Drumroll, Please

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Gentle Reader,

Remember that opportunity that I teased you about a few posts back?

I can talk about it now.

A few weeks ago, I got an email from a gal named Rachael. She introduced herself as a member of the Far East Broadcasting Company. She went on to tell me that FEBC has been working on putting together a Gospel blog with authors from all around the web. Those involved in the project had gone through some of my writing here on the blog. They liked what I had to say and wondered if I would like to be part of their blogging team.

Uh, what?!

I had never heard of FEBC and I’d definitely never heard of Racheal. I didn’t respond right away. I Googled the group and looked around their website. What I saw was pleasing. The FEBC is a parachurch organization begun in China in 1945, just after World War II. Bob Bowman and John Broger established a radio station with the single goal of broadcasting the message of Christ to the world and especially to those in Asia. When missions were cut off in China in 1948, the group went to the Philippines and have been working  ever since. (I don’t want to give away too much of the story, because you really need to go to the website and get the in-depth information).

The FEBC is strictly not-for-profit. They rely totally on God’s provision through donations. I like that. I also like that the group is part of the Better Business Bureau and the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. They are partnered with several great organizations, including Wycliffe Translators, World Vision and Food for the Hungry. Along with airing Christian programs (in native languages, hosted by native Christians), the FEBC also works to provide for the physical needs of the people, including medical and dental clinics; food and disaster relief; shelters and educational institutions, along with encouraging their listeners to get involved with a local church. The FEBC partners with missionaries of any denomination, too.

Did I want to be part of their blogging team?

Uh, yeah!

The idea that someone in a missionary group I’d never heard of somehow found this here blog and wanted me to write for them was just too much. That had to be a God thing. But, I didn’t want to rush. So, I prayed. And I asked you to pray. I thank you SO MUCH for that! My spirit got all tingly with excitement. I felt the Lord confirm that this was part of His path for me. So, I submitted the blogger’s application and my first post.

I wanted to wait to tell you about all of this until I knew that that post had been accepted. You never know in the writing world. Sometimes what you pound out just isn’t what someone is looking for. And I’ve been on this journey with God long enough to know that sometimes He leads you to something so you can learn to trust Him even in disappointment. Well, that first post, a modified version of Lanterns, is scheduled to go out on July 19.

Oh, my friend! I can’t even tell you how amazing this is. The thought of helping to share the Gospel with those who may never hear it without this group is so…incredible, humbling, daunting, exciting. I want so much for people to know Jesus. I want them to be set free from the evil that binds. I want everyone and anyone to know that there is peace, wholeness, joy and purpose. I want them to know that there is forgiveness. Real, here-and-now, forever forgiveness.

I don’t plan to “plug” the posts I write for the FEBC here, but I do hope you go and check out their blog. Some truly amazing writers hang out over there. I know that I’ve been encouraged by what they’ve posted, and I think you will, too.

Please, keep praying for me. It’s all too easy to end up with the wrong motives. I want to stay focused on sharing the Gospel and offering encouragement. However long this season with the FEBC lasts, I want to walk through it wisely. I want to give Him all the glory. This isn’t about me. It’s all about Him.