On the Way
It’s hard to believe that after months of planning, meeting, learning, practicing, praying and bonding, our Wales Mission Team leaves in just a few days! We are thankful for this amazing opportunity to partner with church missionaries, David and Liz Bhakiaraj, and other ministry partners, to learn and serve alongside them as we share the love of Christ to the people they serve in Cardiff, Wales. As a team, we have been busy practicing our songs for worship and learning how to lead prayer groups and devotions. We have also been learning a lot about things to be aware of cross culturally and we have worked through curriculum surrounding safeguarding children and the people we will be working with. While in Wales, we will be running sports camps, leading worship, serving refugees and above all, sharing the hope of the Gospel and love of Jesus in the community we will be serving. Our itinerary is packed, to say the least!
We recently heard Pastor Andrew preach from Acts 11:1-18 and it was really encouraging to read this passage in light of our upcoming mission trip. This passage is about Peter going to Jerusalem and recounting the story of what transpired when he was in Joppa and when he was sent to spread the gospel in Caesarea. Peter describes how the Holy Spirit fell upon him and those hearing the message. Verse 17 says “If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that could stand in God’s Way?” It is humbling to realize that we go forward believing in the same Jesus Christ and that, as new as we are to this work, we can have confidence in the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us and through us. We are so excited to see what God will do and we give Him all the praise. As the chorus in one of our songs goes, “You give life, You are love, You bring light to the darkness. You give hope, You restore, Every heart that is broken, Great are You, Lord!”
Please pray for us in the days ahead. We ask for prayer for protection and safety, but even more so, that our work would be effective in sharing and spreading the Gospel and love of Jesus. Please pray that this experience would really fan the flame in our hearts as young people to be willing and active participants in serving Jesus, His Church and the hurting world in need of a Savior. We are thankful to know that the body of Christ at home is caring for us and praying for us as we head out into the world, and that we have all of you to come home to and tell about it! Also, if anyone feels led to support our fundraising effort, we are still hoping to meet our goal. There are envelopes on the fundraising wall or you may contact Joelle or Roger.