After preaching in a local church service, while we walked pass a big outdoor screen in a public square, we were captivated by the ‘live’ broadcast of the Olympics’ Volleyball Final (Men). We stood there watching the fascinating game for a long while before making our way home. When we got home, the Men’s Basketball Final was on air. We noticed that for both finals, the competing teams were all from Europe and/or America. They played really well – the team players exhibited excellent team work and spirit.
It is a well-known fact that China won the most Gold medals at this year’s Olympics, excelling in Individual events. However, when it came to events that required teamwork, their performance was lackluster. Despite trying very hard, their teamwork was not as sharp as their opponent’s. This became even more apparent when they were under pressure. When interviewed at a post-match press conference, their coach sighed and said, “When it comes to the crunch, the boys slip into a one-man mode mentality and lose their teamwork.” There is a common Chinese saying — It’s easy for us to win individual gold medals. But almost impossible for a team of three or more to do so.
We were a team of three, excited with the prospect of establishing a Home Missions Centre (HMC) together in this city. Wanting to start this venture on the right foot and focus, we had put in hours of planning and discussion with one another for the past 5 months. During this time of interaction, we witnessed this trait – individual before team, surfacing in our relationship and planning. Firstly, we realize that all partnerships are complicated. In addition, cross-cultural partnerships are even more complex. Yet despite making several concessions along the way, it soon became apparent that our focus and approach were not in alignment.
Because of this lack of mutual agreement, we had to make the painful decision to put this partnership on hold. As much as we were unwilling to choose this path, we were more unwilling to go ahead without first reconciling our differences. We are looking to God as we seek to resolve this at an opportune time.
This door may be shut for now but we believe God opens windows. We also choose to thank God for allowing us to undergo this challenge because it reminds us to always be sober-minded and prayerful in order to know His will. Our cry to God is, “Lord, guide our steps and let us not to run ahead of You.”
What is the Olympic spirit? Many people gave several definitions but perhaps the most classic phrase was made by John Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania in 1968. When asked why he continued with the marathon despite suffering a bad fall, a dislocated joint and knowing full well that he would be the last to the finishing line, he replied, “My country did not send me here to start the race. They sent me to finish it.” Truly, this is the Spirit of the Olympics.
How about us – What is the missions spirit and do we have it? We believe God, who sent us here from our home country, wants us to finish our race, too. There are obstacles along the way and through them we have to cling onto Him tightly and to always remember the mission He gave to us
Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus
Dearest partners, we cling onto God’s leading and guidance and we covet your understanding, prayer and support while we serve Him in this mission field. Thank you and blessings.
