Live Sent. I still remember this ''motto" from my church back home (or at least my last home in Jackson, MS.) It was a challenge to live in a mission-minded way no matter where you are in the world. All of us are missionaries wether or not that word is a part of our job title. Its a part of our identity when we surrender to Christ. Until we fully surrender, its easy to leave the "missions" jobs for others, but when God really takes a hold of our lives, its not something we can escape. Our past dreams, ideas, and desires become molded into the new plan- God's plan. It turns out that God is a lot smarter than us. Now I have no idea what His plan is for my life in the future, but even if its ministry, an office job, going to school, having a family, or working at Starbucks, I'll be a missionary to those around me. Y'all are too. The Lost people in your workplace are just as Lost as the kids I teach here in Malawi. Trusting that God puts us in the place He wants to use us to share the gospel is a beautiful thing. One terribly difficult thing about saying yes to God is not knowing where He will take you. In my case, it has been on the opposite side of the globe. This can be wonderful to experience new cultures, people, and adventures that I could go on about for quite a while. It can also be tremendously hard to live 4 flights from home and only see your family once a year. Living overseas changes you forever and I am so thankful for that, but it doesn't come without challenges. I've said it a million times, and I'll say it again: I am so blessed to use so many things that I love to serve God. I never dreamed that it would be so rewarding. That said, I also never dreamed that it would be so hard. That said, there is something special about working with other like-minded people in this thing we call "ministry."
Some of the most incredible people I have met, have been from the missions I have been involved with at Ballet Magnificat, African Bible College Christian Academy, NorthRidge, and Flood. There are even a few that will probably be forever friends. One of the hard things about being surrounded by Christians is that we have a way of hurting each other. Obviously no one is perfect, but there is something especially painful when a fellow believer is a part of it. Unfortunately we are all guilty of falling to the enemy's schemes of bringing dissension. Gossip, judgement, and cliques are far too often the cause of breaking groups apart and losing opportunities to share the gospel. Our own insecurities and pride keep us from being willing to listen to truth from each other and being vulnerable with each other. Somehow, I feel that this is opposite of what it should be. How different would it be if we truly loved each other as we are called to? There are some amazing people in missions that I hope to someday be like and there is something to be said for working toward unity. I guess it comes down to love and I'm just as guilty as the guiltiest. Love isn't a feeling; its an action. Its also not a choice; its a calling. No ministry is perfect. I do think though, that if we are working toward love and unity within our group, God will bless it.
Ministry is not about self-fulfillment. That seems obvious, but it can be hard sometimes. Usually, it is very fulfilling because it is fulfills part of our purpose. There are times though, when it is not fulfilling and you feel like you aren't doing anything important. I speak for myself- maybe others feel differently, but there are most definitely parts of it that are not "fun." I wish everyday on the mission field was going to the village and holding babies, playing games with kids, giving out medicine, and such. Depending on your job, some people may be called to do that more than others, but there is a flip side to those special moments. Those guys that run the orphanages and village outreaches have to organize missions trips for hundreds of people, pray for funds, find sponsors, and do all of the behind the scenes organization that is exhausting and not always fun. The wonderful moments of my job include the outreach performances, teaching little kids, and the two big shows at the end of each semester. There are things like the administrative side of running a ballet department, the prep work for huge shows, or finding sponsors that do not spark any "spiritual fulfillment" inside of me. The worst part of being in missions and I think many would agree, is rasing support. Yep. It is hard and humbling. No one likes asking for money and until you're on the other side, there's no way to explain it. It's just plain hard. However, those things are necessary to the the job being done excellently and therefore a part of ministry. Maybe we wanted to "save the world" when God called us to "go" but sometimes changing the world involves things like paperwork and sacrificing our own time to help others in our ministry. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for "saving the world." I just think that it looks different from what we imagine sometimes. I say this because I know how easy it is to get so busy doing "ministry" that I become oblivious to others and their needs around me. If our mission includes a group of people, then we should be working together to get everything done. This comes with being in touch with the Holy Spirit and is something I am no expert in. Everyone has a different mission field and the "not-fun" parts are probably just as important as the "fun" parts.
Most people have heard "National Geographic" type stories about Africa. You have probably seen pictures of starving children and given money and prayers to dig wells, sponsor kids, translate bibles, and fight starvation in villages. These are all so very true and important. I hope that I can help raise awareness, funds, and prayers to help with the outreaches dedicated to these things. There are also cities in Africa that have needs, but they are different needs. I don't want this to come across the wrong way, and I hope that anyone reading this with a heart for the villages in Africa will go and work in them. I also would like to raise awareness for the needs of the cities, because in my perspective, they are neglected. I realize that I am generalizing and Africa is vast in miles and differences. The places that I have been seem to have many missions in the outskirts, but the more populated cities need Jesus too. These cities may not be as desperate for food or water, but they are just as desperate for the true bread and living water. These cities are most likely where the future leaders of these countries are and what a shame it would be to miss out on reaching those who will influence so many. When I first got to Malawi, it was so different than I had imagined. No place is the same, and it takes time to appreciate things that are different. I teach at a very privileged school where the future leaders of this country could possibly attend. Not only do people of all religions want their children to come here, but we get to teach them about Jesus. These kids are in embassy families, local government families, business families, and missionary families. These kids will make a difference someday and they will remember their teachers. Hopefully we aren't taking that responsibility for granted and are thoughtful in our words and actions to them and each other. I would like to share a few of the opportunities we have had here in Lilongwe for outreach and maybe you will see why I am so passionate about what we do over in this corner of the world.
Last year, Carrie and I were blown away at the amount of outreaches God brought about for us to do. It was insane and although many times I thought there was no way to get everything done, God always came through. When we were living on no sleeep, coffee and coke, somehow He still enabled us to dance and bring Him glory. When we had no room on the stage and no time to prepare, He always had everything turn out better than we could have ever done on our own. We were able to dance at Christian conferences in Lilongwe and Blantyre as well as secular music festivals and concerts. I never would have thought that we would have been dancing to a Christian song at a festival with drunk and lost people, but what better way to reach those who will never step into a church? We got to partner with One Lord Records which is a Christian music producing company run by our friends here. It was wonderful to collaborate with local artists. These events took us to performing live on National TV and have articles in the newspapers. Eight of our students got to perform with us around the city and seeing them step out in worship was probably the most rewarding time of the year. We also had 130 students in ballet who performed at a Christmas show and an end of the year show. We not only get to teach students from ABC, but our community classes are growing as well. Our two end of semester shows are probably our two biggest outreaches of the year. They bring in about 1,000 people to watch their children perform and hear the gospel. The families and community are more willing to come to a Christian event when it is done through art and that has been an awesome avenue to share the gospel. We have added many classes this year and are mostly busy teaching and preparing for these events. As of now, we are in preparation for both the Christmas show and the end of year show. We have big plans and ask that you pray for many to come to Christ. There are some smaller shows coming up as well that our eight girls who travel with us will be performing at. I am so proud of them and all that God is doing in them. One of the things I want to focus on this year is to plant in them the desire to keep using their gifts for The Lord. God has seriously blown my mind with the opportunities to share Him with this city. There will always be hard parts, not-fun parts, and challenging parts. BUT God always has a purpose of bringing Him glory and that is so rewarding. Ministry is hard, BUT God comes through. He gives the strength, ability, opportunity, and joy- its impossible without His help. Here I stop my rambling and leave you with a quote that reminds me to never overlook what God is doing.
“Earth's crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.”
And every common bush afire with God,
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.”
- Elizabeth Barrett Browning -
