When you think of global mission, in which direction do you picture cross cultural mission workers flowing? For the last 200 years, it has been primarily from the North (Europe and the US) to the South (Africa, Asia, and Latin America). However, these dynamics have changed dramatically in the last 20 years! The “receiving countries” have also become the “sending countries” and visa versa. Do I hear a hallelujah? I (Ann) recently led a team of three Brazilian young adult ministry leaders to New Jersey on a whirlwind 10 day mission trip to the U.S. At the invitation of Dr. Lee Spitzer of ABCNJ, Pr. Leandro, Pr. Nei, Ev. Paulo, and I spoke at 14 church services, led a workshop on young adult ministry, met with a group of Haitian-American pastors, experienced the magic of New York City, and learned about US history in Philadelphia. Paulo wrote,

Our visits to museums and cities has enriched our knowledge about your country, I learned to love [the USA] even more.

Team members gained a new appreciation for the diversity of the Body of Christ when they participated in ABCNJ’s Annual Session (AS) and heard nearly 50 presentations on a wide variety of ministries in the state. Leandro reflected,

Attending the AS was very important for us because we met new brothers and sisters in Christ and we saw the work performed by the ABC; your love for the work of God touched us.

Paulo went on to say,

Just as we received [learned] so much from you, I am certain that we also left a bit of ourselves (and our experience) with you. May this [exchange] bear much fruit in the work God has placed in your hands and the hands of your [ABCNJ] team.

Two-way mission? Absolutely! It’s the norm these days in the worldwide Body of Christ!

P.S. Thank you to those who faithfully support us in this ministry. Please give generously to the World Mission Offering - you can even direct your gift toward “the support of Bruce and Ann Borquist.” That would help us to reach the fund raising goal set by International Ministries.