Missions

Nursing Home Ministry: The 1st Mission Field

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But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.  And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility       Acts 6:1-3 NLT

Why would God think that taking care of the elderly was so essential? Of course people with existing family were expected to take care of their own but just like today there still were many who desperately needed help.

In the first months of the early church; care for the elderly was considered so urgent that a structure was set in place to meet their needs even before the first missionary was sent to the field. Taking care of the older people wasn’t just something extra and nice for the church to do. It was treated with primary importance so much so that the apostles asked for the best and most committed people to be put in charge.

Have you ever seen nursing homes in your own community with those eyes? Maybe before the next trip to Africa, Asia or South America is funded we could focus on those God has put right on our doorstep. You won’t need to get a visa, learn another language or do a big fundraiser to reach them. Are you willing to go to the least of these?

What Really Matters?

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As one part of remembering the Easter story some congregations hold a foot washing service. If you have never participated in a foot washing it is impossible to explain fully the emotional roller coaster experience of that moment.

When I went on a short term missions trip to India several years ago we were surprised by such an event. It came at the close of our visit to a humble church in a small village. Just as the service was closing they called my pastor and I to come sit in the front. “I don’t like this part” pastor Joliam told me though I had no idea what was coming. Then the local pastor’s daughter a girl of about 12 came to the front with a basin and a towel and began to wash our feet. Afterwards she wept as she thanked us for coming. I felt so humbled and small at receiving such genuine love when my own heart was incapable of expressing such gratitude. Washing feet is odd and embarrassing and having my own washed by someone I had only just met was doubly so. But that moment marked my heart forever and made an eternal change in my attitude towards others. That is why Jesus commanded us to continue to follow His example. What is on your agenda or mine today?

What really matters most to God is for us to wash the dirty feet right in front of us!

Working Alone

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“I work alone!” Mr. Incredible

This Summer we can hardly wait to see The Incredibles 2. Okay so we’re grandparents but hey we’ve watched every kid movie for the last 16 years thanks to our 7 grandchildren!

In the first movie a young man named Bob also known as Mr Incredible proudly tells his young fan Buddy to get lost. Mr Incredible is in a hurry and has no time to slow down. He’s sure his abilities will be enough to save the day…alone. Later on in the story after he is imprisoned he learns he is not so invincible. He wonderfully discovers that his greatest strength is his family and not his super powers.

In our mission to serve Jesus some of us (or is it only me?) have acted a bit like Bob. We start out feeling super but when we fall into difficulties or temptation we find we are not so strong after all. That is when Jesus” promise to be with us takes on a deeper meaning. He hasn’t promised just to follow us around in case we get in trouble. Jesus has called us on mission to share His teachings with everyone, everywhere, every day. That’s an incredible and impossible job unless we realize that we have all the resources of the universe by our side. The incredible Savior who walked on waves is not just commanding us to go. He is inviting us to dare to walk out on the waters with Him!