Veterans and Newcomers

You veterans were in on the ground floor, and know the One who started all this, and you newcomers-such vitality and strength! God's Word is so steady in you. (See 1John 2:13-14)
The B4P Australian missionaries burst on the Entebbe scene and the Holy Spirit party was underway. Sally and Tim, Australian B4P leaders, trooped into the lobby with seven others from Down Under. Sal and Tim had ministered in Uganda with B4P, in their Australian homeland, plus Asia, North and South America. Rennae served B4P on three continents, Brad and Jane had been out with us to So America, but for the three of them, it was their first African mission. As for Deidre, Frank, Marlene and Geoff - God chose Africa to initiate them into B4P missionary life -The Newcomers!

As everyone became acquainted, the decibel level rose. Ed and I were the only ones who knew everyone, and we enjoyed watching these extraordinary servants of the King discover each other. The sound of so many English accents in one lobby was quite extraordinary! Frank's background colored his speech with a blend of Scottish/Australian English. Ed and I had spent many months in both Scotland and Australia, so we had no problem understanding his inflection, but wondered how the Africans would manage. Well, with their very British English pronunciation they easily comprehended. It was the Australian and American interpretations of English that remained a continual source of amusement!

When God's people get together it's the language of Praising Jesus that we speak most often and that is understood by God's family worldwide. We could hardly wait to get into the upper room in the hotel where we sang and praised the One Who had brought us so far. Both Veterans and Newcomers joined as one body honoring God as we honored each other. Each team member brought unique gifts, but sought to serve with one heart and one mind, that of Christ Jesus the giver of the blessings.