We both are holding a rope - you pull one way, I pull another. Our goal is to move a box the rope is wrapped around into the center of a circle from outside the circle. Is it working? Initially it doesn't sound like it - more like we are having our own tug-of-war...
Now, think outside of the "box" your brain is in......
What if we are both successfully moving the roped box into the center of the circle? We could be if we were at either end of a rope & the box was in the middle.
The box can be represented by people in unreached people groups (people who either have never heard the gospel or who have no way of reading the word of God & who have no reproducible church growth). The circle could be represented by the freeing knowledge of Jesus Christ and the joy of knowing Him as their Savior.
Did you know that ALL of Europe is back to being an 'unreached people group'?? Less than 2% of Europe knows even who Jesus is (other than a cuss word), and that is the most positive estimate. Many places it is estimated that less than 1/2 a percent know Christ!!!! How sad, that the rich Christian heritage and the homeland of many of the Christian culture's forefathers is now a spiritual wasteland.
When I (Carrie) was asked to speak to a Hungarian women's group, we did a question and answer time... questions like, "What would God want to do with us?" and, "Who is Jesus, anyway?" were prominent. It broke my heart. I pray it breaks yours, as well
Today in a church service the pastor was speaking about teamwork. I couldn't help but compare teamwork to the mission field. We have a great prayer-warrior team and an encouraging financial team helping to get us onto the field. Our teams have willingly stepped in to hold onto the other end of the rope & we are pulling this box into the center of the circle. Once we get onto the field, the amount of helpers & added missionaries increases exponentially!
Moses' father-in-law was telling Moses that he needed to delegate responsibilities to other willing men who wanted to help because the load Moses carried was too heavy and he would burn-out. (Ok, it's an abbreviated version of Exodus 18!) How apropos this is in regards to us trying to raise support. We can speak to as many people we know to see if they would like to prayerfully or financially support us.....and there it ends & we end up being short of funds needed for the field. OR........
Some of you know others who would willingly like to hear what God's intentions are with this "old" couple that is radically changing their life in order to follow Jesus & go out onto the mission field long term! Some of you know groups who need speakers. Some of you know churches who would like to send missionaries.
Some of you have NO idea that the ONLY way we as missionaries get out to the field and stay on the field is by raising every single dollar for monthly support. There are no huge backers behind us. There are a few churches who are helping, but the majority of our raised support is by people like you! Do we take this lightly? ABSOLUTELY NOT!
We need your teamwork! You can click the link on the side of this blog & help out right away. You can call that person or group right now. Have a group of friends to your house & we can come chat... You are either a "go-er" or a "sender". Go & share the Gospel or help support those who do. Let's fulfill the great commission! Jesus isn't coming back until the job's done!
If you are in a church, you can recommend us to the pastor, "You have to hear these people! They have stories to tell, life experiences to help mentor, they are doing what Jesus is asking them to do & they are old!! - we need to help!" It doesn't matter! It just needs to happen!
Thankfully, many pastors are cautious of who they allow to come speak. We are not in a huge denomination that would normally be an "in" for us. The only way we may get to speak to others is through YOUR recommendation! Pastors take that seriously, and you vouching for us helps tremendously.
Come on - grab the other end of the rope & help us pull!
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