Ties that bind

See the picture to the left? What an amazing group of people...some of the best I know. Together, they are a community of people who love each other and are committed to stand together in working on behalf of the oppressed. What is the most remarkable thing about all that? The fact that many of us met each other only two days ago.

That's what it's like with the kingdom of God and his children. This particular group came together this weekend to share plans for reaching out to orphans all over the world and to be trained for the work. Each person in this picture will be part of leading Visiting Orphans teams during the next year. There will be close to 60 teams going out, and that means a ton of responsibility for each leader. I am so grateful for this group, because:

• It includes the VO staff, who coordinate everything about our trips including schedules, budgets, organizing the teams, and training. Before this weekend many of them were names, voices, and email addresses. Now I've met them all in person, and it already feels like I've known them for years.

• The rest of them are volunteers, people who have answered God's call to lead teams all over the world obeying James 1:27. I had only met a few of them before Thursday, but again it seemed like we were old friends. There is nothing that brings people together like knowing they are brothers and sisters in God's family and that they are united in their purpose to take the Good News to the nations.

• Together, we learned so much in such a short amount of time. It's a lot to process, but the time we spent is going to make us all better leaders.

Thanks to the staff for putting together such a great program. And for bringing us together to become one in Christ. I cannot wait for June 29. And I can't wait to hear about what the Father does through my new friends. It's going to be a great 2013!