Ethiopia: 3 Weeks from Today

Today we just received sad news that one of our bus drivers and his daughter died from malaria and typhoid. He left behind a wife and 3 children. I cannot begin to tell you how my heart “hurts.” The conditions in Ethiopia can be very hard. As you have read in many of our Ethiopia posts, the drivers are such servants. They serve our mission teams so well. For those interested a love gift is being taken up on the family’s behalf. Please make checks out to: Becky Lynn Black and mail them to 2691 White House Rd, Nelson, VA 24580.

As I think about leaving in 3 weeks, my heart is full of all sorts of emotions. Yesterday I was excited…today I am numb. In three weeks, I leave with 4 other veterans, but we leave without some of our veterans and I confess I will miss those who have gone with me before.

In three weeks, we board the plane for a very long flight followed by a very long bus ride.

I grow increasingly aware of how far from home we are.

There will be people we have grown to know and love who are eagerly awaiting our arrival, and then there will be those we love that we will not say hello to until we are on the other side of the cross. The issues of life and death are real and the souls of men are at stake.

Is the trip hard? Yes. I liken it to child birth. What mother wants to go through the pain of delivery, but oh the joys of holding the one you love in your arms. The trip I dread…the ministry of being with these people I love.

I hate saying good bye…God is doing His work of surrender already. I am thankful for it…I embrace it for He is once again bringing me to say in my heart and mind….”the love of Christ compels me.” Recently, I was sharing my ups and downs as I prepare to leave and someone said, “You mean it does not get easier with each trip?” For me the answer is “no.” Each trip God has a new work to do in me which only deepens my understanding of Him and takes me deeper into fellowship with Him. Every trip I have been on whether it be India, Ethiopia or revival in Tennessee…is about surrender.

I remember going to India when Kylie was about 2 years old. Molly was off some where and the time for me to leave was very close. I took Kylie for a walk around the block. As I held her little hand and walked, I cried she played. Why the tears? Again…the tears are tears of surrender…surrender of my family, surrender of my time, surrender of every ounce of flesh that raises its ugly head in opposition to the One who gave Himself on my behalf.

Every trip God asks: Will you trust Me? Inspite of my feelings I say, “God, I know you are love, I know you are perfect, I know your ways are best and I trust You…I trust Your character…I trust Your love.

Recently, I was listening to a message that reminded me that the Apostle Paul said, “For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh…” (Rom 9:3). As I heard those words, I thought, “If Paul could say I would be seperated from God for all eternity for others to be saved, then I can do anything through Christ who strenghtens me.” I can be alone for the sake of Christ, I can say goodbye to the family for two weeks for the sake of Christ, I can travel long and hard distances for the sake of Christ, and I can give up material possessions for the sake of Christ.”

Can I say, “The life I live is no longer for Jason, but for Jesus, the One who died for me and rose again” (See 2 Cor 5:14-21)?

God thank you for reminding me of Your love for me. Thank You for dying for me. Thank You for living for me. Thank You for living to always intercede on our behalf. Thank You for entrusting to us Your Gospel. Thank You for placing Your message in us and making us ambassadors.

In three weeks, I along with others leave the USA to go to Ethiopia…NOT as ambassadors for the USA but ambassadors for the Kingdom of Heaven!

Thank You God for preparing me in this way to serve Your Kingdom, while in my flesh I have ups and downs, I by faith surrender to Your perfect will for my life!