Friends, I had grand plans of having articles all written and lined up to post while we're ministering in Kenya, but unfortunately that didn't happen. Nor did updating early (and little-read) posts. So, in a last-ditch attempt at publishing something, I'll be re-running posts from our previous trips. We'd greatly appreicate your prayers as we're on the mission field!
From 2012:
As Americans, we’re all about comfort, aren’t we? The problem is, God didn’t call us to be comfortable, He called us to be obedient.
"But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." ~ Exodus 9:16
How often have you heard (or used) these excuses?
“I could never speak (to a stranger, to a group, in public, etc.); I just wouldn’t be comfortable.
“I could never go without (electricity, running water, familiar food, sleep, fill in the blank...)
“I could never travel to a place with (insects, bats, creepy-crawlies...)
I just returned a few days ago from three weeks on the mission field in Kenya, where we encountered all of the above, and then some!
- Difficult travel (rough or impassable roads, long flights.)
- Toilets without seats (on a good day).
- Darkness, dirt and dust.
- "Short walks” that last for hours (and once included walking up a mountain!)
- Lack of routine and pretty much everything familiar.
But we also experienced:
- A pastor cleaning the mud off our shoes every morning.
- Water carried in and heated for us to bathe in.
- Being served the very best they had to offer.
- The sound of children singing.
- Watching children who had never seen a playground before experience one!
- People receiving medical treatment for the first time in their lives.
- Hope restored.
- Souls saved.
God may not be calling you to go halfway around the world, but He is calling you. The question is, what is your response?
Lisa
This is so beautiful. This is what being a disciple of Jesus Christ is all about. Beautiful!
Thank you so much Kristine!
Awesome post!! The pastor who cleaned mud off your shoes every morning...just...wow
wonderful!! i was overwhelmed with emotion when i read of the pastor who cleaned off your shoes! now THAT is a servant's heart. well done.
Can't wait to talk more Lisa! I LOVE the video of the kids singing. Those African babes have built in rhythm :)
Love this, Lisa! Blessings!
They gave of their best to you! We must do no less than give of our best - not our left overs to Jesus. Thank you for sharing your adventure at Tell Me a True Story! I loved this post!
Seeing this carried my heart to Uganda, believe me. We lived there and have been back and forth several times. It's been 8 years since then, though. I love it over there... more than here, to be honest. Miss my dear ones. And, yes, power, toilets, food issues, mud/dust causing lots of dirt in houses and covering clothes... everything you described jumped into my heart immediately. Would love to visit you some time on line. We were only in Kenya on the way in or out of Africa, the longest time being 2 days, but my heart is definitely poured into that whole section of Africa. Would also love to be in Sudan. Oh, well...... can't do it all, be it all. God does and is.
Where He leads me, I will follow! Great post. Makes me miss the mission trips I went on when I was younger. Some day, when finances are better or the kids are older. For now, I'll just let God use me where I am. Love your blog-new follower.
http://littlebishopchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/06/stepping-out-of-my-comfort-zone.html
My.. My.. Oh My.. I miss Home so much, it hurts
Rael