Subscription Lists

I just returned from a volunteer mission trip to Kenya. This makes my third trip to East Africa, but my first to work with the Maasai tribe. It is an experience I will never forget.

After 3 flights totally more than 18 hours we arrived in Nairobi on Saturday night. We spent our first night in Nairobi before traveling by van to our home-away-from-home in Kajiado about an hour and a half away from the city. During our week long stay in Kajiado my team helped to plant 4 new churches and to lead almost 300 people to Jesus Christ.

Have you ever shared your faith with someone? It's an unbelievable experience. I could try and try to explain it to you, but my words would never be enough. It is something you must absolutely experience for yourself.

I've been asked many times over why I go on these mission trips and share the love of Jesus with others. I go for many reasons… I'm single and have the time and ability to go; I enjoy meeting new people and experiencing new cultures; I love Jesus and want others to know Him as I do. I could go on… but there is really only one reason to go that really matters… we are commanded to!

I relate this to the Audio Adrenaline song I referenced above… we are to be His hands and His feet. In Matthew, Jesus made it abundantly clear that we are not to put our light under a basket but we are instead to shine it for "all" to see.

I go because I am commanded to go and share my joy with the world. I'm not sure I would know how "not" to share it. My joy is so full and overflowing that I can't help but pour it out onto others.

I'd like to imagine that if Jesus were here today He would share just as He did when He first walked the earth… by walking and talking with those who desperately need the hope He has to offer them. This could be your next door neighbor or it could be a stranger in a strange land far away. Jesus doesn't say that it has to be one or the other... He just tells us to go into "all the world."

The world is a big place and there are lots of people who haven't heard - or maybe they have heard and yet they reject Him. As I reflect on this trip I am stuck with images of those I shared with who rejected Him. My heart breaks as I think of Paul and Alex, two men who worked for the rail station that I shared with. Both men had attended church, "knew" Jesus and yet did not have a personal relationship with Jesus. I tried to explain to Paul that "knowing" Him is not the same thing as having a relationship with Him. I know that George W. Bush is the President of the United States. I know a lot of details about President Bush… but I don't have a relationship with him. There is a HUGE difference.

One man in particular weighs heavily on my heart… his name is Eddie and he was one of the drivers that worked with us the entire time we were in Kenya. Eddie is a wonderful man. He always had a smile on his face. He took great care of us. He loved his job and always made sure the van was clean and ready to go every morning. Several days into the trip it occurred to me that while I came to Kenya to work with the Maasai, there might be others in my midst that needed to hear the Good News too. I was completely surprised when I learned that Eddie had never invited Jesus into his heart.

As a believer, I think it becomes easy to assume that those closest to us know Jesus. You think you know someone just because you spend a little time with them. I made the mistake of thinking that because Eddie worked with followers of Jesus that he too must be a follower.

(What a costly mistake I almost made!)

I'm so glad God stirred it in my heart to share Jesus with Eddie. Because I had gotten to know Eddie, it was a little harder for me to share. I felt a little more awkward and a bit more nervous. It felt like I had so much more at stake because I had gotten to know him and had started to develop a friendship with him. I worried about what Eddie would think about me. Would it drive a wedge between us if I shared with him? I was terrified that he wouldn't accept. I hated the thought that Eddie might die separated from God.

Eddie knew all the details of Jesus but for whatever reason he wasn't ready to make a decision. I wish I could tell you that Eddie decided to pray to receive Christ while I was on this trip. But he didn't. However, I had several opportunities to talk with him during the last few days of our trip. I had the awesome privilege of sharing not only Jesus with Eddie, but of sharing my life with him as I gave him details of the things I'd seen Jesus do in my life.

I'm praying for Eddie. I'm hoping you'll pray for Eddie too. We promised to stay in touch. Eddie promised he'd tell me more about why he's not made a decision to commit his life to Jesus. It's times like these that I love the Internet. I can write to Eddie and other friends and in just a few seconds my message can reach them around the world. I'm praying God will use me to open Eddie's heart to the truth.

I find it hard to believe that God would choose to use someone like me in a situation like this. I'm broken, messed up, a sinner, I fall down a lot, I'm impatient, selfish, afraid, confused, sometimes depressed, easily angered, weak. And yet, my heart is willing. And for that, He gives me grace and mercy and I believe He will use me because it is my desire to be used by Him to bring praise and glory to His name.

Again, I ask you, have you ever shared your faith with someone? If not, what are you waiting for? It's not about how smart you are, or how much of the Bible you know, or what verses you have memorized. It's about sharing your light with the world.

Don't make the costly mistake of assuming that someone you know and love has a personal relationship with Jesus. Be sure… ask! Isn't their eternity worth it to you?

"Word from Scotland" from Sandy Shaw

What Are We to Do When Others Give Us A Rough Time?