Living a life that Matters

I’ve been struggling a bit about this trip to Kenya. I’ve been struggling about my role. I guess I’m usure what God is calling me to do while I am there. I’m going as a leader, yet I don’t feel I have a real part in what is going on. This has been something that has been on my mind for a couple months now. I actually met with my mission director, Marty about this a few weeks back.

I have had the blessing of serving on the church mission board for a year and a half now. I love it! Right now, no one from the mission board has yet to travel to Huruma. I will be the first. In fact, part of my role is to present a full report to the board when I get back. I will also be documenting the whole trip on video. But in some ways I still feel I’m just showing up and not playing an integral part in all of this.

Last night at the Mine, Pastor Jeff Royce was speaking on 1 Thessalonians . A few verses hit me..

1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:3 (NIV)

¹⁷But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. ¹⁸For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us. ¹⁹For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? ²⁰Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

¹So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. ²We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, ³so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them.

Part of my role is to represent the mission board. Maybe I’m taking this position at the church too lightly. But I’m being sent on behalf of this board to tell the story of what God is doing in Kenya. I’m essentially going to be the eyes and ears of those back home who can’t be there. Just like Timothy was sent to Thessalonica, I’m being sent to Kenya. What an honor that is.

A couple months back, I attended a conference for church leaders in California called Catalyst. The theme of the conference was “You are Here”. Honestly, I didn’t get that slogan.. until today. I had purchased the CD’s of the event and they came in the mail this week. The cover of the CD’s had the words “You are Here”. I listened to Jud Wilhite’s message on the way home from work. “You are Here” can also mean “You are chosen”. God chose me to attend and be there at that conference. He has also chosen me to be at Huruma. Wow! How easy we forget that. I feel so blessed to play a small part in all of this. I may not entirely know what I’m supposed to be doing at Huruma, but I do know God wants me there. And knowing he has a reason for me to be there is enough for me to know I should be there.