A few weeks ago, I took the bold step to camp out with Austin and Joshua Hosey in the backyard. Even though it was hot, I was ready to brave it for these two young men. Okay, so I did run an extension chord and set up a fan for myself in the tent:) As light turned into night, it became time for us to go to sleep so I said our prayers and told them good night. Not even 15 seconds had gone by and the two were still talking. After another 10 minutes I quieted them down again. Again not even 15 seconds and they were passionately discussing all the wild animals that could be roaming outside. I let another 10 minutes go by and repeated our previous routine for the third time. And again, they repeated their routine. By this time I knew if any of us were to get any sleep we would have to move indoors, so I made the bold call to head inside and my brave campers joyfully followed!
Inside the fun continued until finally these two adventuresome kids went to sleep. As I thought about this “camping” experience, I began to think about our “missions” experiences. You see for Austin and Joshua, camping was never the goal, just a means of accomplishing the goal. Their goal was have tons of fun together and imagine many adventures together - all of this they did from the comfort of my home...and the tent, during the day:)
In the same way, the goal of missions as a church is not to just take trips or to just send money. No, our goal is to see these areas touched and changed by the love of Jesus. Going and sending are just two ways we accomplish this goal. We go to and we send monies to these lands, but let us not forget the goal - to see people touched by the love of Jesus! In September of this year, I plan on going again to India to further accomplish this goal. Some of you may physically join me. Others of you may help by giving. All of us will take part in furthering our goal to see lives touched by the love of Jesus in this foreign land!
Going and Sending,
Jeff Powell
