One of the highlights of my year every year is our youth mission/servant trip! We go to a place that is far enough away from home that the kids get to experience being away from home and all of its distractions and focus on the task at hand whether it be teaching little kids in a VBS as we have done previously, cleaning up after hurricanes or tornadoes, and the many other things we have done.
Part of the experience is the actual trip. It is the getting away from it all to experience new things and new people, and being away from the normal distractions of every day life. On July 6-11 we will be heading up to Lutheran Island Camp in Henning, MN to work with the camp in construction, in witnessing and ministering to the community and some will get to work in the care of horses at their Equestrian camp.
Yet, you don't have to take a "trip" to "Go and make disciples of all nations". Your mission "trip" your "servant event" begins once you step out your door and go to work or school. Your mission "trip" begins once you turn on your computer, tablet, or phone. It begins the moment you come into contact with anyone at all.
People are hurting wherever you go. People need the love of Christ wherever you are! By virtue of your baptism into Christ and the fact that you are a new creation YOU ARE A MISSIONARY!
Ruth was committed to her mother in law wherever she went but most importantly are her words "Your God will be my God." It didn't matter where Ruth lived, whether it was in Moab or Bethlehem. Wherever she lived the one true God was her God!
Realize today that wherever you go, THERE IS GOD! Live as a missionary before Him.
Prayer: Lord God, wherever you go I will go and where you stay I will stay. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me so that I may be your missionary. Amen.
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WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ: What is a kinsman (guardian) redeemer? The closest living relative to the husband of a widow. That relative was responsible for taking care of the widow and her property. Boaz was the closest living relative to Naomi (a cousin to Ruth's husband.)
Our first task is to gain sufficient signatures to place the amendment on the ballot for voters to decide. More information and particulars about the amendment are available at www.ceimissouri.org or www.mo.lcms.org. This is a great way to provide tax credits to individuals and companies while enhancing the K-12 education of children in Missouri. Our Lutheran schools would use the foundation monies to provide financial assistance to families, thereby making our Lutheran schools accessible for more children.
More information will be shared on March 9th. If you are a registered voter, please stop by the table in the Welcome Center in the following weeks to sign the petition. You are not voting for the amendment but simply placing it on the ballot so that you and other voters can decide in November.
