by Chris Steele

June 3, 2007

Erin left on Tuesday evening for her journey to Ghana, West Africa. She spent the night with Brittany Paye from the mission team in Auburndale. They headed to New York and on to Africa on Wednesday. As we said our good-byes I was filled mixed emotions.

First, there was the excitement of one of our children going to do the Lord’s work in a foreign land. I couldn’t help but to think that this area of the world is being revisited by the next generation. As I did the math, it had been 34 years since I was passing through that same country doing missionary work. I thought of the wonderful experiences that she will have as she teaches those who need to hear about Jesus Christ and His wonderful saving blood. I am confident that God will bless her efforts in this great work.

Then there were the thoughts of our daughter, although grown and mature, going half way around the world in these troublesome times. Several people have asked me how I felt about her traveling. Although safety and security is always a concern these days, as any Christian parent, we have to remember that God sees and knows, and is in complete control of everything. Jesus told His disciples, “Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.”

Erin is in good hands. In addition to God’s, she is traveling with experienced missionaries, and competent preachers and teachers. These are people that I know and trust. Heading the mission team is Bob Bauer, preacher at the Orange Street congregation in Auburndale, and father-in-law to Chad Tagtow, who will be filling in for me next week. Others on the team are Brian Kenyon and Jim Hall. Both of these men have been here and preached also. Brian is the associate director of the Florida School of Preaching.

Please join me in daily prayer for Erin and these others as they sow the seed of the gospel in Ghana. Pray that God will give the increase and there will be much fruit for the harvest. May we all learn to be more evangelistic in our own circle of friends and loved ones. We all can be missionaries—across town or in our own backyards. Wherever we go let us sow more seed and spread the borders of the kingdom of God.