Sometimes I don’t even feel like I know the answer to this question, so it shouldn’t surprise me when people ask me why we do what we do.
First, we absolutely are compelled by the love of Jesus, the greatest missionary this world has ever known. He is the One who crossed every cultural dimension, from heaven to earth, from throne to manger, from God to infant, from King of all kings to a lowly carpenter in an oppressed people under the cruel yoke of the Roman Empire.
That same Jesus told you and told me to “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Second, we are here for our family. We are here to see families made whole. And we are here to see our own family made whole.
I saw some of the fruit of that this week when Tanner, our ten-year old, gave me his birthday wish list. Check this out:
So, our nearly 11-year old isn’t asking for a cell phone or an ipod. He isn’t asking for the latest hot Xbox. Instead, his first request is a book and the next two are requests for our entire family to do something together. It seems he isn’t captivated by his culture or by what he can gain materially; instead, he yearns for the memories that we create together as a family. What a blessing that is to this daddy.
Three years ago we went on a huge hike to the Green Sand Beach. It literally was about 6 miles of hiking. Tanner was only 7 at the time, Keaton 5 and Regan 2 and in a backpack on my back. I remember Tanner complaining A LOT about how difficult it was. But what he remembers is that we all persevered and conquered a difficult journey together. And that is what he desires. As do I.
Wow.
I yearn for more families to join us. You will see your family grow in ways you never dreamed possible as you join God in His great Mission to save the world.
Come. And go. And LIVE.