Holding the Rope!

by Wendy Tatro
International Director of
Living Word Missions




Yesterday I visited www.askamissionary.com. It's a website that offers responses from real missionaries to the various questions people ask regarding missions. I clicked on the top question, "Why do many missionaries join agencies?"

The responses warmed my heart because they represented what LWM is all about:

Membercare          
Encouragement by Team
Strategic planning  
Response in crisis
Supervision            
Administrative help
Training                
Pastoral care
Prayer covering    
Accountability

One missionary wrote, "To not have a missions agency is asking for disaster." Wow!

It reminded me of recent comments I've received from our own missionaries:

"Thank you once again for helping us when we needed you the most." 
"I have precious few people in my life that understand where I am coming from with this kind of stuff...thank you for being there for us." 
"Thanks for the pastoral care you are providing. Thanks to all who stand with you to serve us." 
"Thank you for all of these wonderful teaching resources. We are blessed!!"
"Thanks for the updates. This shows how much you care about us on the field."
"Thank you for the iPod. It is really a blessing to my life. It is better than the dollars you could have given to us in cash."
"Thanks for being there for us. It is a pleasure."

In 1793, William Carey, now considered the father of modern world missions, was preparing to sail with his family to India. He told his supporters in England, "I will go down, but remember that you must hold the rope."

What a privilege you and I have in "holding the rope" for our missionaries! I thank God for your partnership in such an awesome responsibility.

With love and gratitude,
Wendy