What is at stake?
Sometimes, it is tiresome.
So often we forget why the Lord leaves us here on earth and why He does not take us home to be with Him. Then I remember something I read years ago and it gives me purpose.
Sir Robert Anderson was the head of the criminal investigation department of Scotland Yard in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. He spent his life fighting crime and defending the authority of Scripture and the deity of Christ.
He mentioned that the Lord, at this time, is ruling on a throne of grace but in the future He will be ruling on a throne of judgment. While He is ruling in grace, we should be about His business which, knowing the terror of the Lord, is why we persuade men to come to Him.
All of us have a part in this process. Some are telling as many as they can, some are praying for laborers, some are giving to help those who spend their time and energy reaching and teaching those who do not know.
Whatever the part, we are partners together with Him being involved in what is important to Him. One day, He will return and we will not be able to reach any more people.
Sometimes, it is discouraging.
Because we live where we do, (Wichita, KS) sometimes the distances between meetings are far apart. I just returned from a trip where I traveled from Wichita to LaGrange, WY to Cape Girardeau, MO to Camdenton, MO back to Wichita. 2,200 miles of a lot of bucket seat time. Not complaining, just letting you know that it is not all talking to people all the time.
We have had cases where we spoke in a church and the pastor came up to us and said that he did not get this “missions” thing. We just sat there in stunned silence.
Other times, we have talked to folks who are interested in missions but are not willing to take the time to be trained well so that they can do a quality work. They are in such a hurry to get there that they are willing to forgo thinking of the ramifications of what there decision will entail.
Others are just not interested. They are just “along for the ride.” BUT. . .
Sometimes, it is just plain exhilarating.
There are times when I get weary going down the road but I think of those who have given their lives to reach those who will never hear unless someone physically goes and tells them. Then we get to meet those who ARE willing to go to the uttermost part of the earth. Then we see them in the training and finally, we get to read their letters as they are learning language and culture and getting ready to share the Redemptive Story with these dear tribal people. It makes it all worth it.
Thank you so much
Cheryl and I want to thank you for all your care for us and for tribal people. Without your prayers and support it would be difficult for us to find those laborers who are willing to make the sacrifice to leave family, friends, country & culture to fulfill the Lord’s Great Commission.
As you are driving to work and down the road, please remember us as we also travel down the road. The price of gas especially hits us as that is what our ministry is, driving.
Take care and we love you all. Praying that the Lord will use you where you are at to help people see and understand who the Lord really is.
Yours for His name’s sake,
Doug & Cheryl Schaible
Travels
January
Newark, OH – Crossroads Baptist Church
Cedarville, OH – Cedarville University
Perspectives – Hutchinson, KS
Camdenton, MO – NTM Training Center
Oklahoma City – Northwest Baptist Church
February
Perspectives – OKC
LaGrange, WY – Frontier School of the Bible
Cape Girardeau, MO – Cape Bible Chapel
Camdenton, MO – NTM Training Center
Kansas City, MO – Northwest Bible Church
March
Dallas, TX – Dallas Seminary
Perspectives – Topeka & Manhattan, KS
April
Dallas, TX – Criswell College
Perspectives – Cape Girardeau & Arnold, MO
Perspectives – Hutchinson, KS
Fort Worth, TX – Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Perspectives – Hays, Dodge City & Great Bend, KS
1st Presbyterian Church – Kosciusko, MS
May
Ebenezer Baptist Church – Ebenezer, MS
Dallas Chinese Fellowship Church
July
1st Baptist Church – Sunrise Beach, MO
Whispering Winds Bible Camp
New Heights Fellowship – Fayetteville, AR
EAA Airshow for NTMA – Oshkosh, WI