306 Miles to Chicago…

Larry and I have become weekend warriors. It's 10:25 p.m., we have McDonald’s apple pie and coffee, and we're about 40 miles from home. We have put 940 miles on this rental car since Friday afternoon, meeting with the mission committees of two different churches and speaking during the Sunday morning service at another. Maybe we're the Blues Brothers! We do have a full tank of gas...and we are on a mission from God.

Several times lately, people have said, "It's a shame you have to raise your own support." Is it?

In our endorsement orientation, we received information that donors were seeking a personal connection to those they supported. Our trainers at International Ministries gave us the analogy of lowering a bucket down a well: we are in the bucket, being sent by and powerfully connected to members of our ABC churches. We have visited twenty-eight churches and/or area meetings in the past seven months. At every one of these events, there has been at least one person, usually many more than that, who has welcomed, encouraged, and challenged us, and committed prayer and financial support.  These relationships will sustain us when we’re on the field, when we’re away from home.  Already, I've sent email-prayer requests to these new friends and have been blessed in response.  These people will 'hold the rope' as we are lowered into uncharted life territory.

As Larry likes to say, God knew what He was doing when he revealed the need for help in Liberia to International Ministries; He knew which region we belong to and the faithful here who will answer His call.  He anointed the minds of the leaders at ABC-USA and IM to respond to changes in giving with a biblical model. 

Jim Bell, our recruiter, trainer, and the first contact we had with IM, gave us this beautiful scripture: Philippians 4:10-20.  These verses contain the famous “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,” but Jim highlighted the ‘rest of the story.’ This wasn’t a Superman proclamation from Paul as some would use it, but a sincere thanks to the Philippian church for their support during his ministry to the Macedonians.

As we all “Send the Light…” may we be blessed with such faithful support.  And may our partners experience the blessing of 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”