How to Champion Your Missionaries

Sally Ferguson helps people see the wonder in the simple moments of life when they are yielded to God and based in the truth of God's Word. In this Ministry UPGRADE, she gives us insight into missionaries' needs, and how we can help in practical ways.

"The young widow burst into happy shouts," Sally said.  

"Our team stared speechless as she showed us her empty jar. There was no food for her table tonight, but our bag of provisions became her sustenance."

As a missionary wife, I (Dawn) so appreciate Sally's heart for missions. I agree with her about the many ways Christians can bolster missionaries and their work for the Kingdom of God.

Sally continues . . .

I had the privilege of seeing an Elijah moment (1 Kings 17:7-16) in person. Not only did God answer her prayer for food, but He answered ours, "to be the hands and feet of Jesus."

This wasn’t my first trip to Uganda, but it was the first to see something like this—and we were in awe of what God had done.

Missionaries are often put into tough spots as they seek to balance the needs they see before them, and their own need for healthy boundaries.

How do they juggle a desire to help everyone they see, with the limited resources they manage?

Tim Stevenson* says,

"You can’t fix everything, but you can help someone. Focus on that which you can do and leave the rest."

Tim and Colleen* have certainly helped many in over thirty years of serving in Uganda, through construction, establishing schools, developing sponsorship programs, and training pastors. Their leadership is known and respected throughout the country.

Maybe you’re thinking you can’t be a missionary like Tim and Colleen? Did you know missionaries depend on folks back home to be their emotional support as well as for prayer backing?

Here are three ways we can partner with our missionaries from afar.

1. Go

Many missionaries welcome work teams to join in the work. The partnership enables a bigger return for the time investment, and, in linking arms together, lightens their load.

Visiting teams benefit from the experience of seeing the endeavor firsthand and leave more blessed because of the opportunity to serve.

Over the last twelve years, our church has sent work teams to Uganda and Alaska, and eye clinics, pastoral training, and grief counseling to Uganda. Each person returns home with a keen appreciation for the amenities we take for granted and for people who serve long-term in other cultures.

The trip enables people to take ownership in the calling of missions and puts a personal bent on what mission assignments look like.

The Holy Spriit equips us to go as God’s ambassadors (Acts 1:8).

2. Greet

When missionaries take a furlough, it is not a vacation.

The furlough usually involves extensive traveling to home base churches to stay in contact with financial and emotional support. Many times, these stops include speaking and recruiting new supporters.

It is an exhausting life and a place where you can step in to provide a reprieve.

Do you have . . .

• an extra car in the driveway?
• a spare bedroom where they can relax away from itineration?
• extra seats at your dining room table?

Missionaries need time away with their family, as well as time with your family.

Could you take them to see . . .

• a baseball game?
• a state park in your neck of the woods?
• a local wonder?

Hospitality is more than opening your home. It is opening your heart to welcome another in. Even a picnic can be the best medicine when the conversation is sweet.

Practice hospitality (Romans 12:13).

3. Give

All missionaries feel the sting of financial restrictions. They yearn to meet the needs they encounter every day and yet not have the resources to match their desire to help.

That’s where we come in.

We can give out of our excess, or we can give sacrificially, depending on our ability.

2 Corinthians 9:7 says God loves a cheerful giver, but what it doesn’t say is giving makes you cheerful.

The act of generosity is contagious and heart lifting.

Yes, a need is met, but your needs get met, too, because we’re all wired to serve. It’s like a release of endorphins that creates a party in your heart!

Ask your missionaries about their projects.

Ours have ministries to families of AIDS victims, sewing programs, shoe apprenticeships, hair dressing, and catering training, school construction, well drilling, health facilities, child sponsorships and widow visitation. Yours may have that or a myriad of other outlets.

Let your dollars and cents add up to treasures for the Kingdom.

Paul said, Your gifts are pleasing to God. (Philippians 4:18).

Most of all, missionaries, like all people, need to be reminded they are cherished for who they are, and not for how much they can burn out. 

Encourage them in sickness and health, in poverty and wealth, and in their full pursuit of God. You will be blessed by their gift of friendship and have a front row seat to many more Elijah moments!

How will you bolster your missionaries?

Sally Ferguson loves to dive into God’s Word and splash His refreshing water onto others. She speaks and writes with a look at snapshots of life in the sunshine and in the storms. Sally plans women’s retreats and she’s working on a Bible study for caregivers. She lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, New York, with her husband and her dad. Visit Sally at her website.

* Learn more about the ministry of missionaries Tim & Colleen Stevenson — https://heartofourafrica.blogspot.com/p/about-us.html.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Antoni Shkraba at Pexels.

The Power of the Table

Julie Sanders has such a heart to serve others. She especially loves to "feed" women who minister globally. In this Hospitality UPGRADE, she writes about the power of the table to connect with people who are hungry on many levels.

"Shared meals serve to nurture our bodies and our souls," Julie says, "But since the arrival of COVID-19, more sits between us than salt and pepper or a bread basket.

"Is it possible to preserve the power of the table in times of social distancing and sanitizer?"

I (Dawn) have always admired those who are so effortless with hospitality, but for many years I had the mistaken idea that hospitality meant a perfect meal or perfectly-set table. It's not that it all, as Julie so clearly explains.

Julie continues . . .

Treasured settings like holidays with family or coffees with friends run up against interference under the impacts of the pandemic. Not only do we experience physical distance, but the absence of familiar ways to feed our relationships leaves us hungry.

Our memories of cooking together, exchanging baked goods, and delivering homemade meals leave an after taste in our hearts, but leave us wanting more.

God uses food to feed us, body and soul.

We have different opinions on many things, but we can agree on the power of the table.

The Oregon Statesman Journal describes the Salem for Refugees process for receiving strangers, where the family is, “Offered a culturally-appropriate first meal.”

Others from their homeland prepare the meal upon the newcomers’ arrival. The universal language of shared food speaks life, nurturing people with a sense of welcome, safety, and peace.

Even people who don’t know Jesus as their personal Savior know a meal feeds the body and the soul.

God values what happens across and around our tables.

When describing what it looks like to be hospitable in an unhospitable land, God gave specific, authoritative directions to Israel.

Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 19:10).

Sometimes “foreigners” settle in our communities after being served at our tables. In that case, God goes a step further to say,

The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 19:34).

God uses the power of the table to serve a taste of His goodness to people different from us in and around our lives.

The potential of this benevolent outpouring, delivered by hospitable hands and hearts, is desperately needed now. Under the weight of the world, personal and local and global, people are hungry and thirsty. Those we know and those we don’t know have physical needs and “Woman at the Well” needs for having their needs quenched.

The One who satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things (Psalm 107:9) invites us to lay our tables with hospitality that displays and delivers the love of Christ.

So with COVID restrictions, how do we creatively continue to set a place at the table of our lives for people we know and people we don’t know? How can we extend gifts of food and friendship to those around us if they’re separated from us by restrictions, space, opinions, fear, or a mask?

10 Ways to Set the Table in COVID

1. Have a picnic outdoors.

2. Meet for a meal and chat with a live video stream.

3. Send a meal to someone stuck at home.

4. Take a coffee and blanket and meet at a bench.

5. Pay for the meal of someone in line behind you.

6. “Tailgate” back-to-back cars.

7. Drop off a favorite recipe and supplies to make it.

8. Take pictures of what you’re eating and share.

9. Talk about the special meals or events you’ve shared.

10. Make two “meal bags” with fun paper supplies, snacks, and drinks to set up at your own homes or desks and then “come to the table” together over video to catch up.

It doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be popcorn and sodas. It can be a coffee break with a muffin. Or it could be Happy Meals! The important thing is that we create a connection, a shared meal, and a virtual time and “table” that brings us together.

And as an “after dinner mint,” pray.

In all of these Plan B meals or meet ups with people we know or don’t know yet, use the connection of coming together over food to bless others.

Without the Bread of Life as the loving service behind it, it’s just food. It still helps, but it’s just food.

In these troubled times, some people feel pangs of physical hunger. All of us feel the gnawing of heart hunger. Loss or loneliness makes it harder than ever to eat food for the body or for the spirit.

The power of the table may be the influence God uses to feed people what they need now and for all eternity.

Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty' (John 6:35).

Meals and meet ups look a little different now for many of us, but let’s not withhold our desperately needed hospitality.

People are hungry. We can feed them.

What limitations do I have right now around sharing meals with others? Who around me is hungry physically? Who is hungry spiritually? What resources of mine could feed them?

Julie Sanders loves feeding women who lead globally. She’s the author of The ABCs of Praying for Students, and Expectant, a devotional for new moms. Julie finds joy in helping women discover and develop their gifts to influence others for the Gospel. She sets the table and writes from her online home at juliesanders.org.

Graphic adapted, courtesty of MyriamsFotos at Pixabay.

Gathering Friends in a Post-Pandemic World

Sally Ferguson is the kind of woman you'd want for a friend: Wise, fun, and life-building. In this Friendship UPGRADE, she meets us where we are—post coronavirus and hungry to gather with friends.

"More than ever, we need connection," Sally says, "especially when it's hard with social distancing. But, women are finding creative ways to engage ladies that take us beyond covid limitations!”

I (Dawn) have sooooo missed connection with friends. Sally taps into that isolated feeling we've had and encourages ways to gather in the days ahead.

Sally continues . . .

Women’s Ministry mentor, Cyndee Ownbey says there’s a physiological response when women get together. We feel better and interact with life better.

Biblical examples of friendships include Naomi and Ruth, Jonathan and David, and Paul and Barnabas. Each relationship symbolized the camaraderie that comes with traveling through life together, and the lightened load of isolation.

When the covid lockdown began, author Kathy Carlton Willis faced the cancellation of 21 speaking engagements. Kathy pivoted to focus on coaching writers through online retreats.

The result was better than expected, and resulted in the production of a book called 7 Trials Every Woman Faces, as well as one with her WordGirls group, called Wit, Whimsy & Wisdom.

Kathy says, “I had the choice of giving up and giving in when the pandemic hit, or giving God space to reinvent my work. He didn’t change my purpose or my passion, but He gave me time to publish two books and to pour into the lives of others. The changes to my calendar didn’t mean I was closed for ministry.

“One of the special outcomes of the pandemic," she said, "is that more people are familiar with the technology of video groups and more willing to use it. Because of that, I’ve been able to meet with several different groups without even leaving home.

"7 Trials Every Woman Faces was also picked up by some small groups to do either in person with covid precautions or on Zoom.”

Zoom meetings became the new norm this past year.

While we may not be past the pandemic yet, it gave us ways to engage others.

We’ve all learned we need social interaction in order to thrive, but covid limitations continue to urge caution.

How did you swivel to meet changes this year?

We found some gals more willing to participate on Zoom from the security of their own homes. Others preferred to ride it out without the headaches of technology.

In an interview with Marnie Swedberg, Peg Arnold said the forced quarantine gave us the opportunity to reframe our perspective and learn new strategies to stay connected socially.

It reminded me of the car parades organized to celebrate birthdays, weddings, and seniors graduating from high school.

Our church’s children’s pastor planned Scavenger Hunts for families to do around town, from the safety of their own cars.

Jean Brown says, “The first hunt was Easter 2020 and went way beyond our wildest imagination. People found out about it on our Facebook page and signed up to join us, including other churches and a preschool. It became a big hit in our community as they posted enthusiastic and happy pictures.”

While Jean was brainstorming a way to follow up, she saw a shift in ministry focus to reach more than the kids, but to become family oriented with a family service and an innovative drive-thru VBS.

“We began to think outside the box," Jean says, "and now we know we can!”

Going forward, ministry leader Kathy Bruins recommends hybrid events where traditional attendance blends with live-stream viewing.

Her advice for a successful event?

• Have the recording available for 30 days to those who want to purchase it.
• Keep joy forefront (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
• Have a mission statement to guide your event.

Remember our friends from the Bible?

• Naomi knew she needed to get to her hometown support system (Ruth 1).
• David relied on Jonathan’s insight for safety (1 Samuel 20).
• Barnabas brought Paul home to the believers’ fold (Acts 11:25-26).

There’s a common thread that says:

We need others to not just survive, but to thrive.

What will you do for your next event? Summertime brings outdoor options.

One of my favorite from years ago, was a prayer retreat at a local park. We brought sack lunches, lawn chairs, and a desire to dig into God’s Word together.

Whatever you do for your gals, make sure you:

• Follow COVID requirements with sanitizer, distancing and masks;
• Communicate safety, to put minds at ease;
• Pre-box foods and keep wrapped separately for minimal handling; and
• Bring humor.

You can instigate a fun-filled, future for your women’s group in a post-pandemic world, and reach gals who are starved for friendship. You’ll benefit, too!

How will you offer hospitality and reassurance to hurting people, while social distancing?

Sally Ferguson is a caregiver for her dad and her grands, and writing a Bible study for caregivers. She lives in western New York with her hubby of 33 years. Look for her words at EzineArticles, AlmostAnAuthor, and Upgrade with Dawn. Her coloring book, What Will I Be When I Grow Up? (Warner Press) and ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat are both available on Amazon. For more information about Sally, visit her website.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Joel Muniz at Unsplash.

Do You Entertain, or Practice Biblical Hospitality?

Pat Ennis—with her strong background in home economics— is an excellent person to write about hospitality. An educator and author, she desires for women to practice the Titus 2 mandate, and in this Hospitality UPGRADE, she hones in on the difference between entertaining and true hospitality.

"Whether enjoying personal devotions, a Bible Study, or a worship service, a variety of mental images may emerge when you are presented with the passages that encourage the practicing of biblical hospitality," Pat says.

"For many the images are based on the glossy photos in women’s magazines—an immaculate home, a gourmet menu, and an exquisite table setting."

I (Dawn) understand what Pat's saying. For years, I thought my house had to be "picture perfect" before I could be hospitable. I'm glad Pat is making a clear distinction here.

Pat continues . . .

While some of these images could be applied to Biblical hospitality, what they actually portray is entertaining. 

When hospitality is described in the scriptures, there is an absence of instructions relating to the home décor, menu or table setting.

Let’s take a journey through scripture as we paint a word portrait of biblical hospitality.

John 14:15 and 21-24 clearly states that the primary evidence that individuals are Christians and that they love their heavenly Father is their choice to obey His commands.

Though we live in a world that promotes “have things your own way,” I learned that to please my heavenly Father I need to respond to all of His instructions with an obedient spirit—not just pick those that appeal to me—and that includes my response to what His Word teaches about hospitality. 

• Romans 12:13b says I am to practice hospitality—literally I am to “pursue the love of strangers” (Hebrews 13:2)—not simply offer hospitality to my friends. If I want to demonstrate obedience to my heavenly Father, I will choose to practice hospitality.
• 1 Peter 4:9 builds on the instruction to practice hospitality and reminds me that my attitude is of utmost importance—I am to practice hospitality without complaining! This verse challenges me to conduct a heart search to discern what my attitude is and whether I am approaching this opportunity to minister with a “hearty attitude” (Colossians 3:23).
• I am reminded in Hebrews 13:2 that my willingness to extend hospitality may have far-reaching implications. As we study the lives of Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 18:1-3), Lot (Genesis 19:1-2), Gideon (Judges 6:11-24), and Manoah (Judges 13:6-20), we learn that all entertained strangers who were actually special messengers from God. While my motive should never be to give so that I will receive, Luke 6:38 clearly states that the measuring cup that I use to dispense my gifts and talents will be the same one used to provide my needs. What is the size of your hospitality measuring cup?
• One of the requirements for church leadership, according to 1 Timothy 3:1-2 and Titus 1:7-8, is a willingness to allow others to observe them in their homes—the arena where their character is most graphically revealed. Are you privileged to be in a leadership position in your church? If so, remember that these verses are requirements, not suggestions!

The attitude of the apostle Paul is one that all women who desire to cultivate a heart of biblical hospitality will want to copy. 

As we study the scriptural passages that challenge us to practice hospitality most of us can reflect on a time when we tried to extended friendship to others and were met with rejection. If you are like me, Satan can use that rejection as a roadblock to prevent me from obeying my heavenly Father on future occasions. 

Paul teaches us that he moved toward his heavenly Father’s will for his life—that of Christlikeness. He refused to dwell on the past or to drink of the cup of self-pity but, rather, kept climbing higher toward his goal of Christlikeness all the days of his life (Philippians 3:13-14).

If we are to cultivate a heart of biblical hospitality we must refuse to rely on past virtuous deeds and achievements or to dwell on sins and failures. As well, we must lay aside past grudges and rejection experiences. 

Instead we will follow Paul’s example and continue the ascent to the top of the “hospitality mountain.”  That ascent begins with developing proper climbing strategies—here are some to get you started:

• Collect and file simple, inexpensive recipes for desserts and meals.
• Make a list of people who would be encouraged by your offer of hospitality—purpose to invite your first guests soon!
• Start simple—spontaneously inviting someone home after Sunday evening church is a great beginning.
• Pray that our loving heavenly Father will give you joy in demonstrating hospitality to others.
• Remember that memories require time and energy to create.
• Purpose to nurture a ♥ for Biblical hospitality that sincerely communicates “come back soon."

Are you willing to take a step of faith and begin your ascent up the “biblical hospitality mountain?”  

Pat Ennis is a Certified Family and Consumer Science (Home Economics) Educator. She is the author of multiple books including Practicing Hospitality, the Joy of Serving Other with Lisa Tatlock (Crossway). Her most recent book is God Is My Strength, 50 Biblical Responses to Issues Facing Women Today (Christian Focus). Visit Pat’s Blog. Pat's life mission is to (1) Love her Lord with ALL of her heart (Matthew 22:37); (2) Walk worthy of her calling (Ephesians 4:1-3); and (3) Train the younger women to fulfill the Titus 2 mandate so that God's Word will not be discredited (Titus 2:3-5).

Image of Welcome mat, Ottomanson Welcome Mat from Home Depot.

Christmas Doors — Invitations to Joy

In this Christmas UPGRADE, Dawn Wilson invites us to think about the doors we might open to others this holiday season.

I love to see all the pretty doors decorated at Christmas. They look so welcoming. They invite us to share together in joy.

So many are lonely, stressed, even in crisis during the holidays. We may feel caught up in our own holiday joy, but we can't ignore others who struggle to smile. Those who have no peace. Those who hurt and need encouragement.

I've thought about some of the doors we might open to those people. Here are five doors that I call "Invitations to Joy."

1. The Door of UNDERSTANDING

We show empathy and understanding when we learn to listen well.

James tells us to "be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak" (1:19, AMP).

Proverbs 1:5 says, "Let the wise listen and add to their learning." When you listen to people, you encourage them to talk, and that is fertile ground for greater understanding.

As leadership coach Becky Harling wrote in her book How to Listen So People Will Talk, "People feel more loved and valued if we are actively and attentively listening to them."

Empathetic listening is a gift not just for the holidays, but for a lifetime of ministry to those the Lord brings into our lives.

2. The Door of COMMUNICATION

The second part of James 1:19 says, "slow to speak." We must be careful what we say, but we do need to speak up.

Good communication skills can be cultivated when our mouths are full of God's wisdom. Our words are to first be acceptable in His sight (Psalm 19:14). We can then wisely pray for others and minister to them with healing conversations.

Our words must be carefully chosen to encourage others. Speak words that will build up and "give grace" (Ephesians 4:29).

Speak words of affirmation and hope, not negative, critical and destructive words. Focus on what is worthy (Philippians 4:8) to share this Christmas!

3. The Door of SERVICE

Just as Jesus came to serve, he calls us to do the same. In Christ, we are created to do good works (Ephesians 2:10), and that includes serving people.

God notes how we serve and help others (Hebrews 6:10). He praises a servant's heart.

We are to serve with humility in love. We are to use our spiritual gifts, received from the Holy Spirit, to serve others as "faithful stewards of God's grace."

There are so many opportunities to serve during the Christmas season—both in serving individuals and groups.

Serving others "opens a door" to their hearts.

Don't overlook your next-door neighbor's need, a good place to start. You might even be opening a door to sharing the Gospel; but be willing to serve, regardless.

4. The Door of HOSPITALITY

Paul instructs Christ-followers to "share with the Lord's people who are in need" and "practice hospitality".

Hospitality isn't just inviting someone into our homes. It is first a heart attitude, a disposition, of treating others in a warm and generous way.

But it is also a virtue that extends back to Old Testament times. New Testament Christians also depended on hospitality and offered it freely. Jesus and His disciples depended on hopitality as they served in ministry (Matthew 10:9-10).

Hospitality is a kingdom trait. We bring praise to God when we show kindness, especially to the needy and love others selflessly). Hospitality is an important aspect of our walk with God, and not just during the holidays (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9).

5. The Door of LIFE

We cannot change a person, but we can speak to them about the door of life—and Jesus said He is that door (John 10:7). He is the only door by which a person can enter and receive eternal life (John 10:9; 3:16). As such, the Good Shepherd is the door to the sheepfold.

The Christmas season is an opportune time to share the Gospel. Be creative in how you share. Think of ways that would speak to specific individuals—that would help them see what God was offering when "baby Jesus" came. 

Jesus was a man on a mission. He came to "seek and to save the lost," and He has commissioned us to share this Good News with others (Matthew 28:19-20).

Think about it.

Every Christmas Door is an invitation to joy.

• The joy of being heard and understood
• The joy of being encouraged
• The joy of finding needs met
• The joy of being welcomed
• The joy of receiving life

How can you open doors to people this holiday season?

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is a speaker and author, and the creator of three blogs: Heart Choices Today, LOL with God (with Pam Farrel), and Upgrade with Dawn. She is a contracted researcher/reviewer for Revive Our Hearts and a writer at Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in Southern California and have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Neely Wang at Lightstock.