of the ministry centre and church meeting place in Jesús MarÃa. We want to serve our community, helping people in practical ways as well as giving spiritual food. We hope to reach out to those with physical and mental disabilities, and to city street kids. We hope to see the work in Las Palmas grow, as relationships are built with believers, unbelievers, and ultimately with their Lord. We want to know our God better, worship Him more completely, and serve Him in love.