{
Mission Accomplished }
I recently returned from Zimbabwe, Africa. I
was honored and privileged to join Pastor John Brady and eight men from First
Assembly of God in Minot, North Dakota, on an action-packed mission trip,
February 28-March 11. I boarded the plane on February 28th in Phoenix, Arizona,
thus beginning the long journey! From Phoenix, I went to Denver to Atlanta and
then on to Johannesburg, South Africa (this flight overseas was 20 hours long).
We changed planes in Johannesburg boarding South African Air which then
delivered us to Harare, the capitol of Zimbabwe. Needless to say, after 11,000
miles crunched between two people for 20 hours, this big Swede needed to stretch
out! We were graciously greeted in Harare by our host missionaries, Dean & Peggy Galyen. From the moment we landed, it was Mission: In Progress. I honestly had no idea what was really going to all be taking place, but I did know that Pastor John Brady and his team of eight men did, so if I stayed close to them, I would stay out of trouble! HA! I was invited along to document the trip with my camera and to co-speak at the Bible College, street meetings and open-air evening crusades. On Thursday, March 1st, the ten of us embarked on an amazing experience. I marvel at the skills, craftsmanship, energy and enthusiasm the team I was privileged to be with possessed.
On Day One they began by gathering and assembling building materials in a remote area of Madangure which is located
about twenty miles outside of Harare. As we drove into the area, it felt like we
were entering into another world...thus began the mission to build "tabernacles"
and drill wells. On the second day, these men worked resolutely, unwaveringly
and with laser-like precision and focus as by the end of the first day, they
had already erected the framework of the first tabernacle. Day Three found them
completing yet again another framework for a second tabernacle. On the fourth
day, which was a Sunday, Pastor John Brady along with various district officials
dedicated both tabernacles to the work of the Lord. What a Sunday! There was
such excitement as the people rushed in to see the accomplishments of this team
of men April 2012 dedicated to complete this mission...building two places in
which believers could worship together. On the fifth day, we began walking the
streets sharing the Gospel through what is called "street evangelism." In the
evening, we had an open air crusade. When we began the service, there was no one there except us and the worship band! Then...literally "out of the bush,"
people
of all ages began to rush to see what all the excitement was about. When the
altar call was given, they flowed to the
front, tears streaming, longing to know this Jesus, we had preached about and
lives were changed for all eternity.The next few days were spent teaching at a Bible College, doing more street evangelism, having more open air crusades peppered with moments of visiting local missionaries and pastors. We felt that our mission had now come full circle. With the completion of the tabernacles in the first segment of the trip, now those who had heard the Word and made decisions to follow Christ have a tabernacle in which to worship. Host missionaries, Dean and Peggy Galyen, were so thrilled at all that was accomplished and commented, "I have never seen such a diversified group of men do so much in such a short time."
I rejoice in how God truly blessed this mission trip and how I was so blessed to have a small part in it. It, of course, reminded me of two other missions...one that has been accomplished and one that continues on. With April being the
time when we will celebrate Good Friday and Easter, I remember Jesus' mission as He came from heaven to earth, became human as one of us, healed, loved, forgave and sacrificed. ("For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:16-17, NKJV) Jesus fulfilled His mission as He hung on the cross bearing our sin and shame. As He uttered the words, "It is finished," He knew He had completed what the Father had sent Him to do.
But...the story does not end there and the
mission does not either. As we celebrate Easter morning, the resurrection of
Jesus Christ and the life that is now promised to us because He lives, we also
must reflect on Jesus' final words...the mission He left for us, "And Jesus came
and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on
earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even
to the end of the age.' Amen." Matthew 28:18-20. May I encourage you to do all
you can to accomplish this mission!- Larry