"Don't Change Their Culture"

Getting ready for this trip back to Africa is causing me to think back on last year’s trip to Ghana. Last year my aunt was going to Africa on a military-related trip. She was taking air war classes at a nearby air force base and invited me to join her one day. The class was amazing! I learned so much about the African culture and of the civil wars that had recently occurred in West Africa. 

The man had talked basically the whole class about how these wars had ravaged many countries. He talked of the horrors they inflicted on the people. He talked of the hopelessness the people were left with. I was able to talk with the professor after the class. I was eager to ask the man about the culture of Ghana and the things I needed to expect, hoping to prevent a little culture shock; but I left his office in shock of my own culture! 

One of the first things he asked me was what I was going over there for. I told him that I was going on a mission trip. His mouth contorted into a disapproving smirk, and he chuckled and shook his head. The words he said next will stay with me forever. He said, “Just promise me one thing — Don’t change their culture.”

His words took me aback. After telling story after horrible story of the dark practices of many places in that continent, he had the audacity to want me to promise not to change it. These people live in fear! They are without hope! And we are to strive not to change that! This is the world’s perverted ideas of cultural diversity. I can’t change it. But I cannot promise that God won’t. 

It is the people’s choice whether their culture is changed or not. My job is simply to tell them that Someone loves them and wants them to come to Him. I’ll leave the rest to God.

Still Alive!

Wow! This trip to Tampa has by no means been a vacation! (Not that I was expecting one). Yesterday, I woke up early (after staying up packing my bags Sunday night) and went to a local fitness gym with Evan and Seth. Ran 4 miles! Woop woop! Got back home and jumped in the shower, slapped my face on, threw my hair up, shoved my packed luggage into the Templetons' van, and headed to Team Cameroon's all-day meeting. Songs, skits, games, weighing, packing, weighing some more, organizing, food (lots of food), planning, more packing... *sigh* It was a bit overwhelming, but I'm ready! God's going to do an amazing work in Cameroon this summer, and I can't wait to see it!

Evan and Zack lead us in song.

The military skit: Andrew, Evan, and Seth 

That's a lot of luggage (there's even more behind me)

Andrew's sporting a chocolate sauce beard.

4-way tug of war! Booo-yaaaah!

Cameroon 6/23/2012

Sitting here in the Atlanta airport waiting for my connecting flight to Tampa. I was really nervous about flying alone, but it has proven to be rather fun! I guess I could get used to this. I was most nervous about motion sickness on the plane, but I pumped myself full of dramamine and trusted God with the rest! Looks like it worked because I feel pretty good — pretty empowered sitting here drinking a strong cup of Starbucks coffee and writing this post. 

I’ll try to keep you updated as the trip progresses, but in the meantime, keep praying! 

When I Am Weak

Something jumped out at me from the book of Acts this morning. Chapter 4 verse 13 says, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." Peter and John had been preaching the gospel of Christ in Jerusalem, and according to this verse, the religious leaders of the city, when they heard what was spoken, remembered that they had been with Jesus. Their lives pointed these leaders to Jesus. But what was it about them that pointed them to Jesus? Was it the message they preached? That may have very well been part of it, but this verse says that they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus when they saw their boldness and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men. Christ isn't looking for some Einstein to share his gospel. He uses the weak to confound the mighty (1 Corinthians 1:27). God chooses to show Himself mighty through our weaknesses.

Now when I feel too ignorant of the gospel to share it with others, I will remember this passage. I will remember that "when I am weak, then am I strong." Lord, humble me. Show Yourself mighty in my weaknesses, and let others see You through me. Amen.

Bible Club Kickoff

Several months ago, the Lord laid a desire on my heart to start a Bible club near my home that I could use to reach kids in my community. This past Sunday He finally made it come to pass! Four kids came out for the kickoff day and had so much fun that they wanted to bring their friends next week!

Several people from my church volunteered their lazy Sunday afternoon to run around a neighborhood in this humid Alabama climate. I'll tell you what! Our feet were super tired, grimy, and sweaty by the time we finished; but they surely were beautiful to our Savior!

Washing Feet

It was the evening of the Passover. In just a few hours, our Savior would sweat drops of blood as He begged for the cup of God’s wrath to be removed from Him. Surely, if we were put into His position, our minds would be focused on ourselves and our own turmoil. But Christ did something remarkable on this dark evening. He looked around the table at His disciples, and He saw a need. Their feet were dirty. And instead of looking over something so insignificant, the God of heaven (John 13:4-5) “rose from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. He poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.”

The next evening, our Savior hung in agony from a crudely built cross. His eyes stung with the blood that trickled from the wounds His crown of thorns had created. His skinless back racked with pain as it brushed against the rough, splintered wood with every breath He took. Surely if we were put into His position, our minds would be focused on ourselves and our own agony. But Jesus did something remarkable on this dark evening. He looked at you, and He looked at me, and He saw a need. Our feet were dirty. And instead of looking over something so insignificant, the God of heaven knelt before a filthy sinner — before the very person whose wickedness held Him to that cross — and He washed my feet. He washed your feet.

Look at John 13:14. “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” Are we, like Christ, really looking past ourselves? Are we looking for ways to love others as Christ loved us? Take some time out of your busy schedule this coming week to crucify your desires, and show someone Jesus’ love.

Why Missions?

One question I am often faced with is, “Why have you chosen missions?” My immediate answer to that question is usually, “I didn’t choose it. God has called me, and I have simply answered, “Here am I, Lord. Send me.” But this answer doesn’t seem to satisfy the question for some. They see a promising young woman who could make something of herself here in the “Land of Opportunity” — a woman who could do anything she sets her mind to, who could find the perfect man, have the perfect family, lead the “perfect” life. Why, then, would she have the harebrained notion to go clear across the world, live in some third-world village, and have a mass of filthy, starving children crawling all over her, playing with her hair, or yanking her arms begging her to play with them?

I had to think on this long and hard. It has always seemed just a natural step in my life. I’ve never fully been able to picture myself doing anything else. I guess If I had to put it in words, one reason I am going to the mission field is that I want to be in a place where God is my everything — a place where He’s all I have, and all I need. I’m not saying that I can’t have this in America; but America is a land so overflowing with blessing, that it is often difficult to truly depend on God for everything you need. But when you step out of this realm of prosperity, and enter an extremely destitute world void of things you even call “basic necessities,” you start spending more time on your knees. You start leaning on the Father for everything. Your faith begins to stretch. “So you want God to break you?” you ask. Exactly. Weariness and depravity are not curses, but gifts of God bestowed so that when we come to a place where we think we can go no further — a place where rest is scarce and fiery trials are hurled at us left and right — we realize the only way we can continue is by flinging ourselves into the waiting arms of the Father. With these gifts, God draws us close to His breast and gives us strength to go just a little further, and a little further. It is only when we rely completely on Him that He is able to show us His power in our lives. I want to see that power. I want to rest on His strength and His alone.

But the biggest reason missions is what I know I am supposed to do is that there is something strong yanking me by the ear — something I can’t even fathom — that constrains me to go. The Bible says that this constraint comes from God’s overwhelming love (2 Corinthians 5:14). Christ not only gave me living water, but He also instilled this water inside me as a well springing up and flowing out of my soul. Water seeks the lowest level, and this water flowing from my soul is seeking the lowest level in the world — the lowest level of poverty, the lowest level of health, the lowest level of hope. Jesus sought out the wounded of society: the deaf, the dumb, the blind, the poor, the needy, the lepers, the lame, the dead, the people who’s hope had long ago deserted them. I want God’s water of life and love to flow through me and settle on these precious people, to heal the wounds life and sin have given them. 

Yes, America needs revival. Yes, America is a mission field ripe unto harvest; but my well of life is seeking that lowest level — the level that has nothing, including my precious Jesus.