Eagerly Awaiting

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.”
Romans 8: 18-21


Recently, Emily and I were watching a TV show (on DVD) and a character said, “I believe in Heaven. If I had to choose between this earth and Heaven, I would choose Heaven.”

Amen.

Yet, I am still here. So, what do I do? Romans 8 says we, creation waits eagerly. Do we really wait eagerly?

With the College and Career class at CBC in March I watched a sermon on missions. (If any of you are reading this can you e-mail me how to get that sermon. jesselyautey@yahoo.com) The speaker challenged those in the audience that we, as Christians, really don’t want to see God’s kingdom come.

If we did there still wouldn’t be over 3,000 people groups and almost 2 billion people in the Last Frontier (the 10/40 window) alone that still need to hear the name of Christ.

The big project I am working on right now is helping to develop training material for volunteers, partnering and engaging churches. Volunteers work with IMB personnel doing whatever is need to further God's kingdom. Partnering churches work with IMB personnel in a people group with more than 100,000 people and engaging churches take on the groups less than 100,000 in population. (They have help in the beginning from missionaries on the Engagement Team.)

In West Africa, about 40 people groups have IMB personnel working among them. The Hausa, Sokoto Fulani, Songhai, Tureg, Zerma, Jahanka, Wala, Wolof, Sereer are just a few that I worked with over the last year.

About 300 don’t have IMB personnel. I have visited the Senufo, Senara, Mossi, Konyanke, and many others. I've seen engaging churches and associations start by sharing the story of Jesus.

This project could bring hundreds of churches from America to West Africa with the sole goal: to start a Church Planting Movement.

That’s if we really are eagerly awaiting the kingdom of God.

For more information about partnering or engaging churches go to www.gowestafrica.org and click on Your Church on Missions.

Easter

Today, Monday, is a national holiday in Cote D'Ivoire--Easter Day

All business and government offices are closed to celebrate the risen Lord. How cool is that? It is because this country celebrates both Christian and Muslim holidays.

Saturday night we dyed Easter eggs! Fun times




















Sunday, I went to church with Emily and another couple and we looked forward to our 3 ½ hour service.

(This is the church where we have an English Bible study every Sunday night.) Well, each Bible study had to perform a short piece in celebration of Easter.

We sang.

That’s right…Emily and I stood up with our group and sang a song in English…in front of the whole church.

Our good friend Olivia stood next to me, literally shoving the mike in my face (a little uncomfortable, I think I did blush). But, we made it and the church loved that Emily and I involved ourselves in the churches activities.



I really enjoyed the Sermon on John 20: 1-10. The pastor focused on Christ resurrection and how we should celebrate. Easter was such a beautiful day with lots of dancing, singing and enjoying each others company.

Later, the whole mission gathered for a late lunch. I cooked zucchini! It was a great time of talking, relaxing and eating...