Today our whole family (yep, everyone!) attended our church's mini missions conference. It was a really great day! We heard from some different missionaries that our church supports and learned more about missions. I REALLY wanted my children to attend because I know that many of the missionary stories I heard as a child had a profound influence on my spiritual growth and opened my heart toward God's leading in my life in many ways. The older children were definitely listening and engaged and even "the babies" were able to sit, listen, and quietly play for the 4 hour conference (with a short lunch break thrown in!).
BUT, the real reason for this post is that as we were sitting there, I was once again reminded that my home is really my mission field (at least for right now)! Just two short months ago, "Mr. Chatty" had NEVER heard about Jesus! That's right - NEVER! And just to be clear: this is an 8 year old boy who was born and raised in the United States. The only thing he remembers ever hearing is one girl in his public school classroom saying that "we are all brothers and sisters with God - but we're not allowed to talk about it here." He thought she was talking about a pretend god.
Two months later, this same little boy (the one who the foster agencies said was angry, defiant, aggressive, etc.) LOVES Jesus! He can't wait for the next day's Bible story: and after he hears it he can't wait to tell someone else about these amazing things (like Dorcas being raised from the dead)! He thoroughly enjoys our Family Sunday School lessons in the Westminster Shorter Chatechism and totally applies himself to memorizing every Bible verse we give him. He recently was telling me that before he was in our family he "didn't know nothing about Jesus or God and was mean and rude and mad," but now he "knows Jesus and He's changing my life and I'm not like that any more!" It is the truth, too! This is one changed (and changing) boy.
The same is true for his sisters who had one great foster family before us who introduced them to Christ. They are really growing in their love and knowledge of Him. It is being reflected in their attitudes and actions. It is really an amazing thing to watch, to be a part of, to enjoy! We are so truly blessed that God granted us the faith and courage to say "yes" to this crazy adventure. I am so blessed to be able to focus my time and attention on these precious children right here in my own "home missions" field!
On a similar note, did you know that if a family has 8 children and they raise them all to love and follow Christ, and then they each do the same, then in 5 generations there would be 32,000 Christ followers? Isn't that amazing?
I don't believe in my whole life (so far) I have personally led even 5 people to Christ but, Lord willing, hopefully all 10 of our children will choose to follow and serve Christ and do the same with their children which will result in a small army of believers ready to serve their Lord and Savior; ready for the fields.
the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Pray, therefore, that the Lord would send out workers unto the fields.
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