Mobilisation

Today we had morning tea with the pastor (and his wife) who married us nearly thirteen years ago. These people are special. They immigrated to Australia from Ireland a year before we were married to be pastor of our church. He was on the missions committee of our church at the time we began to apply to OMF International. They were at our farewell from that church nearly 10 years ago too. They have been through considerable suffering themselves - a near fatal accident, permanent injury, serious conflict within a church and unemployment. And now they are going themselves (in their 50s) - to teach English at a church in Japan for a year.
There were many dimensions to our conversation today - from reminiscing to practical advice to discussion about mission in general and many stories of their varied experiences.

There are many things I could write about our meeting, but one sticks in my mind. She remembered something we said on the actual eve of our departure the first time in 2000 (I only remember being very emotional and terrified). We apparently were interviewed before the whole church and were asked, "Why are you going to Japan?" The answer (I presume David gave) was "Because of the Great Commission". This stuck in her mind all these years as she's never heard anyone say that.  Apparently most people give a longer winded version of what they consider their "call". Obviously David cut to the chase that day. We still agree. The great commission is out there for every Christian - no special divine lightning bolt from heaven is necessary.

One of the things that is part of our role as missionaries, especially on home assignment, is "mobilisation". Similar to the business term "recruitment". It is a rather nebulous part of our role. And, as it turns out, we do mobilisation just by being us and answering the questions. Another person told me last year that just us doing what we do is challenging to those around us. Amazing how God uses us without us even knowing!

P.S. The photo, by the way, is of some of our friends at church our last day in Australia in 2000.