A Prayerful Send-0ff

On Wednesday night, the entire team had the priviledge to stand before the church body attending the 6:30pm service at CCFL to be "sent off" as missionaries. Pastor Kelly Lyon shared with the church some of the statistics about the AIDS epidemic in Zimbabwe, and that our call as Christians is to reach out to the sick and suffering in our world. Did you know that approximately 1.8 million people are infected with the HIV/AIDS virus in Zimbabwe, which accounts for nearly 30% of the population of the country? There are thousands upon thousands of children left orphaned as a result. Pastor Bob had the church stretch out their hands as he prayed that God would protect the team, provide them great opportunities for ministry and that the love, compassion and hope of Jesus would be shared with many during the trip.

"For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me." Then these righteous ones will reply, "Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?" And the King will tell them, "I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' Matthew 25:35-40