O
1Thessalonians
(1:2) We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;*
(1:3) Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;*
As I sit here this morning, the excitement of the last week is still effecting my thoughts. My thoughts on the tasks that we were able to accomplish. Memories that will last for years to come. Bonds of friendship that will be treasured for life.*
I could not help but look at Paul's letters to those church's of his own missionary journeys. I can understand the human side of why he wrote those letters. Working that close with others to develop another church body a bond will develop. One that even though there is a separation of physical distance you still feel the presence of that part of the complete body.*
Sitting here this morning I am reflecting on those that are still there working on that new part. Which I see right now as being like a small part of the body I am a part of here. It is just an extremity of the whole body. Our small part of the body here is like a foot. The foot that was needed to carry us to that work. That work is like the toes on that foot. Toes are essential for balance. Yet as I sit here it would be easy to forget the importance of those toes. Simply because I am not using them right now. But all I have to do is "wiggle" my toes and all the memories of the work that those toes and foot accomplished come flooding back.*
We got to see the evidence of the victories of a developing part of the body. We witnessed a part of the struggles that are faced daily by those who chose to go and serve in that place. We met some of the people that they were called there to work with. The workers faithfulness evident by the comments of those effected by that faithfulness. That faithfulness fighting past the less than ideal conditions. The joy of that faithfulness so overwhelming that it really did blind us to those less than ideal conditions.*
Even though this trip did not take us into a "third world" country. It was obvious that this missions work is taking place in a community that was in *desperate need of such a work. the evidence of those few people we met that have been reached by this ministry more than proof that our support of this *ministry is honoring to God.*
I wanted to go on this trip to be a blessing to this ministry we are supporting. I feel that I cheated them, I was so personally blessed by their God honoring hospitality. I feel like I did not do enough. As we were running out of time there was so much more that could be done. We had to return to our own places we have been called to serve. But I am sure that those that are still there will continue to serve where we were sent to help. Truly servants committed to reaching the lost people of that place they were lead to. I pray that God continues to bless that work. I personally saw the evidence that this is truly the only reward that those we support there are looking forward to.*
(1:2) We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;*
(1:3) Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;*
As I sit here this morning, the excitement of the last week is still effecting my thoughts. My thoughts on the tasks that we were able to accomplish. Memories that will last for years to come. Bonds of friendship that will be treasured for life.*
I could not help but look at Paul's letters to those church's of his own missionary journeys. I can understand the human side of why he wrote those letters. Working that close with others to develop another church body a bond will develop. One that even though there is a separation of physical distance you still feel the presence of that part of the complete body.*
Sitting here this morning I am reflecting on those that are still there working on that new part. Which I see right now as being like a small part of the body I am a part of here. It is just an extremity of the whole body. Our small part of the body here is like a foot. The foot that was needed to carry us to that work. That work is like the toes on that foot. Toes are essential for balance. Yet as I sit here it would be easy to forget the importance of those toes. Simply because I am not using them right now. But all I have to do is "wiggle" my toes and all the memories of the work that those toes and foot accomplished come flooding back.*
We got to see the evidence of the victories of a developing part of the body. We witnessed a part of the struggles that are faced daily by those who chose to go and serve in that place. We met some of the people that they were called there to work with. The workers faithfulness evident by the comments of those effected by that faithfulness. That faithfulness fighting past the less than ideal conditions. The joy of that faithfulness so overwhelming that it really did blind us to those less than ideal conditions.*
Even though this trip did not take us into a "third world" country. It was obvious that this missions work is taking place in a community that was in *desperate need of such a work. the evidence of those few people we met that have been reached by this ministry more than proof that our support of this *ministry is honoring to God.*
I wanted to go on this trip to be a blessing to this ministry we are supporting. I feel that I cheated them, I was so personally blessed by their God honoring hospitality. I feel like I did not do enough. As we were running out of time there was so much more that could be done. We had to return to our own places we have been called to serve. But I am sure that those that are still there will continue to serve where we were sent to help. Truly servants committed to reaching the lost people of that place they were lead to. I pray that God continues to bless that work. I personally saw the evidence that this is truly the only reward that those we support there are looking forward to.*