I’ve been in Granada Nicaragua for the past few days for the month 8 debrief.
Going into debrief I was having a difficult time with the idea of not being poured into and had questions regarding Adventures in Missions (AIM).
I was surprised to hear that Bill Swan the leader of the Worldrace was coming to our debrief.
The initial impression was that he would come with an agenda to explain AIM policies or that as a squad we were in trouble for something and he was coming to correct us.
Yet on day one he talked about John 10:10 “the thief came to steal kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly”
He talked about having abundant life,
And how when we hold bitterness over this or that we can’t experience that life. He talked about how he had his own struggles in the past with bitterness and un forgiveness.
That night he met with us and answered questions about AIM
And why they have such and such policy or do this or that. He stayed late into the night.
Though he is the Leader of the Worldrace program and at times is loud and intimidating, he was always just “Bill” just one of the guys.
It was humility, and grace with strength. Though there are 45 people on our squad he made time to meet with people one on one.
The man was up meeting with people till 2am this morning when he had a 5am flight out.
Unfortunately I didn’t take any pictures with Bill Swan, to me he was just a humble person with a huge responsibility and I’m not in the custom of kissing up.
Please understand there maybe times when your frustrated with policies or don’t think your voice is heard or your ministry is different then advertised,
Or as a guy your overwhelmed always being in the minority please don’t let bitterness or misunderstanding steal your joy.
I’m learning ministry isn’t glamorous,
It’s not about getting to ride on elephants or pet tigers. I’m on the first all Spanish route we don’t go to Asia…
Ministry is when you don’t want to get up and go out. It’s when you can’t stand so and so because you’ve been living with them so long and can’t be alone. It’s not some grand adventure sometimes your doing manual labor filling a hole with dirt and wondering why?
It’s not being picked to be a leader or have this title so I can boss people around.
No it’s the hearing Gods voice to go talk to a person you normally wouldn’t.
At present in the church and missions many women have stepped up.
Yet sadly I’ve seen few guys, i pray that God raises up men yet please understand it’s not about adventure or entitlement rather about serving God on the tough days. About investing in relationships and people when your tired and don’t want to.
I’d love it if more guys join the worldrace but please understand the world doesn’t need more tourists they need Jesus.
I’d rather have 7 guys sold out for Christ go on each Worldrace squad then 25 that are not.
For the women on the missions field please be patient with the guys that serve with you. Understand we’re still trying to figure this spiritual leadership thing out and are not trying to boss you around yet at some point we need to initiate prayer, bible study and grow in confidence making decisions so that someday we can become the men God wants us to be.
