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KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Whetstone started Tuesday morning with
smooth stones and sticky post-it notes.
The retreat, which runs through Friday, is designed to
encourage and instruct missionaries on home assignment. Dave Jones, pastor of Trinity Evangelical
Free Church in Windsor, Vt., is the featured speaker for morning sessions. Jones passed out stones and post-it notes to
illustrate his first lesson from 1 Samuel 17, the story of David's battle
against the giant Goliath.
"You and I need to remember we're locked in a vicious
battle, and the enemy will send all of the giants he can," said Jones. "We need to take the stones God has given us
so that we can be victorious."
Comparing missionaries to David and their struggles on the
field to Goliath, Jones asked the audience to identify their giants by writing
them on the note. His examples of giants
included common struggles such as fear, loneliness and procrastination. The stone was a physical reminder that, with
faith, those giants can be conquered.
Beth B., Avant missionary to Brazil, found Jones' examples
of giants to be realistic to her experience on the field. "At one point, you meet all of those giants,"
Beth said. "They're all very common."
Jones' unique perspective on an often-told Bible story
encouraged Luz Q., Avant missionary to Spain.
"It was a different way to see the passage," said Luz. "Either we can be dismayed and terrified, or
we can go out and meet the giant."
Thirty-six adults and 28 children are attending Whetstone. The
retreat features worship led by Brett Francis, worship leader at Antioch Bible
Baptist Church in Kansas City, Mo., as well as lecture electives and
recreational activities for the adults and children.
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