cee story from the mission field
Fun in the Sun
September 2001
The Mediterranean Island of Hvar, Croatia, experienced something new last summer. Over 350 Southern Baptist Missionaries descended on the pebbled beaches of this small Croatian Island for their Annual General Meeting. Many of the Croatian nationals commented that they had never seen so many foreigners before in their lives. And just as the missionaries amazed onlookers by their numbers, so they did by their laughter and joy as well. Many of the hotel employees took keen interest in the strange behavior and activities of visitors who did not act like the typical tourist groups but instead gathered to sing, laugh, cry, learn and play together.
The AGM is an important time in the life of missionaries. It is a time to gather as a group and unwind, reflect, see old friends, be fed from the Word and worship in their heart language. Since many missionaries work in isolated areas, most worship in a language not their own, and some are in spiritually hardened countries where they see little result for their labor. The AGM is a lifeline--a time to re-connect, re-focus, and get pumped up for another year of service. It is also a time to get together with the mission "family"--a very real entity that stabilizes and comforts missionaries and MKs (missionary kids) who are missing their families back home.
In Hvar, the missionaries from Central and Southern Europe came together for AGM 2001.They were joined there by training teams for new missionaries, regional leaders, Pastor David Lino, a volunteer team to hold VBS for the children, a deaf team to interpret for our deaf missionaries, a volunteer team to lead in music and worship, and a volunteer team to lead the youth in a program of their own. The week was full of worship services, group fellowship times, regional meetings, free time and even a youth vs. oldies basketball tournament. One of the highlights of any AGM is the Lottie Moon Christmas Auction where everyone brings items from their countries (including the volunteers from America) and they are auctioned off to the highest bidder, with all proceeds going to the Lottie Moon Offering. It is not unusual for a bottle of Dr. Pepper to go for $75 on these occasions. One year Pastor Lino even brought over BluBell ice cream all the way from Texas for the bidders. This year the grand total was over $15,000.
With all the fun and fellowship, the most meaningful time for the missionaries is the re-fueling they receive from the biblical teaching and times of prayer and worship. Dr. Lino spoke to the hearts of each missionary as he challenged them to look hard into their own hearts and seek to follow Christ radically in whatever direction He leads--challenges that are needed to spur them on to continue growing personally in their walks with Christ.
As the Holy Spirit descended on Hvar to minister to the missionaries gathered there, His presence was also felt by the ones looking on. The children, especially, had an impact on the locals. As they walked from their classrooms in one hotel to the meal-times in another, they would sing of Christ, and wear the t-shirts they had made proclaiming their faith in Him. Many eyebrows were raised and questions asked about what type of people they were and what they were so happy about. One lady even sat in on the children's classes to see first-hand what they were doing while in Hvar. It provided wonderful opportunities to share Christ with the islanders and form relationships that may lead to eternal results. The missionaries hope so and plan to increase their witness as they head back to Hvar next June for AGM 2002.
View the photo essay for "Fun in the Sun."