Two days ago we hit our midpoint in our training season. It was the middle day of our middle camp. Not exactly to the day the mid point, but emotionally the point where we’ve completed half of our programs and have another half left to do. It’s a marathon sprint to the finish. Three weeks we’ll be done. We’ll have mobilized nearly 750 missionaries of various ages out to the nations.
We’ve laughed at how another round of camp food, sorting through piles of receipts, giving one more round of complicated announcements, giving the same teaching one more time, staying up late, getting up early, wearing name tags (a pet peeve of mine) and trying to handle all of the other responsibilities of daily life (personal and professional) is just one more investment into the kingdom.
That’s right. One more investment in the kingdom of God.
It’s work…hard work.
It’s exhausting…utterly and completely.
But it’s beautiful.
I’ve had the chance in past posts to recount to you what we strive to do at Training, but in case you missed those posts: we’re on a journey. We not only prepare these young missionaries for their lives overseas (in the heat, the noise, the foreign language, etc.) but also prepare them as individuals.
We go deep inside talking about their past hurts and pains, the faulty beliefs that define them and the truth that overcomes these dysfunctional, confusing lies. We challenge them to become men and women of honor. We put them into teams and teach them about living and working with others. We talk about conflict, selflessness, and courageous communication. We teach them about the world and all of the various horrors that exist in our world today. We teach them that they are the solution: that Jesus left the world in our care. That it is our responsibility to care for orphans and widows, to overcome human trafficking and modern day slavery, to provide hope to the lost and comfort to the hurting.
Often times, we just don’t know.
And so the world changes. Have you read any of the stories on the World Race Web site about the healings that are taking place all over the world? People. Getting. Physically. Miraculously. Healed. That’s happening right now.
The kingdom of God is being advanced. It is. Just read and watch and see for yourself.
AND – Happy Fathers Day Dad! You are an inspiration in my life. Your love and affirmation are a greater blessing than you could possibly imagine. I love and respect you and hope today you are blessed of our Father.
