I'm starting to realize that we might be crazy. A special kind of crazy. I remember hearing Erwin McManus speak at a leadership conference and he talked about how missionaries need to be crazy in order to spend their entire life passionately devoted to the cause. I believe this message eventually became his book "The Barbarian Way." He definitely has a point. Lately Dan has been telling people about his new passion in life and how he's leaving his job and evangelizing Africa. He tends to get this look of shock, then disbelief (because, after all, he is a great jokester), then amazement, then the bullying starts or the dismissal and uncomfortable subject change. Very few people have truly understood what it is God is calling him to do. I have to admit that at first I couldn't fully understand. I wanted to understand. I understood intellectually, but I couldn't feel it. I could see the look in his eyes and the fire in his belly was undeniable, but I didn't have the same conviction. But God knew I needed to experience Africa for myself. And I needed to hear Him say 'go.' Not because Dan is going or because of any other reason except that God said 'go.'
We know another couple, actually are related to them. They are also crazy. They are the ones who started all this missionary business within the family. Ray & Mary Berryman. They are constantly travelling the globe, taking every single opportunity possible to share the Gospel with anyone who will listen. And people definitely are listening. They've had the chance to meet heads of state in lots of countries. They've dined with multi-millionaires and with paupers. They've eaten things that shouldn't even be spoken of. They've slept at the Ritz and they've slept under the stars in Africa. They don't do this for themselves. They do it because God also said 'go.' And because of their example and encouragement and prayers, we are headed down a similar path.
Here's an excerpt from their prayer letter for their trip to Spain this coming weekend. Whether you're a prayer warrior or not, I know they would appreciate as much prayer as possible for this outreach.
In this once religious Catholic nation, most of the population is now secular and have little interest in hearing about Christianity. However, people are desperately searching for meaning in life at this time as they see unrest and Islam knocking at their door. This sets the stage to have people become more open to seek solutions to their current state of affairs, resulting in a more friendly reception of biblical truths.
This is our first outreach to the leadership in Spain and we are hoping that the hearts of the people will be open to the truths that can transform their nation...As a follow up to these meetings, the new believers and seekers will be connected with existing Christian leaders there to help provide fellowship and discipleship of those that are interested in learning more...
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