As we look in Scripture we see the Great Commission (Matthew 28). The call is to take the Gospel to all nations. This is the “job” (if you will) of all believers. I love what Jesus DOES NOT say. He does not say we just need to reach people in and around our homes or churches, but EVERY home and every church.
I would agree that most of us are not missionaries “by trade” and it is true that the Great Commission is primarily carried out through full time missionaries. But make no mistake there is enough work for everyone!!! “the harvest is ripe, and the workers are few”
For some on our team this was their first ever mission experience, others were “seasoned veterans” but it made no difference. What happened this week? Friendships were made; the mission became MY mission for those on our team. We were no longer helping the unknown masses- we were helping our friends in Christ who happen to live far away from us.
It has been my observation that when natural disasters occur, it is often the people who have been on mission trips to these places who are the first to help, usually without even being asked. “Where our heart is, there our treasure will be also.”
Sometimes we help most by caring enough to go to places like Nicaragua. A number of times on mission trips, I’ve been asked by nationals why I came to their country. That gave me a chance to witness or, since my Spanish is lacking a little (ok, lacking a lot) have a Nicaraguan church member speak of Christ’s love on my behalf.
Those kind of opportunities are far and few between back home, but they happened EVERYWHERE this past week in Sebeco
For me personally, it was VERY EXCITING to be around an enthusiastic group of believers in a growing church body. I believe it is as close as I will ever come to experiencing what it must have been like to be with the early Christians we read about in the Book of Acts.
We have so much to offer the Nicaraguan believers. More than just money and things. We have a wealth of experience as longtime followers of Jesus, and some wisdom, too, probably more than we realize. So many people I ran into this week had very few local brothers and sisters in Christ as examples of faith, so they had LOTS of questions.
Being the hands and feet of Jesus is truly a rewarding experience. Not only for us as team members, but we saw it and experienced it first hand with our host Pastor – Pastor Hector. Hector is starting a new mission start in Sebeco and has recently (4 months ago) relocated his family to the area. On the first day of the clinic (and every day there after) Hector was involved in everything – from helping out at different stations to running “errands” throughout the day – and never once did he complain.
His calling is to start a new church plant in Sebeco. For 4 months he has been laying the groundwork and this past week our team was able to “jump start” the whole process by coming in contact with over 700 people in the area. 700 names and addresses that he can follow up with.
To hear Pastor Hector proclaim the Gospel message each day was a real treat – but EVERYONE on our team was shocked when he received a standing ovation MULTIPLE times over multiple days. PROCLAIMING that Jesus Christ is TRULY our Lord and Savior!!!
Sure, the townspeople were excited that they received glasses, but I think what is more rewarding is that they heard of Jesus as THEIR Savior. We’ll probably never know this side of heaven the lives that were changed this week…but one thing is sure – Our God is an awesome God and this was an OUTSTANDING week bringing glory and honor to Him!!
Throughout the week all I could think of 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”
Amen Amen Amen!!!
Team 1127 – Nicaragua 2011
