11 days, 9 cities, 6 airports, 5 beds, 4 countries, 2 continents, and 2 very happy and tired travelers who are thrilled to be flying home.

We’re flying home today.

Yes, on the 4th of July. The joke has been, of course, that we’re fleeing the tyranny of Britain and declaring independence by returning to the United States. It is purely coincidence, but it does make me reflect on our country, what it means to be an American, and yes, why I am still proud to be one.

I am “proud” to be an American because that is who God made me. He chose to birth me into this wonderful family in this wonderful country where we enjoy amazing freedom and privilege because of His amazing grace and the sacrifice of countless men and women who have  fought on our behalf.

I am thankful beyond words.

But you want to know the real reason why I’m proud to be an American?

We have the tremendous privilege of sharing our extraordinary wealth to help spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and share the hope of trusting in Him.

I love my country more than ever and am praying that we don’t miss the amazing privilege we have:

The privilege we have to share:

  • Of the 6.7 billion people in the world, 2.7 billion live among the unreached people groups of the world and 1.6 billion are completely unevangelized.
  • 70,000+ people die everyday in the unreached world without Jesus.
  • Of foreign mission funding: 87% goes for work among those already Christian. 12% for work among already evangelized, but Non-Christian. 1% for work among the unevangelized and unreached people.
  • Christians make up 33% of the world’s population, but receive 53% of the world’s annual income and spend 98% of it on themselves.
  • Americans own approximately 40% of the world’s wealth but comprise only 2.5% of the population.
  • North American and European Christians spend $12.5 trillion on themselves and their families each year.
  • Only .1% of all Christian giving is directed toward mission efforts in the 38 most unevangelized countries in the world.

I’m not sharing this to rain on your 4th of July parade! I just think that it is exciting to realize that we have SO much potential we have to bless the nations because we’ve been so blessed.

And the cool part? You don’t even have to get on an airplane! The most unreached nations are those that are closed to North American travelers, so you can make a much greater impact by simply giving to those organizations that raise up, train, support, and send out native missionaries to reach their own countries.  Looking for a way to celebrate our wonderful country today? Celebrate by being a blessing to the nations.

Oh sing to the LORD a new son; sing to the LORD all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day.

Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples! (Ps. 96:1-3)

 

Happy 4th of July … check out the fun links below.

{And enjoy that watermelon!}

Spread the gospel through a foreign missionary today …

Share the hope of Jesus with a child in need today …

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