This is the question I ponder and ask myself these days. How do I become just a soul?

Is this some prophetic statement? 

I realized I had less than one year to figure out what this meant and then share how I had not failed him in my assignment.  Slightly overwhelmed by what I was getting myself into to begin with, I was not sure I wanted a lofty task to add to my to do list. Thanks, and cheers to you teacher! I intend to have a lengthy conversation with you about all of this in Ireland.

These words struck me upon receiving them and I have been wrestling with this brief statement for the last seven months.  I EXPECT YOU WILL BE JUST A SOUL.

A little perplexed and slightly befuddled after hearing this...

I wondered what does this mean?

Is this just fancy Christian jargon... or a debonair statement to throw off someone that is new to the mission field?

Just a soul?

I stood dumb founded yet still fascinated.

I've discovered. A hidden truth lies behind the words that were shared with me that evening... I marvel at the way it is making more sense to me daily than at first thought. If you didn't know, at the core of our inner being lies our soul... one that can only be fully exposed when all outer layers are stripped away and the very core is where you find, a rather complex matter, the SOUL... the true essence of a person's character.

When all the layers of the flesh have been pulled back, you are left with "just a soul."

Only the soul remains.

I feel lost at times, amidst the chaos, the numbers, and the language barrier.  You can feel crippled if you look at the startling truth surrounding you. Often, communicating through a sweet handshake or a kind smile is the only option.

These are the things I do know - these are my cries.

They are - No longer children.

Already, grown ups.

Who is robbed of this simple innocence?

Who is this brave?

Who fights for them, Lord?

KEEP THEM CLOSE TO YOU.

Their eyes tell their story.

Their inner soul pierces your HEART when you glance at them.

They grab your hands and desire a warm embrace. 

Who reads their bedtime stories?

Who tucks them in and whispers, "snug as a bug in a rug?"

The answers are far from me.  Only you can save them, Lord. 

- - - -   - - - -   - - - -   - - - -   - - - -

Somehow my soul was already connected to theirs. I had been waiting for my heart to reconnect with the land of Kenya.  It happened right when I arrived to Mpeketoni.  The conversations I have had this month have been some of my favorite yet. If you ask God's children to share with you how He speaks to them, it's a quite treat. 

Hearing about their dreams has sparked my own spirit.  Their dreams are not of selfish pride, they desire to use these dreams for His glory.  God has awakened my soul again.  He has allowed me to delight in spending time with His children. Soaking in His creation. Sharing the ways God has worked in our lives.  He has provided and never left them alone.  I am delighting in His presence and the plans He has in store for my newfound friends.

Jonah and Jecinta... a dynamic duo. Yet, a couple full of humility. They selflessly serve Him together. Their hearts are tied at the soul. And, they have openly invited each of us into their life.  She is a provider and nurturer.  He is a protector and servant.  They worship God together through their Swahili music. 

Me: "Jonah, when did you start playing guitar?"

Jonah: " I taught myself and made my own guitar out of wood and tin when I was eight years old."

Me: "You have got to be kidding me."

Jonah:  "No, I did. (He giggles as he answers me in a Swahili accent.) I played it for three years before I ever played a real one."

The hand-constructed guitar was his.  It was special to him.  That was all that mattered.

He shared his dreams with me of one day opening a recording studio. I believe the Lord has put these dreams on his heart.  Nineteen years after first realizing his gift for music the Lord is still igniting that same fire inside of him.

The studio is CARVED ON HIS HEART.  Music brings Him joy. It is a part of his marriage.

Jonah is not letting these dreams go without a fight. Lord, I thank you for the way you create your children with different gifts and passions.  Most importantly, I thank you when they use their gifts for your glory.

Lord, I pray you answer Jonah's prayers.  It has been an honor to hear he an his wife,  Jecinta, worship you together. NEVER LET THEM LET GO OF THEIR DREAMS.

                             

Sharing your HEART with your family ranks high in his life.

I appreciate the lessons my dad has taught me more as an adult.  I realize more and more that people crave things that are outside of the box. Their faith ignites when called to use their imagination. And, well the Lord surrounds us with the things we love... so the Lord entrusted him with three inspired kids and he married quite an inventive an ingenious woman, my mom.

My dad's creativity has always been top notch. Growing up, I remember my dad was one of the most amazing Sunday school teachers.  He always threw a unique twist into his teachings. So, when dad taught it was more of an interactive classroom rather than someone preaching to you.   I remembered his lessons because he did not always go by the curriculum. Often times, this resulted in the Sunday school classroom looking more like an art class after the hour was over.

And, that was just fine... because whether he used food, glue, or an old Christmas tree to make the message impactful, it was a hit.

Last week, while teaching Sunday school in in Mpeketoni Lamu, Kenya - I had to think back to helpful hints when learning from my dad years ago. I acknowledged I had no supplies, no chalkboard, no nothing. Yet, I believe I can thank my dad for this Sunday school lesson. And, well - the Lord showed up and provided the idea for supplies. They came straight from His creation.

 

It was outside of the box and interactive. And, the kids were excited to join in the fun. They smiled because we complimented their artistic designs. The children felt  VALUED and APPRECIATED.

Dad, thank you for being you.

Thanks for being unique within a crowd. I never question your integrity or your genuine heart. I know the Lord blessed you with your talents and I am thankful you shared them with me. I appreciate that the Lord provided such an amazing father in my life. You have allowed me to understand the importance of embracing the individual that God has created me to be. I respect you for always being yourself no matter the circumstance. It is an admirable quality. 

I miss you and hope that your Father's Day was incredible. Thanks for being my earthly father and friend.

I am greatly honored to be your daughter.

Love you. Em

The tears I cried when meeting he and his wife, Emily the first day of arriving to Mpekeptoni Lamu are still unexplainable.  Something is different about each of them.

I am not sure how to explain the respect I have for this man of Christ, Bishop Maurice.  He is dedicated.  DEVOTED.  His love for the Father does not waver based on his circumstance.  He is all in.  He has undeniably given 120% of himself to the Lord.  He knows God's love for him is better than anything else the world has to offer.

The wisdom he has is far greater than what one should have half way through their life. Lord, how does Maurice know the things he does?  Maybe, because his intimate time with you Lord is more important to him than his own sleep.

Three hours of prayer everyday for twenty - six years?  I can't even grasp that.  But, I know you have rewarded him for His devotion to you.  His desire to be in your presence is the first on his to do list.  And, when he is not in your presence he speaks of feeling incomplete and lifeless.  

His leadership is STRONG.  The body of Christ that surrounds His church is holy.  It's built on a foundation of love, grace, and acceptance.  The children and youth look to him for wisdom, truth, and encouragement.  His leadership is VALUABLE because he reports directly to you, the Father. 

God, how is this man so patient?

How is he so kind to all that cross his path?

How is he never overwhelmed by all the need surrounding him?

It's because he meets with you daily, doesn't he? 

It's because he asks you what you think before anyone else, right Lord?

I ask him questions and he smiles and freely shares.

He trusts you, Lord, with everything in His life.  He shares of his unfailing love for his wife, Emily.  They serve you together.  They wait patiently on their first home even though 3000 bricks and the land is already been purchased. 

Who is this man, I see? 

A faithful servant.  A chosen son.  A wise teacher of your word.

After living in Asia for the last three months, I couldn't help but leave a piece of my heart in the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. It is been quite a transition going from Asia to Africa. I never would have imagined that my life would consist of traveling to remote areas of the world and trying to love the people the way Christ did.

God, why are you so good to your children?

My mind is bombarded with glimpses of the way I have literally experienced heaven on earth the past three months.  God is working... if you don't believe it ask Him to reveal himself to you. 

God is not just working in me - He is present in His children and His creation. 

 

God, show me more children that are on fire for you.

REVEAL yourself in new ways.

Pierce my heart.

AWAKEN my soul.

Father, prepare me for the second half of this journey.  Rejuvenate my spirit and renew my passion to serve you.

Lord, remind me why I fell in love.

Every time, I think I have begun to "figure out" the majesty of the creator of the universe I am quickly reminded that - my finite mind is not capable of grasping His Kingdom. And, more than anything I should be delighted to remain in awe of His POWER.

 Each month on the race I have had a sizeable theme that the Lord has presented to me. This month, in Thailand ... it did not jump out to me immediately.  Which took me by surprise and I thought, " What am I missing?"

Or maybe, "He is teaching me so many things I just can't narrow it down?"

Actually, this month has been more about Him and less about me.   I begun to realize I had become more focused on myself than the Lord.  It's rather difficult to listen your teacher's wisdom when you are only thinking about yourself.

As I have wrestled and grown through:

I'm slowly learning to get over myself and get out of the way.  Each of these themes is applicable to my whole life, not just this season. God's teaching me, it's a little easier and smarter to learn His ways, the first time around.

 
 

I don't always do that... which is why some simple lessons are coming back around.

The Lord has continually shocked me this year.

Over and over again, I have no idea what I need and He knows exactly.
I often have no idea what He is doing, but HE certainly KNOWS.

 

 

 

Watch out, here comes a generation of fruitful believers that are unstoppable.  

She sat there. Her legs tucked to the side.  Blind. No sight for 13 years. We were ready to fight for her healing.  No more questions asked.  God, use us.  Let us intercede on behalf of your beautiful daughter. 

 

I am all in, Lord.  I want to be your vessel.

She sat there, wrinkled and stunning.  Willing to receive His love. Encouraged by the body surrounding her in prayer. Not capable to view her surroundings but her pupils were piercing us with great light. 

We knew God was working.

Her hands were feeble and hopeful.  She held them in the upright position so that she could revere her Father as she willingly accepted Him into her heart.

What an honor to see a daughter delighted to know she had been promised the Kingdom, an inheritance that the Lord gives to His children.  She is going to reside in the pearly gates for eternity now.

Jesse, Lana, Amanda and I were beaming. Giddy with laughter that God loves us enough to include us in one of His mighty plans. They knew too, God was with us. He is alive and acting.

Her granddaughter's hand shook, she lifted her small fingers away from her grandma's eyes and sounds of astonished children erupted to the high heavens. 

Her eyes opened and glistened like they had not yet done before.

She has the eyes of Christ.

Maybe, she viewed a glimpse of the eternity? Or maybe, her heavenly, Daddy?

A vision of her granddaughters smile?

She prayed.  Daddy, I need to see.

 

  

Periodically, I will feature what the Lord is showing me is the "same same but different" throughout the remainder of the year. One of the important things I have come to understand is this journey is not my own.

I'm privileged to share it with incredible women and men. Each of them spurring me to continually grow... The people, the faces, the moments, and the countries I encounter are all irreplaceable.

Without further ado... the first of many.

 

They fight for the unsaved. 

Full of invaluable insight.

Radiating with integrity.

Overflowing with wisdom beyond their years.

FULL OF POWER. Destined for greatness. Not willing to give up.

I will not underestimate their unique callings.

  

Words don't justify.

All simply... irreplaceable.

Often, I desire to freeze frame an image in my mind. If only I could have a second longer to engrave the sounds, the smells, or the sights into my heart.  It's almost impossible, to recreate such heavenly glimpses of God's creation and get enough of His children that reveal His true character.

Lida smiles. A widow.  She lost her husband 10 years ago. We shared the backend of a dusty pick up with twenty other Cambodians, seven Americans including myself, 30+ bags of luggage and headed across the river 13 days ago.  Little did I know, God would cross our paths again my last night in Ampail.  I sat worshiping in awe of how God never fails to intertwine the miniscule details.   Lida's home was full of neighbors, both old and new.  They gathered alongside Lida and her two children to praise the Lord.  She is healing from her loss and joyful to no longer worship a false idol.  Abba, mend her wounds. Fill her with your perfect love.

Pastor You I.  Not yet thirty.

Sok Vin spends time worshiping the Lord through the sounds he creates.  Nothing separates him from the feeling He gets when he plays the instrument.  He desires to live in a true community.  He has it figured out.  Surround yourself with wise elders that you can learn from.  He is protected.  Keep him strong, Lord.

 

Home.  

Lord, you always satisfy your children's hunger.