Missions @ MindSay

            As many of you may know, Laurie and I are praying about leaving the States and returning to serve abroad.  The countries we’re praying about are Thailand and India.  Thailand seems like it’s the most attractive from comfort, safety and logical points of view.  India has a wonderful job description, but it is dangerous and less comfortable. 

            As I’ve thought and prayed about this a lot, I’ve had to come to terms with what it means to leave this country.  There are no starry-eyed illusions about missions—it’s extremely difficult.  I’ve also thought about the possibility of dying in India, if that’s where the Lord sends us.   Violence against Christians has increased there.  I’ve thought about the possibility of Laurie dying in India and even one of our grandchildren.  If either of those last two things were to eventuate, it would break my heart almost irreparably.  I say, “almost irreparably,” because I know that Jesus can heal a broken heart.  But it would be extremely, incredibly difficult if either of those things should happen. 

            However.  And with God, there is always a “however.”  I am challenged in my thinking by, first of all, the life of Jesus.  He came to earth knowing that He would be beaten and crucified.  He came anyway.  I’m challenged by the saints.  Here’s a verse from a passage about the faith of believers that pushes me to the limit: “Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.”  Refusing to accept release so that they rise again to a better life.  Amazing.  Here’s another, about Moses:  “He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.”

            Again, I find that my thinking is wholly worldly.  These people had an eternal perspective, which I find so elusive.  These truths are as applicable to Laurie and any one of my grandkids as they are to me.  But I’m being honest here.  I am indeed a wimp.  I don’t know why the Lord has called such a person as me to be a missionary.  But the call is there nonetheless, like a burning, stirring fire.  I can only hope that I will honor Him in whatever I do, having faith that this life is not all there is, that there is so much more, so much wonder, ahead.

 

 

     Well, I've got the Dreaded Gamboo.  I don't know if this cold strain has hit your neck of the woods, but I hope, somehow, that your area gets skipped.

     Hoo boy.  No energy.  Feeling lousy.  Nose....well, you know how all this goes, so I'll spare you the details. 

     Laurie and I have finished our missionary applications for our organization.  I'll be mailing them--after I drag myself out the door--today.  We're raising support and thinking about what it will be like to leave this country.  It's interesting--perhaps humorous?--that the Lord has called me to do this.  I'm not a camper.  Not particularly fond of adventure.  Kind of a homebody, actually. 

     Nevertheless, here we go.  The Bible says that the gifts and calling of God cannot be withdrawn.  In 1993, the Lord called me, during a worship time among pastors and leaders, to be a missionary.  He hasn't issued another call.  (He called me to pastor in 1975, while I was attending a class on church administration.)  I can't deny the call.  It's just there, and it stirs and moves me.

         This is the request that the man in India submitted to our missions organization, and the one that Laurie and I are planning, as the Lord wills, to answer.  I’ve omitted names of individuals and organizations.

 

Personnel Request Form- 2008, India – Bible Institute Teacher

 

 

Your Name:     Wayne                   Date:  8-08

 

Please describe in detail the type of ministry/service in which this person would be involved.

 

Bible school training for pastors and church planters.  There are two Bible institutes operating in Bangalore India.  Other training is held on-site in various areas of India.  Also need help developing, organizing, and implementing regional curriculum.

 

2)      Please describe the type of person you need (if applicable):

Single / couple / family               Male / female               Age range: 

 

Any

 

3)      Please describe any specific gifting, skills or personality type that the person should have:

 

Strong character and integrity.  Ministry experience.  Experience teaching the word and ministry-related subjects.  Willingness to adapt to a big-city developing nation environment.

 

In what location (country/city) would this person serve?

 

Bangalore, India, and some travel into other states.

 

5)      Who would this person report to (if more than just yourself)?

 

Regional Coordinator and India National Leader

 

6)      When is the best time for the person to arrive on the field?  (ASAP? By a certain month?)

 

ASAP

 

7)      What is the minimum amount of time you need the person to serve in this role (3, 6, 9, 12 months?  2 years?)

 

1 year initial commitment

 

8)      What amount of funding would the person need to raise for the following expenses:

 

Travel, visa, startup estimate for a single person: $5000 to $10000; monthly estimate for a single person: $1000 to $2000

 

9)      How important is this particular assignment for the furtherance of your ministry?  (Underline one)         Crucial!!              Very Important!              Moderately Important

 

 

10)    Please indicate below if there is any reason we should NOT advertise this need with our U.S. churches and on the web.

 

Yes, please advertise.  Do not put names of Regional Coordinator or National leader, on the web, please.

     This is a photo of one of my former Bible college students, Rachel, in Papua New Guinea.  In the afternoons, the students did chores on the campus of the school.  Rachel's cleaning up some of the ever-growing greenery.  On her forehead is a tribal tattoo.  

     Last night, we spent about three hours in discussion with a couple that are making plans to become missionaries abroad.  They have five kids.  It will be difficult, and they know that; but they are very excited about going.  The last time we met, they emailed me the next day, writing that their hearts burned within them as we talked the night before.

     My heart was burning that night, too.   

            A little over a week ago, our little group began to pray that God would send laborers for the harvest.  We were confident that God would supply them, since Jesus asked His followers to pray this very thing.

 

            Within the last week, three people have contacted me, out of the blue.  They are very passionate, dedicated followers of Jesus—who want to be missionaries.  I’ve had a fantastic time talking to them, not only about missions, but about a life that is lived, full-bore, in Him and for Him.

 

            So, I laughed about this yesterday.  The workers He sent weren’t the workers I anticipated. 

 

            Big surprise.  God answered a prayer and did something in a way that I didn’t anticipate.