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This morning at First Colony was “Missions Sunday.” We have an annual special collection to support the church’s mission efforts. It was highly encouraging to us to not only be a part of this time this morning, but also to experience the passion and love the members of this family have for groups of people across the world they have never met. I am humbled by the tears of a grown man that spoke about his love for the people of Honduras and how, for the past six years he has jumped at every opportunity to take a short-term trip back there to experience the love and community of Christ. His experiences in short-term mission work have been life-changing, and he encouraged others to listen to any small (or loud!) voices they may hear telling them to try it out.

I am also moved by the tears of a woman I had the chance to talk with last Tuesday. She is an elder’s wife at church, and we had an opportunity to talk over a lunch that our Ladies Bible Class shared. She may be the most tender-hearted woman I’ve ever met. Tears welled up in her eyes as she talked about how special the Uganda team [supported by First Colonly] has become to her over these past nine years and how she is just amazed at what the Lord is doing through them and for them. She has truly walked this long road with that team and has a passion for mission work. In my short conversation with her I have seen why–she is an amazing woman of prayer and is fully connected by a heart of compassion for the lost and for those that seek the lost. When I told her about our team and our goals she was thrilled and earnestly wants to join us in prayer.

How great is our God? How loving is His family? We are truly blessed to wear His name.

Another great thing about this morning was the interview style service we had. Ronnie (preacher) had questions for four members, three of which serve on the Missions Committee. Jerry Morris (the chairman) had some encouraging things to say when Ronnie asked him what the future looked like. Jerry said, “God has opened so many doors for us that it has become very breezy in here.” He said they have been in a season of prayer and are earnestly asking God to show them the direction He wants them to go. Then he mentioned by name a few of the efforts. There is a growing Chinese population at First Colony that is looking to extend the Word of God back to China, there is another member of FC who is starting a brand new inner-city work similar to Impact in the DFW area, and he mentioned us saying, “Wes and Stacy Yoakum have joined a mission team headed to Peru.” He made it clear that these are all mission efforts that they are excited about, that they haven’t made any decisions yet, but that they are trusting God to lead them every step of the way.

As a team, we are so encouraged! The Lord has given His people everywhere a heart to love Him, and the compassion they have to spread the Good News is more than enough to reach the people of Lima, Peru. What an honor it is for us to be a vessel of the passion shown by lovers of God!