Day 5: Commissioned to serve

The PFO classroom

Today we are commissioned for service.

We've finished the first week of Pre-Field Orientation. What a full day! And what a packed week.

W and I sat with some new and increasingly dear friends who are going to Tonga, David and Rhonda. Rhonda and I love the young woman sitting with us. Katie is going to Jakarta: both she and Lindsey (Philippines) are inspiring us with their heart for others.

We heard insights on keeping our family and marriage strong, practical advice on dealing with bugs and polluted water, and got a cookbook to help us make kitchen adjustments with local food substitutions.

We were inspired by a presentation on Apostolic Function. Were we called to maintain a structure? To make people feel good? No. We are sent out to tell the Story! NT-style apostles share the faith, disciple converts, and plant churches.

Commissioning with Russ Turney

At the end of the day, the Regional Director surprises us. W and I are called to the front. We'll miss next week's commissioning service: we leave Tuesday to fly from Seattle to Singapore on Wednesday.

The thing that bothered me most about leaving early was missing the chance to have our leaders pray for us. I also thought we'd miss our Asia Pacific team photoshoot.

The Asia Pacific PFO team 2013

Instead, the Regional and Area Directors and their wives gather around us today, lay hands on us, pray God's sending power and protection, and commission us to go. They give us our certificates and a few gifts, including prayer bookmarks in Bahasa Indonesia. We may be a year away from the field, but our mission work of raising prayer teams and financial support has officially begun.

We are truly grateful. Once in a while I wish I were more weepy. Today (as often happens) my heart is overflowing but my eyes stay dry.

The team leaders take an early photo of us all. So we're even in the pictures! Lindsey and I pause for a quick snap together, too.

Lindsey and I: 2 generations
called to serve

The call has not only been confirmed here. It's grown more specific and stronger. Thanks to all who have prayed for us this week.

Read more:
*Here's our team verse: "If you SPEND YOURSELF in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday." Isaiah 58:10 NIV

Lord, make it so.

Read Lindsay's blog here.