I've been reflecting today on the work of C.T. Studd, the great English cricketer, and man of God whose love of people led him to China, India and Africa in search of God's plan for all people. Due to the start of that mission, and the many that followed, a little bible college was built in Gordonton to prepare individuals for a life sold out to Jesus.
http://www.eastwest.ac.nz/links.htm
I started a "Diploma of Intercultural Studies" in 2011 and am graduating today! It's been a long and winding road to this point! After years of pursuing God into mission, where I've been on adventures with Him through short-term mission, learned more about myself and my culture, made plenty of mistakes and some victories, while seeking to find new ways to seek Him in the lives of others. I think that one of the most powerful things we can do, is to choose to love others, simply because they are made in God's image, and made to pursue Him in a life that is filled with light and love.
“Missions then is less about the transportation of God from one place to another and more about the identification of a God who is already there [...] You see God where others don't. And then you point him out. So the issue isn't so much taking Jesus to people who don't have him, but going to a place and pointing out to the people the creative, life-giving God who is already present in their midst. ”
― Rob Bell
I am so excited to be finishing up at Eastwest College, and beginning the next chapter... I am marrying my true love in 3 weeks, and together we will be seeking to serve Jesus and the people He loves through MAF. Before we do that, we have set apart 2013 as a year of preparation, prayer and petition as we seek to partner with others who will be our 'ground crew' back in New Zealand as we get ready to serve the remotest communites on earth.
http://www.mafnz.org.nz/
I can't wait to begin 2013's huge journey, and yet I am aware that every day is one step in that lifetime of service. We are all free in Christ, free to love, life and laugh together as we find a future that is bright and full of hope.
