The time is upon us. In just 1 week, Dan, Charles, Josiah, Brian and I will embark on the long trip to Malawi, if the Lord wills. As Dan stated to us last night in our final planning meeting, this is all surreal. Indeed it is. We went over all the final details, made a plan for attacking the final needs, and are really close to physically being ready to go. The truth is, I would leave in the morning if I could. I can hardly wait to see what the Lord is doing amongst His people in Africa to prepare His bride. I am very excited.
I am reminded in John Piper's book, Don't Waste Your Life, why we as representatives of Coast Community are going on this trip to Malawi. He talks in chapter 9 "The Majesty of Christ in Missions and Mercy" of the heart and desire Christ has to take His message to the ends of the earth and to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). He has chosen to use His disciples (Christians) to do this. Whether we are the ones to actually go, or whether we support others through prayer and our finances, we as believers are responsible to be the hands, feet, and mouths of Jesus Christ to peoples who need to hear the message for perhaps the first time. This is not an option, it is the purpose we are here for.
Thanks to the missions team at Coast, the 5 of us are about to get a small taste of what it looks like to "go". Of course this is not like those who God give an unyielding desire for the hearts of those that have been unable to hear of God's mercy, and cast aside the callings of this world and make it their life's mission to enlist His elect into His heavenly kingdom. But we will get to, in some small way, be a part of this glorious work that God continues to do until all is fulfilled and His kingdom is complete. Wow, what a privilege!
What we get to do is special, and what I think fits right into some of the gifts God has graciously given me. We get to encourage the body of Christ in the towns we will be visiting. This means we will teach the congregations from God's word to strengthen their faith. We will have opportunity to admonish the leaders and the pastor's of these churches to faithfully and accurately grow up their congregations in the knowledge of our Savior Jesus as He has revealed Himself in the Holy Scriptures. These things will happen in different ways. One will be organized meetings where one of us adults will be allowed to teach on different subjects. Another way will be in our casual times of fellowship. When we are travelling with some of the pastors, we will have many opportunities understand their needs and culture, and show them things in God's word that may help them to see Christ better.
I am sure that in all of this, I will be blessed, convicted and taught even more than they will. This will probably be the case with all of us. It would be presumptuous to think that we have all the answers and knowledge. As Paul tells the church in Rome in Romans 1:11-12, his intention was to impart to them some spiritual gift, and that he would be encouraged by their faith. God is always faithful, and there has never been a time when I have with open hands been a willing vessel to be used as He sees fit, where the blessing I receive is far greater than the small offering that I give. And that is just here on this earth. He has promised far greater in the life to come, and as such I cannot begin to fathom what awaits us in His glorious kingdom.
Please continue to pray for us. Each of us has much still to prepare for our teaching opportunities. We need strength, diligence, and most importantly the Holy Spirit to guide us and give us the right words to speak. That starts here as we plan and organize our thoughts. Also pray for the young men who are going. I am confident that God has planned for them far beyond their wildest imaginations on this trip, and it is my hope that their eyes will be opened to things they never even dreamed of. Pray that they will never be the same again. Pray that we all will come back as different people, more and more conformed into the image of our Lord Jesus Christ.
To Him be the honor and glory and praise forever and forever. May our Jesus find us worthy to being numbered as one of His slaves.
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4 comments:
Hard to believe that the months of planning are nearing fruition. As we pray, we will pray for you and for those you will meet in Malawi, SA and those you meet while traveling.
Yes, the time is nearly here. School is off for a month and my opportunity to love the youth by bringing them the glory of Christ in the pursuit of our joy through World Missions is done, there remains only the final packing & preparations before the team departs for Malawi.
This time, will be a different experience. I will miss Christian and Earl greatly, but I am blessed to have Dan & Ric alongside. The trip will be a long awaited expansion of the missions goals we have had for sometime at Coast, that of a follow up trip whereby a relationship started is again watered, and the word once again is sown in a foriegn field. Even more exciting is the fact that our very own youth are represented this time, not just that it's Brian and Josiah that are going as sons, but that they are going as youth of Coast, raised up in a missions mindset under a Biblical grounding in the sovereignty of God. Yes, the time is nearly upon us and what a blessing it is to be a part of this.
Last night, we talked about being pasionate goers and passionate senders. While 5 are going, many many more are passionately sending us. Coast, you have been praying, you have been giving. While some have used their skills and know how to put together the numbers needed in all aspects of this journey, others have made the wire transfers and the posterboards. Many of you have read this blog in order to keep abreast of the needs and prayer points. Still more come along side and say how excited they are. If you all could have been there to hear the youth pray last night, you would have been encouraged by the growth and maturity in their hearts as displayed in their words of encouragement and in their desire to passionately use their giftings and skills for His glory in World Missions. We, together, are sending and going in the joy of Christ.
Tommorrow is our last Sabbath together before we head out. I hope that you will check out the Malawi prayer table while we are gone, and tune in to the blog for any updates. The Lord be exalted! Looking forward to seeing you at services.
God Bless.
Only 59 hours and 54 minutes to go. But then whose counting?...
Donna was having a computer glitch today with the laptop we hope to bless Brasswell with & I was thinking "that's ok, I'll just have Josiah show me how to get around it before I leave..." forgetting for the moment that I don't need to have him show me before I leave BECAUSE HE'LL BE THERE!
The closer it gets, the more excited I get and the more forgetful i seem to get.
Now where did I put the plane tickets?...
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