"...Making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now..." (Phil. 1:4-5)

Years ago a young missionary couple were honored at a farewell service by their home congregation prior to leaving for Africa. The young husband said, "My wife and I have a strange dread in going. We feel as if we are going down into a pit. We are willing to take the risk and go, if you will promise to HOLD THE ROPES." One and all promised their support.

Less than two years had passed when the wife and the little baby died due to a dreaded fever. The husband, too, became ill. He was forced to return home. Arriving during the prayer meeting hour, he went directly to his home congregation. He listened to the prayers, after which he was invited to say a few words. The people were filled with remorse as he said, "I am your missionary. My wife and child are buried in Africa, and I have come home to die. This evening as I listened anxiously, as you prayed, for some mention of your missionary - to see if you were keeping your promise - but in vain! You prayed for everything connected with yourselves and your congregation, but you forgot to mention your missionary. I see now why I am a failure as a missionary. It is because you failed to hold the ropes!" (From Living Victoriously by J. Allen Blair, p. 17-18)

Let us have fellowship with those who are preaching the gospel by proving financial support and by praying for them and the success of their work.