Often, what we are doing is comfortable and “fitting” for
us. But, how often do we stop to think that perhaps God might just have more
for us…if only we follow his lead?
After all, he does promise to faithfully lead and care for us, right? Paul tells us in Phil 4:19 “And this same God who takes care of me will
supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in
Christ.” And we are reminded in Jeremiah
29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you.” Says the Lord. “They are plans for
good and not for disaster, to give you hope and a future.”
I recently heard this quote: “We must let go of the life we
have planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”
Well, I am letting go…because God is calling me to
Uganda. I got the MI:2 talk with
God. “Your mission, should you choose
to accept it,” He said to me, “is to move to Uganda. Seek out the lost and hurting deaf children and empower them with
sign language. Show them how much I
love them and tell them about me.”
Let me back up a few months to the days when God’s story for
my life began to unfold before my eyes.
I was on a mission trip with Arise Africa via Journey Church. It was a Wednesday when our team rolled into
the village of Makutu in the Iganga District.
Our team served diligently all day teaching about the miracles of Jesus
and the faithful, loving character of God.
We played games with the kids, ran like crazy, cuddled babies, and my heart smiled from the flood of the kids' laughter and joy.
Among all of the fun and games, amazing stories, and chaos of hundreds
of kids, one little girl repeatedly caught my eye. She didn’t giggle and yell like the other kids. She didn’t sing
during worship time and the other kids seemed to ignore her.
This sweet girl's name is Mutesa and she is deaf.
My heart broke as I pulled her aside and realized that she had never been taught language. She had never been enrolled in school. I peered into her eyes and could see her longing for acceptance, longing to be loved, longing to understand her place in this world.
We walked hand-in-hand until we found a quiet doorstep and
sat down. A crowd of children gathered
around as I introduced Mutesa to sign language for the first time. What a blessing it was to watch the sadness
and desperation in her eyes turn to hope and excitement. My heart leaped when she proudly marched to
a pastor, tugged on his shirt, looked up at him and used her newly acquired
signs to tell him that he was a boy!
Such a simple concept that we take for granted but proof of a brand new world opening
for Mutesa.
When it was time to load the van and leave, I would be lying
if I said I was okay. To be honest, for
a moment (or two…or three…) I just wanted to scoop her up in my arms, take her
with me, and hold her forever. After all, how could she go one
more day without
language? Without genuine love? Without knowing the name of Jesus?!
Then God shook me back to reality—I could not take her with
me. So I trust that God is protecting her, leading her, and teaching her about
himself in ways that I never could, even with sign language.
Meanwhile, in the days and months to follow God and I spent a lot of time together. I was asking a lot of questions while He was silently preparing my heart. Then the time came when my questions were answered and God said to go. He has an awesome road ahead of me--nothing that I could have ever dreamed or imagined on my own, but I also could not imagine turning my back to a front row seat to witness countless deaf children
learning sign language and experiencing Jesus’ love as they become followers of
Him!
This is not Mission: Difficult. It is Mission: Impossible. I cannot do this of my own strength. Jesus says, “With people this is impossible, but with
God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
I trust that God will be with me every step of the way, revealing
himself and drawing hearts into His redemptive relationship every moment of every day.
What a blessing it is to be a child of God and to serve the Lord.
