Thursday, December 6, 2007

Missions



Last Wednesday was the last field trip for the History of the Modern State of Israel class. We toured Jerusalem, focusing on important places from 1940s to present. It was amazing to see so many more new sites despite all of the field trips we already had in the city. I love studying history and seeing how God has worked through lands, people, and time to perform His will. Knowing so much about Israel has made me want to study my own country more too. (Considering that is what I have to teach about to my students, I guess that is a good thing). Another thing that I really appreciated seeing was the work of evangelical missions in the country. My grandparents were on the mission field for a number of years working with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. It was fun to see their footprints in Jerusalem. (I don't know if you can read it on the photo above, but the sign says, "Jerusalem Alliance Church Ministry Center" with the C&MA logo). At the end of the day, we spent time in the Mahanae Yehudah outdoor market. I love it there. All the sounds, colors, and smells; the people and the bartering. The festive atmosphere just before Hanukkah - the sufganiyot (doughnuts)...Wow.

After being in another country so many months, seeing the people who live here so lost, falling so short of the mark, I understand the importance of mission work even more. That's not to say that I don't have compassion for the lost in my own hometown too, but I think I have grown hard against it. Sometimes it seems as if nothing will ever change and people only get worse, which is true. But that doesn't mean that I should stop sharing the gospel just because I think that will never change. Praise the Lord for the people in my life who didn't give up on me. May I be faithful and bold to share the love of the Lord with whomever, whenever, wherever I may be. On the other hand, it has been a huge blessing to see the fruit of the work of believers who have been faithful to their calling. Fellowshiping with other believers from many countries, many languages, many cultures, and many different backgrounds has been amazing! What a privilege to "get outside the box" and see the body of Christ meet together all over the world. Continue to pray for the people that are still so far from the Lord all over the globe. Pray that there would be willing souls to go and work with them, encourage them, and teach them what we are so greatly blessed to already know. Pray that the Lord will do a work in the hearts of His own people, that they may come to a saving faith in Him.

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