Archive for the ‘Missions trips’ Category

Goin’ Fishing for People

Monday, January 7th, 2013

When Jesus called Simon and Andrew to join His team, how did He phrase the invitation? He said, “Follow Me, and I’ll show you how to fish for people” (Matthew 4:19). He could have said, “Follow Me and I’ll show you how to fish for wealth,” or “Follow Me and I’ll show you how to fish for popularity.” Yes, He could have made these promises, but He didn’t. Instead, He said, “I’ll show you how to fish for people.”

No doubt about it – Jesus values people. In fact, His love us is so great that it compelled Him to leave His heavenly home, give up His rights as God, become a servant, and obey to the point of death on a cross.

Here are a couple of questions this verse brings to mind:

  • Do I share Christ’s passion? Or do I too easily get caught up in my own pursuits – as legitimate as they may seem – bypassing people in the process?
  • How can I ensure I maintain Christ’s focus on people?

Perhaps the secret of success for the latter question lies in Christ’s command: “Follow Me.” The closer my relationship is with Jesus, the more likely I am to value what He values. The more likely it is that I’ll share His heartbeat for what matters most. The more probable it is that I’ll be a conduit of His love for men and women within my sphere of influence.

It’s the John 1 “abiding in the vine” principle. As I abide in Christ, my life will produce much fruit. And that fruit is all about impacting people. It’s all about loving them, showing kindness and sympathy and empathy, being respectful and non-discriminatory. It’s about taking time to listen and to show interest and to care.

As I follow Jesus, He’ll make me more like Him. The automatic result is that people – not things, programs, or my own personal pursuits – will take priority in my life. For me, that means setting aside my writing pursuits to babysit my grandkids when my daughter-in-law needs a hand. It means shutting down my computer at suppertime to put my husband first. It means saying no to hobbies and extended holidays during this season of my life and instead, speaking and writing words of encouragement for those who need hope and healing. It means connecting with businesswomen in my city and letting them watch my life so their appetite is whet for Truth. It means training and leading short-term ministry teams to Eastern Europe every summer to share the love of Christ with those who have never experienced it.

Fishing for people isn’t always convenient. Sometimes it’s downright exhausting. Sometimes it hurts…a lot. But fishing for people is what Jesus called His disciples to do, and I’m one of His disciples so I’m goin’ fishing.

What does “fishing for people look like in real life for you?

Photo Courtesy: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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A Lesson About True Joy–Learned in Romania

Friday, August 10th, 2012

I’m still mentally processing lessons learned while in Eastern Europe this summer. For instance, working in Romania among a group of young adults living with serious health issues deepened my understanding about true joy.

I find immeasurable joy in in my grandchildren’s hugs. I find joy in knowing my kids and their spouses love the Lord, and in hearing my husband’s hello when he comes home from the office. Joy, for me, comes in knowing my writing or teaching has given someone direction or hope. It comes in spending time alone with God in the morning’s early hours. These things, and other simple pleasures, bring a smile to my face and joy to my heart.

But what if my circumstances looked different? What if my health deteriorated and I was no longer able to walk or talk or care for my own needs? What if my home was foreclosed, or my husband walked out on me? What if I’d experienced abandonment and abuse similar to that of my Romanian friends? What if my present involved the same struggles they face, or my future on this earth looked as uncertain? How joyful might I feel then?

Sitting beside the Danube River early one morning in July, I read Psalm 4:6-8: “Let your face smile on us, LORD. You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.”

Those words leapt off the page that day. They reminded me that life’s circumstances can be dire indeed, but joy remains possible thanks to the Lord’s presence in our lives. Money, health, and creature comforts—although nice to have—ultimately do not bring the joy and peace we crave. It’s found in Christ alone.

These Scriptures have become very meaningful to me. I’ve turned them into a prayer: “Dear Father, please make your face smile on us (and on my brave Romanian friends). Grant us (and them) greater joy than those who have great material abundance. Grant us (and them) peace in knowing that You alone keep us safe. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Thanks for listening as I process the things I saw and learned. I pray that the lessons I’ve learned from yet another missions trip will bless you, too.

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A Taste of German History

Monday, August 6th, 2012

Gene and I spent two days in Berlin in July while awaiting the arrival of our second International Messengers ministry team. While there we took a tour of East Berlin. The guide, a 30-something Brit named Barnaby, majored in political science and history. Educating others about the Cold War was obviously his passion.

Here are a few highlights:

  • The Brandenburg Gate. Did you know that the infamous Berlin wall was built only a few meters behind the Gate? The wall’s height dropped significantly behind the gate so the western portion of the city could see it and—for lack of a better term—drool at the easterner’s “good fortune” at possessing the famous landmark. Incidentally, east Berliners couldn’t access the gate either because it stood in the middle of “no man’s land.” Civilians attempting to cross this barren strip would be shot under suspicion of running to the western sector for freedom.

Gene and Grace at the Brandenburg Gate -- Berlin, Germany

  • The infamous Berlin wall was built in four stages. First came the rounds of barbed wire that were erected in one night. These were eventually replaced by a brick wall. When this failed to keep easterners from escaping, pre-fab concrete walls topped with barbed wire were erected. That barbed wire was later replaced with a rounded concrete brim along the entire wall. The rounded top made it impossible for an escapee to get a firm handhold and hoist himself up and over.

Infamous Berlin wall. Note the rounded top.

  • Two and a half years after the wall was erected, west Berliners were granted visas to visit relatives and friends in the eastern sector. Those visas lasted only 24 hours. Upon their return, they had to pass through border security in this building. Eastern guards scrutinized each person’s ID photo and face for 20 minutes. The reason for this? They studied 16 facial measurements to ensure the person was indeed the same as indicated on the paperwork. How unnerving must that have been?

Tearful family goodbyes were said here.

  • The secret police headquarters was in this building. They kept detailed files on everyone in east Berlin—files that became public in the early 90s. The divorce rate soared when many people learned that their spouses had reported their activities to the police, albeit under blackmail. Reading one’s files proved so traumatic that it became mandatory for professional counselors to be present when doing so.

Former headquarters for the German secret police.

Listening to the stories made me shudder at the inhumanity of man. It also made me very thankful for freedom. It’s to be cherished and protected, wouldn’t you agree?

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