In our discussion in class today, one woman said, "They don't want to hear a reasoned explanation. They want to see something beautiful." She was talking about taking the message of God's love to Ireland. I expect her insight will predominantly be true for those in Puerto Supe as well. Isn't it true in North Carolina?

Her perspective has significant implications for mission preparation. My emphasis is not on learning what to say, how to defend God's messages through arguments, developing good teaching for reaching out to nonbelievers and for the spiritual growth of believers. The emphasis is on submitting myself more and more to the precious grace of God, that He can continually shape me into the image of Jesus. The emphasis is on personal emotional growth in the power of the Holy Spirit, working through the issues that hold me back from experiencing life, people and God to the full. The emphasis is on growing in love, understanding and devotion in my marriage, that it would truly be a picture of the relationship between God and His people (as the Bible describes it in Ephesians). A more whole, healed, free me is the "something beautiful" that brings me joy, brings God pleasure, and invites others into the restoration offered through Jesus Christ.

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