Rancho el Paraiso (mg photo)
I learned the news last night. 3 members of a mission team from the Atlanta area were killed while riding in a truck on their way to a village in rural Honduras. I’ve been in those trucks and on those roads. My prayers continue … the families of those who lost their lives, those injured, the mission team, the staff at the Ranch and the HOI staff in Decatur, the churches involved…
As people of faith we are called to live out God’s love and justice in the world. For me, that call is reflected when Jesus opens the scroll and reads the words from the prophet Isaiah:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4)
Even though I speak of the risk involved when we head out on a trip, the reality of the news is a gut punch. I remember a conversation Jeff and I had with a member of a congregation regarding insurance issues surrounding youth ministry. He was requesting that we never leave the church grounds due to the liability involved. Jeff and I listened (as best we could!). We understood where he was coming from. It was his job to make sure we were “covered.” It was a matter of perspective and we attempted to explain that ministry – following God’s call – was inherently risky. Although we would do all we could to insure the safety of the young people we were working with, staying on the church grounds was really not an option.
I continue to hear those concerns and I bet they are intensified after the news today. “That’s why we shouldn’t be going to foreign countries to do mission work – besides, there is plenty to do in our own neighborhoods.” Yep, that’s true – there is plenty to do in our own neighborhoods but to stay “home” because it is “safe” is denying the risk that is involved in any act of life much less faith!
But we can’t stop doing what God is calling us to do – wherever that might be.
The Church is called to undertake this mission even at the risk of losing its life, trusting in God alone as the author and giver of life, sharing the gospel, and doing those deeds in the world that point beyond themselves to the new reality in Christ. (Book of Order, PCUSA, G-3.0400)
The life of Christ – is there any better example of the risks involved in being faithful? Of course, we’ll set limits. Some of us have higher risk thresholds than others. Life in community demands that we listen to the concerns and desires of each member and discern God’s voice. We will continue to hold each other accountable and live within the constructs of human organizations but we can’t turn inward because of this news.
Measure the risks but don’t lose sight of who is calling us and what we are called to do.
February 7, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Kerri, Thanks for this, friend.
February 8, 2007 at 10:47 pm
[...] this one) to publicize them more easily, but I’m trying to drop that one.Unfortunately, it appears 3 members of a mission team from Atlanta were killed in Honduras over the weekend. I’d strongly recommending reading this well-considered post on risk in our lives as [...]
February 11, 2007 at 8:53 pm
I agree about taking risks – we all breathe a sigh of relief when our kids return safely. If ever in doubt of the impact of taking risks, our Youth Sunday meditations answered that question today. I am continually in awe of the passion of our youth. Lessons learned on those ‘trips’ are such a huge part of their jouney of faith. The picure above was used in a slideshow with There is a Balm in Gilead playing in the background. Tissue time.
Stay warm!
February 11, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Hi Kay
I can’t tell you what a relief it was when I would drive into the parking lot and return your kids. It is amazing the trust you put into our hands. I’m sure youth Sunday was a great morning. Hugs to you!