The Bigger Picture

Last night we talked about how having our eyes too much on the tasks to be done - good things - can keep us from doing the best things - like building relationships.  We tend to be either "Marthas" or "Marys".  Both are needed, but their interests sometimes cause tension in the group.  The key is to value each other and try to keep our eyes on our purpose at all times.
It was fitting that Pastor Rob came in to speak to us last night about the Bigger Picture - the reason the church is sending us to Peru.  There are two good ways for churches to do valuable mission work.  One is to be called to a difficult place where no one is doing anything and start a work.  The other is to find where God is moving and join Him.  We are taking the second approach.  God is moving in Peru right now.  That is the only explanation our Peruvian friend, Pastor Roberto, has for the huge growth in his church in Lima, one of the places we will be ministering.  With fast growth comes the need for solid training of more leaders.  Our church has already begun partnering with ministries that are doing that with the men, work that the men's team will be continuing on this trip. Our women's team will be focusing on getting to know what is happening with the women and children in Peru.  The craft times with the ladies aren't the focus of our ministry, they are simply a vehicle for building relationships, both between us and our Peruvian sisters and also between our Peruvian sisters and their invited friends who need to know Christ.  It is an more than an opportunity for us to help our sisters reach out to their friends.  While doing this, as we get to know our sisters in Christ, we will be keeping our eyes open for more opportunities for us to support them in the future and needs we might have resources to help meet.

So our bigger purpose isn't making crafts with women or playing games with the children or singing with all of them, or even teaching the good lessons we have prepared for them all or even loving on them - all very good things.  Our bigger purpose is to see what God is already doing and find the best way to join Him in His work.  To do that we will need God's eyes for seeing and God's ears for listening and the Holy Spirit to translate.