The previous newsletter I talked about how I started in mission’s work. This newsletter, I will delve into more detail of what I have been doing and what I will be doing. Currently I am in the MPD process of Overland Missions. MPD stands for Ministry of Partnership Development. This is the period of time, I find people who want to fund my ministry. I sometimes think of it as campaigning like presidential candidates. I have to talk with people and eventually ask them if they would like to support me monthly.
It is an interesting job, because there is so much more to it than simply asking for monthly support. It is also a ministry. I say it is a part of my ministry, because I noticed while talking with people, that I also have the opportunity to help them grow in faith. I can tell them stories and things I learned which serve as a powerful testimony. People like to hear what God has been doing. Sometimes, I run out of stories, so I just tell them about revelations I have had.
One of the most important parts about this process is staying focused. It is easy to be focused on the deadline or on the money, but that is a terrible idea. I often think back to when Peter walked on water. He was walking on the water as long he was focusing on Jesus. As soon as he looked away he sank. This reminded me of where it says that Jesus is the Way. I realized something. He isn’t just the Way to salvation, but rather the Way in everything you do. The waves around Peter didn’t simply represent sin, but rather everything that takes your focus off of God. As soon as Jesus is no longer the center of your life, do you sink. You can only do so much in your strength, but how much more can God do than you?
God calls us according to His purpose. If my God who is the all-powerful, all-present, all-knowing, asks me to do something for Him, you can guarantee I will do it. Who cares if it is against my will, because God asked me to do something for Him, that is an unbelievable honor. His promises in the Word tell me he is going to take care of me, so it only makes sense I do what he said. It makes sense I will take my focus off of everything else and put it on Him. He is the Way. Notice, it doesn’t say He is a Way, but the Way. If He were a Way, then he would be away. (I tried to make a good pun.)
Essentially, this MPD process is a reminder to stay focused on God. I have to remind myself of that. I can try and I can try to do everything, but I know a guy who can do a lot more. I am going to keep my focus on Him. If there are distractions in your life, I encourage, just turn to God and focus on him solely. “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” -Matthew 6:33. Prior to that verse, it is talking about how God provides for the birds and animals despite how they do not sow or reap. If our God owns the entire planet as Psalm 24:1 tells us, then what can he give us? Seek Him first. I one was talking with one of my Zambian friends and he said, “If God loves you so much to give you Jesus while you were a sinner, how much more will he give you now that you are a child of God?” That blew me away. Don’t lose sight of your roots. Look to the quarry from which you came. Isaiah 51:1. The moral of all of this, is keep your focus on God.
That is how my life has been going. I have been raising support. I have been making progress. It is easy to make this process like I am conducting a business. I don’t want to conduct a business. I want to conduct a ministry. A ministry that is led by God. He is my employer. A good one too. Guess what! He is hiring!