THE COMPASSIONATE EDGE MARCH 2021

Hello Friends,

Ever notice how something can have both a positive and negative effect? Take for example pressure (or stress). Just enough can help our physical, mental, or spiritual muscles to grow. Too little can cause atrophy. And, as we all well know, too much stress can cause damage.

2020 was a pressure-packed year. At times, I felt frustrated and overwhelmed by it. But other times I've appreciated how we as a ministry (and a ministry couple) have grown because of it.

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE: A global pandemic challenged us to do ministry differently this year and I appreciate how CompassionLink rose to the challenge. In February, CompassionLink hosted a virtual missions trip (VMT) to Siberia. Registered participants from all over the US received an experience box (full of culturally relevant materials) and evenings filled with teaching and training by our host missionaries in Siberia (via Zoom) and our wonderful colleagues at CompassionLink.

WHERE COMPASSIONLINK THRIVES: Blessed to manage a huge compound in Costa Rica (that used to be the Royal Ranger campground), David and Amy Cartwright are all about equipping national pastors with Bible training and church planting tools. Likewise, the Cartwrights desire to empower indigenous pastors with sustainable community development techniques to help them be self-supporting. Of course, this is where CompassionLink thrives. For the last few months, Stuart has been working closely with the Cartwrights to make this a reality. Please pray for this continuing work and the opportunity to travel there soon. To learn more about what the Cartwrights are doing, click here.

Gardens are as varied as the cultures they grow in. 

Stuart and the sustainable development team help find creative solutions for all sorts of growing conditions.

ONGOING TRAINING: Recently, Stuart participated in CHE training. CHE (Community Health Evangelism) is another exciting and proven ministry strategy that integrates evangelism, discipleship, and church planting with community health and development. To learn more about CHE’s impact and purpose click here.

Tilapia eggs going into the tumbler are just a part of the circle of life.

PREPARING NEW MISSIONARIES: As IM's regional trainer, Wendy welcomed our new missionaries to International Ministries during our spring candidate orientation. At AGWM we expect our candidates to be fully versed in our core values and competencies, but we also recognize that this is a life-long process that only begins at orientation. Wendy continues the teaching throughout the year so that our missionaries are continuously equipped.

A YEAR OF LONGING: Lent is the season of longing and waiting. Giving up something to focus more intently on something (or someone) else. March 2020 began the longest season of Lent I've ever experienced, if you know what I mean. As I look back on the past year I wonder: How well did I wait in the longing? How steadfast was I in the discomfort? How patient was I with the disruption? I won't answer out loud, but God knows where I shined bright and where I stumbled in the dark.

In 2017, Stuart and I experienced a deadly and devastating earthquake in Mexico City. In a matter of minutes, hundreds of people lost their lives, and thousands became displaced. People didn't complain about staying home; they had no home to go back to. For months, many had no job to go back to. And too many others had no mothers or fathers or children to go back to, ever. 

Sometimes our fasts and sacrifices are intentional, like participating in Lent. Other times they are imposed, like during a pandemic or the aftermath of an earthquake. In either case, we have a choice in how we'll respond. We can face the challenge, grow through it with grace, and produce the fruit of the Spirit or we can curse the darkness, shrivel up with selfishness, and die on the vine.

Jesus calls his disciples to do hard things. As a US-born Christian, I find myself in the unenviable position as a citizen of two competing kingdoms. One calls me to love my country above all else and fight for my individual rights and one calls me to love God with my whole heart and lay down my rights to love my neighbor as myself. Why do I struggle with such an obvious choice? Only one kingdom will reign forever.

Like a roman centurion, the season of longing remains vigilant. The cross waits for me. Yet the dawning sun pierces the horizon and bids me to wait in hope.

Stuart & Wendy

GLOBALLY ASSIGNED /GLOBALLY ENGAGED

SERVING THE WORLD

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We, at CompassionLink, are a team of experienced, educated, and equipped missionary personnel who partner with missionaries, community leaders, and ministers across the globe. In a nutshell, we serve those who serve; we equip those who equip; and we train those who train to establish a strong indigenous church worldwide.

The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose . . . 

We are God’s servants, working together (1 Cor 3:8-9 NRSV).

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