Matthew
10:5-28
“Jesus
sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge:
‘Don’t begin by traveling to some
far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don’t try to be dramatic by tackling
some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the
neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise
the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated
generously, so live generously.
‘Don’t think you have to put on
a fund-raising campaign before you start. You don’t need a lot of equipment.
You are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a
day. Travel light.
‘When you enter a town or
village, don’t insist on staying in a luxury inn. Get a modest place with some
modest people, and be content there until you leave.
‘When you knock on a door, be
courteous in your greeting. If they welcome you, be gentle in your
conversation. If they don’t welcome you, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene.
Shrug your shoulders and be on your way. You can be sure that on Judgment Day
they’ll be mighty sorry – but it’s no concern of yours now.
‘Stay alert. This is hazardous
work I’m assigning you. You’re going to be like sheep running through a wolf
pack, so don’t call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake,
inoffensive as a dove.
‘Don’t be naïve. Some people
will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation – just because you
believe in me. Don’t be upset when they haul you before the civil authorites.
Without knowing it, they’ve done you – and me – a favor, given you a platform
for preaching the kingdom news! And don’t worry about what you’ll say or how
you’ll say it. the right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will
supply the words.
‘When people realize it is the
living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they
are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. There is a great
irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don’t
quit. Don’t cave in. it is all well worth it in the end. It is not success you
are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you’ve run out of
options, the Son of Man will have arrived.
‘A student doesn’t get a better
desk than her teacher. A doesn’t make more money than his boss. Be content –
pleased, even – when you, my students, my harvest hands, get the same treatment
I get. If they call me, the Master, ‘Dungface,’ what can the workers expect?
‘Don’t be intimidated.
Eventually everything is going to be out in the open, and everyone will know
how things really are. So don’t hesitate to go public now.
‘Don’t be bluffed into silence
by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core
being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life – body and soul – in
his hands.
It
is the beginning of August. I am here in Lesotho for a month of ministry. Every
day as I wake up surrounded by many mountains and the beauty of God’s creation,
I am constantly reminded of the New Testament. The way that the 9 of us are
living this month reminds me so much of the disciples. We live a simple, frugile
life doing what God has called us to do this month – dive into His word,
fellowship with one another, edify each other and heal the sick proclaiming it
all in His name. I sit here by candlelight writing this (which I will
later transfer to my computer when I get electricity again). It feels like
midnight, yet it is only 8pm. We have no electricity which makes for a complete
change in lifestyle. I love it! Candles and lanterns provide us with just
enough light to operate.
Each
morning we come together to fellowship, eat breakfast and pray. We then split
up and pick our favorite spots around the huts in between a multitude of
mountains and have intimate time with our Father. We then come together again
for lunch. We pray again and then we head out. We walk down the road and hike
to the top of this particular mountain to this village. We go from hut to hut
and pray for people. They know they can come to us for prayer and come openly
and eagerly.
After
the first few times of climbing up the mountain, the kids would start meeting
us half way up. They would see us a mile away walking down the road and would then
come running and screaming down the mountain to meet us – only to walk right
back up the mountain with us. It was incredible.
As
soon as we would arrive to the village, the people would come to us asking for
prayer for healing and for their families. We truly felt like the disciples. We
told them all about Jesus and they were so receptive to the Gospel. They wanted
to hear more. They all wanted bibles. One man even asked us after sharing the
gospel if there was any book about Jesus so he would never forget who Jesus
was. So we told him about the bible and were able to buy one for him. It was so
amazing to see their childlike faith. They were so hungry for more. It was
phenomenal.
Jenn
was able to build a relationship with the chief of the village and share
scripture and bible stories with him. It was amazing.
There
were sheep, cattle, horses and shepherds all over the place. Most of the young
kids we hung out with were shepherd boys. It was awesome. The sheep constantly
reminded me of John 10. I feel as though the bible has come to life before my
eyes.
Every
evening we would come home and Renee and I would make dinner. We would come
together as a family to eat and fellowship. We shared about our day every night
and shared how ministry that day went. We would drink tea for a snack and play
card games. Tonya taught me how to shuffle cards and God miraculously changed
my taste buds b/c I now like tea! For 6 months before the race I bought every
kind of tea imaginable to try to acquire a liking for it b/c I knew we would
drink it a lot around the world this year. I didn’t like any of it. I also
tried it several times on the race and wanted to spit it out. But for whatever
reason this month I decided to try it again and I actually liked it! I even
like chai tea now and prefer it over coffee!! This used to be unheard of!
We
were able to celebrate all of our August birthdays this month. Becca, Kim and I
had birthdays. We picked out special meals to cook and we each had raw brownie
batter for dessert. It was amazing!!
Our
team really grew as a family and in unity this month. We brought everything to
the table every night. We confided in each other and lifted each other up in
prayer on a daily basis. We have been doing a Hebrews bible study every Thurs
night and Laying on of the Hands on Friday nights. That is where we all take
turns praying for each individual on our team and prophecy and get visions and
words for them.
This
month was incredible for us. We all grew individually and together as a team.
God showed up in so many ways. We were stuck in the middle of nowhere and were
able to minister to each other and spread the gospel to those who had never
heard it. We were exactly where God wanted us this month!
