A group of seven from FPC Yakima just returned from a two week experience in Egypt. Inevitably, the question is asked, "Why do we need to travel all the way to a foreign country when there is so much to do right here in our own backyard?" I have heard the question asked numerous times. My response has almost become reflex: To build up the Body of Christ!
In his letter to the Romans, Paul expresses his intention to be with them. Keeping in mind that Paul has never set foot in Rome, he expresses this desire:
"For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you- or rather so that we might be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine." (Rom. 1:11-12, NRSV)
Our perception of mission is often one of concrete, cinder blocks, and marl. That is not to say construction is not a very important part of our mission trips. It is not the only component of mission work. Did the Apostle Paul travel around with hammers and blueprints for construction? No, he sought to build up the church through relational ministry. He longed to see the believers in Rome because he wanted to share with them a "spiritual gift" for the purpose of strengthening the church, with the hope that they might be "mutually encouraged" by each other's faith.
Our group visited with many believers from Cairo to Upper Egypt. They expressed deep appreciation for us taking time out of our lives to come and hear their stories and worship and pray with them. They have many obstacles in front of them, but they treat them as opportunities. Through these opportunities, they are open to God and put their trust in Him.
Many of the urban Christian communities do not have pastors. So over the last few years, the Synod of the Nile has provided training for lay pastors. We met with 37 of the 39 lay pastors who serve these urban communities. They talked of the challenges they faces in doing ministry. Challenges that, quite frankly, you and I do not have to face. In a place where they are clearly the minority, it's easy to feel as though you are isolated. But they persevere and labor in the work of the Lord. They do not get discouraged. As one of the lay pastors shared, when a door is closed, God opens a window.
Our group, along with folks from Tennessee, California, and Pennsylvania, spent much time talking about our experiences on the trip. The common reaction was that we received so much from this trip. There is no doubt that we were an encouragement to those we visited, but we were equally, if not more, encouraged by the people with whom we visited. The Apostle Paul knew what he was talking about in his letter to the Romans.
I was encouraged to live more "missionally." Not everyone is called to go to a foreign country, but we all live in a mission field right here in the Yakima valley. The Egyptian Christians taught us that living missionally entails what you do, as much as what you say. A question for us is are we living in such a way that people will have no doubt our love is for God and our neighbor, whoever that might be?
My hope and prayer is that as you talk to the folks who went, you might be encouraged and inspired to live missionally. That was definitely the case for our team in Egypt.
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