Deeper in the Life

Every step you take into the pool you get deeper.  The more you move forward the wetter you get and the more you are 'swimming'.  It seems like mission work is a lot like that.  There was no cannonball moment.  It's been small steps forward and moments realizing the water is getting higher.  Our interview.  Our announcement.  Our first church visit.  And this week, our first training.  Jade and I loved it though.  We met so many great people and learned a lot about missions including getting there, working there and taking others along.  What a great week at WGM headquarters!

Scott Rambo is a fellow pastoral trainer

One of the highlights of our week was the time spent with Uganda team members.  The team members we met were Josh and Kelly Hallahan, Scott and Meg Rambo, Lisa Fish, Ray and Nicole Leisure, and Justin and Debby Williams.  We found lots of time to laugh, learn and begin bringing the newbies (us) up to speed.  Jade and I were astounded with how quickly we felt close to our new friends.  God has truly blessed us with a great group of people!

Our next big step into the pool comes this week as we spend time out at Fairmount Family Camp.  This camp has been our 'mountain top' meeting with God for years now.  We praise God for His timing as our family is certainly prepped and ready for this big yearly event.  We ask that He bring us opportunities to connect with new friends who will join us in our work.  Will you pray with us?  With several steps behind us we trust His plan as we continue getting deeper and deeper in the life He has for us.

Wednesday night Jade and I will be speaking during the missions moments in the evening service.  Come meet with us after the service!  We would love to talk to you.

"Will you help me?"

The man's face was straight and his eyes were filled with desperation.  I couldn't look away.  His clothes were torn and dirty.  His bare feet were calloused and marred.  My heart broke for him and I paused to consider the situation.  He needed an answer.  In front of me was a mid-40's Ugandan man, poor and unhealthy.  What do I say?  What would you say?  Yes, I could help him but what is help?  Bread?  Money? It's in those moments of face to face interaction that the Spirit of God changed my life.  Contact with another man whose appearance asks the question before his mouth does.  The love of God feels hot inside my chest as I wonder, "who am I to be so blessed?"  This man and I are both loved by God.  Created in the image of God.  Jesus came for both of us.  Who am I to have been so blessed?

As Jade and I prepare to return to Uganda I feel my heart beat out of my chest thinking about men like this.  I want to meet him again.  I want to be his friend.  While he fills his stomach I want to proclaim the gospel and fill his soul.  My blessing is not of my own merit but of the grace of God on my life.  The blessing is not just a piece of bread or a sum of money but a hope found in the love of God!

Jade was speaking to our church family at Brookhaven Wesleyan Church about the call God has placed on her life.  Her voice shook and tears filled her eyes as she expressed her desire to share about redemption with the Ugandan women so desperate for hope.  What a loving God He is to work in us and remake us into new beings!

Praise God for the calling of a lifetime!  We cannot wait to get involved in the work being done in Uganda!