It is impossible to think missions without thinking about relationships. The work of Jesus on the cross was all about healthy relationships, from the most important one between God and man to every other relationship that you have, mission work is a very relational work.

We discussed the importance of our relationship with God in last weeks post "Excellence In Missions - God Centered." Everything that we do is based on the fact that God has gone to extreme measures to reach out to us so that we can have a healthy relationship with him. 

Relationships that are healthy, interdependent, and on-going are a valuable resource for kingdom work. Have you ever considered how many relationships are involved in the missions process? Participation in missions comes in six ways:

• Sending supporters
• Sending entities
• Goer-guest leaders
• Goer-guest followers
• Field facilitators
• Intended receiver

We need to focus on the intended receiver in all of our plans. The purpose of the first five of these relationships can get off track and seek to benefit themselves or think that the trip is all about them.

Philippians 2:1-2 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from His love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

We must be intentional about staying focused on our purpose and keep the benefit to those that will be served as our main goal. We are way better when we work together, we are much more powerful and we are much more attractive to the intended receivers when they see the cooperative spirit and love that we have for each other.

At AmazonVida we pledge that the primary purpose of our partnerships is for the sake of the intended receivers. We want to be as effective as possible by promoting healthy partnerships to accomplish God's will in the Amazon.