A final but favorite World Mission Souvenir, this photo may well reflect what St. Paul expressed in his letter to the Philippians, sometimes identified as the Epistle of Joy. He wrote to the members of the congregation he had founded: “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1).” The boys in the picture are cared for in a Lutheran orphan home in India. Their smiling faces reflect the joy we Christians share in our common faith in Jesus.
A Christian’s happiness may be based on favorable circumstances in life, and that’s fine. But Paul’s joy, which he felt even while tested in difficult days and terrible trials, was based on his favorable relationships: first with Jesus Christ his Savior, and also with those who who were his “partners” in sharing and supporting the Gospel’s advance. Same with us, really.
Since mid-2023 World Mission Souvenirs have appeared weekly in emails and Facebook notes posted by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Thanks for reading and sharing them! We may recycle a few of these souvenirs in the future and invite you to check them out.
At www.worldmissionsouvenirs.com you can find mission field images, stories and Bible study lessons.