Inspiration

Today was the close of the Chapelgate Missions Conference. It has been a wonderful week of being inspired by Dan Iverson, meeting people and talking about the ministry we have been called to, and hearing what God is doing around the world! Today after church I ran into one of my Kairo kids (that is the middle school ministry at Chapelgate that I use to help lead). This young man is just finishing his sophmore year of college and has great plans for his life. I remember this kid as a 6th grader just coming to Kairo. He was one of the movers and shakers- we never quite knew where he was! We always had to be on the whatchout for where he was headed. Now he is this grownup man with dreams and aspirations of going to law school. We also talked about his desire to be used for God and wanting to not just be status quo of working hard- but making a difference. This reminded me of conversations that Kevin and I had often at the beginning of our marriage.

So often missionaries are looked up to- as if they are doing some great thing. We believe they are the same as everyone else doing some great thing- just chosing to do it in a different place. Kevin was/ and still is passionate about the fact that we are ALL called to missions, not just missionaries! It does not matter if we go to downtown Baltimore city, across the world, or to the co-workers in our office. We all are to be doing the same thing- preaching the Gospel through word and deed, that others may come to know God though that. This young man reminded me of that- and it was good after a week so focused on what people are doing around the world. I often think we loose sight of those right next to us: our neighbors, our kids friends parents, our co-workers, our kids teachers , our classmates etc. It was a good reminder that no matter what phase of life we are in- we are to love those around us and show them who God is.

Kevin and my work does not start when we get to Japan. We are involved in ministry now, called to share God everywhere we go, not just once we get to the missions field.