Many Christians have a misconception of missions and the Great
Commission. It is true that not all of us are called to the mission field, but
it is also true that we all have to be involved in spreading the Gospel to all
nations.
Mark 16:15 “And he said to them,
"Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
Some of us go. The rest, have to care for the ones that go.
If missionaries can´t count on faithful believers to pray for them and
support them financially, emotionally and physically, there is nothing we can
do. That´s the only way to fulfill the Great Commission: some go, others pray
for the ones that go and others support financially the ones that go to the
field.
One of my main struggles in the mission field is the thought of feeling
alone. I am not, I know, but there are days when I can´t help feeling lonely
and think that none cares about me and my family. And then God makes it again:
we receive a note of encouragement, an email or a package that reminds me that
God moves His people to help us missionaries in the days when we think no one
cares. He always did, He always will.
What can we do to get our children (and ourselves) involved in missions?
Here there are some suggestions:
- Pray for
missionaries. Do you know a missionary? Does your church support any
missionaries? Pray for them, ask them to send you their newsletters and read
the emails to your children. Then, pray for them as a family. You can ask them
to send you some pictures too and have one on display in your kitchen fridge or
somewhere else visible, to pray for that missionary family on a regular basis.
-
Write them a
letter or an email. There are places where regular postal service is not
available, but we can find an internet connection available almost everywhere.
Your kids can make cards, write a note or make some drawings; they will put a
smile on the missionary´s face.
Send them a
small package. This is easier (and cheaper) if regular postal service is
available. You can´t imagine how many things missionaries can´t find in the
countries they are serving in, especially if they are in a Third World country.
Simple everyday things like soap, socks, books or colors for their kids, hair
pins or goodies are always welcome. Have your kids choose something they would like
to send them.
-
If you have
no chance to send anything, make a package for when missionaries are home for a
furlough. Get your children involved in all the process. They can go through their
toys and books too and give them to this family´s children.
Spread a map and pick a
country a week to pray for missionaries working in this country (even if you
don´t know them by name, God knows who you are praying for).
-
Gather some
information of the country and pray for it during the week. Your children will
learn some Geography too!
-
When
missionaries visit your church talk to them and have them for dinner or just to
take a cup of tea. If they have children, ask your own kids to play with them.
Furloughs are especially stressful for children. They miss their home and their
friends and are not totally used to how things work at homeland.
Ask your
children to save some coins and put them in a family jar or can to send a gift
to the missionaries you are praying for. It does not have to be much… the gifts
that are given with the heart are the best ones a missionary can receive and
are truly appreciated.
-
Make them a
phone call or video chat with them so you can interact with the missionary
family.
There are lots of things we can do to get involved in missions. And if
we do it as a family and get our children involved in missions too, we will be
raising a generation prepared to go to the field, to pray and to support the
ones that go. We will be raising a generation that cares for the Evangelization
of the entire world.
Content in His service,
Edurne
This post was written by my dear friend Edurne Mencia
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