Jesus is not a cut-throat competition.

I’m beginning to notice a rather frustrating trend in the Christian Non-profit world. This topic has been festering for years, but always processed internally for fear of offending. In recognizing that truth [and really, the gospel] is offensive, I have finally transitioned my thoughts to paper.

Over the years, I’ve volunteered with various non-profits, been on the developing staff of multiple and am now a founding member of one that facilitates social involvement worldwide. I know this world - I breathe this world - I love this world... the majority of the time. This trend I’ve tried to avoid [but, I assure you, haven’t always been successful] is the one where we make sharing Jesus a cut-throat competition. We get defensive when someone else tries to step on our proverbial “turf”, and in essence - attempt to love the people we are already loving. As if we could somehow extend too much of that “love”. We turn up our noses when another missionary [outside of our elite group] passes by - or if we greet them at all, it is with icy cold insincerity. Our questions are poised and judgmental.

My question [to us all] - what is our purpose? If our purpose is merely to be a Christian humanist - reducing Jesus to some kind of product [whereas, you are saying your “package” of Jesus is better than mine] - we might as well quit now, before we make more of a mockery of our Lord.

However, if our purpose is worship, if our purpose is glorification of Christ, if our purpose is loving “them” like Jesus - why not begin by loving and serving and being in unity with one another? If we cannot fathom serving the person in front of us, then we have no business carrying His name to the ends of the earth.

Let me love them to life.

How can I help”? is the question we're most asked.

My answer is always "Very simply. You can always love and hug children. And you can spend a few weeks of your life to get a glimpse of how much of the world lives – and let your heart break. But more deeply, in order for you to be useful to the Master here – or anywhere – you must be close to Him and in love with Him. To the degree that you are intimate with Him, you will know what to do, what you must do. Jesus says drastic things in Scripture, such as ‘You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’"

[From a book we just finished - Always Enough by Rolland and Heidi Baker. HIGHLY recommended].

for such a time as this

Words have been pretty few this week. I can't tell if there is simply too much to say, or if I am just having trouble illustrating my heart on proverbial paper.

We're all a little crushed. The beauty and joy of Ghana almost masks how much injustice this country faces. We had a pretty emotional day this week. We received some frustrating information that brought our spirits down. Kofi sat with us on the porch as we wept for the sake of these children we so fervently ache for. Asking that the Lord would give US wisdom and endurance to figure out these next steps. Feeling not quite brave enough or strong enough or well equipped to handle this.

I was reading Foster's book on Prayer this morning. How sweet of the Lord to encourage me in the few chapters I read. Making sure I knew that a spirit of brokenness is the best place to be. Not to request or seek out tragedy - but to be alive and active in a hurting world. We know that we are capable of nothing. God is breaking the three of us in attempts to teach us what it means to be his hands and feet. We often pray that the Lord would "break us for the things that break Him"... and yet, we're surprised when He does exactly that. He has given us opportunities to practice humility, service, love [when it hurts], prayer when words are few, opportunities to look past our petty and selfish frustrations in order to serve the one in front of us. He is giving us very tangible ways to trust Him in the moment, to not feel overwhelmed or burdened by the task, but to be expectant of our God to come through [always].

The Lord is giving us huge responsibilities. It is both exciting and terrifying [to me, at least. I can't speak for Thomas or Erika]. Terrifying, because the task seems so huge and unreachable.Thrilling, because He considers us worthy to carry out these tasks... to be a part of His healing, to rescue children, to love the seemingly unknown and forgotten.

I consider it a great privilege to be alive and called “for such a time as this” – and therefore, by God’s grace, I commit myself.

Emmanuel - God with us.

We had the random opportunity to travel with a group to a village called “Mamachrome”. We visited with some of the children and helped a team from Texas with a program.

The first few minutes, I met Emmanuel. So small, I assumed he was 5 or 6. As I picked him up, he held onto me tightly and dug his face into my shoulder as I squeezed little body. Kofi, our dear friend, told me “He is my boy. You know, he is 15 years?”, “What? How could this be? He is so small!”

I later found out that his mother tried to abort him when he was in the womb. Therefore, his growth and mental capability had been stunted. He was so sad, so hungry, completely capable of stealing my heart.

Tears form, even now, as I remember how big his smile got when he heard a familiar worship song. His frail body moved to the rhythm, and his smile captivated my heart.

They named him “Emmanuel” which means “God with us”. He and I sat under a tree – just rocking back and forth and I prayed and proclaimed that over him… that God be with him.

We’re prayed together this morning… genuinely thanking the Lord for our crushed spirits. We pray for brokenness for the plight of the orphan.

a few mosquito bites, grey hairs and taxi drives

The title is somewhat self-explanatory: mosquitos are a part of life in Africa, I found grey hairs [what?! Already??]. It must be those adventures in taxis.

We came with no plans... no itinerary, just a few things that needed to be done for the children's home, visit with Fisherboys, Cecilia, Wonder, etc... but knew we needed to keep our schedules somewhat lenient so we could truly listen to where the Spirit lead us. And already, the Lord has blessed us with perfectly timed opportunities. We have some plans to go on a medical outreach at an orphan home in Aflao, in which we will stay the week in the orphanage. Erika and I will be traveling to a village about an hour and a half from here on Tuesday [possibly all of this week] to just love on some sweet people and share Jesus.

It's so different from any other place I've visited. Maybe there's simply more time to observe, but the people are just happier, more at peace and many of them know the joy of the Lord.

Val, our sweet Ghanian friend, invited us into her home and cooked a delicious meal [you guys, I ate beef! Those of you that know me know how big of a deal this is]. After lunch, we sat with Val and her husband for awhile.

I was feeling a bit restless and needed to hug some children, so I crossed the street in front of Val's house where a young girl was running a small store [candy, cokes, etc]. Evelyn. Talking to her, she tells me that she is 12 years old and runs this store herself while her parents work elsewhere. This is not uncommon at all, but a very tangible reality of how different life is here. After awhile, a group of children gather [I find that my skin color, NOT bubbles or even candy, attracts the children... and I'm perfectly okay with that].

Sometimes I can’t express in words how much I love people. And then I think bigger and harder, and can’t even begin to find the words to express how thankful for and in love I am with my Creator.

"Lord, fill my cup"

Greetings from Africa!!

We're on our second full day here in Ghana - and I'm already falling so in love.

There's a picture that sits beside "my" bed in the guest room Erika and I share - It says "Fill my cup, Lord".

From waking up to the sound of goats, sheep, and chicken outside of my window... the pleasant, breeze filled evenings on the porch with A.W. Tozer, African market experiences [that include, but are not limited to: Marriage proposals], embracing this beautiful culture, hugging sweet children, sitting in silence outside when all of a sudden a heard of goats come trampling by [inches from my toes], sweet morning bible studies with the Annankra family... I have to say - My cup is pretty full.

We received a call from one of the Fisherboys last night. He told Kofi that he was praying for us... and that "God is there" [with us]. I teared up then... and even now just thinking about what a statement that is. That this precious one would think to encourage us [privileged Americans who really haven't faced anything close to the travesty he has] that God is with us. It's difficult to not feel discouraged when you look at the magnitude of the problem and think "What can I really do?"

But the Lord reminds me faithfully to be strong and courageous. To let Him be the strength of my gospel audacity.

All of this is simply to say. My mind is full, but fuller still is my heart. It is full of love, love I do not understand. Love for things and places and people that I do not know well enough, that I do not do justice to.