Spring1943. Nazi Germany. The Germans set up POW camps for enemy airmen called Stalags. 160 kilometers southeast of Berlin in the province of Lower Silesia was Stammlager Luft aka Stalag Luft lll aka POW Camp for Airmen #3. Squadron leader Roger Bushell RAF devised a plan for a major escape in which three tunnels were to be constructed that would lead from the barracks to the forest outside the camp. Over 600 airmen were involved in the construction of these tunnels. 76 men escaped. We know this story best by the 1963 film The Great Escape.
600 airmen. Men that filled roles such as the actual mastermind of the escape, the engineers for it, scroungers, security, tunnelers, men to hide the dirt pulled from the tunnels(over 200 men alone were recruited to get rid of the dirt). This escape plan involved quite a lot of men and every man played his role to the best of his ability to make this escape go accordingly. This was a matter of life and death they were dealing with. If the scroungers hadn’t scavenged for the tools necessary for tunneling, then the tunnelers couldn’t do their job. If the men designated for security hadn’t kept an eye out for guards, then the whole escape attempt would have been jeopardized before the escape even happened. What happens if the tunnelers had complained about working too much? Or the men spreading the dirt had refused to do it any longer? The escape might not have happened. You see? Every single man involved most certainly was needed for this escape to be succcessful.
So too, our walk with Christ is not based on an individual effort but a group effort. How can we become closer to God without the prayer and support of our brother in Christ? How can we grow without a teacher? Someone going through a hard time needs someone to encourage them to keep their faith and trust in God. Someone straying from God needs someone to get them back on the right track. Without a teacher, the student won’t learn. Without someone to encourage and uplift, the death of a close friend might be much harder to deal with had that person been there to encourage and uplift them. Without the person pointing in the right direction, the person straying might continue straying.
11 months away from home will most certainly be difficult. 11 months of trials. 11 months of tests. 11 months of putting ourselves aside; our desires; what we think we need to keep us going. Who said that the World Race would be easy? I never did and nor did I ever think that. The world race is going to be one of if not the most difficult thing I’ve ever done in my life. But that’s where God comes into play. That’s where my team comes into play. The squad leaders; my support team back home to keep me in prayer; all those people who’ve donated so far. Everyone’s needed and plays a part for this trip to happen; for our walk with God to flourish and fruit to grow and be seen.
Over the past 5 months I’ve seen my squad come together in prayer for the needs of each other. I’ve seen my squad encourage each other and support each other. I’ve been able to talk to several members of my squad and encourage them to keep going; to press forward. I know others have done the same. I’ve seen my squad lift up the needs of the countries we’ll be travelling to. I’ve seen God work in the hearts of strangers to support my squad’s mission trip. It’s amazing to see everyone come together and support each other and I would encourage you who are supporting me financially and with prayer and you who are supporting my squad to keep going because it’s needed. You’re needed. We can’t do this without you and each and every one of us is so very thankful for you. You’re a part of this trip already and will continue to be a part of it because of your support for us. From my squad and I-Thank you.
KJV 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
