ON THE MISSION TRAIL!
We met a young couple who recently married and were planning to go into full time missions as Bible Translators in Brazil under the auspices of Wycliffe Bible Translators. Mike grew up in Brazil with missionary parents and he and his new bride, Kelly, knew that this was the life for them. Lots of preparation was ahead of them and even though their outlook was hopeful and promising the preparations were daunting. Kelly needed to learn the language and both were to become licensed along with visa's, not to mention raising their own support.

Jim and I, along with others within our church signed up to be monthly supporters of this young couple. With eye's shining bright, they were so thankful for the outpouring of love and money which was going to bring their dream to fruition. After about two years and still preparing, a baby was born. A lovely baby girl with a clef palate! Not mild but pretty severe! Surgery was on the horizon. Not just one but several! Plans were delayed but still on going! This very strong young couple are determined to eventually live in a remote small village called Soytown, with the Curto people who's language needs to be written down, so they can learn how to read it. Learning their sounds and phrases will enable Mike and Kelly to write it down and then it can be translated into their own Bible. This will take approximately 20 years or more.

You have heard many stories like this and have read many books written by missionaries telling their own personal adventures of relying on God. We are always amazed and in awe of their humility and tenacity in serving our Lord in such courageous ways. The Missionaries adventures are written as autobiographies and are in libraries across the country. In missionary stories we see God's unbelievable powers working to make clear their paths; to soften the blows; to lift their feet so that they can fly like eagles. We see God bringing them through much destruction and terrifying circumstances and yet saving them to serve another day. We see lives sacrificed and others taking their place because God's word needs to go into the whole world.

We often think our sacrifices are enormous when we give a little more than our budget allows; or I don't really have the time but I will squeeze it in; or yes, I have a spare room, but I already have so much to do that taking in the missionary this time; "Oh well; I guess I can!".

What if we were asked to give up our comforts of a big house, full pantry, clean linen's on our beds not to mention all the stores that are available for us to pick and choose where we will grocery shop this week. What if we didn't know, when and where we would lay our head each night; or even if we would get a good nights sleep without concern for our safety. These are some of the things our missionaries face regularly, even today.

When we calmly set back in our chair to read God's 'Great Commission' as found in Matthew 28:19-20, do we ever contemplate those who took it literally and are out there amongst foreigners and even savages experiencing; "And I will be with you always, even until the end of the age?" I have to admit, I haven't, but today I will!

Many years ago I read a book that thrilled my missionary minded soul. "God's Smuggler", an autobiography of "Brother Andrew". A young soldier, while sitting out the war due to an injured ankle, read the Bible. He converted to Christianity and learned how to trust in God's word, literally. First off, God healed his ankle! Brother Andrew would smuggle bibles into communist countries in the height of the cold war. When he would be interviewed he would keep his appearance blurred in order to keep himself from jeopardizing his mission. On one TV interview he was asked why he didn't just drop the bibles from the sky, into these countries instead of smuggling them. Brother Andrew replied; "God said; 'Go ye therefore'; He didn't say, go and dump." I imagine Brother Andrew being 81 years old is praising God that the countries he smuggled Bibles into are now open. I think it is time to read his book once again! Jane Ann