Tom and Wanda Morrison Just another weblog The family home is perhaps the first major item that people invest in. Many hours of hard work are involved in providing the down payment. Years of discipline are needed to build good credit. Much research is done to find the right house in the right neighborhood and at the right price. After moving in, the yard and house need to be maintained and improved. Over the years, many memories are made as the kids grow up…birthdays, Christmases, anniversaries… Well cared for, this “investment” provides many great services and is of greater value after many years of service.
The life of a missionary is much the same type of investment. A young believer is discipled in the local church, grows into a faithful servant and diligent student of God’s Word. He or she goes off to Bible School, specialized missionary training, is recognized by the local church and sent out as their representative to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. The support team is enlisted and they back the missionary financially and with much prayer. Our missionary then makes a new home in a foreign land, learns one or two new languages. He establishes himself in his new community making friends among the people he has gone to minister to. Finally the day comes when he may begin teaching and one day share the Gospel message and see his new friends become his brothers and sisters in Christ.
Just like the family home, much is invested in the lives of missionaries. Their lives are precious investments that must be cared for so they may provide many great services and be of great value even after many years of service.
New Tribes Mission plants churches in remote places around the world. This work could not be accomplished without the investment in missionaries. Our part in this huge project is to help protect the “investment” through member/missionary care. These past few months we have been blessed with opportunities to add tools to our maintenance tool box through specific training related to the work we do. In February, we attended a Sharpening Your Interpersonal Skills workshop which focuses on communication skills. In March and early April we received training in conflict resolution and peer debriefing. Just like the young homeowner, step by step we are learning how to use our new tools to help protect the investment.
Over the years, many of you have invested in our lives and ministry. We want you to know that we appreciate you very much. Your prayers, encouragement and financial support have taken us a long way. As you “invest” in us and the lives of other missionaries and the lives of those who may become missionaries one day, the Gospel message continues to be carried to the ends of the earth.
