A Joint Effort

As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up--one on one side, one on the other--so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. – Exodus 17:11-13

I was reminded in reading this recounting of a battle between the Israelites and the Amalekites that everyone has a part to play.  We rely on one another.  For the sake of this particular blog I could specifically discuss mission and how some are needed to go to the harvest while others are needed to sow into the mission financially, others to serve through intercessory prayer, others through encouragement, etc.  But the honest truth is that this concept of needing one another extends far beyond just mission.  We are the body of Christ.  We are called to be united, functioning as one to glorify our Lord and Savior. 

The only way Israel won this battle was through the joint effort of each individual.  They won because Joshua and the soldiers fought with the sword while Moses was postured in praise (raised hands), supported by Aaron and Hur.  Had any one of them decided their part really wasn't that significant, the battle would have been lost.  Each person has a part to play.  This brings to mind the passage in I Corinthians 12 where Paul reminds us that a body is made up of many different parts with different functions, yet all are necessary.  Whether you realize it or not you are vital to the body.  You are important.  You are significant.  You are needed.  And you have a part to play.

Prayer as a Part of Mission

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel. - Ephesians 6:19

This past week a team of Physical Therapy students flew down to Costa Rica to spend the remaining eleven days of their Christmas break providing medical attention to men, women, and children in local villages.  The more I heard about this mission, the more I wanted to go.  Unfortunately, I'm not very helpful on medical missions considering I don't have any training.  Not to mention they flew out the day my classes started up!  As someone who loves to do, particularly to travel, meet people, offer help, form relationships, it was very difficult to watch this team leave and not be on the plane with them.  Honestly, I dealt with some jealousy at the thought of the incredible opportunities they were going to have while there.  Through this, however, God has shown me that although I might not be on the ground in Costa Rica with the team, I can still do something to help - I can pray.  I can pray for their safety, for doors and hearts to be opened, and for God to move in unexpected and powerful ways both in the people of Costa Rica and in the team that went to serve.

I think it's easy to forget that prayer is a major part of mission.  We assume that in order to be helpful we have to be one of the people "on the ground" so to speak.  And if we can't be there with the people, we assume we're of no use!  How far from the truth could that be!  Would you join with me in praying for this team in Costa Rica?  Pray that God would move in and through them.  Pray also for their safety. 

Here are some facts and points of prayer for Costa Rica highlighted by Operation World:
- Roman Catholicism is the official state religion.  Despite religious freedom in the country, other religions are not seen as equal before the law.
- Pray that these churches would learn how to disciple converts after they come into the churches.
- Pastors are often under-resourced.  Pray that God would move in the hearts of Christians around the world to do something in supporting these local pastors and churches.

If you would like to join me in praying for missions and people around the world, I recommend checking out http://www.operationworld.org/ and http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/.  Both of these sites offer daily devotions and points of prayer.

Back to the Steps

In just a few short days I get to return to the city that captured my heart last October . . . New York City that is.  In truth it wasn't the city, but the people.  It was in the conversations with homeless individuals and in the faces of children that have seen too much for their age that I learned what true love meant.

I remember sitting on the steps of a church talking with a man who would be sleeping on the same step that night.  As we talked I asked if there was anything I could pray with him for.  Expecting him to smirk at me and ask for prayer for a house or a job, I was surprised when he said he would love prayer for a new pair of socks and some toothpaste.   So practical.  I remember that little boy I got to make paper airplanes with.  He didn't want me to leave just as much as I longed to stay. 

It was there that I learned the importance of attention.  The impact of showing someone that they are someone.  The difference a smile and a kind word can make in the life of someone who is too often ignored. 

I return this time not as part of a mission team, but as a tourist.  Yet with Christ as my Savior I am an ambassador of Christ wherever I am, in whatever context, and at whatever time.  I pray that I will not get so caught up in the "tourist" side of my trip that I forget to use every opportunity and chance to show Christ's love to those around me.  Let this be my prayer not just as I head out of my own community, but every morning when the Lord opens my eyes to a new day.

A House of Prayer for All Nations

Good evening, everyone!  I'm sorry it's been so long since my last post.  Originally, I was going to share information and prayer points for various nations from the awesome book Operation World.  The more I considered this, however, the more I felt that perhaps I shouldn't share too much of this books wonderful wealth of information and, instead, encourage you to purchase the book and work through it on your own.  I'll still share tidbits of information and a shortened list of prayer points for various countries, but I strongly encourage you to check out the book for more thorough and detailed information.  (You might even be able to find it at your local library!)

My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. - Isaiah 56:7b

Here are some countries that I've kept on my prayer list the last several weeks:

Afganistan:  Pray for freedom from religious oppression, safety for the Christians there, and the workers that God is raising up to minister there.

Albania:  Pray against indifference.  That God would bring revival.

Algeria: As another Muslim country, pray for freedom and again for God to raise up workers who will passionately share the love of Christ.

The American Samoa:  Pray for awakening.

Andorra:  A little country tucked between France and Spain, this nation is very wealthy.  Pray against the spirit of materialism and for God to bring a true spirituality to the people there.

In addition to the countries I've been reading about in Operation World, I've also been praying for several nations that have been expressing difficult situations recently.

Sudan and South Sudan:  South Sudan declared independence this past Saturday, July 9.  Please pray for peace between these two nations.  Pray also for South Sudan as they set up their government, currency, etc.

Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya:  The horn of Africa has been hit with a devastating drought.  Many people, especially in Somalia, have been effected and are trying to find aid.  Many of these individuals have traveled into Ethiopia and into refugee camps in Kenya.  Pray for those who are forced to leave their homes in order to survive.  Pray for Kenya as they are working towards accepting more and more refugees.  Pray that their newest refugee camp will be completed and opened for the use of these people in desperate need.  Give God praise as well!  For the first time Somalia is allowing international aid in their country.  Pray that this would be an opportunity to bring more religious freedom and an open door to share the Gospel more freely with the people there.

Egypt:  Pray for continued peace.  I have a friend serving there with a missions team. Please keep him and that mission group in your prayers as well.

Nigeria:  The Boko Haram, an Islamic militant group in Nigeria, has launched several attacks in the past couple months causing many casualties.  Many citizens have had to flee their homes in Northern Nigeria to find safety elsewhere.  Pray for peace.

This is only a brief list of countries, but every nation on this planet needs our prayers.  Please join me in praying for God to raise up workers in these nations, pray for freedom of religion that would allow Christians worldwide to publicly praise God's name, and pray for those around the world who are suffering and in dire need of a Savior.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." - Matthew 9:37

Operation World - A Heart for the Nations

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens! – Psalm 148:13

It's been a while since my last post.  Forgive me.  Since returning from Ghana life has been a little busy!  There was much school work to catch up on . . . and I'm still not done.  But God is awesome and I felt led to forgo work for a few minutes and share some thoughts.

Only this morning God began to speak to me about the importance of mission here.  Many times we think of God working in the "there and then" rather than the "here and now."  Often we think of mission trips planned months in advance as the time when God will use us.  Or we wait for our church to organize something in order for us to share the Gospel and the love of Christ.  What I'm learning is that God moves much more in the here and now if you are open to His leading.  Don't be afraid to share what the Lord has done for you.  A simple story, even a short greeting could change a life forever.  In a sermon I heard this morning the pastor said, "If God has shown you mercy this week, tell someone!"

In addition to serving by living a life worthy of our calling each and every day in order to be witness of the love of God to those around us, we are also called to pray for those around the world.  Over the past couple weeks, and the past couple days in particular, God has really laid the nations on my heart.  I attended a course this past week on the history of missions around the world.  Part of this course involved presentations on the various regions of the world and the work of local missions within them. 

Some quick facts on missions around the world:  1/3 of the global population (2 billion people) are professing Christians, 1/3 (or 2 billion people) are non-Christians who have heard the Gospel, and 1/3 (2 billion people) are non-Christians who have never heard the Good News of Jesus!  When I heard these numbers I was astounded.  Here's more:  there are approximately 495,000 missionaries in the world.  Of those, approximately 2-3% of them are serving with un-reached people groups.

As I sat listening to all that God is doing and all that is still to be done, God led me to a book called Operation World.[1]  This book is incredible!  It includes information on every country in the world and then shares answered prayers and points for continued prayer.  While discussing these nations in class God put it on my heart to move through this book country by country and pray for them. 

The first country I'm focusing on is Afghanistan.  Let me share a few facts I've learned recently: 

• 46% of the population is under 15 years old
• Life expectancy is 43.6 years
• There is limited freedom to practice religions other than Wahhabist Islam and there appears to be "no freedom to propagate another faith or to covert from Islam."
• It is considered "the world's most dangerous place for a child to be born" due to high infant and maternal mortality rates.
• 78% do not have regular access to clean water.
• A recent BBC article indicated that this past May was the deadliest month for Afghanistan with almost 400 civilians killed in conflict-related incidents.

This is only a small portion of the information I've learned since reading about this country in Operation World.  Please join me in praying for genuine freedom, an improved quality of life, and a move of the Spirit within the Afghan people.  I don't just want to share the "down" stuff, but also want to share that compared to only a few decades ago when barely a couple dozen Christians could be found in the entire country, there are now a couple hundred believers!  God is already moving among the people, let us pray for those who are taking the Message to them and for the Christians there who are facing persecution as they attempt to spread the Gospel of Christ.

Our God is a God of the nations.  He loves every man, woman, and child on this earth no matter their ethnicity, nationality, income, health status, etc.  We, therefore, should share God's heart for the nations and pray for them.  Please join me in praying and believing for God to bring a great revival among the people of the world.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! – Psalm 150:6

---

[1] Mandryk, Jason. Operation World. 7^th ed. Colorado Springs, CO:  Biblica Publishing (2010).

Whatever my lot . . .

As I very slowly begin to process the events of my time in Ghana, West Africa, I feel led to share some of those revelations with you.  First of all, this experience has been such a humbling learning experience for me.  The people on my team were so incredibly anointed and used by God.  I learned so very much from each of them and am looking forward to another opportunity to use what I've learned and learn even more. 

Here are a few things I've taken note of since being back:

During our decent into Norfolk I suddenly thought of the idea of being able to brush my teeth using water from a faucet.  It may seem silly, but this brought tears to my eyes!  I still can't explain it entirely, but the idea that I can have confidence that the water I get from my house is clean and pure enough for me to swallow is a blessing.

The first night I was home, I had a difficult time falling asleep because it was too quiet.  There was no music outside my window, no goats, no chickens.  I just laid there thinking how blessed I was to have a bed, a roof, air conditioning, a blanket, and so many other things that we might consider minor.  I thought of the people I met over the two weeks who slept on concrete sidewalks next to their vending booths or in mud huts surrounded by mosquitoes.

When I got in my car to drive somewhere on Friday I was amazed at how smooth and quiet it was!  I didn't hit a single pot hole, didn't have to slow down halfway through acceleration to shift gears, and it was quiet.

During church services on Sunday, God spoke to me on several issues, two in particular.  First was the idea that though my body may grow weary, the Lord is my Strength and His Strength never runs out.  I got less sleep over the two weeks I was away than I would normally allow myself to get by with.  And although I was doing so much more physically than I was used, I never felt too tired to help someone or go the extra distance to offer assistance.

Finally, we sang a song during worship that I had heard many times before, but never understood in the way I do now.  One of the lines says, "Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, 'It is well, it is well with my soul . . . '"  In Ghana there is a Twi phrase "Gye Nyame" which means "But God."  Essentially, this phrase is saying no matter what situation I'm in, no matter what is going on, God is there.  He is my Sustainer, my Provider.  All this may be happening, but God!  After seeing the living situations of many of the people we met, I have a new understanding of the phrase "whatever my lot."  And despite what these people endure on a daily basis, they say, "It is well, it is well with my soul."  May we learn how to say this in our lives in the face of whatever the enemy attempts to use to bring us down.

We're Back!

Our flight was supposed to leave Accra on Thursday at 9:40am local time (5:40am EST), but due to a problem with the detection system we took off around 11:30am local time.  Overall the flight was good and we made up an hour in the air, landing at 6:20pm EST.  From there we each left to find our connecting flight.  Mine happened to be in another terminal so there was lots of running around for a while after customs to find the shuttle and get to the next gate.  When we arrived there it seemed like everyone was leaving from the same gate! 

Turns out there was bad weather earlier in the day which delayed a lot of flights.  Although we boarded the plane just before 9pm, we didn't take off until 2am!  After such a long flight before it and being pretty tired I was a little upset at how long we had to wait . . . until I met Betty.  I had purposefully chosen my seat for this flight so I would be near the back in a window seat, but when I boarded the plane someone was sitting there.  She asked if I could trade seats with her so she could sit with her husband.  How could I say no?  This put me a little further up on an aisle.  At that point I had been sitting in a window seat for the past 12 hours so that didn't bother me to much.  In the window seat sat an elderly lady that I later learned was Betty.  She was traveling from Kathmandu, Nepal where she lives.  I asked her how long it took to fly here.  As we counted up all her flights and layovers we discovered that she had been traveling for 40 hours already!  And when we got to Norfolk she still had to take a shuttle to Portsmouth!  This helped me put everything in perspective so that delay in our flight wasn't such a big deal anymore. 

We finally landed in Norfolk at 2:45am, gathered my bags, and headed home.  It's funny the things I've really noticed so far.  As we came in for landing I almost cried at the thought of being able to brush my teeth using water from my sink!  Silly, but it was such a blessing.  My car also seemed to run smoother on the roads after all the bumps and potholes in Ghana and the fact that most cars are stick shift.  And going to sleep was so hard . . . it was quiet!  I'm still not entirely adjusted to where I am.  Sometimes I forget where I was just a couple days ago while other times I have a hard time believing I'm back in the States now. 

Prayer Requests:
- Pray for the members of our team as we re-adjust to time zones and culture while processing all we've seen and done over the past couple weeks.

Praises:
- We made it home!  No one got sick on the trip and God surely met us there!