In Acts 13-14 we read about what was arguably the first Christian missionary team. “While [the disciples in Antioch] were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus” (Acts 13:2-4). For some time, these men traveled to islands in the Mediterranean and throughout parts of modern-day Turkey. What did these missionaries do on their mission trip? “When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra… strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:21-22). Eventually, though, it was time for this missionary team to return to their sending church. Luke tells us that “…they went down to Attalia, and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles” (Acts 14:25-27).

Now I’d like to retell this story about a missionary team with a modern twist. In 1989 in southern California, a young Christian man shared the gospel with another young man who was in the Air Force. That young man accepted the gospel and began preparing for a lifetime of ministry and service in the church. More than a decade later, these same two men set out on a missionary journey together—their destination: Guatemala. For years, the men labored in cities across the country. When they had preached the gospel in one city and had made many disciples, they began new mission works in other cities. Everywhere they went they were strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. From time to time though, they return to visit their sending churches in the States. When they do, they gather the church together and they declare all that God has done with them, and how he has opened a door of faith to the Guatemalans. 

That “modern twist” is of course the true story of Hawatthia and Byron and Mission Guatemala. We’re grateful to have had Hawatthia with us this past Sunday and my prayer is that we will be inspired by his example and devotion to the cause of Christ. And like the disciples in Antioch who sent Barnabas and Saul out into the mission field with prayer, let’s send him on his way with much prayer.