The "M" of HMA

HMA. Home Ministry Assignment.

What is the "M" of HMA? What is the ministry to which I am assigned this year?

Sometimes it is standing in front of a church, being their eyes and ears, recounting what God is doing in Japan.

Sometimes it is joining in on family devotions, showing pictures and explaining the spiritual needs of Japan in a kid-friendly way.

Sometimes it is listening to someone who has a heart for the world but is not sure what to do with that heart.

Sometimes it is sitting in the recruiting director's office, understanding more of the process from the mission's perspective, and helping him understand more of what it's like on the field.

Sometimes it is sharing my journey with potential candidates at a vision retreat.

Sometimes it is playing with children, as they teach me how to make origami frogs, knowing that they will pray for the next five years without seeing me, and will be excited ~ five years later ~ that "Miss N- from Japan is coming again!!" and that their excitement will even help their five-year-old sister (who does not remember Miss N's previous visit) be excited!

Sometimes it is examining budgets and finance reports and exchange rates and then praying and determining where and how to seek to build the financial support team necessary for returning.

Sometimes it is planning trips, making phone calls, arranging logistics, and putting together the jigsaw puzzle that is my schedule for HMA.

Sometimes it is driving all day to get from here to there. Sometimes it is breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner in four different states. Sometimes it is a different bed every night. Sometimes it is calling AAA to come unlock your keys from your car, and not being able to answer their question, "Where are you?"

Sometimes it is sitting around a dining room table with a family that has given sacrificially each month, sharing in their end-of-the-day stories, answering their questions, saying "thank you," and growing in our sense of being partners together in what God is doing in Japan.

The "M" of HMA is varied. The "M" of HMA is not a 9-5 desk job. The "M" of HMA requires sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's leading to know what that "M" should look like today.

The "M" of HMA is very different from the "M" the other four years, but "M" it remains, still the same, and a very crucial "M" at that. The "M" of HMA would not exist if it were not for the past four years. And were it not for the "M" of last HMA, the past four years would not have existed!