Regan is coming this morning and Sam on Saturday to complete us. Everyone on our team came a slightly different way; thus far we are present and accounted for. We officially begin our WBC Mission work this morning (Friday, March 1st). I find it best to ask God to help me see this long trip as mission work too. God used my 20 hour commute for His gardening. I was able to have “Kingdom conversations” with Reuven (Reuben, he pronounces it Reuven), Louise, Kobus and Warren. By God’s grace, I sowed Gospel “seeds” through conversation.
My first conversation was with Reuven in the TSA line at O’Hare. I was behind a large group of Orthodox Jews bound for a tour of Israel. Reuven was among them and he was my neighbor in line. We chatted about the long lines, complex security measures and then about annoying Old Testament rules regarding dress when traveling. Reuven observed them, he was weighed down with all the “extra clothing” Jewish men wear—it's quite literally a burden when going through an O’Hare security line. There was no problem for me.
As the conversation lead us, Reuven expressed surprise that I knew he had 613 rules to keep… I gently asked if he had violated any of them that day. He acknowledged he had. I thanked him for his honesty and asked what he did to find healing and forgiveness. He really had no answer that seemed heartfelt. Reuven said prayer to Jehovah for aid and recommited to keeping the 613 rules. I sensed confusion and emptiness. Inwardly, I renewed my thankfulness for Jesus the Messiah who has come. I “break all the rules” daily. Still He remains as my Advocate to the Father.
Reuven wanted nothing of my talk of Jesus. I merely touched on the “it”—the mention of Christ—this effectively ended our talk. Sad isn’t it? So close to the “cross” yet so far from Christ. It's not wasted though. God wastes nothing. Please pray for Reuven (Reuben) and his time in the Holy Land.
Reuven wanted nothing of my talk of Jesus. I merely touched on the “it”—the mention of Christ—this effectively ended our talk. Sad isn’t it? So close to the “cross” yet so far from Christ. It's not wasted though. God wastes nothing. Please pray for Reuven (Reuben) and his time in the Holy Land.
God's next assignment for me was Louise; she sat next to me on my flight from Chicago to Atlanta. I helped her as she was struggling to put her very heavy bag in the overhead compartment. That gesture opened up the communication line. I asked where she was going and what brought her to the Windy City. I could tell Louise was very intellectual and liked to talk. I also noticed she was reading a book on Japanese history and culture. After a while, she asked my occupation. That's like “low hanging fruit” for a pastor! What a blessing to always have such a great “doorway” into a spiritual conversation because of my occupation.
Louise confessed her skepticism. I listened. I have found that asking questions rather than telling answers is the best approach to effective conversations with skeptics/agnostics. She was very polite and seemed open to listen to “another view” on life, the world, social issues, evil, sin, suffering and Jesus...definitely seeds planted! Pray for Louise residing in Atlanta.
Then came the biggie: the 14 hour flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg. You need to really “pump yourself up” before you settle into a plane seat for 14 hours! Lots of “self-talk” to convince yourself to do it.
It's really intense and even more so when the neighbor sitting next to you is a 300 pound Afrikaans (white South African) rugby player. Kobus is his name, he’s a biggie too! Orthodox Jew, check. Intellectual skeptic, check. Seriously I was sharing an arm rest with a rugby player for 14 hours? Wow! God does have a sense of humor!
It's really intense and even more so when the neighbor sitting next to you is a 300 pound Afrikaans (white South African) rugby player. Kobus is his name, he’s a biggie too! Orthodox Jew, check. Intellectual skeptic, check. Seriously I was sharing an arm rest with a rugby player for 14 hours? Wow! God does have a sense of humor!
Kobus is an angry man. The conversation was difficult to direct and he was quite distracted by all the entertainment options on our flight. We did talk though, he asked me why I was going to South Africa. That was an easy “in’ too, some more low hanging fruit. He didn't like my answer and thought I was “wasting my time.” “Why would you leave America to do this?” he said.
I quietly thanked him in my heart... Yeah, why would I? As I reflected on this I remembered Sasha's sermon last Sunday—yeah, why? We'd better have that answer worked out in our own hearts before we go about ministry/mission work. Jesus had it. We must be like Him. The reasons for His mission were clear—ours should be too. In a strange way Kobus gave me the “gift of confirming” why we are coming.
The answer I have concluded: is that it 'cost' Jesus everything to do His Father's mission. And all mission (in His Name) will cost us something too.
The answer I have concluded: is that it 'cost' Jesus everything to do His Father's mission. And all mission (in His Name) will cost us something too.
Remember that church....missions always costs you something...
Will update you on more Kingdom stuff as we go!
Tomorrow night I speak to 120 teens as a youth event—please pray for me!
Tomorrow night I speak to 120 teens as a youth event—please pray for me!
Miss you all at WBC,
Keith
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