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Today's Feature |
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| By Dana Weller |
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| After all is said and
done, we can learn much from listening
to career missionaries as they relate
their experiences with short term teams.
Read this recent letter:
As a long-term missionary I
have had a part in hosting many
short-term teams and individuals.
The key to successful trip is
attitude. As long as the group comes
to serve and to learn it has been a
good experience for everyone
involved. The problem comes when
people try to minister in ways that
aren't culturally appropriate.
I recently talked to a
missionary in South America who had
a group coming from his church. This
group wanted to do a soccer camp for
the kids. A group of Americans
teaching soccer in South America is
about like south-east Asians
teaching basketball in the Bronx.
The worst of it was that the leaders
of the group weren't listening to
the missionaries.
So, when planning your trip, listen
to the missionaries. Go with the
attitude of a learner and you will find
that God will teach you far more than
you could ever give.
A Short term missions trips begins
with finding out from your host
missionary exactly what needs does
he/she have that you as a team can
provide. Never impose your team
on a missionary. If you do not have an
enthusiastic invitation from the field,
do not go!
Now is the time to be communicating
with your missionaries about your 2006,
2007 and even 2008 trips.
Here are three “goes” that lead to
success:
Go where invited
Go prepared
Go to learn
The Board of Missions can assist you
in many ways to make your short term
missions trip a God honoring success.
Plan now to attend Culture Link on
November 12. Get all the details at
http://www.bfcbom.org/culture_link.htm
You can leave a comment on this
article at our Let’s Fish
weblog |
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A
Pastor's Perspective |
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Last evening I saw the
Wissinoming Youth Group (grown in recent
years by college age members making
street contacts) saying their good-byes
to the Emmaus Youth Team. "We" (Wissinoming
and Emmaus) would be descriptive
of the fellowship experienced and bond
created. I share reason for praise and
one prayer request.
The Bethel young people were with us
for a week (Wednesday to Wednesday)
conducting VBS programs at various sites
across the Wissinoming neighborhood.
Given the cultivated trust between
Christians in the community, the team
was able to stay at the Fellowship House
of the local Cma Church. Our anticipated
purchase of the house (next door to us)
has been delayed until Friday.
The group worked with and among us,
introducing our teens to evangelistic
ministry and all the while listening
(and incorporating) their ideas relative
to some outreach opportunities.
Our particular neighborhood is
divided (due to one Harbison Avenue)
into two sides. This allowed for a VBS
program at Wiss BFC (west) and the CMA
Church (east). In addition, providence
allowed for programs at a local
playground facility, a day care center,
and summer camp program. A highlight of
the effort was a carnival like event on
Saturday at the BFC parking lot.
In the farewells, there were the
hugs, exchange of addresses and pictures
on the church steps. I share this all
with you because we are very thankful.
Also, there is one prayer request. As
mentioned, settlement on what will be
our own Fellowship House is tomorrow
morning. Please say a prayer that all
will go well.
Thanks,
Wayne Clapier
You can leave a comment on this
article at our Let’s Fish
weblog |
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Ministry
Prayer Request |
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| Sanjay Dalavai takes
pastors on missions trip:
Dear Friends,
We all prayed much for this day and
by God’s grace its here. Lord willing
Dr. Dan Allen, Rev. Arnold and I will be
leaving from Philadelphia at 7:00PM
tonight to India. Please keep us in your
prayers regarding these:
1. August 26, 27 & September 1st:
Orientation and Training Camp staff
for 2006 camp ministry.
2. August 28th: One-day Bible Camp
in Hyderabad.
Expected to have 100 plus children.
Our theme for the day is “Our God is
Able”.
3. August 29 & 30: Teaching in BCM
India’s Pastors
Conference. There are about 115
pastor and 20plus children’s workers
expected to come. We are teaching,
Pursuit of Holiness, Principles of
Teaching-Christian Education and
Importance of Reaching Children –
Vision of LCM
4. September 1st: Leaving Hyderabad
to Pune (Western India, near Bombay)
by train (overnight journey, pray
for safety and rest)
5. September 4th: Ministering at
“Grace to You-India” church in Pune.
6. September 5th: Leaving Bombay and
Arriving the same day in
Philadelphia (we save a day coming
this way).
A special prayer request would be for
Keren, Faith, Grace and Paige for their
health, safety as they will be by
themselves.
Once again, thank you so much
for all your prayers, gifts and
encouragement.
God bless you,
Sanjay
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Nelson's
Nugget - The Kids Are The Same |
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| I just returned from
Thailand (the second trip there this
summer) a week or so ago. One thing that
God impressed on me this last trip is
that kids are the same regardless of the
country. They love to have fun, they
love treats, they are all hard on their
socks, and they all need Jesus. Teams on
both trips had the opportunity to visit
elementary schools run by Buddhists, and
under the guise of teaching English, we
were allowed to talk about the Bible,
share our testimony and talk about
Jesus. Hallelujah, what a Saviour!!!! On
our second trip one school even sent
their entire seventh grade class along
with our team on our day off, just so
they could practice their English. I
told each team almost every morning that
we should pinch ourselves because the
opportunity we had was incredible in
this day in which we live. Please pray
for Cheryl Kline at the Care Corner
Orphanage and their ministry to those in
Chiang Mai that need to know of our
Savior, and specifically for those
children at the two Buddhist schools.
You can leave a comment on this
article at our Let’s Fish
weblog
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Final
Thoughts |
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Life after Summer Missions!
Has your summer missions
experience set your heart in a whirlwind
of emotions about future service for
God? May I give you a personal
invitation to attend this year’s Board
of Missions Retreat Within A Retreat at
Pinebrook November 18-20.
Get all the details and
sign-up at:
http://www.bfcbom.org/BOM_Events.htm
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Your Response is Always Appreciated
Send us your ideas, journal entries, or
write an article for Let’s Fish.
Remember I LOVE mail! You can contact me
at
weller@bfcbom.org. |
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