the last stretch
Pastor Seth and I traveled from what seemed like the sky to the sea of ghana- cape coast. An annual retreat is held for the Pioneers-Ghana team, where the team coordinators, assistants and volunteers come together to share a time of fellowship, field updates, and most importantly, fortify their vision to reach the unreached in their respective locations. I am fortunate that this retreat was scheduled in the last week of my stay; it has brought my visit full-circle to see everyone again.
We studied the book of Acts to refresh and refine our understanding of missions. There were two strong conclusions: one- the message is Jesus Christ and the salvation you gain from His resurrection and two- nothing can be accomplished without the Holy Spirit and our obedience to Him.
There is one particular passage that is very telling of how we ought to value the importance of meeting the spiritual needs we witness despite the immediate physical needs we desire to meet.
Acts 3:1-10
1One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
I also sat in a discussion regarding the current unreached people groups in Ghana. There was a list of twenty- their locations, population, religious affiliates, etc. The question that spurred the discussion was, “who do we reach next?” As I watched the group of fourteen learn more about these people, discuss strategy, and pray for the discernment of God to be upon them, I was overwhelmed. Fourteen people want to reach a whole nation - a nation that is heavily in opposition to their faith, a nation with over two hundred languages and one hundred sixty people groups. Their willingness to GO yet again humbled me.
I walked this same road july 2009. New Ebu was my team’s last stop before returning to the states. I asked myself, “Will I come back?” I didn’t know the answer to that question. But I knew God burdened my heart to be responsible for what I saw and what I knew. I didn’t want to just abandon the relationships I built and the people who challenged me to go deeper with God. And because of my obedience to the Lord, I was able to walk this road again and reflect on how much more I know and how much deeper my relationships have gone in these past six weeks.
I believe my visit has brought my interest in missions towards a more specific purpose that works in hand with picturethegospel. I hope to share this vision with you once I’ve had more time to process all that I’ve experienced. Truly, I am thankful for your prayers and thoughts. The peace of God has carried me through and I am praying that it continues to give me the confidence I need to work for the will of God.
The journey has only begun.
