It Takes A Team.

Missionaries require a team, or are part of a team, to accomplish the goals set before them by God.  It takes a team to accomplish what we do. 

I would like to praise a native team member in this blog post.  It may seem like a small thing, but when the small things are handled well and with excellence, the bigger things flow smoothly.  

Sundays are very long days here.  We incorporate both our bible and our services on Sundays.  

Mornings involve setting up early because our church plant is mobile, followed by the bible school where a 

foundational, yet deep, Word is prepared to serve those who are training to become leaders.  

Photo credit:  unknown

Noon or shortly after, bible school closes, and the team prepares for services to begin around 1:30pm.  The reason for having such a late service is that our vision is to train and prepare leaders in this country to serve God and train their own people in solid Bible teaching.  By holding our service after lunch, leaders from other churches may attend our service for training to take back to their people.  

Because the day is a very long day, and many of the volunteers and the team are working most of the day, we have a mobile coffee bar serving coffee, various teas, and snacks.  We also encourage members to come early and stay late to enjoy fellowship with each other over coffee or tea.  

This brings me to the team member I would like to praise.  Yesterday was an anniversary service, requiring much of the coffee bar team in regards to serving the people during the normal time frames and for a special party after the service in honor of the anniversary.  

Photo credit:  unknown

We will call him J...  The coffee bar falls under hospitality, one of the departments under my responsibilities.   J... is the volunteer supervisor overseeing the coffee bar itself.  After receiving basic instructions regarding what was expected of the coffee bar, the coffee bar team, display, serving, etc... J's responsibility is to not only carry out the instructions, but to also think through the details and manage the team to make it happen.  He did so yesterday with excellence.  J... thought ahead and made preparation in advance in such a way that all possible "glitches" were prevented and prepared for, and all went smoothly.  The people in attendance were able to enjoy fellowship without long lines, waiting, etc.  It was perfect.  

Often team members or volunteers work very hard and do not feel appreciated.  

Their part in what we do is invaluable.  We could not accomplish what we do to the magnitude that we do without them.