By Oscar Gaitán, ChangeMaker in Nicaragua

It is normal that we are concerned about the future, from a human and material point of view. We are always focusing on our children and the way in which we can train them so that in time they can take care of themselves and get ahead. Our concern that our children study is because it will help them in their training as well as open doors that allow them to find a decent job and thereby earn a decent salary to support themselves.

When we think about the kingdom of God, we must dedicate ourselves to preaching the gospel the Lord left us: “And this gospel will be preached in all parts of the world” Matthew 24:14. That is one of the main tasks, but we also have to encourage others to go and make disciples according to Matthew 28:19 and this commandment is complemented by dedicating ourselves to training leaders since Matthew includes this: “Teaching them to observe all things.” 

The learning process to train missionaries so that they can go to other places to preach has been changing, although the experiences of missionaries are similar. I remember in the 60s when many missionaries, without preparation time, went to other countries without knowing the language, culture, or how to minister there. They were driven, and when God called them, they responded immediately. Like Abraham, the Lord only said to them, “Go from your land and your kindred to a land that I will show you” Genesis 12:1. 

Also many of our missionaries in the past were faithful to the place where they were asked to go, and the last thing they wanted was to go in the opposite direction like Jonah. Thank God for those who, without thinking, obeyed. Today the church continues to move forward and spread the seed of the gospel, and people also increasingly respond to the missionary call.

I remember the stage of my youth when I was trained not in a school, desk, or classroom. I only received the invitation giving me the opportunity to just grab my backpack, pack some extra clothes and leave. I learned in the field of experience to sleep on the road, eat what we could find and not from plates with a spoon but with our fingers and a food that was perhaps bitter between leaves, but delicious due to hunger. Grabbing our Bibles, reading and sharing how the Lord saved us, forgave us, and now allows us to be witnesses sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, were the messages we could proclaim. Of course, over time God has given us the opportunity to have more training and we thank God today to have the possibilities to continue in training, both in the Bible institute, extensions of studies, seminaries, and of course, always the experience in the service or field of work.

We also thank God for men who, after many centuries have passed, we still comment on their experiences in the mission field. Many of us who grew up only saw in them their fidelity, the knowledge that they had no options but to move forward and above all their passion to testify of the love and forgiveness of the Lord. These were the best lessons that we learned and that we were infected with so that today we see new generations that follow the same steps of serving and responding to the mission field. 

Just as the Lord at his time said, “Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send laborers into his harvest” in Matthew 9:38, this need continues to be a priority and the church in general must be united in this need. Pray that the Lord continues to guide and use each church, ministry, and man of God, all who are working to receive, train and send workers to different places. The task is not finished since our world increasingly becomes indifferent to the truth of God, but it is there that as a church we are sent to be light in the darkness. Let us unite in the great and necessary task where each of us is called to be a part, whether by praying, giving, or going to the mission field.