In a far place: Where There Is A Vision, Things Happen

As a missionary’s kid (MK), I attended boarding school in Fortaleza Brazil. My second grade school desk was next to one of the large windows, the perfect location for an eight year old to gaze outside and daydream. Whether a car drove by, or a butterfly flew near, my mind wondered away from reading to dreaming. Even a trail of ants traveling along the windowsill gave my vivid imagination plenty of input to picture becoming an insect. Eventually my grade school teacher, Miss Helen Rowe now in her 90’s, moved me and my desk to face the book shelves. Her vision was that her students read and comprehend well. My dreams and her vision had very little in common. Today, those bugs and cars are gone, but all her students can read and understand.

There may be a few similarities between a dream and a vision, but the outcome is entirely different. Dreams tend to be sporadic and unfocused therefore rarely materialize. You can imagine an outcome, but have no defined idea or plan as how to get there.

Vision focuses on the steps necessary to achieve defined goals. Just as important, it needs to include those that will embrace your vision as theirs.

Jesus is the example of one who had a clear defined vision. He came to seek and to save the lost. As His disciples began to understand who Jesus truly was, that vision of giving the Gospel to the lost became a way of living. Those twelve, had times of doubt, misunderstanding, even betrayal, yet the vision continues to this day with eternal results. Paul, one of the key writers of the New Testament, makes this point when he says “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil.3:14) Visionaries consistently lean toward their goal.

A year ago, a vision began to develop in my heart and move to my hands. After the sale of our camp Treasure Island, it became evident, that our area churches greatly missed a location for retreats, family events, and camping. With guidance from several of our local church leaders, we have embarked on a new venture.

VISION PROGRESS:

1. We have purchased 4 hectors of land back in the bush near a lake. Google Earth 9º23’10.00”S 41º11’26.60”W

CLEARING UNDER BRUSH

GREAT WORK CREW - FUN GUYS

2. Hired men from that area to clear the underbrush, all manual labor. No carts or large industrial rakes available in local stores for this job, so I manufactured some in my shop.

ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT OF OUR CHALETS

FUTURE ENTRANCE OF OUR CHURCH RETREAT CENTER

3. Two architects from one of our churches are putting our vision onto paper and blueprints. This involves working and reworking plans to adjust their vision to the reality of funds we must come up with.