Letters are arriving suggesting that donations are requested for various people who are in need of funds for short term mission trips...since 1972, our family has had the privilege to house, feed, listen to, support, be a part of, read about short term and long term mission groups. They have encompassed the world: Paraguay, Ukraine, New Zealand, Iceland, England, Australia, several African countries, Mongolia, Thailand, Mexico, Ecuador, Honduras, China, Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, Alaska, the inner cities of the US, Brazil, Columbia, Nicaragua , the western US, a variety of camps in America, the Netherlands, Finland, France, a ship that visited world ports for humanitarian help, Haiti, Poland, India, Romania, Nepal, Russia, stateside backup, and several unnamed countries.....
I heard once that 65% of long term missionaries are on the field due to a short term mission experience that changed their lives....so if those people were not supported at some time they may not have been encouraged later to follow the plan that God had for them...that goes with any talent or bent...encouragement...
But being part of a prayer and/or financial support group is a blessing that repays over and over...for the giver, the receiver and the people to whom were ministered and generations to come....
There is nothing like hearing those excited tales from returning short term missionaries as well as the long term ones. The trials, the God moments, the answers to prayer....the future dreams, the heart changes....the people are never the same....there is a big world out there, waiting to be entered....harvested....
Thank YOU that You allow us to be a part of the world picture, for helping others along the way...help us to be liberal in our giving, sharing....listening....help..encouraging....
Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 28:18-20
New International Version (NIV)
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
2 Corinthians 1:11
as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
Isaiah 40: 8
8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God endures forever.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
New International Version (NIV)
Generosity Encouraged
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
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