What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9
“I am a missionary, heart and soul. God had only one Son and He was a missionary and a physician. I am a poor imitation of Him, or wish to be. In this service I hope to live, in it I wish to die. I am immortal until my work is accomplished and although I see few results, future missionaries will see conversions following every sermon. May they not forget the pioneers who worked in the thick gloom with few rays to cheer, except such as flow from faith in the precious promises of God’s Word.”
David Livingstone in a letter to his family in 1850 as recounted in Livingstone’s Hospital: The Story of Chitambo, edited by Marion A. Currie (Bloomington: AuthorHouse, 2011) 44
As I reflect on the recent fruits of the GTP program work in Africa, I want to acknowledge the missionary service of David Livingston among others. They gave their lives to lay a foundation for the flourishing of future ministries. And they taught people us to hold on to God’s precious promises.
If you missed it yesterday, take seven minutes to watch this GTP Palmful of Maize video. See how God is working in the nation and hear how it is bringing people to Christ. But don’t just watch it. Make a gift and host a watch party with your friends or at your church. Click here for a kit. Why?
This vision to “give God what you have” is not only breaking the cycle of external dependency and solving the hunger issue in Malawi without outside support, it’s saving souls. And I must admit, when I was in Malawi, I realized that I was aiming too low.
I wanted to see local giving growing. God wanted to see the church growing. He had a bigger vision in view. Today I acknowledge that growth is happening there in part because people like Livingstone who generously gave their lives as pioneers who planted their lives as seed.
And thanks for y0ur prayers for my current travels. Stations of Generosity went great yesterday with Spanish translation in Puerto Montt, Chile, hosted by Caminando en Victoria. Today I speak again before departing in the evening on the night leg of my journey to Panama. Continued prayers appreciated.