I get by with a little help from my friends (and family)

I guess I have always been a bit non-traditional in my approach to, well, almost everything. And the means of our support in this new mission venture are no exception. While in the States this month to help Sheila prepare our house for the renter, etc., I set a mental goal of touching base with all those who have joined us in our mission work by making financial contributions. It has been a busy time! It’s a long list because it is a host of family and friends that are making donations of all sizes.

family of believers from Deming, New Mexico 

The fact is, the closest thing to a “sponsoring congregation” we have is the wonderful people from the small body at 9^th Ave. in Deming, New Mexico. That’s okay. In fact, it’s great.  I’m beginning to think that is precisely part of God’s plan. (Am I losing you? 1 Corinthians 1 is what I’m getting at.)

I recently heard of a friend who is a church leader that challenged his congregation to get involved in missions. Their goal is to have 80% of all members actively, physically involved in mission work, and 100% involved in a peripheral way. Why this emphasis on participation?  It’s not that the “work” can’t get done in these mission efforts some other way. But the work  I believe God wants to do in our lives can’t be accomplished without participating with His body in tangible, active ways. Those of you who have had the experience know how encouraging, and renewing it can be! I am so excited for this body of believers who are faced with this 100% mission challenge. Imagine what God will do—not just outside their doors—but within their homes and hearts.

That’s one thing I think is so special about the particular way God has called us to Nicaragua. Because  our financial and spiritual support is spread  among so many individuals—so many more circles of friends have the potential to be encouraged  by the exciting things God is doing in this particular field.

The purpose of this post is not to ask for more money. In fact, I am not asking anything of you at all. I am not requesting a gift for myself from you—but I have a wish for each of you. I wish, (that with this work or another) that you get as involved as possible in the work of the Lord. I believe you will reap such a rich and immediate reward. Need some ideas of how to get started?

·        Pray for us: We need to keep what we are doing going and we need your support in asking for God to bless it.

·        Tell us: We would love to have more communication with you. If you read the blogs we’d love a  comment, send us an email, or call to set up a phone visit. Both are as free as a call/email to Austin.

·        Share the story: “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”What can be more encouraging that hearing about God at work? These facts and figures make it so obvious that it is not the success of a group, an organization, or a person—only God could do all this:

o   Currently Mission Para Cristo operates 32 schools with four more being developed. Has 2 medical clinics, 3 maternity homes, and works in supporting about 15 preachers, more or less. We employ about 30 Nicaraguans, not counting ministers and school teachers, who work in construction, staff the office and cook and clean for the 20+ short-term missions who are vital to keeping the long-term mission up and running. Additionally, Sight For Sore Eyes still works with local benevolence in Central Texas and is preparing continuing work in Mexico with the eye glass missions in support of churches there

·        Come work with us: We cannot do what we do without those of you who come to visit and work in the field. For some of you this might not be possible. For far more of you, you only think it is not possible. Want to teach that teenager a lesson in being content? Bring them to Nicaragua. The second-poorest country in the western hemisphere is also the safest.