perseverance

I was reminded today that our call is one of endurance and perseverance.  A friend of mine posted this on his blog.  It is the chronicle of events from when he started down the missions path to when he actually started his formal ministry.

1998-2003 We went through NTM trianing program (and took a semester off to get married).
2004 Deputation. That is we raised financial support for doing what we do now.
Aug. 2004 - May 2005 French study in Quebec, Canada.
July 2005 - Nov. 2005 Orientation to the country of Senegal under the direction of NTM.
Dec. 2005 - Sept. 2007 Jalunga language and culture study in Madina Bafe.
Sept. 2007 - April 2008 Prepared written Bible lessons and taught publicly.

Look at the start date, and the "finish" date... ten years.  I am at 9 years since I started and I am still hung up stateside {complications with the board and finances/disorganization}.  Nevertheless, I am being productive in the mean time.  And that is the take away.  Don't wait till you get there.  Start today.    ...and have perseverance.

So how long has it been for you?