A thank-you letter to my WR ministry hosts
Serving alongside you in 2019 was a privilege. Thank you for saying yes to God’s calling on your life. Thank you for saying yes to inviting World Racers to share in your ministry.
You ministered to us in a huge way through leading by example. It was deeply inspiring to watch you serve our Lord with open hands and an open heart. We noticed the time you spent in the Word and prayer each day. We saw you welcome anyone and everyone into your house for conversation or counsel, turning no one away. Your heart for widows and orphans is obvious; you are both physical and spiritual parents, as you mentor and care for many beyond your biological children.
You have weathered the highs and lows of ministry with grace. Maybe you are in a season of victory or maybe brokenness, but either way you rely on the Lord for your strength. Thank you for being real with us about how you are doing. Your authenticity shows us that a life of ministry will be difficult and the enemy wants us to fail, but that the Lord will sustain us and work everything for good. Thank you teaching us how important it is to put family first, unapologetically.
Thank you for going beyond what was required of you as a host and choosing to mentor us. You poured out your time and energy to disciple us during this transitional and influential time in our lives. You answered a thousand questions about your ministry, theology, and life as a missionary. You challenged us with questions of your own, prompting us to form our own thoughts and beliefs about God and life and ministry.
Thank you for expecting us to do hard things and not letting us stay in our comfort zones. Thank you for pushing us toward growth and not letting us settle. You called us out when you saw us living less than our potential, and you encouraged us by naming our giftings and the ways you think God is going to use us in the future.
Thank you for teaching us the native languages and traditions of your country. We loved getting to celebrate new holidays with you. Thank you for the beautiful and contagious way you love your neighbors.
Thank you for cooking for us and bringing us to your favorite restaurant for traditional food. Thank for taking us on adventures. Thank you for late-night talks and shared laughs. Thank you for putting up with us when we “had” to go to town because the idea of an iced latte was the only thing keeping us from losing our sanity. Thank you for being a mom and dad to us during this year we were apart from our loved ones. Thank you for giving us places to call home all around the world. Thank you for being an instrumental part of our life journey. Thank you for the way you change the world one heart at a time.
Until we see each other again,
Em
Pastor Fred / Photo cred: Michael Williams
Anita Victor / Photo cred: Valerie Flores
