Today is a very special day for me. Early this morning, byGod's grace, I will be leaving to go to Dulles Airport to meet with a team ofabout twenty people on a mission trip to Guatemala. For the next week we'llhave the privilege of partnering with local pastors and churches as weencourage believers, minister to families, meet practical needs, and mostimportantly, share the wonderful Gospel of Jesus Christ. BeforeI leave, I want to thank so many of you who have given donations and prayed forthis trip over the past several weeks. Your encouragement has meant so much tome. I would also ask that you continue praying for our entire team throughoutthis week. Please pray for safe travel, good health, strength for each day,unity among our team members, open doors for ministry, and most of all, thatmany people would come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. AsI thought about this trip, I couldn't help but think of the verses we've beenstudying together in Philippians chapter 4. After thanking the believers atPhilippi for their faithful support, Paul writes in verse 18: "But Ihave all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the thingswhich were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable,well pleasing to God." What a beautiful picture! The Philippians hadsent a financial gift to meet Paul's needs. Humanly speaking, Epaphrodituscarried that gift from Philippi all the way to Rome. But when it reached Paul,he didn't simply see money. He saw worship. He saw love. He saw sacrifice. Mostof all, he saw something that had risen all the way to Heaven as "asweet-smelling savor... well pleasing to God." Thatexpression takes us back to the Old Testament. When sacrifices were offered tothe Lord with sincere hearts and in obedience to His Word, the Bible often saysthey were "a sweet savor unto the Lord." It wasn't the aromaof the sacrifice itself that pleased God. It was the loving obedience and faithbehind it. The same principle is true today. Whenever we give ourselves toGod's work—whether through our prayers, our encouragement, our resources, orour service—God sees it as an act of worship. Thatreminds us that missions is never just about those who go. It is also aboutthose who pray. Those who encourage. Those who faithfully stand behind the workof God. Every believer has the privilege of participating in the GreatCommission. As our team travels to Guatemala today, we are not going alone. Weare going as representatives of our churches, our families, and so many friendswho have prayed faithfully for us. In a very real sense, you are sharing inthis ministry through your prayers before God's throne. Aswe said yesterday, perhaps you cannot travel across the world. Perhaps your ageor your health would not allow it. But every one of us can pray. Every one ofus can encourage someone serving Christ. Every one of us can participate inwhat God is doing around the world. Jesus said in Matthew 28:19–20, "Goyou therefore, and teach all nations... and, lo, I am with you always, evenunto the end of the world." Romans 10:14-15 reminds us that some arecalled to go. Others are called to send. Still others are called to pray. Buttogether, we all share in the privilege of making Christ known. Sotoday, I would simply ask you to remember our team in prayer each day thisweek. Pray that God would prepare hearts before we arrive. Pray that He wouldgive us wisdom, compassion, and strength. Pray that every conversation, everymessage, every act of kindness, and every opportunity to serve would bringhonor and glory to our Lord Jesus Christ. Ifthe Lord provides good internet service, I hope to send along a brief dailyupdate so you can rejoice with us in what God is doing and know how to praymore specifically. Thank you again for your love, your friendship, andespecially your faithful prayers.
