OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (BP)–Recently, a list of the best places to be a mother was printed. It ran in many papers in the United States and around the world. I think Sweden won and America was 11th. But what really caught my attention was the country in 116th place, next to last. I am writing this from that country called Burkina Faso.
Burkina Faso is poor and overpopulated. The village where I am has no electricity or running water. There are no cars and no hospitals. Many of the people are Muslims and many have little knowledge of the Gospel message.
When Jesus said to make disciples of all nations, he surely didn’t mean Burkina Faso, did he? He wouldn’t expect us to leave the comforts of our homes and share the love of Christ with no electricity, would he?
Many Christians in America are nervous about serving in volunteer missions these days. But I am grateful that God continues to lead people to volunteer in international missions. The world is open to the message of God’s love.
Many of the people of these remote villages are open to learning about Christ. Even many Muslims are asking us to tell them about the message of Jesus. There is an openness and a hunger to know and learn. I am grateful God allowed me and others from First Baptist Church in O’Fallon, Ill., where I pastor, to be instruments God uses to accomplish His purposes.
The work here is accomplished through some amazing career missionaries and a small army of fabulous Journeymen and summer missionaries. A retired couple serves here through the International Service Corps program. These people serve sacrificially and effectively and cannot be replaced. But their work is supplemented through short-term volunteer mission groups like ours.
Southern Baptists, let’s not forget the joy of sacrifice. Let’s not miss these days of opportunity. Let’s continue to go when God leads us to volunteer missions. God is at work all over the world, including the next-to-worst place to be a mother!
Join me in asking the Lord of the harvest to raise up laborers. And just maybe you could be an answer to that prayer.
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Doug Munton is senior pastor of First Baptist Church in O’Fallon, Ill. (BP) photo posted in the BP Photo Library at https://www.bpnews.net. Photo title: OPPORTUNITY.
