Global Impact Celebration...SEND ME OUT!

 This was several weeks ago.  I have wanted to blog about it....but I needed to process it before I could sit down and write.  It was an amazing week at our church.

The Theme:  Send Me Out!  

Missionaries from all over came to Chapin to help us understand what they do and why they do it.  It started on Wednesday night and ended on Sunday evening.  Because of the busy nature of that week...our household should have been a mess.  Little Man spent the weekend before in the hospital.  I was exhausted.  Tuesday night was the big bingo event that I was in charge of at the girl's school.  Thursday night was my 7 year old's birthday.  So, to fit church attendance in 6 times, community projects for everyone except Little Man, and have a Missionary Family over for dinner should have turned my world UPSIDE DOWN!  Things like that usually do.  I'm not one that likes being overly busy.  But, it was not the case at all.  It was an AMAZING week that will (hopefully) impact our lives forever!

"Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God."

-a prayer by Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision

The Missionaries

I was in WOW mode when I had the opportunity to hear their stories.  I wish I would have taken the opportunity to know and talk to each and every one of them.  I wish I could have heard all of their stories.  We heard about missions that were local like food banks and women's shelters and we heard about missions that were far away such as unreached area of Africa and missions in Japan.  

For example: Oscar...he is a local missionary.  Years ago he got involved in drugs and eventually found himself living on the streets.  He was reached out to and saved.  He put his life back together, bought a house and a car and was living a productive life.  Although he was living a good productive life his heart was still broken for those who lived on the streets.  So, he SOLD IT ALL!  He now lives under a tree, in a park, in Downtown Columbia caring for and ministering to his fellow homeless friends.  Together with the help of local churches he offers Sunday worship every week with a meal to follow.  He helps them find recovery, job placement, clothing, personal items, and medical care when they are ready or willing.  AMAZING!!

Then there was this missionary that they called King.  He is a very large African Man.  Dark, gorgeous skin...and LARGE!  He reminded me of Daddy Warbuck's bodyguard on Annie.  (And with his strong thick African accent he sounded like him, too.)  You just felt a powerful presents when you were around him.  When he worshipped..... it almost took your breath away.  He would stand taller than most people around him and stretch his arms out into the air.....reaching.....praising....giving thanks....asking for help.  I wanted to watch him the whole time. 

Also there was the Quirinos, the family that we were so blessed to have to our home for dinner.  She was from Bolivia and he from Brazil.  They have two children.  Their mission is to reach Muslims in Africa.  They spend their time in Africa in the slums.  They set up and run sport camps, cooking classes, sewing classes and more to slowly introduce the words of Jesus to the people.  Their job can be risky.  I loved their stories.  I loved their passion and faithfulness.  

They asked me if I could see myself doing African Missions.

I said No. 

They asked why. 

I answered, "I know this may sound silly but I don't think I could handle the smells." 

Angelica responded, "I can't lie....the smell is something I can never explain.  I wish I could bottle it up so others could experience."  It made me feel like prissy....but it was the truth.  

We were inspired and blessed by their visit. 

The Children's Program

As always the church pulled off an awesome Children's Program.  The kids had a blast while the adults were busy.  The hallway of the Children's wing turned into a large airplane.  The kids had passports and plane tickets (that looked totally real!) and they headed off to experience life in other countries.  They had videos of taking off and landing and when they got off the plane they went to the different countries.  Missionaries would be there to talk about life, customs, beliefs, and they even had foods for them to try.

 THE KIDS LOVED IT! 

The Ministry

We had the opportunity to listen to two guest ministers throughout the week.  I have to admit at first I was disappointed b/c I love listening to Jody preach so much that I didn't want to hear anyone else preach to us.  But, that was silly b/c the two men brought their "A game".  One was from Indiana and the other was from Florida.  Their messages were excellent!  

Throughout the week listening to the stories, seeing the slide shows, and hearing what God has to say about caring for the poor, lost, and hungry broke down my heart.

Christ has no body on earth but yours,
no hands but yours,
no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which
Christ's compassion for the world is to look out;
yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good;
and yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now.
-Saint Teresa of Avila

Okay, so the thing I heard that made my heart happy...
Compassion has almost a 100% success rate.  By feeding, educating, and giving health care to the sponsored children they are able to bring Jesus to them.  Not only are the kid's lives changed....but also their parent's lives.  What a great program!!

That excited me....we sponsor two Compassion children.  I loved hearing that information.

But, I guess b/c we sponsor two Compassion children I had THOUGHT I was doing my part to help those in need.  I guess writing a check each month from my 4 bedroom 4 bathroom home that is filled with food, clean water, and love felt like an accomplishment.  I was helping two children......millions of others were starving, lost, and alone....but I was caring for two so we are good to go. 
How I love my little comfort zone!
Oh, how selfish we are.
How God must want so much more form us!

"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted.  Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:16-20

What does God expect from me.  It's not a guessing game.  It's very black and white.
-We are to love God with all of our heart
-We are to love our neighbors like ourselves
-We are to go make disciples of others who will do the same.

We are commanded to do these things!  That is what God expects from me!
Jesus was very clear!

One of the ministers that preached that week told us a story about a guy who felt called to missions after he had a dream.  This guy was dreaming that Jesus was approaching him with a bowl of water.  Like Jesus did for his disciples, he bent down to wash this man's feet.  Jesus looked at his feet and then said to him, "Why are your feet not dirty?" 

My feet are not dirty.

SEND ME OUT!

It was an amazing week!

Oh...and from the week our parishioners pledged to give $303,000 to this years mission fund.
Last year's budget was only $75,000.  WOW!

And.....300 people committed themselves to mission work in the next 12 months.

Like I said, it was an amazing week!