Which Answer Are You Looking For?
People are asking a lot of questions (which I love!). They want to know what Candidate Seminar is going to be like. They want to know how much money we'll have to raise and how we'll do it. They want to know when we'll actually get to Spain, and what we'll do when we get there. If we're not going to be employed in the traditional sense, what will we be doing? And, are we really planning to move there permanently? I only know half-answers to these questions (for one, our plans belong to the Lord. Chris and I could make plans all day long and we'd still only have half-answers). We want to know the answers to some of them ourselves! In time, I know.
But they also want to know, "what is the point?" Sometimes I think they're asking questions about the details but they really want to know about the mission. I try to word my answers the right way. Yes, we're going to tell people about Jesus and that translates to "converting people," but what we really and truly want is for people to see that they are missing something they might have thought impossible: a deep and fulfilling relationship with a loving God. It absolutely is about salvation of souls. But from God's perspective, that means more than just being saved from an eternity separated from Him. Because the opposite is an eternity with Him, and that eternity starts immediately. We want to walk alongside people as they "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34).
Oh, how this scripture is packed with our desire for people! Tasting and seeing that the Lord is good is an active, continual experience. Psalm 34 also says, "blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" and "those who fear him have no lack!" (side note to say I love the exclamation points!)
We're going to Spain because we have - experienced God's goodness - taken refuge in God and been blessed - lacked nothing because of God
We're going to Spain because we want people to - experience God's goodness (Psalm 27:13-14, 1 Peter 2:3) - take refuge in God and be blessed (2 Samuel 22:31, Psalm 5:11, 118:8) - lack nothing; be content in all circumstances (Luke 3:14, 2 Corinthians 12:10, Philippians 4:11)