The main reason I visited churches
though, was to present to them what I do. Another observation
I made about Presbyterians—they were very interested in
missions and what is happening in our world. They are also well
prepared with plenty of thought-provoking questions! Even kids
wanted to understand such difficult concepts as why God would
allow suffering. I presented to Sunday schools, youth groups,
women’s circles, mission committees, presbyteries, and congregations.
Besides the usual lecture format, I also had marvelous opportunities
to lead hands-on workshops with children in vacation Bible schools
and discussions in private Christian schools. I covered not only
what I do on a day-to-day basis in Croatia, but also the geo-political
context in which I work. Also, since many were interested, I talked
about my background—why I went into missions and how God
had led me to choose working with seriously ill children. I loved
to share my life with all these folks because I could tell they
genuinely cared about me and my work.
Presbyterians know how to enjoy life, too, so my time was not
spent with only work-related tasks! I got to see a lot of our
great land along the way. I spent time enjoying the natural beauty
of North Carolina’s mountains, Florida’s wetlands,
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and Lurray caves, California’s
golden beaches, and New York’s Lake George and Niagara Falls.
Each church also made sure I was able to experience a bit of interesting
local heritage, for example: the Thoroughbred Museum in Lexington,
Kentucky, Moravian settlement in Salem, North Carolina, Theodore
Roosevelt’s Sagamore Hill home in Long Island, New York,
Japanese and rose gardens of Fort Worth, Texas, and the World
of Coca-Cola Museum in Atlanta, Georgia.
It is hard to sum up all these wonderful experiences in one
paragraph. What I have seen, though, is very encouraging. I was
blessed with a unique opportunity —I got to travel all across
the United States and see a diverse collection of churches, big
and small, downtown, suburban, and rural, solo and multi-pastor,
etc. I can say I have seen a cross-section which fairly represents
our denomination. Our churches are hard-working, compassionate,
and faithful in their witness to our Lord. The key I believe is
found in churches which are mission focused. These churches are
dynamic and growing. In these congregations I see a great hope
for not only our denomination and our communities, but also for
our children.
After this odyssey I have discovered more deeply who I am and
the community of believers of whom I am a part. I can tell you
with confidence that I can hold my head up and say I am proud
to be Presbyterian—you can be too.
Your brother in Christ,
Brett McMichael
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
336
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