The View
As the many airplane widows I have looked out of the past forty years of flying, I find the view of the Rockies as you fly out of Kalispell, MT to be my favorite. The view is spectacular. As I gaze across the top of the mountains they seem to go for ever as they blend into the distant clouds.
This past week has been bitter sweet. The bitter part is I have been away from home. This time of year is always hard on Alina and me, much more on her as I am on the road away from home. This year is no exception.
The sweetness is in the ministry. Last Friday and Saturday I was assisting IM’s Asst. Director, Brent Howland, train a team headed for Uganda. The team will be ministering using the English Camp program. We hope this will be useful for the pastors that are weak in their English speaking abilities. Our desire is that our ministry will benefit not only them, but missionaries, Dan and Loring Morris. They are building relationships with the church community in the area they live. Also built into the English camp program are discipleship opportunities with Bible studies and teaching on living a godly life.
MMT / Mountainside Missionary Training
Then after the training weekend I took a short 40 mile drive to Libby, MN where IM’s training center is located. Twice per year I have the privilege of teaching the interns a week course on missions. The study examines God’s Heart for missions. We start from creation ending with the return of Christ, letting the Word of God open our eyes to God’s plan. We look back and see how God called the saints from the Old Testament up to the Crucifixion. And then how our Father has called the church to go into the world proclaiming the Gospel to all people groups.
This group of interns did a great job in preparation and participation. It was a real joy and privilege to serve them as they “prepare to go into the world to share the love of Christ.”
What is Ahead/Prayer Support
September 25-26: Mission Conference/Annandale Evfree, Annandale, MN
September 29: fly out for Uganda:
Between now and the day I fly out I hope to have finished up leadership material for the Busanna area churches. While I am in Uganda I will be spending time with the pastors we are partnering with from Busanna. This coming year we will spend a lot of time in leadership/pastoral training.
In addition while I am in Busanna we will make the land purchase for the new church location, Joy Kasanna,Uganda I will also be given plans for the new church building project that we are helping to construct.
John
Amy: Headed over to Romania, will be serving with a ministry caring for AIDS children.
Brad: Headed over to Ukraine, will be serving with our staff reaching young men through sports.
Bambi: Headed over to Romania serving alongside our staff reaching and encouraging young ladies.
Kristin: Headed over to Slovakia to serve alongside our staff by reaching young gals by teaching English and piano.
If you look close at the picture of the class you will notice they are holding a poster. On it is their “Ten Commandments to Missions.” I have each class come up with their own list. The list is generated from each chapter of the course syllabus.
- Proclaim the Glory of God
- Remember He will be with you
- Obey the Calling
- Avoid Big Fish ( might need to give this one some thought)
- Testify to All Nations
- Spread the Joy (like a disease)
- Don’t Shrink Back
- The End is Near
- Gospel is Central
- Keep it Simple
If you would like to know how you can “Get Involved” in missions go to:
www.ugandamissions.com
www.internationalmessengers.org
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
952-201-9296
1800-243-6763 ( IM office)
Blessings,
John and Alina