Matthew 9:37

An email from Christopher last night arrived in the midst of a deep conversation with our HouseChurch about branching, and going outside of our comfort zone to serve in the way God calls us to serve.

I love my husband.  I love his heart.  I love his willingness to get dirty.  I love that he has become a shining example in our home of what it means to SEEK God. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Cox
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2014 7:30 PM
To: MaryAnn Morgan-Cox
Subject:

Getting ready to leave for Negros. It will take several hours to get there but I will keep you updated. I love all three of you so much.

Matthew 9:37 has been on my heart all morning... The harvest is great but the workers are few.

Looking forward to seeing the orphanage on the other island.

Pre-trip devotion: SHARE

Learn their story; tell mine

Some people are great storytellers by nature.  Others have to work at it.  But one thing is for sure, people love to hear a story.  Telling stories is a way of life in many cultures.  When I show interest in the story of someone I meet from another culture, I may win a new friend.  I need to listen to people's stories....then be ready to tell my own. 

Loving Hearts Baby Home, Bethany Children's Village, Restoration Gateway are not strangers to North American visitors.  They are each blessed with a strong support network of short- and long-term volunteers from various countries, but many are from the US.  Even so, some people might be curious and will want to know why I have come.  How will I answer?  "To work on a building" or "to teach a class" may be appropriate/accurate answers, but I've been challenged to view this as an opportunity to articulate more than the obvious.  Maybe this is an open door to share the spiritual dimension of my answer!  Especially if my story includes some details on how Christ has motivated me to serve.  

Paul doesn't mince words when we provides pointed encouragement in 1 Peter 3:15: 

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect...

And we receive some serious words of instruction and conviction again from Paul as he challenges his young disciple, Timothy, to be an example for the church.  

1 Timothy 4:12-16

¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture**, to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
 ¹⁵ Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. ¹⁶ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

In what ways should Timothy/I be an example? 

Timothy was a young pastor.  It would have been easy for older Christians to look down on him because of his youth.  He had to earn the respect of his elders by setting an example in his speech, life, love, faith, and purity.  Regardless of his/my age, God can use him/me!  Whether I am young or old, I shouldn't think of my age as a handicap.  I've been reflecting on this all afternoon; I don't consider my physical age to be a handicap... I'm not as young in real-life as I am in my mind. =)  But I do find myself considering whether spiritual age is a handicap. Some days I feel right on target, and other days far from "perfect" (on those days I'm far from EITHER definition of perfect that I wrote about in the last devotion).  Regardless of where I am in my walk with the Lord, I can contribute to this team and to this trip if I submit to His will.  

Timothy was also called to be an example in the way he used his spiritual gifts.  As a young leader in a church that had a lot of problems, Timothy may have felt intimidated.  But the elders and prophets encouraged him and charged him to use his spiritual gift responsibly.  What gifts and abilities has God given me?  As I contemplate this particular question today, I want to also consider how I will use that gift in my daily life and it special times of service, such as this trip to Uganda.  

**This afternoon I took my bible and my book of devotionals to Lulu's for some coffee and sunshine while I read and prayed.  I was just beginning to dig in to this passage in Timothy (the study notes that come with my bible are really enlightening!) when a Lulu's employee stopped by my table to see what the Cox family was up to.  He realized I was reading my bible, paused, and then asked if I was preparing for anything special.  We had a brief, but rich, conversation and I was able to share more about this trip to Uganda as well as our joy at finding a wonderful church here in Indianapolis.  I was struck by His not-so-subtle timing as I turned back to the passage and picked up where I left off.... "devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture".  =)

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I plan to take more time this week to consider "my story".  It probably won't include a description of when I first came to Christ (I can't remember a time when I didn't know Christ as my savior), but will rather be related to later events in my journey of faith.  

CJ provides the following guidance as you consider "your story", and I want to provide that here for any readers and for our own family history.  I think it's pivotal to be intentional in my faith, and I intend to think about my story in the context of my professional environment, my neighborhood interactions, my investment in our new church, and the trip to Uganda.  

"It is always good to think of your audience.  As you begin to work on your story, think of the things you have in common with those you are going to serve.  There are many universal aspect to life like family, school, work, marriage, etc.  There are also the universal themes of life like the pursuit of happiness, peace of mind, individual dignity, security, etc.  There are negative themes that plague all of us, like the hose of sins that we deal with or feelings like fear, anger, or disappointment.  These matters touch everyone... regardless of your place on the planet.  

Some questions to answer as you work on your story:

1. How did I realize my need for a Savior  or  how did Jesus meet me in my time of need?
2. How can I clearly explain how to accept God's love and forgiveness through my story?
3. What difference have I experienced in my life because of accepting God's love and forgiveness?
4. What are some of my negative attitudes, actions and motivations that have changed?"

 Lord, Please grant me wisdom and discernment as I write my unique - yet universal - story.  Guide me to include the works and words that might touch hurting hearts.  Let it be an opportunity for me to sit humbly as I consider the times You have rescued me, protected me, healed me, and blessed me beyond measure.  I want to be BOLD for You!  

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Have a blessed week!

MaryAnn

Pre-trip devotion: UNDERSTANDING

Am I an American first or a Christian first?

I think the answer to C.J.'s question is obvious, but it's also important to really consider what I represent when I travel.

First, a few words that represent some positive stereotypes or traits of North Americans:

friendly - outgoing - hardworking -  generous - well-educated - reliable - confident

This list is far from exhaustive, and any given day might produce a different set of adjectives - but the attributes above sound great and make me proud to be an American! 

There are also not-so-positive stereotypes attached to North Americans:

materialistic  -  wasteful  -  domineering  -  arrogant  -  disrespectful of authority  -  corrupt

Personally, I don't like reading those words, much less taking time to consider how well or  how often they might describe my own attitudes and lifestyle.   My past travels have mostly occurred in Western Europe, so my global perspective is limited and I don't have a broad sense of what people expect from Americans.  If these stereotypes are accurate, they come from a darker side of our culture.  They come from sinful patterns through the years.  This is an opportune time to look deeper within myself and examine whether my life is influenced by some of these negative traits. 

Much of the success of fitting in and serving those in the Ugandan culture will be related to how I deal with these negative stereotypes.  As I accept and grapple with these harmful traits, as a Christian, there is good news... I do have the power (through Christ) not to be controlled by them.

I know (I really, really know) that God is in the business of transforming our lives as we give ourselves to Him.  In Romans 12:2, Paul pleads with Christians not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

Help and encouragement can be found in a powerful passage in Phillipians:

Philippians 3:7-21

 ⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. ¹⁰ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
 ¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Following Paul’s Example

 ¹⁵ All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. ¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained.  ¹⁷ Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. ¹⁸ For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

If I desire to become everything God wants me to be, what encouragement can I find in Phillipians 3:12-16?

Sometimes trying to live a perfect Christian life can be so difficult that it leaves me drained and discouraged.  I may even feel so far from perfect that I can't imagine ever pleasing God with my life.  Paul** intended "perfect" to mean mature or complete, not flawless in every detail.   Those who are mature should press on in the Holy Spirit's power, knowing that Christ will reveal and fill in any discrepancy between what I am and what I should be.  Christ's provision is no excuse for lagging devotion, but it provides relief and assurance for those who feel driven.

** Paul really knew what it meant to be imperfect and to struggle with a burden of guilt followed by the renewal and peace that comes with accepting forgiveness and allowing Christ to bear our burdens.  Paul has reason to forget what was behind - he had held the coats of the those who stoned Stephen.  I have done things for which I am ashamed, and I live in the tension of what I have been and what I want to be.  Because my hope is in Christ, however, today I will profess His promises for me.  I can let go of past guilt and look forward to what God will help me become.  I will not dwell on my past.  Instead I will grow in the knowledge of God by concentrating on my relationship with him now.  I will move on to a life of faith and obedience, and I will look forward to a fuller and more meaningful life afforded to me by my hope in Christ.

In Phillipians 3:18-19 we read that some have their minds saturated with the attitudes and values of today's culture.  Yet verses 20-21 remind us that as Christians, our citizenship is in heaven.  What does that mean to me personally?

  
As I understand it, there was a group of "Judaizers".  These Jewish Christians believed that it was essential for Geniles to follow all the Old Testament laws.  They looked at Christianity backwards - thinking that what they did made them believers rather than the free gift of grace given by Christ.  [I, on many a day, have been guilty of this backward thinking.  I find myself trying to EARN God's grace, when it's an impossible feat.]

Paul criticized not only this group of believers who continued to try and earn grace, but also the self-indulgent Christians, people who claim to be Christians but don't live up to Christ's model of servanthood and self-sacrifice.  These people satisfy their own desires before even thinking about the needs of others.  Freedom in Christ does not mean freedom to be selfish.  It means taking every opportunity to serve and to become the best person you can be.

Lord, Thank you for pouring your PERFECT love onto my heart and life.  I have allowed certain aspects of my culture to influence the decisions I make, the way I spend my time, and how I view your people that reside in other places.  Please forgive me.  I am SO looking forward to sharing Your love and light, and to reshaping any negative stereotypes that might exist in the homes and facilities that I will visit.  Please let this week be a week of transparency - that I might see the dark spots in my heart and mind that would prevent me from sharing Your word in the way you desire.  Prepare my heart, oh Lord!  

In your Precious Son's name, Amen.

Love,
MaryAnn

Pre-trip devotion: OPENNESS

Traveling outside my comfort zone

There's a high probability I'll pack my favorite remedies for common ailments on the Uganda trip.  There's the pink lotion for insect bites and the other pink medicine for if any of us are "intestinally challenged."  But there's nothing I can pack to treat culture shock. 

The author of the devotional set I've been working through provides the following scenario: 
When you arrive at your site, the warm weather feels so lovely, the little village seems quaint and friendly, and your hosts are so interested and neighborly.  But... after a few weeks or maybe even days, you feel your attitudes shift.  The honeymoon is definitely over.  Suddenly the heat is stifling, the tiny village is closing in on you, and your hosts won't give you a moment to yourself.

Culture shock is the disorientation that results from unfamiliar surroundings and unmet expectations.

What happens when living outside of one's own culture?  After the initial honeymoon stage, one of the first things to creep in is a judgmental attitude.  If things are different from our own customs, values, and behaviors, they seem, well.... wrong or intolerable, or at the least, strange. This isn't confined to OUS experiences.  It's even true when we get close to another person or family here at home.

Paul, a short-term missionary, lived in and out of many different cultures.  In I Corinthians 10, we see how Paul dealt with an agitated group who thought eating certain meat was wrong.  In verses 23-33, he addresses this issue:

The Believer’s Freedom

 ²³ “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. ²⁴ No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.  ²⁵ Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, ²⁶ for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”
 ²⁷ If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. ²⁸ But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. ²⁹ I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? ³⁰ If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
 ³¹ So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ³² Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— ³³ even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

...So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble...

Lord, 

     Please open my heart to these words.  These are great big LIFE words that should influence my every interaction.  I'm humbled tonight as I read these words over and over again.  I'm imperfect.  I'm sinful..  I fall short of your glory and think of myself before others or judge others when I have no rights or understanding to do so.  I'm so sorry -  Please forgive me and grant me grace tomorrow as I hold these words close and work to incorporate them into my life in a bigger and better way.  

                         In your precious Son's name,  Amen.

 Tonight I'm praying that any "culture shock" I might experience will be focused away from judgement and toward a reframed understanding of what it means to be a survivor/teacher/believer in Uganda. I think the shock can be good and purposeful if the end result is the crumbling of a cultural barrier that would otherwise keep me from praying and loving all of God's people with a fervent heart. 

Time for some sleep!
MaryAnn

Pre-trip devotion: HUMILITY

Many mission/vision trips are about providing some kind of construction work, like building a house or school or medical facility.  Some projects involve ministry at a church, like a Vacation Bible School.  It's easy to look at the kind of activity I do as an end in itself.  In the last few weeks I've been encouraged to look deeper than the "what" of the project and explore the "how".

I know God cares deeply about my attitude.  I know that because He's explicit in the description of what kind of attitude I should have if I want to bring Him glory through my words/thoughts/projects/prayer.  We are called to exude an attitude of service. 

Philippians 2

Imitating Christ’s Humility

 ¹ Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  ⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
 ⁶ Who, being in very nature God,
   did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
   by taking the very nature of a servant,
   being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
   he humbled himself
   by becoming obedient to death—
      even death on a cross!


Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Wow.  Do n-o-t-h-i-n-g out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Having an attitude of humility is easier said than done - especially in the culture we live in today.  Humility and service are the opposite of what we are taught by our peers, and being a humble servant does not come naturally to me.

This particular devotion places a heavy emphasis on making sure your attitude is aligned with Paul's instructions from verses 3 through 5.  Personally, my attitude toward my tasks in Uganda isn't causing any spiritual red flags to go up.  I did, however, feel them popping up when I read the verses and stopped to consider other areas of my life.. especially the portion of my life related to my career.  There weren't any asterisks on these scriptures indicating that careers are exempt from this expectation.

Lord, Please prepare my heart as I approach this very busy work week.  Please let these words be set before me such that I am reminded to consider others before myself in all my actions and encounters.  I want to have the mind of Christ.  I want to glorify you in all that I do, every day.   Amen.

From Mark 10:42-45, Jesus doesn't offer any mixed signals when he presents the great paradox of servanthood:

⁴² Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ⁴³ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

 Considering the environment and the work I will do on my trip, there are some practical ways I can be a humble servant and avoid acting superior:

• Smile
• Stand in a humble pleasant posture
• Make sure my arms aren't folded (a nervous habit)
• Allow others to eat/proceed/speak/share first 
• Be keen to identify ways I can help
• Speak in turn 

   In reading the promises of Philippians 1:6 and 2:13, there are two phrases that give me confidence that I can have a Christ-like attitude:

1. "...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
2. "...for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

Isn't this just the best?!  Such strong and encouraging words to start this week - I'm just going to let those sink into my heart and mind and take over!

Much love,

MaryAnn

** I was *thisclose* to clicking "publish" when I felt led to share one more thought.  In Philippians 1:6 we read that He will carry on the good work to completion.  So if I aspire to be like Christ, and Christ carries on with his tasks to completion... then shouldn't that be something I/we aspire to as well?  The implications here are really, really big.   I'll probably think on this some more tonight... while I finish putting the clothes away and work to FINALLY get these photos hung on the wall.  ;)

Pre-trip devotion: GROW

What's in this for me?  What's in this for them?

It's amazing how many people benefit from a short-term mission trip.  These benefits will likely flow in three different directions:  toward those I serve, toward those I'm serving with (the Generations group), and to myself.

Based on a list of commonly identified benefits, I've used green text to highlight the benefits that I get most excited about...

Some benefits to those I serve:

• I bring fresh energy, willing hands, and encouragement to my hosts, both the missionary and the national.
• I provide the resources or know-how to fulfill a need.
• My hosts experience community with the larger body of Christ as we worship and work together.
• Some may come to Christ.

Some benefits to the group:

• What we learn in another culture shapes and brings new perspectives to the group.
• Leadership abilities grow and become stronger.
• Others are encouraged to grow by stepping out of their comfort zones through observing the group in action.
• People live out newly examined values in light of a larger worldview when we return to our home church.
• The group gains a new vision and enthusiasm for serving at home.

Some personal benefits:

• Make new friends with my team and hosts.
• Be challenged to grow spiritually.
• Use my gifts to build the body of Christ.
• Grow a larger heart for the lost and needy.
• Learn to live and love in the diversity of another culture.
• Experience fulfillment as I strive to learn, love, and serve in the name of Jesus. 

That's a pretty impressive list of potential benefits.  And when I say impressive, I'm not speaking in the gratification sense. When I consider all God might do, these words are impressed on my heart in a way that will influence my words and prayers and actions over the next few weeks. I'm praying that my notes in green will become a reality, as well as any others that God might use to draw me closer to Him.

Looking at this list is exciting, but also intimidating in some respects.  Can God do all this through me and in me? I'm looking forward to experiencing dependence on Him in a whole new way.  I will certainly need to depend on His power, not my own. 

In the book of Ephesians, we find some real encouragement about depending on God.  In Ephesians 3:14-21, we see what God's power can do:

 ¹⁴ For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
 ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.


God's power strengthens me; Boy, do I need some strength.  I've been working hard to balance my time and devotion to my Heavenly Father, my sweet husband and daughter, my family and friends in Texas, and a career that I love very much.  I've tried to shoulder these and other concerns myself, instead of giving it over to Him.  This is such an appreciated and timely reminder that He wants to share His strength with me so that I don't feel so tired and weak at the end of each day.

God's power allows me to grasp the scope and fullness of His love; His love for the people of Uganda, His love for my team members, and His love for me.  Reading this gives me a big ol' lump in my throat.

God's power helps me know the love that surpasses knowledge; Even when words or actions or earthly events don't make sense to my mind, I can rest in assurance that God is in control and His love will prevail.

The devotional also encouraged me to take time to write out a prayer about my need to depend on God's power and not my own in light of my responsibilities on the Uganda trip.  I feel enriched and encouraged as a result of that exercise, but I'm keeping that prayer between He and Me for now.  =)  I look forward to seeing Him work in that specific area while I'm in Uganda, and I look forward to sharing the details with you following the trip!


Have a blessed week,
MaryAnn

Pre-trip devotion: SERVE

I'm working through a short set of devotionals before I leave for Uganda on the 24th.  The missions director at Common Ground pointed me to a tool they've been using recently, and I really like it.  It's called Before You Pack Your Bag, Prepare Your Heart.  It contains 12 short-ish bible studies and a trip journal.  It's VERY accessible, and seems like youth/college groups are probably the intended audience.  Even so, I'm finding it quite enjoyable and enlightening, and I am decidedly grateful for the different insights that will challenge me to learn to tell my story, be a strong team member, and be a good guest. 

In Matthew 25:31-36, Jesus tells his disciples that He will sit on His throne someday with the nations gathered before Him.  He explains how He looks at the service we do....

The Sheep and the Goats

    ³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.    ³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
   ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
   ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
   ⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
   ⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
   ⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
   ⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”


FIVE things I can do for those in need:

• Meet their physical needs / quench their hunger and thirst by providing food and water
• Invite them into my community
• Offer an avenue to protection and modesty by providing clothing
• Tend to their earthly bodies by providing / facilitating medical care
• Bring hope and ministry to prisons

What am I reminded of in verse 40?
Any efforts I extend to God's children are efforts that bless Him.  I must look to help the least, not those I suspect may be most influential.  This trip will be focused on children, but in my daily life I experience encounters with many people who are marginalized or might be considered the least of these.  I should pray for wisdom and discernment in how I might help the children and caretakers in Uganda, as well as those in my daily life who are clearly hurting.

In Matthew 28 Jesus is meeting with His followers for the last time on earth.  Verses 18 through 20 offer the final instruction Jesus gave to all of His followers.  As a follower, I am called to...

• Go and make disciples of all nations.
• Baptize new believers in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
• Teach new believers to obey all of God's commandments

What is the truth in verse 18 that is essential to my ability to do "whatever it takes" to share God's love?
ALL authority has been given to me!!

What does this mean for me?
I am to go - whether it's next door or to Africa - and make disciples.  It's not an option.

When I think about these two passages in Matthew in relation to my upcoming project, I want to be intentional about the way I follow His will.

• I will read the gospel in order to share it.
• I will pour love and kindness and compassion into each child and worker and volunteer I interact with.
• I will boldly tell of Jesus' power in my live; the redemption, the hope, the love, the peace.
• I will share of His great works when I return!