Trains, planes, boats, and automobiles. We all alike have experienced one or all of these modes of transportation; very likely taking us to a place of excitement and adventure, drudgery and complaint, or monotony and routine.
Some or all of these vehicles will be used to transport me and my small bag of belongings to a place that will seem halfway around the world. In just a few short days I will board a plane in Atlanta to begin my trek to Africa.
"Why Africa?" you ask.
Because I'm confident that life has greater meaning than simply consuming all the forms of entertainment I can get my hands on here in my little world of the southeastern United States.
Don't misunderstand me. My summer has consisted of some amazing memories created with family and friends; beaches and ball parks, mountains and museums, statues and swimming pools. But I do not want to cheapen what I consider to be my primary purpose in life.
So what is my purpose?
Very simply, my purpose is to recognize and respond to these three ideas; God has called me, God has promised me, God is equipping me.
I was once on a path moving quickly in the wrong direction but God rescued me. I wasn't pursuing Him or working my way toward Him or dialing His number. But He called me. And when I answered, He saved me.
He didn't promise that this life would be easy, that I would see instantaneous success, or that all the chips would fall my way. But He made me a promise; I will be with you. Faithful. Committed. Present. With me. More specifically, in me.
He's taking the good, the bad, and the ugly to shape me into a better version of the artwork He desires. He's equipping me. He's giving me a perspective of life that will allow me to empathize with others and share the grace and goodness of God with them as they walk through various trials and struggles that this life continues to dispense.
So, in just a few short days, I will board a plane in the States and begin my journey to Africa. I will join the Love Africa Mission team as we travel to Kenya to serve the people of Kijabe with open minds, hearts, and hands.
While we're there we will have the opportunity to meet children and adults in the hospitals, visit with families in their homes, and read Bible stories to once orphaned children at Naomi's Village. Ultimately, we want to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ with a world who desperately needs to see most clearly the Father's love.
