Sometimes I get things better through stories. So here is one I thought up:
One day a farmer bought seedlings of an apple tree to plant an orchard in one of his fields. Like a good farmer does he took the necessary steps to foster growth of the little trees. He planted them in a good location with proper sunlight and good drainage. He watered the apple trees but not too much! His wife also assisted in taking care of their apple trees. Together they taught their sons and daughters and even their grandchildren about how to care for the trees. His neighbors who he would sometimes hire as farmhands took delight in the apple trees as well. Mrs. farmer bakes a delicious apple pie.
In the beginning the farmer did most of the work by himself in removing dead or broken branches. He is a consistent fellow. But sometimes he needed his wife to help him tie down the branches.
Two years went by and the young saplings began to look like a real orchard. The farmer and his family continued to prune, train, and water the trees. Sometimes the farmer needed a young, strong farmhand to climb to the top of the tree and train the branches. The little apple trees all had a beautiful shape and not a diseased branch or mildewed leaf was to be found. Yet the trees were still not ready to produce apples.
The farmer’s grandchildren were impatient. How could their grandmother make apple pie if they have no apples? But the farmer and his wife told the little children to have patience. Maybe next year their little trees would be ready. They continued to make sure they took good care of the orchard.
The following winter one of the farmer’s sons and his family decided to move away from the farm. They were into the “city life” and wanted to put their children in a bigger public school.
The next spring came along and the trees blossomed pretty flowers. In the summer the farmer and his family said goodbye to their good friends who were their neighbors. The father had to relocate for his job.
Still the farmer and his wife and family kept working hard on the farm. They kept taking care of their growing orchard. Still there was no fruit. Fruit trees require so much patience.
Another year went by and the farmer and his wife continued to get older. He had been thinking about retirement for a long time. His youngest son had agreed to take over the family farm and their precious orchard. They began the necessary procedures for this to happen. The son began taking on more of the workload, but still of course his dad helped out. Good Mr. farmer was going to work until the day he died.
Another year went by and the farmer and his wife spent a little more time sitting on their front porch and a little less time out in the fields.
The next year spring came along. The farmer’s son went out to the orchard one day and ALAS! He found one little apple tree beginning to bear fruit. He was elated and rushed to tell his whole family. The son and his mom and dad along with his wife and children came out to see the fruit of all their hard work. This year was finally the year. Soon after the rest of the trees followed and all showed signs of good fruit.
The apples matured and became ready for harvest. Finally everyone was going to be able to get their hands on some delicious, homemade apple pie.
At Thanksgiving time the entire family and even the neighbors who had moved away came back for the holiday. The farmer’s wife who had saved some apples over summer made some delicious apple pies for the entire party to enjoy. How much sweeter the pies tasted knowing that they were made with the fruits of their labor.
The end.
I know many people wonder what good is a short-term missions trip? In essence the World Race is eleven short-term missions trips in a row. What good are we doing when we are only in one place for a month? Then a contact of our team said this:
“There are those who claim that one-month assignments, while they are wonderful for Americans who have a heart for mission, but little time to give, are a lot of work for mission co-workers and support staff, but I am one who firmly believes that one-month assignments are the ones that lead to one-year assignments are the ones that lead to 10-year assignments are the ones that lead to a life-long love of people and mission! So, while in the short-term, they are a lot of work. In the long-term, they are the future of mission and a passion for mission in the church.”
I would venture to guess that many long-term missionaries would not be who they are or be where they are had they not experienced a short-term missions trip. I also think about all of the long-termers who I have had the privilege of encouraging. While they have blessed me far greater than what I have been able to do for them, I have been told of how my squad and I have been in the places we’ve been at “just the right time.” Or “our Christmas would have been much lonelier without you here with us.”
It is kind of like the story of the farmer. He and his wife were the primary caretakers of the orchard just like long-term missionaries are the primary caretakers of God’s missions overseas. But we have a part to play in this mission too. The farmer and his wife could not have nurtured their orchard without the help of their children and farmhands.
The World Race has taught me so much about the world. I see many things differently now than I ever could have if I just stayed in America. The World Race has produced many long-termers and some of our hosts we stay with were at one time World Racers. God’s commission is a group effort. Not everyone is called to be long-term missionaries. But we are called to be love wherever we go. One day we will all meet in heaven and enjoy the delicious apple pie of our labor.
Be love today.
Endnote: I am about $1500 away from being fully funded. My deadline has past! YIKES! Basically I need $1500 yesterday so if you would like to give towards my trip just click “support me” on this page and follow the easy steps. It takes five minutes! Thank you for reading and for supporting me continually.
