“Licking the outside of the watermelon”

“Those who are working cross-culturally to share the Gospel make up just 0.02% of the Christian church-goers worldwide. Many more could be serving cross-culturally, especially when we think of the one billion people in East Asia alone that have still not even heard the name of Jesus. There are seven hundred church congregations for every unreached people group in the world! So much of what goes on in our church life is reflected in the Korean proverb which talks about “licking the outside of the watermelon” – much activity but not getting to the sweetness, not getting to the whole point of what it means to belong to God’s people. “It’s not the church of God that has a mission in the world. It is the God of mission that has a church in the world.”

These quotes came from some of the Bible readings at the recent Joint Mobilisers and Candidate Co-ordinators Consultation. We had more than 70 people descend on us for a week of training and discussion. It was hot, noisy, busy, fast-moving and challenging as we continued to work out a part of what God is calling OMF to be doing. People met sometimes for the first time in years of emailing each other! It was a chance for some to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. One evening as we walked back on-site Anna and I looked around and saw little knots of people in prayer together. During the final two days we worked in small groups to discuss the challenges that we are facing and looked at ways to overcome them; this was both exciting and exhausting, with some staying up into the small hours of the morning to pull things together.

The May orientation course started here on Thursday last week. We were delighted to welcome a number of our workers from the Philippines, working cross culturally in their own country. Theresa Alibio has come with her eight year old daughter, Rejoice. Theresa and her husband Reuel had been working in the Southern Philippines. Four years ago, Reuel, known and loved by his adopted community, was riding home on his motorbike when he was stopped by extremist gunmen who shot him dead in broad daylight. They then proceeded to move his body, mockingly, into a crucifix position. They may have meant to mock but Reuel honoured his Lord in death as he had in life. Theresa courageously continues the work. Pray for Theresa, sharing the good news about Jesus in the Southern Philippines, while bringing up her daughter on her own.

Friday evening saw the whole Griffiths family joining in the games of the Orientation Course Fun Night! It was great to see Anna shrieking and leaping about, having a fine old time despite the busy week we had just been through. Her energy levels are so much better these days that we realize how ill she was before. Join with us in praising God for her good recovery. Josh spent a great week on a school trip in northern Thailand – trekking through the mountains and staying a night with one of the hill tribes before rafting back down the Mekong. Our grocery bill dropped by nearly 50% in the week he was away! He is somewhat nervously anticipating a move to the Anglo-Chinese School in a few weeks. Please pray for him in this additional transition.

With our love

Steve, Anna, Joshua and Aimée

This link will take you to a short OMF video clip. You may find some images disturbing.
ServeAsiaStingerMaster500kb.mov