Team Building

In two weeks from today, we will be boarding a plane for Cambodia! We are busy making lists, checking priorities, talking to friends, writing emails and asking ourselves, "are we really doing this?" I wrote to one friend that this is putting hands and feet to our faith, but as the time gets closer, I wonder if our hands and feet can work fast enough to get everything done before we go.

We have been astounded at the generosity of friends who want to contribute to our trip. Some have contributed financially, others have donated items for our trip and some have offered their expertise in specific areas. For example, we spent an hour yesterday morning with a neighbour who teaches English as a second language. What a privilege it was to be able to ask questions, to learn some basic concepts that will help us to avoid causing offense and to understand that teaching ESL doesn't have to be tedious for student or teacher. We should be able to have fun with a piece of string and a pie plate! What stories we could tell...

As this whole trip is a walk of faith, we are encouraged by those who have offered to help before we even tell them what we need. As Hudson Taylor is reported to have written, "God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply".

This is what team building is all about. One friend was shocked to hear that there were only two of us on our "team". I told him that wasn't quite right, we have lots of people on our team, they're just not getting on the plane with us. Everyone who is praying for us, who has provided for us, who has shared their knowledge with us, is a team member, and we are grateful for each one.

I was encouraged this morning by Paul's words in 1 Timothy 1:12, 14-17:

"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry... And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God Who alone is wise, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen"