Those who know God well want God well
known. - beth moore
Hello Nehemiah Teams Filipino and all
with heart for the Philippines! it has been such an amazing summer! all the
Glory and honor and thanks giving to the Lord for such an opportunity to join
in his work and experiencing Him mightily. we had about 17-19 Filipino teams
all over the country, more or less 80 people participated (not final and official
number) including those who facilitated training, lead teams, supervised and
did media, and YOU - if you did join, joined before, prayed, gave, mobilized
have been and is a great part of this. Glory to the Lord for your life!
NOW we know and should not forget that
the work is not done yet - both for the people in the field and those who
participated (have participated, including us who lead them) and the entire
work. Let us keep each other encouraged. Let’s keep our partners encouraged.
Let’s utilize the internet and text to keep each other updated, encouraged,
accountable and prayed for (this is also a challenge for me and an area where I
need help).
Maybe these can help. These are not
proven tested ways but ideas that may be of help.
Let’s keep connected.
With all the technology and text and
call promos available, it is already almost impossible not to keep in touch
with each other. Of course it is understood that some of us could be assigned
or move back to our provinces and some of it may really be remote, but still, there
would be some way to get connected or be in touch as long as we keep in touch.
Let’s keep in touch with our team mates, team
members, team leaders. After being
together for over a month, or at least 3 weeks, eating almost off the same
plate, each team has become on its own, a family – a family adopted by families
that welcomed our teams in the field. So you all would be the best people to
keep in touch with the field, partners, and encourage one another. Though franchise
leaders should be able to communicate with the team members some, but the best
once to do it would be the team leaders or those who became their field
supervisors. There are cases of course where the members of a team did not
really get a long that well (member – member, member-team leader). Ideally the
conflict should have been dealt with before or during debrief, but in case not because
there was not enough time or space to talk, please still talk through it with one of your NT supervisors even on phone and let them help you see the conflict
through a different perspective and with the light of the scriptures and what God
may be purposing to accomplish through that conflict. Keep connected. Communicate. Go up with your problem, not out. do not sink and soak in bitterness or pain. Encourage, be encouraged. Remind and be reminded. rebuke in hope
and love.
Proclaim his praises. Write your testimony or stories from the
field. Help yourself prepare to share a story or 2 to mobilize others by
writing them out now and posting some of them on Fb or sending it to us here so
we can post them on the blog. These would also be a reminder-encouragement to
you to press on, to fix your eyes on the Author and Perfecter of our faith. He
is faithful. He was faithful in the field, He cannot be less than faithful now.
(Heb12.1-3) these would also serve as an encouragement, a praise report, a
blessing to those who helped us go, prayed for us, who held the other end of
the rope for us. Share even off season stories. Updates of what the Lord is
doing to and through you where He has placed you for that season.
Let us carry each other’s burden. We are very prone
to say “I’m ok” or just immediately talk about
ministry when we
are asked how we are, or when asked to share a praise or prayer at
accountability times at church or our small groups, we often feel like we have
nothing to share because we are so burdened by sin, or problem and we can’t
really share anything. James 5:16 tells us to keep each other accountable,
carry each other’s burden, pray healing for one another. Don’t believe the lie
of the enemy that “You are the only one going through it.”, that “You are
alone.” and “It would be such a shame if others would know that you are struggling.”
This is a time when you would need people to pray for you, encourage you and
give you wise counsel all the more. Then, the joy and peace, or comfort that
the LORD graced on you and through other believers would be another
proclamation of praise and a testimony to others who may be or have yet to go
through those trials. James 1:2-4
Be pro-active. Be actively involved. Franchises, let’s get them involved! Participants,
be involved. Let’s help them get to where the Lord wants them to be. Let’s tap
former participants for mobilizations that maybe closer to their area, or even
not, lets utilize their availability. Even better if we can help them start
mobilizing the churches not far from them. If they are available, let them go
with you in some survey trips so you are also training them as they go with
you.
But involvement is not limited only to
Nehemiah Teams or to missions, or ministry outside. The light that shines farthest should also be the light that shines brightest.
Which means that if we are active and passionate about the lost in far
places, we should have that same passion already going on for those that are
just close to us. That is easier said than done even for me. But by obedience
and grace it is possible. And many times, it is that time far away that helps us see
the needs close by better.
So yes! Be proactive. Talk to your
pastor, share to him what the Lord has laid on your heart. Let him help you
with opportunities to speak and utilize, move forward and equip others with
what you have learned through that summer. Be ready to serve. Be ready to teach
Sunday school in case the one assigned is not available. Be proactive. Be ready
to pray.
>> Meet with others from the team sometimes. Get connected
with other NTs, read, keep reciting the verses and memorize some more. We can
do so many. But this is what I would say for me is the best:
Always have that sweet personal time with the
Lord in His word, In his presence, in prayer, through your journal, in just stillness
before Him… Seek Him. Even when you do not feel like seeking him, seek to seek
him. Talk to Him, , even when you do not feel like talking to Him, talk to Him.
Don’t try to run a way. No masquerade. He knows you and loves you just as much.
Zechariah 3.1-4
Philippians 1:20-21
-cecil, NT Luzon
