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20140315-162103.jpgIt is the ides of March, one month until Cindy and I depart for our exploratory trip to Uganda. We are looking forward to meeting new friends, building relationships, and witnessing firsthand the work being done and that needs to be done in the name of Jesus Christ.

We got some news this week that has us turning our itinerary over, but it is a blessing, because it will permit us to spend Easter with a friend, rather than among strangers. Carol Adams, of Y.E.S. Uganda, has graciously offered to host us for the holiday at her home and mission hostel in Fort Portal. She is a recent acquaintance and a beloved friend of two of our beloved friends.

Other news we got this week is a new prayer concern. Our home county is completely out of the yellow fever vaccine. We have been advised to travel to Gainesville to get vaccinated, as it represents the nearest supply, and we have been informed that we cannot enter Uganda without it. Other shots and medicines have been taken care of, but this remains at issue. Please join us in this prayer: the Lord will provide.

I worked my last shift as a police officer Wednesday, and today is my first day being officially retired. The last couple days have been full and eventful, with family visiting and congratulatory blessings being received. I thought I was emotionally prepared until, as I prepared my uniform for the last time, it occurred to me it was, in fact, the last time. A nervous hole gnawed at my stomach the rest of the day as I became aware that I was shedding a skin I have worn for twenty-five years. The last call I went on went rather poorly. No one was hurt physically, but tempers were lost and grace did not abound. It reminded me that, along with the uniform of a professional fault-finder and justice-minister, I must be willing to let go the demand for peace and replace it with a passion for mercy.

"Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, truth;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."
(Prayer of St. Francis of Assissi)

Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ (Luke 10:9 NIV)

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Matthew 20:27-28, NRSV:

and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.

foot washingJesus’ instruction was that we should consider others’ needs ahead of our own, to be servant (or slave) of our fellows. Have we given enough of ourselves? Certainly we have not given our very lives! Christ, the God-man, demonstrated the extent of His commission: “Lay it all down like this,” as He again attempts to convey to His followers that His death was imminent.

There are certain things about my new calling toward becoming a missionary nurse that I find unsavory, and I can’t help but think about some of them when I read this verse. How disgusting and humiliating a task is before you? Is it worse than leaving the throne of Heaven to come to a stable hay feeder, to touch lepers, embrace sinners, be grabbed by the “unclean” bleeders, be betrayed by friends, abused by guards, miscarried by a faulty justice, beaten with a cat-o-nine-tails, nailed to a log, and suspended till you could breathe no more? Nope! I think, given the example of the Model before me, I might be able to put up with a little more discomfort on behalf of those precious lives Jesus endured all that to save.

Dear Father, today, I lay down my life for Your purposes. Help me remember not to snatch it up again when Your purposes reveal themselves as unsavory circumstances or people. Save me from selfishness!

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This is Cindy. My wonderful hubby has encouraged me to begin blogging to share my thoughts and feelings so here goes...

There are a few things that I can say will always be true of my blogging - it will be very inconsistent, the topics will be random and for you grammar experts... well don't get your hopes up.

As you may know from reading my bio (written by said wonderful hubby), I am a Christian, an administrative assistant (the politically correct terminology for secretary but that's a whole other subject!), a cancer survivor, the step-mother of two adult children, I enjoy sewing and gardening.  He truly makes me sound like a super-woman which makes me strive all the more to be so.

Todd and I married in 1997 and I became an instant mother.  Marriage and motherhood have been the most difficult and rewarding experience of my life.  I have learned so much about myself that the Heavenly Father knew that I needed to prepare me for His plan.

NestOne example of His training is the gentle and loving way that He changed my heart about my desire to hold on to my "nest stuff." Many years ago hubby and I were discussing what we would miss most if we went on the mission field (long before any revelation of Uganda!). My response was that I would miss my home and stuff.  All of the things that I have wanted to own for a while and finally acquired.  The favorite kitchen ware, that comfy sofa, the pretty dishes that we got for our wedding, and on and on. Now?  Well, now those things are simply things.  I couldn't tell you when my heart changed, it just did.  Don't get me wrong. I still like my pretty dishes and comfy sofa.  I just don't love them.  I could walk away from them without regret.  Hmm.  Does it sound like I am being called to missions or what? Psalm 37:4 tells us to "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." (ESV)  It's true.  Sometimes He does gives us things.  Sometimes He changes our hearts to other desires.  God is good all the time.

Until next time, Cindy