Desert Day is a Must for Team Carmody

Decades ago, when Frank and Genie Summers (the founders of Family Missions Company) left their life here in the United States to become full-time foreign missionaries they didn't know exactly what to do.  There was no manual to follow or even others to learn from.  However, they did know one thing - they wanted to emulate Jesus as best they could in all things.  This desire to live like Christ shaped their lives one decision at a time.

Photo of the hill country in Jerusalem.  This shows
the type of deserted area that Jesus may have gone to pray.

Mark 1:35 gives us insight into Jesus' prayer life: "...He left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed."  In the Bible there are multiple examples of Jesus seeking private time in isolated places to pray.  

Frank and Genie concluded that they should be doing this as well.  They began a weekly "Desert Day" tradition, whereby they went to deserted places, for extended periods of time, to read scripture and pray.  This tradition has survived the decades and continues to be a vital part of Family Missions Company today.

Michael reading his Bible during Desert Day in Mexico.

In Mexico we actually got to go into the desert, like Jesus, and spend time alone in prayer.  Reading scripture completely uninterrupted quickly became a favorite part of our routine.

This private time of prayer, away from the distractions of life, has been incredibly powerful for our family.  We look forward to our Desert Days in Peru and encourage you to carve out time in your weekly schedule for isolated prayer.