Category: missions

My youngest brother Brian has been a missionary in Africa for about ten years. First he lived in Benin, a country in West Africa, then he moved to Cape Town, South Africa, and now he, his wife, Sondra, and his two little boys, Noah and Bryson, live in Zambia, close to the border of Congo. Brian told me once that he knew God called him to Africa when he was in the fourth grade. He’s been faithful to his call.

On our last trip to Namibia, I met a few other Christians who have been called to do God’s work on this great continent. The day we left Atlanta, I gathered our group in the boarding gate area for a brief prayer. I didn’t think we drew attention to ourselves, but after I said “Amen”, someone got my attention. An African American man motioned me to where he was sitting and asked where we were going. He said at one time he had been a youth pastor and team trips held special memories. He told me his name was Brandon and that he was going to Zambia. “A missionary came to our church and invited a group to go with him to Zambia. I thought what he was doing was great, but I knew Africa was not for me. Something kept gnawing at me, though, and finally I decided God wanted me to make the trip. I went and I have never been the same. God has now called me to move there to help the native Christians build His Kingdom. I just quit a great job in Jacksonville, I’m going on a two month visit, then I’m coming back to watch my daughter graduate from college and my wife and I are moving to Zambia. Can you believe it?”

On the YWAM base in Windhoek, I met a guy from Texas who is about my age. Kevin worked as a plumber most of his life until he heard God’s call to missions. “God told me to give away everything I had and go spread His Good News. So that’s what I did. The last four years I’ve been living with some of the poorest people in the world.” Kevin labors in the war-torn land of Angola which borders the northern part of Namibia. Kevin lives in a mud hut, the same type of house as everyone else in the area. He has no electricity, no running water, and he is constantly fighting malaria which is rampant in much of Africa. Kevin receives $300 a month from his supporting church in Texas, but he says that is more than he needs. Recently, his church purchased a new four wheel drive Toyota truck that he uses for God’s glory. He told me 26 Angolans will ride in the back of the truck at one time. Despite this great vehicle, it took Kevin two twelve-hour days of driving to cover 170 miles. The road conditions of Angola are a little rough. Despite all the hardships Kevin encounters, I recognized a radical disciple of Jesus whose strength is the joy of the Lord.

One day in the city, I ate lunch with a native Namibian named Cas. Cas grew up in the northern part of the country, but God called him to pastor a church and start a Christian school in Windhoek, the nation’s capital. Cas is a muscular man who looks like a rugby player. Where I played basketball, baseball, and soccer with my kids, Cas teaches his three sons to hunt. My friend John says Cas is an excellent hunter. A local farmer just called him to track and shoot a leopard that was killing livestock on his property.

Cas impressed me as a strong but gentle shepherd who loves his flock and longs for the unity of God’s church in his city. Three years ago he started a weekly prayer meeting with different church leaders of Windhoek. At first he said these meetings were very awkward. “No one trusted each other. We all seemed to care more about our own little domains than about God’s desire for the world to know His love.” But as these leaders simply continued to meet and pray, the barriers started to fall and they started to really care about one another. Just recently, there was a flood in another part of the country. All the leaders went as one to the impacted area and served the hurting. “No one cared who got the credit. We were no longer in competition with one another. We were simply loving and serving as God calls us to do. It was beautiful.” My friend John tells me that Cas is probably the most respected Christian leader in the whole city. I see why… he reflects Jesus.

No matter where we are called on this earth or no matter what God calls us to do, we know we are all called to reflect Jesus.

“Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him.” I Corinthians 7:17 ”

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:28-29

If you ask any of the kids to share a highlight of the trip to Namibia, I think all would talk about the Sunday morning worship in the squatter’s camp of Katutura. In one of the poorest sections of Windhoek, hundreds of makeshift homes have been built as families have migrated to the city for work. The conveniences we take for granted in our neighborhoods are unknown in this one. Only recently have a few concrete block buildings been erected. Most live in “houses” that have been constructed with tin, scrap lumber, and anything else that can provide shelter. In this place of poverty we discovered joy, hospitality, and worship.

As twenty Americans joined about sixty Namibians in a room smaller than many American bedrooms, we received a little understanding of these words of Jesus: “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” It was not that we stood the whole time of singing; it was not that we participated in the Lord’s Supper with brothers and sisters of a different race; it was not that we heard new songs in a language we did not understand… I think this had to do with spirit and truth. We knew the Holy Spirit was present. We knew Jesus, the Truth, was being praised. And we saw young and old putting their whole hearts into worship. These people were not going through the motions. Even if there had been a clock on the wall, no one would have been looking at it. Instead of thinking about a Sunday meal, it seemed that we were receiving food from Heaven.

There was one lady who helped lead songs that caught most of our attention. She had a beautiful voice and sang with great energy, but what we noticed were her eyes and her expression. It seemed that she actually saw the One she was worshiping. Her face glowed as she expressed gratitude to the One who has saved her. I think something was awakened in us as we worshiped God that Sunday morning.

I am sure the church we visited is not perfect. I know being in a different culture brings a special excitement. I imagine there are many factors that make this time so memorable, but I do believe God was teaching us. We experienced heartfelt worship in an unknown corner of the world that must touch His heart. We saw people in a packed room with no air conditioning give themselves totally to praise. I’ve encouraged many athletes over the years to “give it all” when they play. We saw our brothers and sisters “give it all” as they thanked God. Most of us were convicted. One of our host missionaries said she believed the worship leaders in Heaven will be from Africa. Maybe this is true, but what about me? I don’t aspire to be a worship leader in Heaven, but I do want to be a “true worshiper.”

“Father, let me be the kind of worshiper you seek. Lord, if there are things that keep me from true worship, please take them away. Lord, may my love for You increase and may I see You more clearly. All who see You clearly will worship You for You are worthy to be praised. Lord, let there be less of me and more of You. Let me not care what people think; may I be consumed by You. Fill me with Your Spirit, Lord, and may I worship in spirit and in truth. Amen.”

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’” Hebrews 12:28

I got to share the Easter story with some African children last week. While most knew of the Resurrection, I think many were hearing some of the details of the passion week for the first time. What a pleasure it is to tell children the stories of God. I’ve discovered that no matter where you are in the world, little ones seem to hang on every word. I chose young barefoot volunteers to be Jesus, His disciples, Malchus, and a donkey. When we came to the Cross, I asked, “Why did Jesus have to die?” Many voices rang out, “To save us from our sins!”

Nearly 20% of the population of Namibia is HIV positive. We cry out, “Lord, save the Africans from their sins!” But as I cry for Africa, I also cry for our country. We have more stuff, but we have the same need. We may not see the exterior devastation in our neighborhoods, but the devil is just as happy to destroy the interior and his tactics in the U.S. are just as lethal.

I sat next to a white South African businessman on the plane from Windhoek to Johannesburg. When he heard our reason for visiting Africa, he made an interesting observation. “Scores of Africans are turning to Christianity these days. And do you know why? Because unlike so many of us educated Westerners, they are desperately in need and they ask God to rescue them.” If the devil has succeeded in making the wealthy and educated believe they don’t need God, who is in the greatest danger?

This is why the Easter story is the hope of every nation. We remember the sacrifice of our Savior on this Good Friday, but the Resurrection brings the celebration. After telling the children what happened on the third day, I asked, “Why did God raise His Son from the dead?” No one answered. Finally one little boy raised his hand. His beautiful voice will stick in my mind forever as he shared a profound truth: “To prove that He was the Almighty!”

God proved Jesus is the Almighty by raising Him from the dead and He wants to let this Almighty One give us new life. One of my missionary friends in Namibia shared an encouraging word last week. She told me that while she was praying one day, God showed her a picture of me. “I felt God was literally raising you from the dead and infusing you with life.” Often I feel that God has physically done this for me. Even for this past trip, I think God touched my body and allowed me to go. So many of you pray for me and I sometimes think I am a walking testimony of the power of God. But if the blood I gave at the doctor’s office yesterday comes back with a bad report, I won’t be overly discouraged, because I know this earthly body is only temporal. There is a testimony greater than physical healing that has everything to do with the Resurrection. I was once spiritually dead and God made me alive.

This is why I can never look down on a sinner in a poverty stricken African neighborhood. I was a sinner in the wealthiest nation on earth. Jesus died for us all. He is the risen King of Kings and He gives eternal life to all who believe in Him… whether we have shoes or not.

The Resurrection is the heart of the Gospel. Paul wrote, “If there is no Resurrection, we are to be pitied more than all men.” (see I Corinthians 15) Though we sometimes don’t see ourselves in Christ quite as clearly as we should, the truth is we are resurrected souls. We are walking proof that that there is a God. We don’t even need to fear death, for we are confident there is a Resurrection. What a reason to be thankful for Easter!

“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:3-11

“Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, ‘Look at us!’ The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting a gift. But Peter said, ‘I don’t have any money for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!’ Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did the man’s feet and anklebones were healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.” Acts 3:1-8

I was at another Beautiful Gate this month. In one of the poorest areas of the city of Windhoek, Namibia, a group of faithful Christians continue the work of Peter and John. Early every morning, fifty to sixty children enter a special haven called the Beautiful Gate, where they receive nourishment for the body, mind, and soul. The workers, most of the time, can honestly say, “Silver or gold have we none,” but they give what they have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, they love.

Most of these children have met common tragedy in their young lives; their parents have died of AIDS. Some live in small houses with as many as eighteen people. Most have been given no hope, but the Christians see a different future. This year the Community Hope School was started to give a place for the older children to receive a quality education. Archie and Sofia, both natives of Namibia, are two master teachers instructing these children in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Does God not give us a glimpse of His heart in the story of Peter and John? Wherever we encounter people, can we not look them in the eye with the love of our Savior? Can we not give them what we have in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth? The man at the Temple danced for joy and the people accustomed to him begging were “absolutely astounded.” We saw many children dancing for joy at the Beautiful Gate of Namibia… and we danced with them. A community known for poverty, addiction, and brevity of life rejoices that Jesus cares enough to get involved. May the mighty works of the Beautiful Gate follow God’s children all around the world.

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matt 5:16

This week I have friends going to Latin America, Asia, and different parts of Europe. My family and thirteen others are flying to Namibia in Southern Africa. When Jesus said, “Go into all the world”, little did the early disciples know how this would be possible. There’s a man named Loren Cunningham, the founder of Youth With a Mission, who has preached in every nation on the earth. Can you imagine?

But even with the speed of travel and our incredible means of communication, building the Kingdom is still a daunting task. Rich Mullins wrote this song called THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD:

The other side of the world is not so far away as I thought that it was… and the distance just dissolves into the love.

The New Jerusalem won’t be as easy to build as I hoped it would be… there are many bellies to fill and many hearts to free.

The gates of Hell are not as prone to prevail as I once thought they were. The gates of Hell have been destined to fail… and I see Satan impaled on the Sword of the Word.

Chorus: I see a people who have learned to walk in faith with mercy in their hearts and glory on their faces… and I pray it won’t be long until Your Kingdom comes.

Wherever we are, may the God of peace allow His Good News to touch the hearts of men and women. And may His love and mercy be demonstrated by the people who wear the Savior’s Name.

I hope to write again in a couple of weeks. Thanks for your prayers!

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20