Thats Easy for You to Say

As a person whose career is using words I have heard people say a lot of funny things without thinking, sometimes from my own mouth. I began to notice several years ago that they seem to happen often on mission trips. Perhaps it is the combination of stress, fatigue, and wonder that is experienced on these trips. There is a level of comfort attached to spending so much time with the same small group that it is easy to speak without thinking. Or maybe I just attract funny people. I began writing them down a few years ago and now it has become a running joke to make “The List.”

I have made my own list on a number of occasions. Things that make the list always make us laugh and laughter is good. Most often they are sayings that just do not make sense, the kind that make you say, “Huh, what did you say?” Like the time I could not find my luggage and walked up to an airport help desk and heard myself saying, “All I want to know is where do I need to go to be where I need to be?” (Don’t we all want the answer to that question?) Sometimes they are language mistakes that turn out funny. I once tried to order fish in Malawi, to the amusement of several church leaders, who told me afterward that my pronunciation was only slightly off. Because of one little vowel they heard me order marijuana instead of the national delicacy, in a fancy restaurant.

At least my mistake was repeatable. We won’t discuss the private list.

I think God has a good sense of humor. Psalm 2:4 says, “He who sits in the heavens laughs.” (nasb) Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine.” I read the newspaper and wonder if we have lost our collective sense of humor? Then I read the Bible, Psalm 16:11, “In your presence is fullness of joy.” And, John 15:11, which says, “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” Being a Christian is more fun when it is funny.

We count up the statistics from a summer of mission trips and evaluate with much satisfaction our successes. We remember the souls saved, ministries started, new friends made, lives touched and changed. With tired bodies and a few tears let us also remember that there is rejoicing in heaven, (Luke 15:7). At the end of the day we can say, smiling, it was fun. After all, we are not saved by our works, but by God’s amazing Grace. That should make us happy.

Dr. Robin

Praying for Mission Teams

Thank you, Church Family, for sending mission teams across the street and around the world. You are sending us to La Serena, Chile, South America, while others go to Alaska, Nebraska, and the far ends of the earth. You go with us in heart as you also hold the ropes for us in prayer.

Pray for us each night before you go to bed and again each morning when you get up. Keep in mind that circumstances often change schedules. Read the scriptures with us, also. We will be reading these same verses and praying with you.

Thank you for praying. Pray for our safety, harmony, and Spiritual preparation. Pray that we will have enough energy for each task, get enough rest, and that we will all stay healthy on the food that is set before us. Pray for the anointing of the Spirit on God’s Word, us His messengers, and that those who hear us will hear gladly and receive Jesus into their hearts. Pray for our families at home, and for our church family, that those who sent us will also receive a blessing and that all of us will have a heart for the Great Commission that reaches across the street and around world with the Gospel.

We need special prayer for our families at home. I cannot stress that enough. We will be out of touch with them much of the time and it is difficult to minister when you are worried about things back home. Pray as much for them as you do for us. Pray that no emergencies arise on either front. Everything you pray for us pray also for our families.

King David once left some tired troops to watch the supplies while the rest fought and won a battle. When he returned to them from the battle he said, “…as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike,” 1 Samuel 30:24. Those who pray share the reward with those who preach. Those who send also share with those who go. Thank you for praying and sending.