Speaking of the coming months of travel, “set in stone” is a pretty accurate way not to describe what’s on the way. Plans are fluid. Intermediate transportation is up in the air. Who I will meet is completely unknown, with the exception of a handful of former coworkers, missionary friends, and a couple that may be vacationing abroad.
I don’t know where I will wash my clothes, wash myself, eat, sleep, find Wi-Fi, hangout, or really any of the other details.
What I do know is that the plane ticket for 2 weeks in Liberia had already been purchased. I know that I found out I could alter the date of my flight to Europe (at no additional cost…actually saving 30 bucks), where I would connect for Monrovia, allowing me to spend several weeks walking around a couple different cities in a couple different countries. I know that a few days after I made this alteration, in an attempt to make better use of that plane ticket (something I fight for), the airport I am to fly through was attacked by terrorists, as well as the local metro system. I know that as long as the airport is operating, I’ll be landing in Brussels, Belgium, one morning in mid-April; hey, that’s coming fast.
The plan is simple: there is no set plan. The only plan is to meet people, talk to people, have coffee with people, eat with people, see sites with people in an effort to start conversations with said people…all with the ultimate goal of sharing Jesus, in word and in deed–His name, His story, and His love. The plan is to meet backpackers, people living on the streets, tourists, natives, coffee shop workers, hostel-stayers, and anyone else who will have a conversation with me.
The very tentative plan is to share Jesus in Brussels, in Paris, in whatever parts of Spain I can get to, in Rome, in Milan, and some places in Germany and England. I don’t know what this will look like. Maybe I will meet people to work with. Maybe I will not actually make it to anywhere I currently have mapped out. Maybe the people in the airports and train stations sitting next to me, and on my flights and trains, will want to talk; maybe they won’t. The same thing that causes some nervousness is the same thing that makes the adventure: the unknown.
If you know anyone in any of these places, in any places between these places, or anywhere in Western Europe in general, consider putting me in contact with them!
This adventure will conclude with a week in Brussels with good friends. Then, a new 2-week adventure will begin in Africa. I will be traveling with a team to an orphanage. There are a lot of awesome kids there. I only know one kid’s name in particular. I know Joe. I have sponsored Joe for the last 3 years or so. We write letters. I got to send him a Bible. I’m bringing him some new clothes, and a toothbrush, and some love. His picture sits on my night stand. I pray for Joe, and all his brothers and sisters in Liberia. I’m excited to see his home. I hope to play soccer, talk about Jesus, help meet some physical needs, look at some possible future plans, eat with new friends, and just let every person that I meet know that they are greatly loved, and that their lives have purpose.
Too many people have said “that’s good for you.” I really don’t know how to take that. As followers of Christ, this is to be our way of life. {Know Him. Make Him Known. Love God. Love others as we love ourselves.} It doesn’t have to be far away, but wherever we are, wherever we work, wherever we pay bills and buy groceries, wherever we interact with other humans, wherever we see someone hungry or ill, hurting or broken, lost or distressed–we are to act. It shouldn’t be optional in our minds–this mindset is sinful. It shouldn’t be “if I have time” or “when I have more money” or “maybe next year.” We are to be living for the Lord daily, momentarily, in constant communion with Him. Our living is our worship, our opportunity to respond to His great love for us.
What has our response looked like lately?
9 days after Africa, I will travel to Puerto Rico with 3 great brothers in Christ that I have had the privilege of growing with for the past several years. We will be working there together for 2 weeks (construction, bball at a rehabilitation center, in camp, in the neighborhood, at every open door) and then I will drive them to the airport to head home. I’ll be sticking around for the remainder of July, to help at the camp in any way that I can, to visit with friends, to encourage those coming with short-term teams, and everything else possible. What I learned in previous stays, is that there is great value in spending time investing in short-term mission teams. One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen is the light bulb turning on in the minds of youth (and adults), that the mission field is not that place you travel for a week or two in the summer, but it is everywhere you go, 365 days a year.
When I share with people about the adventures that are on the way, I mainly hear, “Are you aware of terrorism/Ebola/Zika/etc./etc./etc.” Yes. I am. I also know that the Lord is my Shepherd, my Strength and my Shield, not only in this life, but for eternity. I know that my identity is found in Jesus, and that He will provide a place for my foot to step. I know that He is the Author of my faith, and I want to lean not on my own understanding, but to acknowledge Him in all that He leads me to. I know that all authority in heaven and on earth belong to Him. I know that in whatever happens, God is sovereign. I know that I bought a backpack for a reason. I know that countless other details have “fallen into place” in undeniably Divine fashion.
So we will see what is to come.
Not one of us is promised tomorrow, whether in the United States or any corner or pocket of the world; we have to be making use of our days.
If everything goes well, just as planned/unplanned, we will point people to Jesus. If everything goes awry, worse than ever could have been expected, we will point people to Jesus.
Jesus is the Answer, for the world today,
Above Him there’s no other,
Jesus is the way.
#LETMEINTRODUCEYOU
#lovedoes #JESUSisLORD
#LETMEINTRODUCEYOU 