Last night, a dozen of us gathered in the youth room for a meeting.  Now, we at Healing Hearts are not big on meetings, or long, drawn out sessions for the sake of procedure.  This was a very purposeful get together.  And I came away so very proud of our team and thankful for God's amazing works in us!
As Walter and I have taken on the additional role of directing NCEM, we had full intentions of spending about 75% of our time with our new responsibilities and about 25% with administrative duties and member care in Healing Hearts.  It has become apparent, the time split is more like 90% and 10%!
Debbie Matthews, one of our missionaries in Nipawin, was very interested in how we could maintain our level of member care to our HHM staff as it would be impossible for Walter and myself to continue at the pace we had been trying keep.  She had great ideas and a compassionate burden for this area so Walter said, "Go for it!  Come up with a member care strategy that you think could work!"
So Debbie and her husband, Ken, developed a plan.  The chairman of HHM, Cliff Reynolds and his wife Cheryl, also took on the role of directing this aspect of the ministry.  So last night, those of us who have been asked to take on a group of no more than 4 couples to visit and care for,  met to pray and learn what we are aiming for in terms of healthy member care.
Cliff led us through scriptures that laid out a solid foundation.  Matthew 9:9-13 is the passage where Jesus calls Matthew from tax collecting to  Christ following.  As He shared a meal in Matthew's home, the Pharisees made note and questioned the disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"  Jesus interjected with the response, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  Go and learn what this means, "I desire mercy and not sacrifice..."  The Lord is all about mercy and not rules and regulations.  He cares.
The account of Matthew's Gospel later records in chapter 9 that Jesus was traveling through the various communities.  As He came upon crowds of people, He saw the needs.  He saw the lostness and helplessness of the sheep and "He had compassion for them." (v. 36)  Jesus has compassion on all humanity.  His heart is for shepherding the sheep.
Cliff gave us such a clear basis for our member care ministries to one another.  We are to care and show compassion.  We are to listen and encourage, to uphold and affirm.  Most missionaries are not needing to be told what to do or what they are doing wrong.  Sometimes we need a little direction or problem-solving.  But most of the time, we need to be listened to, empathized with and supported.  And so many of us need to be reminded to take our days off and to get away for some regular R & R. Along with some interactions, suggestions and a few comments, our team was then equipped with a list of pointed and spiritually intentional questions.  We want to engage our missionaries at a deeper level, not just a quick "How are you?"  And then we brainstormed a little on resources for those who may need to address burn out or other issues that may come up in our conversations.  
I was so encouraged to see our team stepping up in the gap Walter and I have left, to fill in a need.  To see the value of good member care being improved and grown to more than what we could ever provide just blessed my heart!
We closed by breaking into small groups for prayer for one another and the launching of this new strategy.  Some were already meeting with their missionary couples and I was impressed with the intentionality of our team.  "Git 'er done!"  Don't wait for someone else...let's serve one another.
Cliff also reminded us that each of our care team will approach things differently and not to compare or worry about those differences.  Romans 12:6a "Having gifts that differ according to the grace give to us, let us use them..."  And I think we each left the meeting feeling empowered to do this, with the Lord's help, and with confidence that He will give us all we need.
PRAISE THE LORD!