My bible study is reading Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper. I'd recommend it. This week, we read a chapter about how part of an un-wasted Christian life is to be involved in foreign missions to unreached people. My honest, initial reaction to thinking about mission work usually involves a good dose of guilt, worry, fear, and sadness. But, reading this chapter and discussing it with my bible study really challenged and convicted me that I need to be involved in foreign missions -in some form- period. I don't know what that will look like in my life, whether I'll be called on a short or long term trip, or whether I'll support missions from the States, but I do know that right now, I have opportunity to pray for and encourage specific people that I know of all over the world. One of the ladies in the group is in between stints on the mission field, and she shared that, while the work is amazing, it is often very lonely and usually slow-going. She said you can't underestimate the power of sending an email, a card, even a pack of lifesavers, to a missionary. Knowing in general that there are people "out there" praying for you is one thing, but having contact with encouragers is another. So, if you know anyone on the mission field, I encourage you to pray for them (maybe even right now!) and let them know somehow that you are supporting them and thankful for the work they are doing to spread the Good News, especially during the Christmas season.

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us-
so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.
May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth.
May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you.
Psalm 67:1-5