“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25
Each year LIA has the privilege of hosting mission teams from our church partners around the US. These teams visit our local church partners in the African and Caribbean countries were we serve. Many of you have partnered with us by serving on a team in the past, some multiple times even! We are grateful for the servant hearts of hundreds of our brothers and sisters, and the encouragement these teams provide on the field.
We are in the midst of our busiest team season of the year. In fact, as I write to you the LIA staff is currently hosting two teams in Kenya – the Mi2 interns, who will be in the country for three months, and a youth team from one of our partner churches. And we have an additional 12 teams preparing to be with us this year, including medical, family and pastoral training groups. While our country offices prepare to receive these teams, I ask that you join me in praying over these trips.
Join us in thanking God for the willingness of these team members to answer God’s call, journey half way across the world and come alongside our staff, local church partners and community members.
Pray for all of the participants preparing to embark on their trips. Many are traveling out of their comfort zones and will encounter the harsh realities of our beneficiaries’ daily lives. Ask that the Lord would prepare their hearts for this experience, reveal himself to them through all situations and guide them in how they should pray, act and respond in all circumstances. Many will also come with certain expectations of what their trip experience will look like, and come to realize that their role on the field is really to encourage their brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray that all would be open to the lessons God would teach them through their fellow believers, however humbling they may be.
Ask that the Lord would also prepare members from communities where LIA serves, as they share their testimonies and lives with visiting teams and that their expectations would also be managed appropriately by God. Cover the LIA staff in prayer as they get ready to receive the teams and lead them through communities, teaching about what God has already accomplished and currently working on. Pray that the teams visiting will be a blessing to the communities in more ways that are immediately observed.
Please pray also for the Mi2 interns – that their three-month experience would help shape their view of the world, their futures and God’s calling for their lives.
Finally, pray that trip participants, staff and community members would all consider how they might be able to stir up one another in love, inspiring one another in their walks with Christ and drawing closer as members of the body of Christ.
Thank you for joining with us in prayer over these special teams and for your continued faithfulness towards the ministry.
In Christ,
Florence
