Counting Down

Flowers in my yard, NB

MAF missionaries live in challenging conditions 24/7 and MAF takes member care seriously. We can't be effective in ministry if we are "running on empty" spiritually or physically. Each year we have a family conference, sort of a concentrated sabbath rest.  We spend time in worship, discipleship, fellowship, building team unity, and de-stressing.

Most often, a team from the U.S. comes to offer their gifts in teaching, encouraging, music, and serving to minister to us. Often new friendships are forged during their time here and I think by the time the conference ends and they return home, they are impacted as much as we are.

Our 2014 conference is not until April, but the countdown has already begun and folks on both continents are already preparing. Here's a little countdown of my own:

 In the five years we have been with MAF, we've attended four family conferences, in three countries, and they have all been times of restoration, encouragement, refreshment and growth.

This year, two people who are dear friends of one of our team members have sensed God leading them to come help with our family conference. Would you take just one minute to look at Mike and Debbie Martinez's blog: Sharing His Joy in the Congo and pray for them? Maybe even consider helping them get to Congo?

This year's conference theme is Joy in the Furnace. That's not a reference to the climate, even though it topped 100 degrees yesterday. Please pray for all of the people preparing for this conference and all of our team members here who are so looking forward to it!

 And pray for the MK's, the missionary kids. They need rejuvenation and encouragement too and the conference will include programs for the kids and teens.

I don't have good enough internet today to re-post them here, but if you want to see photos of some of our past conferences or read about their impact on our family, just click on the "family conference" label at the bottom of this post.