Surrounded by the "sent out ones"

Wow, has it really been almost two months since I last posted? It is truly amazing how life gets away from you! One truly must be diligent to "be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:15-16).

My time in the United States is drawing to a close. I am currently at the IMB's training center for my appointment week meetings. I will be appointed this coming Wednesday night at a church in Richmond. What an exciting time this is!

The great thing about appointment week is that you get to spend time with others who are also called to serve God overseas. You get to hear their stories, share in their struggles and triumphs, pray with and for them. And I am just reminded of what a great privilege it is to be part of the family of God, the body of Christ.

"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." (Eph. 4:11-13)

Whoa, how rich is that passage! The take-home message for me is that I cannot become mature and attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ without the body... and neither can any other believer. We NEED each other. We cannot know God fully without each other. And that can only be achieved by our unity in the faith and by our sharing the knowledge of God that we receive from Him with one another. What a great responsibility we have to each other. And what a great joy to know Him through knowing one another!

One other thing that strikes me about that passage is the word "apostles." The Greek word "apostolos" means "sent out one." I realize it's controversial whether there are still apostles in this day and age, and I won't get into that debate, I promise! :) Let's just take the word at its literal meaning of "one who is sent." I just know I am a "sent out one" and, this week, I am surrounded by others with the same calling.

"And now the LORD says - he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength - he says: 'It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.'" (Is. 49:5-6)

This passage really hit me hard this week, as I reflected on the promise God makes here... and realized it was a promise to me. He WILL make me a light for the Gentiles, that I may bring His salvation to the ends of the earth. There is no greater honor than to be used to glorify the God of the universe. He is truly the Only One worthy!

" O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" (Ps. 8:9)

Field Update

1. I am so thankful for the new prayer supporters who have now come on board. Thank you SO MUCH for your partnership in my ministry. You are vital to me!

2. My appointment service will be held at Bon Air Baptist Church in Richmond this Wednesday evening, June 25. I am very excited... and a little nervous. Please pray that my testimony given at the service would be exactly what He would have me say and that He would be glorified. And pray that the hearts of those present would be stirred up to see the nations come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, whatever that may mean for them personally.

3. Following appointment, my time frame looks something like this:
July 25: Last day at my current job
Aug. 4: Begin field personnel orientation
Oct. 15: Begin language school in Guatemala

Please pray that I would be effective and efficient in learning Spanish. Only once I have achieved an advanced low level of proficiency in Spanish can I go to my ministry site. It is imperative that I learn the language quickly and well.

4. Pray for me as I leave behind my spiritual family at London Bridge to go to the foreign field. Though I am thrilled to be going, the fact remains that it is bittersweet, as I will desperately miss my brothers and sisters.