Dear Prayer Warriors, In the next few weeks I will be posting blogs written by team members who went on mission trips with us this past year. I pray they will be a blessing to you. The first is by Board member Richard Smith and his wive Kathy
Thankful for GCI Mission Trips
This past year Kathy and I had the opportunity and privilege of going on short-term mission trips with GCI to Cameroon and later to Kenya. There are so many good things we could say about each trip, such as the good care we receive from gracious hosts (Taniform family and Mukolwe family), the many disciples following our Lord Jesus, the doors God is opening and the harvest of the Gospel...and more. As Thanksgiving approaches we are reflecting on three things in particular about the trip to Cameroon, although it was reinforced in Kenya also. But the first thing we are thankful for is to experientially know God through His grace. Kathy and I realize that the preparation in the months preceding the trips to share God's Word in groups or one-on-one requires a dependence on the grace of God. Grace is a word that we usually associate with our salvation (for by grace are you saved through faith). And rightly so. Kathy and I both chose to teach on the doctrine of grace this year. We were both profoundly changed as we were challenged to understand more deeply that God's grace and His grace alone is responsible for our right relationship with God. By God's grace alone we can be assured and rejoice that our names are written in Heaven. It was certainly a joy to share with others of God's matchless grace. It truly sets the Gospel of Jesus Christ (and Christianity) from any and every other religion in the world. It is a message that the entire world needs. Grace, or undeserved favor, was proven to be vital not only for salvation but in our daily lives as Christ's disciples. Kathy and I both learned more about God's daily grace as we came to Him in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Ministry together revealed many needs requiring His grace: • To forgive and be gracious to one another during uncommon conflict in marriage and with family. • To be patient and calm during unexpected circumstances, such as our leaky roof the night before departure. • Kathy to graciously endure and serve in spite of suffering an unusual eyelid disorder that makes her constantly want to blink and/or close her eyes. I grew in my admiration and respect for Kathy as I watched her press on with complaining or making excuses. The second thing that we are thankful for is what these ministry trips teach us. We learned to be more flexible and to learn to be patient, to be kind, to rejoice--even if we do not know in advance exact details of what we may be asked to teach or do, where we may be going, when and for how long things may take. GCI does a great job of preparation and making sure that whatever happens we are kept safe and well cared for. But plans frequently change. It always works out okay. This is another sign of answered prayer and God's grace...and results in our faith being stretched as we experience God's faithfulness and power. And the third thing we are thankful for is the privilege of participating in God's call to do the work of the ministry of discipleship. It is pivotal and strategic to our Lord's commission and it is work. It is a great joy to partner with GCI and God's church in Cameroon and Kenya, to see adults respond to the Gospel, to see disciples from previous years growing and bearing fruit, to see many young disciples hungry to learn how to better love and obey Christ, to see young pastors instructed in sound doctrine, to see young couples absorb the practical how-to’s of strengthening their marriage and parenting skills. We could summarize these three things by the reminder that we are all called to be lifelong learners in a threefold manner—knowing, being and doing. Knowing and teaching sound Biblical doctrine counters the many false doctrines apparent both in the US and abroad; teaching character qualities from God’s Word and genuine experience helps to focus on the goal of becoming more Christlike; and passing on practical ministry skills for evangelism and follow up helps to ensure that the work is multiplied. We are confident that the impact for the kingdom of God and the cause of Christ is eternal...by His grace.
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