I just want to help...

Last week we were riding on the motorbike to run some errands in a nearby town. I looked around and saw all the familiar sights...families cooking below simple roofs to find shelter and their one meal of rice for the day. Children walking miles with HUGE bundles of sticks on their heads and no shoes on their feet. People of all ages bathing and washing in the river, their only source of water. Little boys running around and building motorbikes because their parents couldn't afford the $100 to send them to school. 

I started to think about all the ways I could help fix Liberia's hardships. 

And then...I realized I was seeing the wrong thing. 

When I started mountain biking, my friend told me to "look at where you want to go." In biking, your bike will follow where you look. If you look at the turn ahead, you and your bike with navigate the turn with relative ease. If you look at the tree in fear, you will likely run yourself right into the tree.

In this case, meditating on the hurt and brokenness of Liberia will not lead me to peace. Yes, I need to be aware of the brokenness and be obedient to assist how I can, but Jesus told us that the poor will always be among us (Matthew 26:11). Until we reach heaven, we cannot solve all the world's problems. Only restoration can do that. 

So until then, I choose to look at the beauty. I choose to see the hard-working mothers, the strong children who walk miles without complaint, the love of community huddled under a thatched roof, and children that find incredible privilege in going to school each day. I praise the Lord for His common grace, the unique abilities that He has given His children, and the beautiful image-bearers that reflect His beautiful character. 

And when an opportunity to help comes along, I will step forward in faith and love. I will strive to continue with the mind of Christ who came to serve. And that starts with seeing the beauty.

Praise the Lord!

The Beautiful Roller Coaster of Life

 Every day in Liberia is filled with unexpected twists, turns, beauties, and surprises. It is a life full of joy as you learn to view life as a roller coaster with the Lord as your car. No matter how many twists and turns life throws you, your car is always constant security. Praise the Lord! 

Take the other day, for example. I came home from teaching at ABC University to find 3 guests sitting at the table. A very usual experience. 

They joined us for dinner, our usual 4 getting doubled to 8 when Milton's brother joined us as well. We sat around the table enjoying food and conversation. 

Then Milton started talking in Gio, his native language. He asked our guests if they knew Jesus. After engaging in more conversation, they agreed they needed to accept Jesus as their personal Savior. They had been attending church for some time, but they had never understood the need to take a step of faith in following him (don't mind my exploding inner celebration!).

We invited them over to the living room and Milton prayed with them. 

I found such beauty in such a simple, yet profound moment. Dinner and hospitality turned gospel opportunity. I left reflecting on the beauty of the Lord's hand in every situation. My love, who has connections and the ability to speak their native language. The faithful house helpers that help prepare every meal with love. The timing of the Lord to prompt a conversation.

Not every meal is blessed with a salvation story, but faithfulness bring fruit, so we continue to walk in faithfulness every day, not knowing what blessings are in store for the day. 

Praise the Lord <3

Liberia

 The Lord leads us guides us in many ways to many places. 

The years since my last blog posts have been filled with lots of activities, twists, and turns, but one thing has remained a part of my life...missions. 

Little did I know that the Lord had a beautiful plan in store involving a long plane ride, a beach front, and a wonderful godly man. 

Subscribe if you would like to continue on this adventure with us to receive periodic updates and how you can partner in a variety of ways with what the Lord is doing in Liberia. 

Psalm 96:3

"Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all peoples."

This is our heart. To God be the Glory!