November 22, 2003

Moving the Finish Line

Right now I feel like I am in a race. That race is called deputation. For those of you not in the know, deputation is the process of going from church to church presenting your field--in hopes that people and churches will commit to prayer and financial support. Once we achieve a certain amount of financial support, the race is over and we can go to the field.

I love the race. Deputation has been one of the best experiences of my life. I get to be in many different churches, meet all kinds of people, and share the burden for Brazil that God has put on my heart. However, the obvious goal of every race is the finish line.

Imagine being in a race. You run hard, expending tremendous amounts of energy. You come around a bend, feeling that you have made some progress, only to be told that the finish line has been moved to a point more distant.

Did you imagine it? Did you feel any frustration? That is my feeling as I write this blog. For very legitamate reasons, the amount of financial support that we need to raise has gone up. This comes at a time when we are constantly reminded of how much our presence in Brazil would be a help to those who are already laboring there.

The thought of quitting the race has never occurred to us. We will press on, even if it takes us ten years or more. I can't help but wonder, however, how many more times the finish line will be moved before we get to Brazil.

One day, however, you will read in this blog that we have made it to Brazil. One race will be over, and another one will have begun.

Posted by Andrew on November 22, 2003 12:20 PM.