God’s Path

God’s Path

by | Oct 3, 2024 | Missions Devotions

by Jeffrey Bush

“Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.” Psalm 119:135

It’s probably safe to say that almost every one of God’s children wants to walk in God’s path. The Psalmist speaks much about his desire to be taught and to walk in the path of God, and I believe this reflects the heart of all of God’s children. Yet, God’s path is not always so clear or straightforward. Let’s think through a few principles about the path of God, and determine to stay on the path He has put us on. 

Looks Different than You Anticipated

When speaking about God’s ways in general, Isaiah 55:8 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” You may think the path God has for you is a big ministry or staying in one spot all of your life, but God’s way and God’s path might not be even close to what you envision. 

Takes Longer than You Anticipated

In 2 Peter 3:8, it says, “one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” The point is that God’s timing and your timing are not the same. Life is frail and time is limited, which is the exact opposite of the Lord. When you look at the life of Moses, you see his first forty years in Egypt, his next forty years in the desert learning what God had for him, and the next forty years leading Israel. It’s easy to look at that format and plan how you want to divide up your life, planning where you should be and what you should be doing at certain times. The only problem is, God might not do it that way. God may leave you in a place much longer than you want. God’s path is different and may take longer than you anticipated. 

Psalms 27:13-14 says, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” God might leave you on the path longer than you anticipated, but learn to wait on Him… and then be of good courage, and wait more on Him. Life is not like a movie changing from action packed moments to romance scenes and back to action. In fact, much of life seems to be just normal living with very few high points. You might want God to give you lots of action and adventure, but His path might take you on a route taking longer or leaving you longer than you desire. 

Appears Harder than You Anticipated

In Hebrews 12, it begins the chapter saying to “run with patience the race that is set before us,” (vs. 1) and it continues using the word, “striving” (vs. 4). This exhortation comes on the heels of Hebrews 11, where there’s a list of difficulties the servants of God went through (vs. 33-38). God never promised an easy path for His followers. In fact, He said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33). 

If it was up to you, you would probably choose the easy path, or at least the path of least resistance and pain. But the God who knows best might send you on a path that is harder than you anticipated.

But is Always Better than You Anticipated

Though the path God has for you might be different, take longer, and is harder than anticipated, rest assured that His plan is always best. You know this in theory, but you must remind yourself of this truth on a regular basis. The eternal promise is that, “all things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28). God’s way is always the best way!

Stresses for an MK

Stresses for an MK

by | Oct 3, 2024 | Missions Methods

The following is an exert from chapter 6 of the book Missionary Guidebook For Ladies by Mindy Bush

Obviously, like anyone going through great change, your child is going to have an adjustment period where you should be prepared and ready to help him through these big life changes. If you are going to the mission field with older children, this is especially more difficult. You will have to watch your own attitude around them and be as positive as you can about the changes you are going through, but be real with them at the same time. When they are discouraged or lonely, listen to them. Help them find their identity in Christ. Help them focus on God’s love for them and watch for the ways that God hears and answers your prayers so that you can encourage your son or daughter. Be excited about being on the mission field and serving Jesus. Our attitudes are contagious whether we have a bad one or a good one!

Everyone needs someone they can talk with! When your child is talking to you, try to put things aside and really listen to them, no matter what they are talking about! I know it is very hard to do, and as a mom that has many tasks to finish in the day, many times I have had to say, “Can you follow me to the laundry room so that we can keep talking about this?” But when you listen to them talk about the mundane things going on in their life, they will know that you are also interested in talking about the big stuff. When someone has hurt them or they are stressing about something that seems silly to you, listen to them! What matters to them should matter to you! If they feel they can’t come to you with the little things in life, they won’t come to you with the bigger things of life!

Because of the fast-paced, technological world we live in, many of us (including our kids) are easily stressed out. Do your best to try to minimize stress in their lives. For example, if you know that it causes them stress when you get them to school late, try to prevent that from happening. If you have a teenager who is especially stressed out around babies, don’t offer her to babysit for someone with a baby. I’m not saying to baby them, but to understand and help them through stresses. Everyone is different and you can’t push your teens into a mold or something they are not. Some boys are very energetic and love going outside to run, but others are more intellectual and want to stay inside and read. Let them be who they are. 

At the same time, life is tough and the sooner they realize that, the better. We tend to want them to think that life is all fun and games, but it’s just not always going to be like that! Most days are just normal, average days and that’s ok!

On the other hand, help them to learn to enjoy life! And that means that you as the parent need to learn to enjoy life and not take everything so seriously.

More importantly, pray with and for your child about the difficult things he or she is going through! When they know you care enough to hug them and pray, they will learn to do this on their own. Our God is always ready to hear us when we cry out to Him, no matter the circumstance or our age! Teach them to go to the ONE who has the answers.

There is so much more that can be said about raising children, but many good books have been written on the subject, so I would encourage you to always be reading and growing in this area. Be intentional with your kids. Pray for them daily. This time goes by much faster than you realize. Soon they will be making their own decisions and living life on their own!

VBM Update From the Homebase – Week 40

VBM Update From the Homebase – Week 40

by | Oct 3, 2024 | Updates

Missions Trips 2025!!!

We have completed the 2025 missions trip brochure, which is being printed now. Below is a list of all the 2025 mission trip locations, dates, costs, and contact information. Check the VBM Website soon for more information!

Youth 4 the Gospel - Knoxville

We had a wonderful Y4tG last Saturday with around 50 young people from two churches. Pastor Wilkerson and the people at Southside hosted and provided us a good time!

We would love to have you join us at one of our upcoming events. Click here to find out more details.

Here are the last two for the year: 

  • October 12 – Saint Cloud, FL
  • November 9 – Dalton, GA

Getting the Word Out This Fall!

We’ve been praying and working so that God would send future students, interns, and missionaries. Here are a couple of ways areas we’re getting the word out this fall:

  1. Southwide Baptist Fellowship — setting up display at pastor’s fellowship as well as the below ad in their magazine. If you are attending come by our table and lets catch up.
  2. Pensacola Christian College — Ty and Rebecca Pepperdine will be going in November to speak to students about missions.
  3. Youth for the Gospel — Dr. Jim & Mrs. Sandy have lined up several of these events to see more laborers raised up for world missions.
  4. Open House for future missionary students.
  5. Booking up meetings to present the missions school in churches this fall.

If you work with a church or Christian school, please email me. I would love to come by and speak to your young people about the need for the gospel around the world.

jeff@visionmissions.com

Missionary Highlights

This section is so you can learn more about (or be reminded of) VBM missionaries serving around the world. We will be working in alphabetical order, and the next missionary is Michael & Victoria Turner.

Michael:

When I was 17 years old, I was invited by Noah Wilkerson to Southside Baptist church. After going for some period of time, Josh Barton asked me “if you die today do you know if you would spend the rest of eternity in heaven or hell?” I said “I don’t know”, he then shared Roman’s road with me and then I asked God to save me. At the same time I got saved I prayed to God and said if you have your all to me then I will give you my all. From there on I started living for Jesus. About a year later, I took a missions trip to Mexico and was listening to a missionary preach on Isaiah 6:8. And I was reflecting on how God saved me and how so many others with never hear the gospel lest I preach it to them. So i surrendered my life to the mission field as I prayed “here am I, send me, I will go.”

Victoria:

I grew up in a godly home. At the age of 8 I attended a Christian camp where I heard about the reality of Heaven and Hell. That night I realized my need for a savior and that I was a sinner. I asked Jesus that night to save me. At the age of 15 I was diagnosed with WPW (a heart condition). At the time they were unsure how severe and if I would make it. The Lord gave me peace during this time reminding me of the hope I have in my salvation. Through this time the Lord burdened my heart for those who do not have that same peace and hope. I started to see souls in a different way. I became concerned about where others would spend eternity. After visiting the OG Summit in 2020 the Lord started to open doors and made it clear that he would have me surrender to missions.

Sam Wilson taught a module on Hebrew History to the students. He is a great teacher and tremendous asset to our faculty and students.

Noah Wilkerson baptizing a young man he lead to the Lord in South Africa. What a blessing! 

While at Y4tG this Saturday, I spotted this young man wearing a “Vision for China” shirt. Amen!! Love seeing young people influenced with the need of taking the Gospel.

Open House, November 20-22, 2024

If you are a young person (or know of a young person) interested in missions, the Open House is for you. Join us for this 3-day event and experience our distinctive missionary training program. You will experience classes, talk to veteran missionaries, and have fellowship with like-minded people.

Our special guest speaker will be Dr. J. B. Godfrey for BIMI. He will inspire and encourage us about the cause of the Gospel worldwide.

More Information
Keep You From Failing

Keep You From Failing

by | Sep 27, 2024 | Missions Devotions

by Jeffrey Bush

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” — Jude 24

“Keep you from failing.” What an amazing phrase! God, the Creator of the world and sustainer of your soul, “is able to keep you from falling.” This is a reason to rejoice! I don’t want to fail. You don’t want to fail. I want to make it to the end of my life faithfully serving God. I don’t want to fail in my marriage. I don’t want to fail with my kids. I don’t want to eliminate myself from serving the Lord. I am weak and the temptations are strong. I can’t do it alone, and neither can you. But the key to success is revealed in this verse. You cannot avoid failure because you’re smart or slick. It is God that “is able to keep you from falling.” Cry out to Him, for He will both rescue and be your refuge. He will set your feet upon the rock. He will rejuvenate your soul. He will give you the wisdom, strength, power, and purpose. Do you want to avoid failure? Stay focused and stay in tune with the One who “is able to keep you from falling.”  

Furloughs Are for Your Kids!

Furloughs Are for Your Kids!

by | Sep 27, 2024 | Updates

The following is an exert from chapter 6 of the book Missionary Guidebook For Ladies by Mindy Bush

(Photo is from our first furlough – Lydia, Adri, and Jo singing in a church) 

Some missionaries don’t do furlough. They don’t like coming back, setting up another house, traveling to churches all over the country, and leaving the ministry behind that they have worked so hard for several years. However, furlough isn’t about your own comfort and needs. There are many good reasons for furlough, but one of the most important is so your children can become comfortable in the USA. We like to say they are “bicultural,” but they really aren’t if we don’t take the time to allow them to get to know their home country. They only really know one culture if you never come back long enough on a furlough for them to adapt to the USA! When a MK has not had the opportunity to be on furlough, they come back to the USA for college and feel like they are in a foreign country. They are all alone when they go through culture shock. The parents are thousands of miles away. People talk about how weird MK’s are, but it doesn’t have to be this way! Parents can help their kids on furloughs to prepare them for this big step in life! 

Preparing them starts on the mission field! One of the biggest reasons MK’s may be weird is because they don’t know how to relate with people. The parents were too afraid to let them have friends. Just because you’re in a foreign country doesn’t mean they shouldn’t go out and play with other children. They need friends, and they need to learn the language. It would also be very sad if they lived there and couldn’t learn the language because they weren’t around other kids. Our daughter, Lydia, became best friends in Argentina with a girl named Mijhan. Their friendship brought our families together where I discipled her mother and Jeff the father and soon he became the pastor of the first church that we started.

Take them to parks where other children are out playing. Plan play dates with other mothers from that country. If you have American teammates, it’s tempting to always want to hang out with them, but you must intentionally try to build relationships with the nationals as well!

If possible, put them in a school, but ease them into it if they’re older! Help them to learn enough of the language that they don’t have to start grades below their peers or they get frustrated and hate it because they don’t understand. If they are in a school in your country, you must prepare them for when they come back to the States. Make sure they know how to read and write in English and know some US History. They should understand inches, yards, feet, pounds, miles, Fahrenheit, etc. They should know the names of the states, their abbreviations, and capitals. You can also plan on taking advantage of furloughs to show them different areas of the USA. They don’t just have to read about the Grand Canyon or the White House; they can visit these places!

Teach them the basics of running a household. If you have a houseworker who does everything for your child, your daughter will not learn to keep a home. I always told our houseworker that she wasn’t allowed to clean my kids’ rooms. They had to be responsible for their own messes. Work with them on housekeeping, meal planning, grocery shopping, etc.

When you are back on furlough, be around your home church enough so that your children can make friends stateside. They need these connections, especially as they get older. They are most likely not going to stay in your country for the rest of their life, and they need to be able to feel that America is also home. It is understandable that you must travel to report back to churches, but if your husband can go alone, you can help your children get to the youth activities and other events going on so they can feel part of their home church. This is one reason why furlough is so vitally important for your family, but this purpose for furlough can be totally destroyed if you are never at your home church where they can put down some roots. You want them to want to be in church when they come back as a young adult so help them build relationships there!

When you are on furlough, teach your child things they may not be able to learn overseas – how to get a job, how to drive, use an American washer/dryer, pump gas, budget, open a bank account, file taxes, etc. If your kids are younger, help them to experience the differences in America that were so normal to you! Our girls were fascinated with water fountains on our first furlough. They had never bought a soda from a soda machine or been through a drive-through! I really didn’t think about these basic things being so new to them until we did it! They were scared to death of the automatic flush on public toilets. Furloughs are good for them to learn these parts of America, simple as it may seem. Many MK’s can jump on a subway or a public bus and get down to the mall on their own, but when they get to America, they may not know how to do some of the things teens their age are doing everyday, just because they aren’t available in their country.