Missions/Next Door

Ok, so for the last few weeks or so I have been having this thought that keeps recurring. Mission trips are awesome and they are something that I have a passion for. I love being able to go half way across the world and share the love of Christ with people who do not normally or have never heard The Gospel! It is something that I look forward to. However, the thought that keeps recurring in my mind is, "Why do we get out of the mindset that we are no longer on a mission trip as soon as our flight touches down on an American runway?". That may not be the mindset of some, but I know for me I have been guilty of that attitude. In between going half way across the world and sharing The Gospel I have somehow missed what was right next door! We get back from a mission trip and talk about how we can't wait to go on another one. Well, if we really can't wait to go on another one then we could all hop in an SUV and take a "mission trip" downtown and serve the homeless, landscape an elderly persons home, help a church in need, love your neighbors as yourselves, or share the love of Christ with someone random that you might encounter throughout your day JUST as you would on a mission trip. If you get a chance to go on a mission trip to another country or anywhere else I strongly encourage you to take part of that, but don't think that you can not do what is done on mission trips in your community or city. God can do the same work through you in your city as he can do through you in a foreign land. But please, go out and and share The Gospel whether it be in Africa, South America, China, Wales, or anywhere just don't overlook your community and city! 

Acts 1:8- But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

jdt.