Many PWs dislike furlough. It is often considered an intrusion in the work to which they were called: a waste of time, effort and money. Admittedly, furlough may not be the smoothest, most comfortable time of a PW’s life, nevertheless, it should be seen as a new "springtime of seed sowing" for another cycle of ministry. It should be seen as a time to sow for a fresh harvest of involvement from the home churches in the field of your calling. No seed in spring will yield no harvest in the autumn. When a PW comes back "home" and testifies of "all that God had done through them," (Acts 14:27b) it is a time for vision to be imparted. It is a time to convey that there is more to be done. It is a time to declare the faithfulness of the Lord while showing the fruit of their involvement thus far. It is a time to challenge a new generation of believers to embrace opportunity by sending finances and people to your field. Do you have a vision for your filed? Do you believe that the Lord has great plans for your area of the world? Do you believe that the Lord is preparing others to join with you? Do you believe that the Lord will touch people with financial provision to join as partners in your ministry? If you can answer "yes" to these questions, then furlough is a time to plant the new seeds of further involvement here at home. Furlough is the time to plant your vision in the hearts of others. Sowing seed is never fun (Prov. 20:4) yet, it is so vital to the future. If your attitude towards furlough is simply doing what you have to do now and then, you may miss an opportunity to see growth in your base and in involvement by local churches in your ministry. Come home with a plan. Come home with a vision. Come home with a desire to communicate what the Lord has put in your heart. Come home with mended nets to bring in your own catch of new participants in your ministry. I realize that often a PW comes home with many personal needs. I am not suggesting that these be ignored. Seek out counsel and support from your pastor, faithful and mature friends, or even your board. You can take care of personal needs and impart vision at the same time. Pray for your furlough long before you arrive home. Pray that His kingdom come, and that His will be done in every aspect of your furlough. Pray that no door of opportunity would be left without your making the most of it. Watch the Lord work on you behalf! Written by Tom Brazell for Elim Fellowship World Missions Department monthly letter January, 2001 To see the original letter about the furlough preparations, see Furlough Please email your comments to: editor@peterswife.org.