NOTE TO READERS: Mike Hamlet is senior pastor of First Baptist North Spartanburg in Spartanburg, S.C. This summer he and members of his church traveled to Asia to minister to Southern Baptist missionaries who serve in South Asia. Below are excerpts from his blog that he wrote during that trip. To read his complete blog, please visit www.mikehamlet.com.
Trip Status
June 29th, 2009
Things are going great here. The people that we are serving are so grateful for what we are doing. –
I am overwhelmed by a couple of things. First of all is the commitment of these people to do whatever they have to do to get the message out. They are making some tremendous sacrifices to see the gospel go forth. I had breakfast with one couple this morning that returned to the field leaving their son to finish his senior year in the states. The parents tell me that he is doing well and that they believe that is because they have been faithful to their call. It is hard for me to connect with that type of commitment.
I am also amazed at the challenges that they face in this part of the world. The spiritual warfare is beyond belief. Even now, believers are being threatened in this part of the world. We have some national partners that live in the midst of danger. I just prayed with a couple of guys that are concerned for fellow believers that are facing persecution, and it could happen today!?This is not new. We pay very little attention to it, but there is more persecution of Christians going on now than at any time in history. Our media does not report much of it, and oftentimes we do not take note of it.
The fact that so many people are praying for them by name is so very meaningful to them. Your prayers are not in vain. Please do not take this opportunity for granted. They covet and need your prayers. This is a way for those of you at home to make a significant difference in the lives of some great servants of the Lord.
I remind them every day of how this is a project of our entire church. I tell them that there are many that are paying a price so that our team could be here. This is pure ministry, and we are able to invest in the work with about 1.4 billion people. I am not sure how it will work, but this is going to be of great benefit for our entire church family. –
Overwhelming Need
June 30th, 2009
The more time you spend with these missionaries, the more you are impressed with their sense of call in light of the circumstances they have to encounter on a daily basis.
Today I have heard stories of persecution, being forced to leave a country, a family that will have to come home because they have a child that must have special help, and governments moving against Christians.
At the same time, I hear stories of people groups that have just baptized their first believer, churches being started, people that have learned a foreign language just to share the gospel, people groups that have been engaged for the first time, national partners that have joined in our efforts. I could go on and on.
It has also been a reminder to me of the responsibilities that we have at home. The longer I am here, the more I think about our church and the ministry that we have there. We must always remember that the light that shines the farthest shines the brightest at home. While this is a great ministry, I am anxious to get home and get back to the work. –
Great Stories
July 2nd, 2009
Working with these people that are doing such difficult work has been a wonderful experience. They are working in the midst of overwhelming odds. The obstacles that they face are beyond belief and yet they take it in stride as if it were completely normal. Because of their sense of call, they have learned to adapt. They are able to take the complex and make it ordinary in terms of their daily living. There are several lessons that we can apply to our lives and be better for it.
They have a clear sense of purpose. They want their life to count.
They also have a very clear call to be doing what they are doing. They are in the work they are in because they believe that God has put them there. For them, doing what they do is not optional.
They have learned not to take themselves too seriously. I have heard so many stories that blow my mind, but as they tell them, you get the idea that the circumstances are no big deal.
They live with great flexibility. If something does not go their way, they take it in stride and immediately formulate another plan. Most of us panic when we do not get our way. They have learned to adapt, and this has drastically reduced their stress level compared to the rest of us.
They stay focused. They have a clear understanding of what they are supposed to do and they are not easily distracted. They refuse to quit.
They are not selfish and exhibit a great sense of gratitude. They flesh out what they believe. They know that God takes care of them, and they are grateful for the things that God does for them.
These are all things that we can and should have in our lives. It would make a difference in the way we live, and it would have a tremendous impact on those around us.
They say that we live in the Bible belt, but we are surrounded by people who do not understand what it means to be a follower of Christ. This experience has been a reminder to me of what we are to be doing where we live. –
Related stories:
North Spartanburg volunteers sacrifice to go serve God’s servants in South Asia
Southern Baptist missionaries give thanks for South Carolina volunteers
Mike Hamlet urges missionaries to ‘go where no man has gone before’
A South Carolina volunteer learns to trust God as He ‘sets her aside’
South Carolina youth leaders help missionary youth see the ‘true-ish’ of postmodern culture
A missionary mommy helps her 6-year-old step out in faith
Staying connected with Mike Hamlet – in Asia
Hamlet exhorts missionaries in South Asia to run with the power of God
A missionary kid asks God to take his fear and give him faith