Evangelist- April ‘07 Spotlight
Mississippi Missions
It’s been a little more than a month since the most recent wave of Brethren missionaries left the shores of Southern Mississippi. The tangible impact on the communities in which we served is difficult to measure. The amount of destruction is so great that it is hard to see the single drop in the bucket which we contributed to the area’s recovery. The real impact is visible, however, on a much more intimate level.
It is a great gift to realize that one’s contribution counts for something. We worked with our hands using the skills and abilities which we have learned and honed over time to rebuild buildings, remove debris, serve food and help others in their recovery . For many who went, this was a good experience, noble and respectable. What one would miss, however, if they only measured their contribution in whole buildings and full bellies is the impact which we had simply by being who we are in Christ. The giving of ourselves, the noblest task, moved us beyond restoring property. As more than one came to know the Lord and some asked for baptism it taught us that our real contribution was to rebuild people, not things, in the name of Jesus.
Mission trips are new and exciting. I’m convinced that this is the reason it is easier to go on a mission trip than it is to live in mission. I am equally convinced that it often takes an experience outside of one’s culture and comfort zone for an individual to have the veil lifted…to learn the powerful truths of going in Jesus’ name and seeing Him do the work through their own hands and feet. . Paul, the missionary, taught the Corinthians and teaches us that when we encounter the glory of God we are transformed. Once exposed to these truths by the Holy Spirit and transformed by them the missionary is better able to recognize the opportunities to rebuild lives in their home context. Even though there hasn’t been a catastrophic hurricane in Northern Indiana or North East Ohio there is tragedy all around us. The effects of sin are displayed in broken relationships, floods of personal pain, and lives destroyed by the forceful winds of death. Can you see it around you? It is grossly inappropriate to speak of evangelism, mission, growth or even discipleship unless we are convinced of this truth, transformed and unveiled.
It would be difficult to suggest what forms the lessons from the field would take on in your context. Every people group requires unique strategies. What I can tell you is that we fed the hungry, gave the thirsty a drink, tended to the sick (There is more than one kind of hungry, thirsty and sick!) and poured ourselves out for the needs of others. Every one we touched asked us to come back. Even God’s Katrina Kitchen, our mission hosts have called repeatedly to see when we would return. They witnessed our transformed selves and wanted more. Does the community in which you minister ask for you to return so they can have more of what you have in Jesus? Let’s consider these truths together and make disciples along the way.
