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Unsure of what to expect, new crew sign up the Mercy Ministries opportunity book, to be part of the team that visits Lazare’s Orphanage, every Thursday and Saturday mornings. Among the 27 children at Lazare’s Orphanage many with special needs, age ranging from infants to age 13. In the Bible orphans along with widows are considered deserving poor . James states that true religion accepted by God id to “look after orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:26-27). For some visiting with the children is equally important for them and for the children. They come to give, but end up receiving more than they bargained for. The expression it is better to give than to receive becomes real to them. So they give their presence, their time, and their affection. They spend their time teaching Bible stories, crafts and songs, or just snuggle with the children.

Continuing in the subject of education being the last frontier in missions it is imperative to note the importance of obedience in the Gospel. The Apostle Paul urges Christians in Rome to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and to the Philippians he encourages them to follow the example of Jesus whose obedience to the Father lead to death in the cross.  When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he focused first on the person of the Father. Jesus told them to acknowledge the Father’s holiness, second to ask for his Kingdom to come, and third to ask for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Then he focused on our needs: Give us our daily bread, forgive our debts as we forgive others debt, and guard us from temptation and deliver us from evil. In the first part of his teaching on prayer, Jesus linked the coming of the Kingdom with God’s will on earth the same way it is in heaven. The word will here mean wish, desire, intentions, an...

In this post I like to expand on the subject of education being the last frontier in mission. However, before expound on the matter we need to understand the place of education in Jesus command to his disciples, the Great Commission . In the Gospel of Matthew chapter 28:19-20, Jesus gives the following instruction to his disciples; the same command applies to us: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of age.” NIV There are two commands in this passage. The first is to go disciple nations and the second is to teach them to obey, but teach them to obey what? Teach them to obey Jesus’ command of love God and love others. Jesus says in the Gospel of John: “If you love me, keep my commands”, and “my command is this: love each other as I have loved you.”  Learning is central to disci...

On a warm Monday morning in Conakry, Guinea, the crew of the Africa Mercy set up the Winner’s Chapel auditorium for the Leadership Conference organized by Mercy Ships. On the foundation that the church is God’s agency in the community, the conference focused on church leaders and how they can affect their community.  I was impacted several years ago by a statement from Luis Bush that “education is the last frontier in mission” .  He stressed that church growth in the developing nations was (is) going in such a fast pace that discipleship (education) become a great challenge to be conquered. This is obvious for to those working in West Africa where churches have been planted despite great challenges.  Mercy Ships partner with the Samaritan Strategy West Africa since 2007 organizing leaders conferences. The conference in Conakry, Guinea has the goal is to bring a fresh understand of God’s purpose for his church and encouragement to the leaders in what they are alrea...

One of my favorite books of the Bible is the book of Psalms. The Psalms are beautiful poetry of the human existence. With contribution from writers from multiple times and different walks of life, it presents themes of worship and praise, sorrow and dance, happiness and sadness, singing and lament, request and demand, exaltation and humility, depression and affirmation. One can find in the verses of a psalm the needed encouragement, comfort in time of trouble and rescue in impossible circumstances. Through a psalm King David raised his spirit from a deep depression by urging his soul to put his hope in God and confessed his sin. He also encourages us to enter God’s gates with singing and in his court with praise. He inspires us to praise God with all kind of instruments and commands all that has breathe to praise the Lord. There is a word “ Selah” founded randomly in different places in a psalm. No pattern or logic, it seems to appear unsystematically as it pleases. Its derivat...

It is commonly attributed to English Philosopher Francis Bacon the phase: Knowledge is power. Putting in the context of his writings, some think that Bacon is referring to Proverbs 24:5 “The wise prevail through great power, and those whose who have knowledge muster their strength.” Meaning, one who has wisdom is powerful; the power of knowing and the power of working and acting. This phase infers that knowledge and education increases one’s potential or abilities in life. It is important to note that the book of Proverbs, known as the “Book of Wisdom”, primarily deal with the importance of wisdom and its application in one’s life. Wisdom therefore is the proper application of knowledge. So why is knowledge or education power? Education integrates knowledge, understanding and skills; thus promoting ideas, innovation and creativity; which in itself is a new way of seem the world around us. It opens the door for new opportunities and possibilities. Education does matter in today’...

Despite the push to redefine the concept of family (familia in Latin), there is something about the nuclear family, no matter the culture, that is fascinating. Family is the primary institution for socialization. It is through the family’s paradigm that one gain the first and most influential interpretation of the world, and those first impressions are hard to change. There is an expression in Portuguese that says “a primeira impreҁão e a que fica” the first impression is the one that stick. It is a tragedy the attack aimed to the family and the threats surrounding its core concepts. The main hostility to the family comes from an individualistic view of life; by its own definition family cannot be defined in an individualistic setting, because the concept of family is based on the unity of many individuals. Regardless the perils faced by the family we all need and cherish it. Family provides a bond of love and accountability. It is the place where feelings, aspirations and disap...