To God Be the Glory
1 Corinthians - Chapter 12:14-27
Everyone has there place and there is a place and purpose for everyone in the church.
My wife and I had our kitchen remodeled and it was completely gutted and made new. She carefully chose everything that went into it. She alone wanted to paint it. She bought all new appliances for it. She bought new pots and pans for me to cook with since I do most of the cooking.
After all this she then began the painstaking task of organizing the cupboards and drawers. That meant that plates and bowls and tableware, spoons, forks etc would go into specific places. That meant that groceries would go into specific cupboards etc, etc.
She spent hours making these decisions and she did all the work herself and then took time to show my daughter and I just where everything was and where it should go.
My daughter and I began to discuss the new and improved kitchen and we agreed that my wife Fran must have failed to see the mistakes she made with the new arrangements concerning the cupboards.
While my wife was at work I set about changing the kitchen that she had already organized. I managed to move the contents of several cupboards from one place to another. I finished about four of them when she pulled up in the driveway.
She had a long day at work and was tired. She looked at what I had done and immediately voiced her displeasure. I looked to my daughter for support but she chickened out on me and just hung her head to hide her smile.
My wife made a few comments about how much work she had put into the project and how much thought she had given each decision and then turned and left in the car.
I realized my error and set about putting things back in the cupboards to the best of my memory. My wife returned home about an hour and a half later having washed the car and having spent some time and money shopping for some new clothing for herself.
I made no effort at a defense I just admitted my guilt and my error and begged for mercy. The next day I had two new screen doors put on the house which she has been after me to do for at least ten years and I waxed her car.
This unfortunate yet comical episode reminded me that each of us has a specific place and purpose in Gods church. Everything in that kitchen needed to be in its place for its unique purpose.
For the last 18 months we as a church have been working to put a team into the mission field in Zambia, Africa with Kids Alive International. The result is that we have a team ready and willing to go and we have met all the financial needs necessary to get them to their destination. This accomplishment was a result of the whole church working together for the glory of God.
Some of you went in and out of ditches in the mud and snow to retrieve bottles and cans in order to return them for the deposit money to help fund the team. Some of you dug into your personal finances to make a gift towards the team’s expenses. Many of you cooked, baked and did dishes, or ate a meal at a fund-raising dinner. Many of you emptied your basements and garages to donate all kinds of things for yard sales.
They say it takes a village to raise a child but I now know it takes a church to send a mission team to that village for that child. There are many unseen acts of self sacrifice that have been carried out by so many of you that some of us will not learn of them until we get to heaven.
Some of you will be a long time just getting through the reception line of heaven because of what you have done to bless the children of Zambia. One day you will be face to face with them and they will thank you personally. I know this for a fact since scriptures tells us it will be so.
Matthew Chapter 25:31-40
It was by God’s grace that we hosted John and Christine Chitumbo of Zambia last October. Like you they are Saints called to Gods service where they live. They happen to live in Zambia and are the house parents of Lilato 2 in Mongu. Your visit with them though short was memorable and they are most grateful for your support and gift to them.
I received an e-mail from John this week telling me that the Kids Alive home they administer was condemned by the local building inspector. It seems it could collapse at any time so they had to vacate.
The children had to be placed in other Kids Alive homes which now push every home to full capacity. I do not know what we will be able to do to help with this new situation but I know that God will be with us to address it as we are enabled.
Without you and your love we your mission team are nothing. It is your love that compels us to continue to preach the gospel and to reach the poor and destitute children of Zambia. God has seen fit to put together a diverse team of individuals for this mission trip.
Janet Sterling (Roman Catholic from the Holy Redeemer Parish Cluster which includes Wallaceburg and Port Lambton) is a retired RN with a wealth of practical experience and knowledge. She has been on several missions’ trips in the past but never to Africa. She along with Marion Browning (A member of Charlemont Free Methodist Church on Brigden Road) who currently works at Sydenham District Hospital will work with the staff at Mongu hospital and with the Kids Alive babies’ home in Mongu. Janet will be our health professional; hopefully we will not have to turn to her for our own health needs.
Marion and her daughter Steff are on their first missionary trip. Steff Browning and my daughter Audrey both worked for Community Living where they worked with people with special needs. My daughter Audrey (A member of Faith Baptist Church Wallaceburg) is a trained counselor who studied child psychology. Audrey and Steff will minister to the minds and bodies of these children.
Also traveling with us are Michelle Miller and her daughter Justine from Emmanuel Baptist Church in Chatham. Michelle will offer her skills as a mother and care giver and is also trained to assist people with special needs. She is employed with Community Living and has acquired special skills through her employment. Michelle’s daughter Justine will help with child care and infant care. This is their first missionary trip.
Nathan Bushey (Faith Baptist Church Wallaceburg) will assist my son Josh with the physical labor that we are asked to perform. Nathan is a new Christian having been recently baptized and he is anxious to put his faith to work in the mission field.
I go as a Pastor and teacher to bring the word of God, and my wife Fran goes as a mother and caregiver. Fran has five years experience as a foster mother having almost 80 children in and out of our home some with special needs. She is uniquely qualified to care for children. So all together we have one Catholic, two Free Methodist six Baptist and a Presbyterian Pastor to round out the team. I think that should be enough diversity for anyone.
But we go as one body representing all our different churches as Christ Body for the Glory and Honor of our God. You as members of this team need to continue to pray for what God wishes to accomplish both here and in Zambia. Let us commit our hearts to God and trust that great things will be done for His Glory. Amen.
