The Shrimp to our Goby Fish...

Recently, I had the pleasure of hearing missionary to Argentina, Joe Andrews, speak to our church. He gave the best presentation that I have ever heard about how the missionary/supporter relationship works, so I thought that I would share it with you. He started by talking about what he called "mutualism". As a mom of young kids, we watch quite a bit of Diego.  Diego refers to this relationship as symbiotic. (I am singing the song right now as I type) Diego talks about the rhino and the oxpecker. The relationship that Joe gave reference to was the shrimp and the Goby fish.  On a side note, Brandon was not able to hear this presentation and when I came home describing this mutualistic (or symbiotic) relationship, he needed a visual. He found the above video on youtube, so in case you, like him, need to see it to believe it, I have included it for your enjoyment! Basically, the shimp is virtually blind, so the Goby fish acts as his eyes. He stays with the Goby fish who makes him aware of potential danger. The Goby fish, while able to see well, cannot dig. The shrimp just happens to be a great digger and thus makes a hole for them to live in together. (and they do live together) The missionary/supporter relationship is mutualistic as well. You are the shrimp to our Goby fish. It may not seem that way since we are the ones who are asking you to give out of your finances to support our ministry. What do you get in return??: "Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God." This passage comes from Phillipians 4 where Paul is thanking the church at Phillipi for their financial and prayer support of his ministry. What did they get in return? He says that the profit is to their account. They get the credit for his work as a missionary.  The people who came to Christ because of him...they get credit for that! Paul also talks about their gift being an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. When you give to missions, you are reaching people outside your realm of influence. You are a part of something much bigger, reaching places you may never go. THAT is credited to your account. There is no doubt in our minds that we are called to go to France. We know that not everyone is called to be a "Goby fish". We are looking for those people to be our "shrimp". The great thing is this: "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever, Amen" We believe that God WILL provide the funds for us to go and that HE will get the glory. So, the question is not, "Will you give SO that we can go?" The question is, "Are you called to be a part of God's ministry in France whether you ever set foot on French soil or not?"   Are you willing to be our "shrimp"??!!

Prayercast | France