MISSIONARY JOURNEY: Jason Davis, apprentice

 

“and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.”  Luke 21:38  NIV

 

                An apprentice has to choose a mentor.  (I am always humbled when someone puts that level of trust in my hands.)  Apprentices also get to choose when they will accept mentoring.  Jason has a habit of showing up early in the morning.  This impresses me to no end!  Not only does he understand the finer points of coffee consumption, but frankly, my mind works better in the morning these days.  Some apprentices are more comfortable in the public meeting arena.  But Jason specializes in the small group and one-on-one teaching experience.  Jason’s efforts in Christian stewardship and development are greatly aided by this approach.  One of the missionary skills enshrined in our team strategy is “The point of greatest transformational leverage is a transformed person.”  Jason has witnessed the power of this principle and is building on it!

      

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”  Matthew 5:14  NIV

Humbled,

Brian, Sondra, Noah, & Bryson

 

 

Pictured above:  Jason interacting with one of God’s creatures.

 

MISSIONARY JOURNEY: Mentoring

 

“What you have heard me teach publicly you should teach to others. Share these teachings with people you can trust. Then they will be able to teach others these same things.”  2 Timothy 2:2 ERV

 

                One of the great joys of missionary life is when one gets the opportunity to mentor an apprentice over a 2 year period.  I was fortunate to have this experience in my formation as a young missionary and have endeavored to return the favor.  Prior to this year, I have been privileged to mentor 10 amazing apprentices.  I am currently mentoring 6 very special people here in Mumena.  I want to devote the next few Journey’s to these couples as they are accepting the challenge to be entrusted with the building blocks of eternity!     

 

Privileged,

Brian, Sondra, Noah, & Bryson

P.S.  Happy Holidays!

 

 

Pictured above:  Our missionary team (apprentices underlined).  [from left to right] Sam & Ellie Rodriguez, Whitney & Jeremy Davis, Karen & Rick Love, Erin & Jason Davis, Brian & Sondra Davis

                                  Missionary kids [from left to right]:  Matthew Love, Emily Love, Lydia Love, Bryson Davis, Noah Davis, Caleb Love

 

 

 

MISSIONARY JOURNEY: Servant hood Leadership

“…and whosoever would be first among you, shall be servant of all.”  Mark 10:44 ASV

                Every once in a while, a missionary gets to see the fruit.  While at a women’s Bible school training seminar among the Congolese refugees, we witnessed Congolese church leaders cooking and preparing a meal for the ladies of the congregation.  They had built their little grass kitchen, prepared a traditional meal, and even washed all of the dishes.  After the seminar, I asked the women what they thought of the servant hood leadership of their church.  To which they responded, “Well, they aren’t very good cooks… but we really enjoyed not having to wash the dishes!”

                O.K.  Next lesson series:  gratitude.

 

Step by step,

Brian, Sondra, Noah, & Bryson

 

 

Pictured above:  Congolese church leaders serving a meal to the ladies of the congregation!