The Mexican Axolotl
Looks like a fish/lizard, doesn't it? It is neither.....this cute, little pink thing is an amphibian. He can't really be called a true salamander because he resides in water most of the time. The Mexican Axolotl (ox-so-low-tal) is an overgrown amphibian larva that rarely, if never develops enough to live only on land. He is only found in a handful of small lakes in the Axolotl region. I understand (now) how several lakes can be connected to ONE since my travels to San Juan la Laguna, Guatemala. All the towns in this region surround one lake, Lake Atlitlan, but several waters are connected to her via canals and hold the same water life.
The axolotl can also regenerate body parts--TOO cool--and keeps PINK gills that are almost like feathers. Ahh, my kind of amphibian. Scientists come from all over to study this one amazing feat.
The Mills family in my church just dropped off 9 huge tadpoles to my science lab from their nearby pond. A couple of the tadpoles already have small feet, so (hopefully) we won't have to wait as long this time to see bullfrogs develop. Kids love to see things grow and "morph" into new life---caterpillars are always a big hit at our school in the Elementary and Junior high.
But as I researched this Mexican Axolotl with my tadpoles in mind, I realized that there is always an exception in Science. GOD. God created this salamander to just be different and regenerate himself yet only live in one part of the world. To be studied for the amazing little things that he possesses, things that separate him from other salamanders and allow him to NOT be called a lizard, reptile, frog or fish. He is his own kind.
To me, that is a missionary. Missionaries are of their own kind. No, they aren't weird, although they might eat strange foods or learn to dress in different cultures. They might learn new languages and live in unique places, but they aren't weird--they are special. Like the scientists study the axolotls, we read with vengeance the stories of the old missionaries who broke the way for the gospel to enter various parts of the world, amazed at their tenacity. They are special.
We just ended our Missions Conference at our church which is a very BIG deal at Central Baptist, Ocala. We featured Dr. James Ray, former general director of BIMI, and he warmed our hearts every night last week with stories of all of the places he has visited and still plans to visit in the world. I'm in the middle of reading his wife's book, Embracing the World, which gives details about BIMI and all of the people the missionaries are reaching with the gospel. However, a highlight of missions conference is when we get to meet the latest crew of missionaries on deputation as well as some who fly just to be with us for the week. I always have a big hole in my heart the week after they leave, and this week is no different.
This morning, though, I realized that we had greatness in our presence last week, yes, but that I shouldn't be sad and miss them. God has led them on to another place to share their work as they slowly work up their percentage goal before they can get to their country of choice. We had them in our little world for a short time, and hopefully we didn't let the moment pass by to give them our love and support and cash to get them on to the next step.
Missionaries are unique, like the axolotls. The axolotls don't breathe in the same way as other salamanders, nor do our missionaries "make their living" in the same way. They depend on us to give them needs. The axolotls reside in one region, happy to stay right there and feed on what the lake provides. Missionaries choose their land to love, and are happy to serve without a whole lot of "hooplah" and praise.
So let me tie this together.
Our head Bible teacher at OCA gave us a verse in teacher's devotions a few weeks ago: Ruth 2:12. Ruth had already impressed Boaz at this point with her diligence and loyalty to Naomi. He was now giving her permission to go behind his workers and gather what she could to take home. Ruth was pretty amazed at this man showing such kindness, perhaps because she had faced a lot of unkindness and disappointment like we all do. She asked Boaz why was he being so generous and sweet to her. He answered that he had noticed her hard work, her loyalty, her strength to leave her home to help Naomi when she had lost her OWN husband. Then he says these amazing words in verse 12: "The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust."
For the missionaries, God is going to bless them because HE has noticed their hard work and dedication if done in His will. So many of my missionary friends are struggling with LOTS of issues, and I don't say that lightly. To them, I say keep going. God is proud of you, He promises to take care of you, and we notice. You are the special ones doing what the rest of us can't. I admire you greatly.
For me, this verse will help me to cope with my sister and her family leaving in just 97 days. They still need support, but they stepped out on faith and secured the dates, trusting in God to supply the last 8% needed in these few days before heading to Brazil. No, we don't want them to leave. Yes, we do count it a privilege to be a part of helping the "special breeds" get to their land to which they have been called with ONE purpose in mind---to spread the gospel of Christ.
Maybe today you are feeling a little "not very special". Maybe you feel like God doesn't seem to care about your situation. Maybe people have been unkind and have hurt you too deeply for you to deal with. Just remember that God does notice. There is a blessing for those who work hard and do right with the right motives and with God's will in mind.
Hang in there. You have your own pink gills that someone else is watching.
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