A couple of days ago I sent out our latest ‘backyard missionaries’ newsletter to people who like to stay in touch with what we are up to. (Drop me an email if you’d like a copy)
It was interesting that two of the first responses were from other ‘missionary’ friends around the world.
When I got home yesterday there was an email from a guy I went thru Uni with who is now a missionary in Malawi. He wrote at length about how much he appreciated what we are doing and told us he and his wife wanted to support us by praying for us and by giving us quite a significant sum of money.
I didn’t know what to feel at first… humbled is probably the word that comes to mind. Don’t you need it more than us?…
Last year in September I approached 5 churches in regard to supporting us as we live as missionaries. So far three have said ‘no’ and 2 are still considering. I have a sense that if we were overseas missionaries it would be a bit easier to raise that support.
And then out of the blue I hear from my friend… he ‘gets it’. There was an old slogan that Billabong used to put on their surf shirts – ‘only a surfer knows the feeling’.
I have a sense that in this regard maybe only a missionary knows the feeling
. We are very grateful for people like him who listen to God and share their stuff with us as we serve.
Does he need it more than us? Maybe.., but it seems as hears the spirit he is wanting to give to us.
One thing I have learnt in this adventure is that God looks after those who trust him. The old saying ‘God helps those who help themselves’ doesn’t carry a lot of weight biblically. In fact if anything the biblical idea is that God looks after those who help others.
God will look after my friend as he looks after us.