last night matt and i were at a missions banquet for a church that supports us out in katy. we're getting ready to go back for their sunday morning services, including sunday school, where matt and i will be able to share a little bit about what we do. (i haven't been to sunday school since i was in high school or longer.)

basically, every year a certain church will organize a whole missions weekend in order for their church members to see who they are supporting and to encourage them to keep giving and praying for the missionaries.

the pastor of this church is one of those truly amazing people who really is all about getting his congregation focused on missions. and the cool part is that only a few of the missionaries that were there last night were "AG" missionaries. this pastor really has a vision for the whole city of katy and has his church supporting and praying for many wonderful outreaches and ministries.

matt and i got a chance to talk with a few of the other missionaries and their families, and i left just feeling so encouraged to hear how some of these were led into the ministry. these are really just normal, ordinary people who said "yes" when GOD called their names.

it's really easy for us, myself included, to look at the lives of some of these "heroes" of the mission field, and think, "wow! they are super spiritual and GOD called them because they are super holy and humble about it. and i'll never be that awesome."

but the truth is that they really are people who were living life just like anyone else...for themselves. some even have dark and sordid pasts. but when GOD Almighty whispered dreams into their hearts, they listened, took ownership of those dreams and said "yes."

simple as that...