Well, here goes the journey.
It hit me today that I have only two months before I head off to the land of the lion and the zebra, stunning sunsets, and coffee skinned people. This last week, I spoke at my church about what I'll be doing in Uganda, and what Amani is already doing.
All I can say is that God moved the hearts of His people. Big time.
In one morning, God provided $5,000...which is half of the entire cost I will need. Given in ONE morning! I am still in awe, completely overwhelmed by the beauty of God's Bride rising up to see His mercy poured out to the nations. I'm humbled that I get to be a part of it. And am filled with this deep joy as I think about the people of Jinja, and the joy it's going to be to finally meet them. Today, I was praying to see the details of Jesus' heart, and what He's been showing me is the simple importance of loving well. I have been wrecked again and again this week by the simplicity, the mystery, and the power of what Jesus did at the cross. I'm not going to lie, I've just been weeping as it hits me all over again just what He did. For me. For you. For the innocent kids in Jinja. And for the insanely hard person to deal with across the street.
I hope the reality of His love through the cross never stops ruining us.
With this fresh revelation of such love {and how irresistable it is}... love that runs deep in us as His sons and daughters, I think how we cannot, and must not, keep it to ourselves. Those who have been forgiven much, love much. And so, I am learning {emphasis on the still learning} to love well.
What does that even look like, Lord? Will you continue to show us how you love us. And in seeing that, may we mirror that unselfish, unashamed, and completely impartial love.
"We can all see as plain as day that Jesus says the number one commandment is to love the Lord and love your neighbor. I happened to move to Uganda and love those neighbors, but that is not the point. As believers, we should already KNOW our calling; it is to love the Lord and love our neighbors by caring for them in whatever broken state they are in. When He said that "the poor will always be among us" I don't think he meant that as an excuse not to worry about it but as a reminder that there is ALWAYS a neighbor, no matter where we are, in a worse condition than we are. I can only believe that God created us to make this world a little better. That he designed us in love to show that love to others. I just don't know what everyone is waiting for."
~a sister in Uganda who is loving the Forgotten.
So as I get ready to leave for a land of desperate need, I am reminded of the need right here, in this moment. And I am ready to love well.
:: May we never stop realizing the crazy love of Jesus. And may we never stop pouring it out.
1 comment:
I got this in my RSS reader the other week, but didn't have a chance to respond yet. That's amazing that you got half of the cost of you being in Uganda on that on Sunday morning. You must have done an amazing job that morning! Not that I didn't think you would—in fact, quite the contrary. Obviously, God was moving through you that morning and He surprised you with a gift. You were able to share your heart, and inadvertently, shared God's heart with church, which inadvertently means people were seeing Jesus as an active, moving and pursuing man in your life. That's what I've been praying for you, that people here and afar see the God in you, because your consistent connection to His heart is inspiring and whether on nor they realize it, it pushes them closer to Him and closer to the kind of relationship He hopes we all have with Him. I could say I'm speaking for myself, but I know I'm not. So thanks, Maggie. Keep on, keep'in on, because the path your on is glorious and the best is yet to come.
Lastly, I know you are busy and only got a month, but it's Christmas time and I'm doing some work to the Neighborhood boutique and want to help you out with Africa even while you're away, so if you make some stuff, I'll put it up on the site for free and have all the money go to you and the babies of Jinja. Maybe gift cards, calendars or magnets with the images? Or get crafty with your girlfriends and make a bunch of stuff. Let me know how I can help in some other way too. You could always send me some images and I'll work up some holiday gift cards for you if you don't have time-that would be a fun project!
Take care Ms. Ayers and keep going after the crazy love of Jesus. Much love.
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