When You’re just Available…
There’s something seriously wrong with me… I like Support Raising. I know… this is supposed to be the grueling hard, stressful time of being a missionary. Somehow I just can’t conform my emotions to meet this expectation… I’m having fun! I love the fact that my number one priority right now is to be with people… to talk… to share… to laugh… to cry… to listen… and all with a purpose. Is the purpose for them to pledge $100 a month? Well… that would be nice… but no! The purpose is that the Body of Christ has come together, connected, and gone deeper than saying hello when the pastor tells you stand up and shake hands. There’s something magical about a dining room table or a cup of coffee – that’s where church happens!
I appreciate support raising most of all because it gives me a focus and a purpose to conversations. Again – money’s not the purpose… but sharing God’s Kingdom! Today was a great example of what happens when you walk out that purpose…
Terra Verde Coffeehouse has become my new favorite place. They have bottomless cups of coffee, wireless internet, a seriously fun staff, and great coffee. This week alone I’ve spent 15 hours here… checking emails, working on some administrative things for AIM, meeting with supporters, and… currently writing a blog.
So today I come into the coffeehouse, parking our cute little yellow car outside with the Texas license on the front and the Georgia plate on the back. As I’m filling up my coffee cup I hear a man’s voice behind me – “What brings you here from Texas?”
“Well… funny story… If you look on the back there’s a Georgia license plate. Georgia only requires a back plate and I couldn’t give up my allegiance to Texas!”
We then begin discussing what would cause someone to leave the wonderful fall warmth of Georgia and bring them up to the frigid cold of Wisconsin. I explain that my husband is from here, I’m from Texas, we’ve lived in Georgia and are now here… “Living here?” he asks.
And then I did something I usually avoid… I explained that we are missionaries and are support raising around churches, friends, and family here. This usually labels us as “Crazy Christians who just want my money” … hence the reason I usually avoid that description. I share about moving to Ireland, which causes the normal reaction – why Ireland? So I share about the hurt and the spiritual lack in that country… and that our job is to lead teams around the country, strategically sharing the Gospel. He asks for a card…
As I hand him our prayer card, he explains that he and his wife lead a home fellowship here for those who have been hurt by the church. They want to help people who have walked away from church, walk back into relationship with Jesus, entering the presence of God, and being healed of their wounds… all in their home. Like a lightbulb flash in my head, it connects:
We’re going to Ireland, a nation hurt by the religious division and hatred in the church. We want to bring people into our home in Ireland to walk into a relationship with Jesus… enter the presence of God… and find healing for their wounds…
I’m sure my jaw dropped. I explained how strangely “coincidental” this meeting was and that I would love for Corey and I to be able to talk to him more, so we can learn about how they do this and what they’ve learned from their experience. Turns out they are having some training this Sunday afternoon. As the conversation continues, it’s almost comical how similar the vision of this church is to the vision Corey and I have in Ireland… We’ll find out more this Sunday as he has invited us to come visit, be blessed by the training, and to bless their fellowship with our presence and our hearts for the nation.
And all this simply happened because I was available… willing to come to Terra Verde instead of just stay at home… willing to talk to someone I didn’t know… willing to share what might have come back to haunt me… and instead is becoming a blessing. Wow… I love support raising!
