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 Mission work is about love. When Jesus gave His disciples the Great Commission to "go into all the world and preach the gospel", I wonder if He would have imagined the various methods by which His followers would carry that out. St. Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the gospel at all times, and whenever necessary use words". The love of Jesus Christ is unconditional, free, pure and without agenda. God's desire is for all men to come to know the love of Christ, and our job is to love as Christ loved.
Mission work is also about cultural context. In order to truly love as Christ did, we must really understand and appreciate the people around us in their own context, and come to love and appreciate them for who they are. By meeting people where they are and by loving them with the love that we have so richly received, we can truly be a light for those around us and carry out His commission fully.
During the summer of 2002, I collaborated with Edith Ruiz, a gifted piano accompanist from Mexico City. We became great friends, made wonderful music and shared in our desires to see the love of Jesus Christ go forth to the nations. I knew that God was calling me to share in a music and service based ministry with her in Mexico City and the beginnings of that ministry started in February of 2004 with several concerts and worship services. Future trips to Mexico City will be planned in the years ahead.
My first trip to India will take place in May of this year. I will join my fiancee, Nathan Tighe, in helping to run a summer camp for 3 weeks for 68 orphaned children at the Sri Ram Orphanage, in the northern state of Uttaranchal, near the town of Haridwar. The website for Sri Ram is http://sriramfoundation.org/sriramfoundation/ . Please check my website frequently for updates about this mission work, and please contact me if you are interested in traveling with us to India in the future. |
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