Today I had
a chance to speak at the end of a luncheon to about 35 “Serving Coordinators”
who are part of small groups. Missions Conference theme this year is “FINISHING
THE TASK.” I was glad for a chance to have a part in the day.
I’d been
texted the Local Outreach Director the day before, to see if she could use any
last minute help. She wrote back with an invite to the lunchone, and then this
spot opened up to share because another speaker had gotten sick. It was my
birthday yesterday, so preparing for a little sharing was a gift. It was also a
therapeudic gift to write out my thoughts, and then share them the next day.
You’ll see when you read why…
She introduced me last, as a long time friend of the church.
This weekend you’ll see some of our missionaries at tables, representing their work around the world.
Not all of them call RHCC their home church.
Some have good work we’re partnering with,
Others are Nationals we support.
Their “home church” is somewhere else.
Some of these missionaries grew
up here.
They call this church their “home
church.”
They are our “sent ones.”
And your small group could have a
great "outreach ministry" to them.
On the rare times they back in the USA.
They're feeling a little like
foreigners.
It would be so encouraging
If you invited them to your familiar circle of fellowship.
Share a meal with them.
Or two.
Be new friends in their RHCC family.
Be some people who know who they
are.
To let you know how important this
small thing is,
I'm going to read you a story,
It’s a true story, from one of our "homegrown"
missionaries who left to serve
overseas 21 years ago.
It’s story about what it’s like to
come home:
Some
things haven't changed over the years.
There’s the friendly parking volunteers waving us in.
That tall
bell tower.
The crossroads of people passing between Welcome Booth
donut
holes,
and
the 290s.
And that funky
kids' drinking fountain.
In the warm lobby,
Ken Bouma,
head usher, is still here shaking hands
and passing
out worship folders.
We head through the
double doors to the "Sanctuary,"
Into the
slightly darkened worship center.
Finishing
up a sound check. Must be that new worship leader.
(Probably not so new anymore, but new to me.)
Stage
manager Mark Cramer readjusts something on the stage.
And
stained-glass-Jesus
still
reaches out
with care.
In the
1980's and '90's we were much, much younger.
This campus
had been our ministry training ground.
For 12
years.
A giant
family for love, and life, and growing, and serving.
Pastoring.
Singing.
Serving on Commissions.
Planning
this Missions Conference.
Christmas
programs.
Baptisms.
Weddings
And
Funerals.
And then when kids finally came for us,
Our babies
were dedicated right here in this worship center.
This is the
community who took a vow to partner with us
in raising
these boys “in the ways of the Lord.”
Soon after
that dedication,
We left
this home, with those small boys
(who are now grown men).
This church
sent us out.
Financial
support was raised in record time.
There were commissioning services.
Farewell parties.
And so much hope and expectation.
But here's the sad reality...
Our “send off" that was hundreds in 1997,
Had no fanfare two years later in 1999.
The hosts and the one guest who came
Tried to be positive about the uneaten piles of food,
Lamely apologizing that "people are so busy."
We
stayed in touch.
Twenty-one
years is easily 200 monthly newsletters sent.
And soooo
Many
Thank you
notes.
But never,
never enough.
We came
“home” every couple of years.
It helped
the grandparents
Who missed
us so.
It also
helped to try to
keep track of all the changes taking place
In the
shifting social sands of American transient culture.
And the changes at church.
Just who is it
who’s our rep now on the Global Outreach Commission?
But in
21 years how can one not become out of touch with "home"?
We had
thrown that same enthusiastic heart for ministry
Into people
and churches
15 time
zones away.
Adding to
our formally stellar ministry resumes:
Loneliness
Isolation
& what felt
like
Failure.
Plus GRIT.
And deeper, much deeper, love for and dependence
upon
Our Savior
and provider.
The one who
does the work.
HE does it.
And we are just his servants to use in finishing the
task.
And no
matter what has changed at home,
HE is the
one who is still cheering us on.
Woah. I know. Kind of depressing. I’m
sorry. But I’m glad I got this
chance to read it to you….
And tell you...that missionary is me.
Not to make anyone feel guilty about
what has been my story, but to tell you that your Small Group can do something
to change that experience for our Sent Ones.
As you meet the missionaries here
this weekend,
BE INTERESTED IN THEM.
Ask them,
“What has been highlight in recent months?”
Or what they've learned about faith
By taking the road less traveled.
Try not to let your eyes glaze over
Fifteen seconds into their answer.
Don’t interrupt to tell them
About this one time you went on a mission trip.
Or how you know another
missionary
“Who does all this really
Meaningful
Stuff.”
No, try to be interested.
And pray
about whether the Lord might be calling you, or your group,
to adopt one of them
into your circle of friends.
It would be AMAZING if as a group
You all decided to
subscribe to their updates.
And included praying for their
needs
During those times you pray
for one another.
Invite them in.
Invite them along.
Take a few minutes the week before
they come,
to brief yourselves up on the
nature of their ministry,
And look at a world map,
(Google's made it easy now,)
And do a search for
Mozambique
or Singapore
or Romania
or Turkey.
Find out where exactly it is.
Share some of your love on them
And send them back wherever they are
serving
filled up and fueled
knowing that their home church
Is still their home.
