Reflect on God as Father.
Catch up on any reading you missed.
So go and make followers of all people in the world.
Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Teach them to obey everything that I have told you to do.
You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will continue with you until the end of time.”
~Matthew 28:19-20 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)~
This is the Great Commission in an easy to read version.The words “Great Commission” help us to understand this is what God has for us to do.
Yesterday, at church, I shared that one part of our mission purpose in working with children on Wednesday nights is to “DO” missions! We did just that by painting rocks and placing them around the church on cement or bricks where they would be easy to find and out of the way of lawn mowers. The rocks had crosses, flowers, hearts, “Jesus Loves You”, etc. on them. We call our rocks “Witness Rocks”. Personally, I have plans/permission to place them in some other special places. People were asked to take them and either keep them or pass them on to others. I hope our rocks travel far and reach many for Jesus in their simple way. The children loved doing them!
One way we can “DO” missions is to attend the Mission Project Day on Saturday, August 18th. Show up and find everything ready for you to help create items that will be used in Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. On the 18th, we meet in the fellowship hall from 9 A.M. to noon. I encourage you to participate with us. By the way, it is also fun!
Yesterday morning, when I arrived in my Sunday School classroom, I found a lady getting some shoeboxes. She said she was getting them to fill, just as her mother had packed a shoebox in honor of each of the grandchildren, she was now going to continue doing that for the family. She left with boxes, instructions, and labels. That is another opportunity to “DO” missions.
I also found some unbraided jump ropes in my room that one lady cut and prepared for braiding. She told me another lady was coming to get them to braid this week. I won’t call either name, but the younger lady was 80!!! This goes to show that there is something for everyone.
Two ladies asked me if we are still collecting T-shirts. They will be bring me some so more jump ropes, headbands, belts, bracelets, etc. and be cut out. This means all these items we are sharing with boys and girls are given to us, free!
There is a young lady who told several of her co-workers about Operation Christmas Child. They brought her bags and bags of items we will be able to share. She is changing her job location, but said she would still be telling the original co-workers about what is happening next year. I think her new co-workers will also learn about our mission projects and have the opportunity to help. Have you shared opportunities with family members and co-workers?
When we remember that that printed materials in the appropriate language are added to the shoeboxes, we know boys and girls, and other family members will have an opportunity to learn about Jesus. I cannot imagine a child who receives a shoebox who wouldn’t want to return to the same location to see some of the same people who gave them the shoebox to see what else they might have to offer – Jesus!
Shoeboxes can also be packed by school students, civic organizations, other churches, etc. If you know someone who needs more information, I will be happy to help them or to send someone else to do so.
Last night, after church, a younger lady asked me if we really needed Vienna sausage for the collection for Friendship House in New Orleans. She said she just wanted to ask before she purchased some this week. That and other items have been requested by Kay Bennett, the director there. That will be used with homeless people and to help in getting young ladies off the streets and into better situations, often returning them to families who are so happy to have them back at home. Kay Bennett will be speaking at our next associational WMU meeting. Check a bulletin board at church to learn what other items we will be giving them. You may also have read the front-page article about this ministry in a recent Baptist Message.
We are always collecting new and used Bibles for assisting a team that does the parish prison ministry in Amite. I do not have clearance to participate, but see my mission as a provider. If you have or would like to purchase any Bibles, you can drop them off at the church. Regular or large print is desired because many of the people in the jail who need glasses do not have them. The team always tells me how eager the inmates are for the Bibles.
At Christmas, we take Christmas cards with stamped envelopes to the inmates at Amite and Greensburg parish jails. This gives them an opportunity to communicate with family members. As the Christmas season draws closer, don’t forget to bring some cards with stamped envelopes.to the church.
We always help the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home collect food each year. This year, we also helped by having a special collection for other items they need. We will soon begin the fall food round-up for them.
Can you guess which Sunday School class does the most for missions? It is the class of older ladies who meet in the fellowship hall. Virginia McKenzie teaches the class. Theople Hurst is the unofficial missions leader/shopper for them. How I wish other classes would realize the importance of missions. This class certainly sets a good example!
In a previous post, I told you about the lady who gave us some beautiful quilts to share with those who are presently taking chemo or radiation. I want to report that all the quilts have been delivered. Now, I hope we can help the lady as she makes more quilts which can be used in such a special way. If you would like to participate periodically, please let me know.
Just as I encouraged the children to “DO” missions, I encourage you to “DO” missions too. All mission work is not overseas! There is much we can do! These are some of the ways we are currently carrying out the Great Commission. If you are not participating yet, I hope you will start to realize our purpose should be to take as many as we can to heaven with us one day!
I’ll get off my missions soapbox today, but this won’t be the last time I tell you about mission opportunities.
Anna Lee
The Prayer Link 
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