Initial Thoughts Friend Raising

So it's been a little over a month since I found out that our Faithful Lord will be sending me to serve among His people in Lima, Peru as a deaconess intern missionary at the end of this summer. It all seems so surreal, yet my heart is so excited to witness God's faithfulness this summer as I work with many helpful people to prepare. Right now I'm reading a book called "Friend Raising" and it talks about some foundational elements of friend raising as opposed to simply fundraising. A concept that is resting on my heart right now is the difference between invitation and obligation. As I speak to more and more people about the wonderful opportunity for service in Jesus' name before me, my desire is to not make anyone feel obligated to support me in prayer, conversation, or monetarily, but rather to extend an invitation. I want to invite my fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord to be intricately involved in His mission in Peru. I am only an instrument, both of God throughout this entire process and of people who want to be a part of His work in Lima. As a person, of course there are very tangible needs that I need met, just as all of us do. And I truly believe in God's provision through the prayers and generosity of His people. He is faithful and we as His people are all so very dependent, primarily on Him and secondarily upon one another. We were created for relationship and community with the Living God and for other people... and THIS is the very point of why each of us believes what we do. Our relationship to God was broken because of our reckless sinfulness; Jesus repaired it on the cross and through the grave. The vertical relationship we've been given to God through Christ is the foundation for all horizontal relationships with fellow Christ-followers and nonbelievers alike. Our goal is to be poured out by The Potter who molds each of us as His clay vessels, in His way and in His timing, so that the people around us would know Who Salvation truly is. Thank you for your prayerful support. Feel free to find more information about my upcoming service in Peru at http://www.lcms.org/powell. I ask you to prayerfully consider sharing this information with your family and friends, namely anyone you think may appreciate an invitation to partner alongside me in serving God in Peru. Also, any questions are welcome! :) May our Lord Jesus also bless your individual missions wherever He has you. Much love in Christ.