May 2012 - Prayer & Praise Report

Hello Dear Friends & Missionary Family,
 
Blessings to you in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord! Praise HIM for the beginning of the summer season !
 
Before I met Jesus, my reasons for loving summertime were a lot different than they are now. This always comes to mind for me whenever I hear some music today. Country singer, Kenny Chesney knows how I remember it when he sings “Summertime is finally here, that ol’ ballpark man is back in gear out on 49 - yeah, I can see the lights...” He also talks about getting away from all our troubles and sings “For some it’s a fast car, moonshine in a mason jar, all we need is a sunny day or an old tailgate for us to escape - Reality! Sometimes life ain’t all that it’s cracked up to be, let’s take a chance & live this fantasy, everybody needs to break free-eeeeee from Reality!” Our world lives in pursuit of weekends or vacations to give something that only God can provide. But honestly, can’t you relate? Every now and then we are all overcome with a need for lasting fulfillment. This can be especially true in ministry where years of faithfulness can sometimes yield no visible fruit. With no summer vaction to deliver us from our frustrations, it’s tempting to quit.

A monthly report from a dear TMCI brother named Robbie was encouraging. He runs a mercy mission through his small family business. Over the years, the ordinary duties and mundane responsibilities, began to wear on him. Robbie began to despair for the same reasons already mentioned. At just the right time, a dear old brother in the Lord entered the shop as Robbie was battling these kinds of emotions. The bells chimed as the front door opened and this old friend entered. Robbie looked up but before he could say hello, the man stopped, looked at Robbie, joyfully held his hands up, and proclaimed “Praise God! The Lord is in this place!”. Robbie testifies that the man had no idea how much this meant to him at that moment. God certainly did. We all need reminders from the Lord that our labors of love for Him are never in vain.   

When I consider the faithful ‘little flock’ of TMCI, I know there are many who need this same encouragement. For closing inspiration, consider the famous missionary to Burma, Adoniram Judson (early 1800's). He is said to be an incredible picture of perseverance in the faith. For example, he spent 10 years without a single convert. However, he went on to translate the Bible into Burmese, and established a number of churches on this difficult field.
 
What was Adoniram Judson’s secret? Part of it was a true perspective on life and mission. When asked about how he viewed life and death he said “Upon leaving this world to be with Christ for eternity, I will burst forth with all the joy of a lad leaving the schoolhouse to begin his summer vacation.” AMEN !  Of course until then, let us be diligent about our Father’s business!  
 
May the Lord refresh you today & provide each of us with a glorious summer in HIM!
Brother Scott