Kate Taylor over at Mission Leader penned a very poignant article back in July and I thought I would share it here. As a missionary, it is easy to be mindful of the sacrifice that we’re making for the gospel expansion. As Kate says:

“Most of us realize the enormous sacrifices which long-term international missionaries make when they go overseas. They are willing to walk away from their country, their home, their families and their comforts for the sake of Christ. It takes an incredible leap of faith to love a people enough to step outside everything you have known so they would come to know the love and peace that flow from the hands of Christ.”

However,

“What few of us truly understand is the sacrifice made by those left behind...When a couple answers the call of Christ to love the unlovable in the slums of India, two sets of parents lose their beloved children. Two loving families have fewer members at the Christmas dinner table and fewer stockings on the mantle. When God blesses that couple with children, two sets of grandparents miss the chance to play hide and go seek in the backyard or unload the bags for a long weekend sleepover.”

Its easy to forget those who don’t go, who support from afar, and cheer us as we move away. This is a reminder to remember those left behind and to thank them. Here is my letter to our prayer and support team below:

I was reminded today by a missions article about all of you...and no, not in a bad way! It was about you who stay behind to cheer us on, to support us from afar, to offer supplications to the Father as we work on the front lines of the kingdom expansion. Sometimes it is easy to forget that we're not alone in our calling and vocation to ministry. That there are many of you whose sacrifice for the kingdom is different than ours but still a sacrifice. And that you all matter to God because those of you who have chosen to support us through money and prayer are also called to send and support. The truth is we would not be going if you were not sending. As we work towards our eventual leaving please know how important you are and how much we cherish each and every partner. As John Piper says:

"Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't."

As a large team, we're all working because worship does not yet exist across the majority of Portugal, yet. This week, let's pray for our immediate families, our church family, and our friends that stay behind to do the work of sending and praying in America. From us to you, thanks.

Tags: Missionary Life