"T minus 12 minutes and counting"
I just got off the phone with Wayne. They are in the final moments before the team flies out across the Atlantic to begin their mission trip in Africa. The last chance phone calls are being placed to loved ones and friends, those treasured last second conversations before they depart.
As Wayne reports, the trip has gone VERY well so far. He attributes that to the prayers of the saints. Thank you all! The shuttles went smoothly. Check-in this morning was simple and easy. The people at the airport counter have taken additional steps to ensure that all luggage stays together and gets checked through easily in Ethiopia. No problems as they moved through security and general favor in the eyes of all with whom they have come into contact! Because of this, it has alleviated some of the lines and even some of the tight restrictions. The shuttles last night and this morning provided chances for conversation and sharing about what God is doing in Malawi. They are able to share about Christ before even landing in Malawi!
Wayne asks you to continue to pray, now as they board, for their connection in Ethiopia. The fight over will be long. Pray for time to rest, for patience and peace. Pray that the team can use this time in air to bond with one another and share with those around them. Divine appointments are everywhere!
With the rather short time between connections, the importance of the smooth transfer of all luggage, with customs and the language barrier, they ask especially for your prayers during their stop in Ethiopia. Pray for a smooth transfer, for protection, provision, patience and perseverance. Then it's on to Malawi!
This morning I read from 1 Corinthians 7. It spoke to an "undistracted devotion to the Lord" and I couldn't help but think about the unique opportunity that missions provides us to experience just that. These 11 believers are leaving behind loved ones, jobs, school and the everyday tasks that come with life to devote themselves wholly to the ministry of Christ for the next ten days. It can be a time for undistracted devotion and service to Christ. May God through these missionaries do great things with their sacrifice of time and resources!
Back here, there are lots of things we cram our lives with that pull us away from living in undistracted devotion. Though we cannot leave these things behind over the next ten days, we can choose to minimize some of those distractions and consciously choose to dedicate our attentions more to the eternal things of the kingdom, rather than things destined to perish with this world. As we pray for those who are overseas, may it challenge those of us left behind to be on mission here and see what God may do through us too. We may find that we accumulate just as many stories of the activity of God as our loved ones do while they are gone! Don't forget, divine appointments are everywhere! Will you be on mission for Christ? Try to share the gospel with at least one person while your loved one is gone. It can start with a simple conversation starter about what he/she is doing over in Malawi. Ask God to open a door here for you to continue His work!
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I talked with Wayne here in the church office just before they got on the plane, and he was so excited about the opportunities to witness in the airport. Who would think that matching lime green shirts with crosses on them & maps of Malawi would be a conversation starter! I like to call it "Glowing for God". Praise the Lord for how He works in big & small ways! I'm praying that lives were touched in the airport and on the plane by the team's devotion and willingness to serve Him. The mission field is all around us!
ReplyDeletePraying, praying, praying - Donna D.
Bj I spoke with you on the phone before that long trip across the Atlantic and I remember you asking if I had anything for the blog and I asked for one simple Emily Cain shout out and I do not see one so she is going to be unhappy mister. Well I love everyone and miss you all.
ReplyDeleteLove Lauren