My Life Down the Road: Work Small, Think Big, Go Deep

Jesus was deeply concerned for the continuation of his redemptive, reconciling work after the close of his earthly existence, and his chosen method was the formation of a small band of committed friends. He did not form an army, establish a headquarters, or even write a book. What he did was to collect a few very common men and women, inspire them with the sense of his spirit and vision, and build their lives into an intensive fellowship of affection, worship and work.

~ Elton Trueblood ~

The Strategy of Jesus

It's the beginning of a three day boot camp of sorts, held on forty-seven acres of heaven in the Georgia woods outside Athens, and it's our first morning together - the twelve member mission team who would jet to Kenya in three days and those of us who came simply to serve and participate in something wonderful, something bigger than any of us dreamed.

Jeremy Folmsbee is a towering red-headed man whose gentle speech, contagious laugh, and sensitivity to the Spirit of God, endear him to everyone. While a soft morning rainstorm pattered on the metal structure sheltering the team, Jeremy pulled a small copy of an excerpt by Elton Trueblood from his Bible. "Why are we here? What's our purpose?" These were important questions we hoped to answer during our time together. He spoke eloquently about understanding the vision and purpose for our life as believers - the mission for our earthly existence.

The impact of Jesus on mankind and his redemptive work cannot be measured. He accomplished the greatest possible good through a small band of committed friends, common men in whom he invested his life. With intensive fellowship, a deep abiding affection, genuine worship, and work, they changed the world by drawing others to the hope-filled message of the Gospel. There is no substitute for the simple small band of caring, loving men and women demonstrating the love of the Savior to a lost and dying world. This is our mission. This is our life - to work small, think big, and go deep. If our hearts can truly grab hold of these truths, our life and genuine love will authenticate the Gospel, pulling others into the life we share together and the sweet hope we have in the saving work of Jesus.

During the next two days in the harvest fields of the Schulman family's property, we joined with Jesus and he met us in sweet unexpected ways: a foot washing that turned the hearts of a father and his sons toward each other and made us weep with gratefulness; singing over a young Mother and her two small children facing heart-wrenching decisions; prophetic words of wisdom, comfort and direction; quiet time in the grassy green fields behind sun-warmed bales of fragrant hay; the birth of God-breathed visions for the future; sharing meals, working side by side, laughing and crying together; the formation of precious friendships and the renewal of friends long separated by time and distance; freedom from dark fears and the provision of much needed financial support for the team. The Savior used it all, skillfully weaving together a beautiful tapestry - showing us how to follow the pattern of following him. It was a gift and privilege to be there.

If you'd like to follow the team in their adventures, please click the following link.

http://joinedwithjesuskenya.wordpress.com/.