Tag Archives: missionary

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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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Simeon's Moment by Ron DiCianni

Today, while working in the lawn, I listened to a sermon which referenced Simeon, the prophet who met the holy family in the temple after the time of purification was over (Luke 2:22-25).  Great emphasis was placed on the fact that, though Jesus was only a seven week-old child, this devout man saw in Him the glory of the promise that was to come.  So assured was he of who Jesus was that he was content to die happy, having received the promise that God had given him – that he would witness the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven in his lifetime.

The preacher to whom I was listening pointed out that many of us fail to recognize the promise of God, or become complacent as time progresses, and stop looking for the fulfillment of the promise.  He also pointed out that Simeon received a personal word from God, apart from Scripture, a prophetic revelation that he would participate in something new and wonderful.  Listeners were encouraged to hold on to the hope of God’s promise in our life, though it may seem to take a long time.  Like Simeon, we are to be sensitive to God’s call, and eagerly follow His bidding.  Simeon was called “by the Spirit into the temple” (v. 27).  He also showed discernment when he saw, in the little baby, the promise of the Messiah, the conquering King.

I couldn’t help but think of the newly birthed concept of this ministry.  I know that God is preparing us for something big in Uganda, and yet, sometimes, I am disquieted by the scoffs and jeers of those who criticize the plan or lack of specifics, or who attempt to dissuade me from serving a people so far removed from what I know.  As I hold this infant ministry concept in my hands, I see a great future – one in which Jesus Christ shows up in power to do mighty things, and He will let me be a part of it.

I’m grateful for the story of Simeon, and how his foresight inspires me to keep looking ahead.

30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples (Luke 2:30-31, NKJV)