guest speaker

1. guest speaker • Welcome Kathi Winter • www.heintendsvictory.com

2. c.s. lewis “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

3. dear francis follow up • Numbers 13:25-33 • Their experience: • - slaves in Egypt • - witnessed history’s greatest miracles • Their mission: • - their conquest – what would they face… • Their challenge: • - “Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong and fortified… v.28 • - “…We are not able to go up against the people , for they are too strong for us.” v. 31 • - “…We became like grasshoppers in our sight, and so we were in their sight.”

4. continued… • they were God’s people, that’s how God saw them and that’s in fact who they were… • you live your life out of how you see yourself • when you live in Christ, God sees you the way he sees His own son • “The most important thing about you is how God sees you!” – CS Lewis

5. be encouraged • “God has given each of you special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings.” 1Peter 4:10 • “And you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

6. preparation • be confident in who you are! • preparing your friends and family • pray • what you will see/experience • packing • re-entry (get together)

7. ministry of presence • “Preach the gospel always and when necessary use words.” – St. Francis of Assisi • Just BE with them • Think of what it costs them to follow Christ • You don’t have to defend or explain God – it’s more about peace and hope than answered questions • We want to be humble and confident servants

8. WHO ARE YOU IN CHRIST? • WHO DOES HE SAY WE ARE?

9. confident servants • KNOW your identity in Christ • hurting people hurt; healing people help others heal • don’t think for one minute that you can’t do this – it doesn’t depend on you…it depends on the Holy Spirit – just make yourself available. • Jesus is already there • address/deal with the “lies” and struggles in your life…in intense situations we are like sponges being wrung out and we don’t want the muck and dirt to pour out, but the love, compassion and spirit of Jesus to flow from us.

10. prayer • have at least one prayer partner stateside • increase your commitment to prayer • prayer devotional • in-country: if you can’t give them anything and you pray for them, you have done your job.

11. being there… • remember you are entering into their lives – not touring pain • soup, soap and salvation (William Booth) • earn the right to be heard • don’t condemn – just love! • must have endurance – you won’t change their lives in a day • don’t work any more than 12 hours – take a 15 minute break every 3 hours • please don’t complain • You may not know the impact you will have until you get to heaven!

12. re-entry • manage expectations • prepare a “sound bite” • you will grieve some innocence or ignorance – it’s a process… • BBQ on Saturday, August 12th

13. packing • please do not pack more than YOU can carry! • suitcases cannot exceed 50 lbs • duffel bags are best • one bag per person will be for donations • everyone needs a sleeping bag! • see your packing list in your binder for specifics… • Stay tuned for • packing party details

14. packing list • Passport • Credit Card & Cash (for meals in airports) • medications – malaria and personal needs • Airborne • alarm clock • journal, bible, pen • sunblock • bug spray • tennis shoes & flip-flops • sweatshirts or fleece • towel • swimsuit • outfit for church

15. housekeeping • Polio Boosters! (must be: mOPV1) • T-shirts and Bracelets • Reminder Dolls (Erika Egbert) • Fundraising Balances