It's been a long time since I smiled and giggled myself to sleep.  When you have a best friend who happens to have created the universe (or all of them, if you're an M-theorist), life has an unexplainable giddiness to it - an exquisite element of joy that is comparable to nothing else.  Moments like these remind me that the heart of a child is what thrills Jesus, because that's how God created us.  He wants us to smile, laugh, and giggle with Him.

But I believe that's only part of the equation.  Since I moved away from home and entered college, and then moved on from college to full-time ministry, I've noticed there's one other element crucial to not only my sanity, but my joy.  I must be in communion with my King, but I must be in community with others.  I've grown to learn that the two compliment each other, they each sweeten the journey, this wonderful pursuit of Christ.

And it's not just me.  I've spoken to others in ministry, dear friends who struggle with the same.  Community.  I hear so much from the pulpit about my relationship with Jesus, how to refine it, to dig deeper, and to yearn for nothing but Him.  But... people.  Friends, soul mates.  Laughter, adventure, social interaction, community.  I need those too.  I need other people who are also in communion with Jesus, to learn from them, to glean from their experiences, and to offer my experiences to them.

On Wednesday night, I pulled into Bristol just in time to reach my home church for the annual Christmas dinner.  As I walked through the door, I saw hundreds of familiar faces.  I can't remember how many people I hugged, but it had to have been equal to the number of people who hugged me (some of you will get that later, just give it time).  I'm not talking about superficial hugs.  I'm talking about when your home-grown, good ol' boy associate pastor skips the handshake and squeezes you so tight that the sweet tea you just chugged gets expedited to your bladder.  I'm talking about a lead pastor that when he sees you, he almost knocks your food out of your hand as he hugs you and exclaims "what's up big daddy?! I didn't expect to see you here!"  The moment my expression even hinted I was looking for my mother, a host of hands from the back corner fly up in the air, welcoming me home from across the room, anxious to hug, catch up, and break bread together.  Community.  Blessed community.

All around the world, people are starved for this.  How could we be curious why Facebook and Twitter are growing so quickly?  One out of every six minutes spent online around the world is devoted to social networking.  Facebook accounts for 73% of the internet population in the U.S.  People are desperate for community, however it comes.

My good friend, Matt Chambers, recently wrote about community on his blog, ETHOSHIFT.  I pulled two verses I recalled from his post:

We are called to love one another, and spur each other to good works.
We are called to bear one another's burdens and restore one another from transgression.

My prayer for myself, my dear friends in Uganda, Matt and Jordana, and for the rest of you struggling to find community, is that in 2012, not only do we find it, but we latch onto it with everything we have.  We are called the body of Christ for a reason.  May we find peace and refuge in our Savior through the arms of our friends.

As the new year approaches, how will you find community?

Jonathan was one of our oldest Ugandan boys in the choir. He reminded me of myself in so many ways - he had an attitude. He had to be called out. If it was on his mind, he said it. He was mischievous. He had the same issues most American children have, his simply stood out more because of his personality. There is rarely a day that goes by that I don't miss that kid. All of them, actually.

One of Jonathan's speaking parts in the concert was Lamentations 3:21-23. He would walk up to the microphone, puff out his chest, and grin at me, trying not to laugh. In his Ugandan accent, he would recite:

"Yet this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness."

Sometimes I have those mornings where I literally want to lock my door and stay inside. Alone. No people. Not because I'm lazy or even tired, but because I feel beaten. It's as if Satan is sitting by my bed, waiting for me to open my eyes. When I do, he smiles, because he knows he is the first to have my attention. In spiteful fashion, he replays for me the previous days or weeks. Searching for a foothold, he casually slips in logical accusations, plants things in my mind I know aren't true. He lies to me about myself, but he covers them oh so well.

I believe God knew we would have mornings like this - mornings where we were so desperate for grace and mercy, that He went ahead and promised us they would be waiting for us when we awoke. I'm rarely aware of my body's need for oxygen to sustain itself. It's subconscious, second nature. But in those moments I realize it, I'm grateful for nothing else.

Grace, mercy, compassion - they are the same. My soul, my heart, requires them to exist. But like a fool, I rarely dwell on that. It has become second nature - expected. God shows up every morning, like clockwork, with a big silver platter of grace, mercy, and love. In my selfishness and pride, I don't even see Him. Sometimes I don't even partake. Satan squeals with glee.

I want to be at a point in my life where I don't merely expect a lavish platter of Jesus in the morning, but yearn for it. Before my feet hit the floor, I want to have a buffet in bed of grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness. The best part of this Heavenly buffet - the menu always changes, according to my needs.

Because of His love, we are not consumed. His compassions are new, custom tailored, and fresh, every morning. The next time you wake up beaten, have breakfast in bed. The best kind.

I am lame in both feet.

When he was five, someone tried to kill him.  Fast as his little legs were, they weren't enough.  Being part of the royal family was a plush life, before now.  Wealth, friends, and a promised future.  But when the news of King Saul and his family's murder busted through the palace gates, things changed.

Desperate to save little Mirab Baal (meaning, "opponent of Baal"), his nurse scooped up his small body and multiplied his speed.  She had to get him into hiding, but she tripped.  His small body sailed through the air and landed on the unforgiving ground.  His back was broken, his legs immobilized.  In that moment of fear and retreat, the course of his life was altered.  His childhood was washed away with the spring rains.  He would never run, play, or inherit a kingdom.  Or, so he thought.

Years later, he lay in a cold, dark corner of his home, unable to move.  Unable to care for his land, his livestock, his own son.  His new name - Mephibosheth, "Son of Shame."  Under his own power, he could accomplish nothing.  His brother and grandfather had attempted to kill the new king.  By association, he was an enemy, and now a messenger stood at his door.

"The king wants to see Mephibosheth, now"!

The terror from that childhood day rushed through his veins.  His grandfather tried to kill this king.  His brother had tried. And now, lame and unable to run, Mephibosheth would face the sword he deserved.

Soldiers rushed in and placed him in a chariot.  His legs provided no suspension, and his body ached from the long journey to the palace in Jerusalem.  Now on the floor before the most powerful man in the kingdom, he couldn't bear to look up.  He placed his face on the ground, knowing what was coming.

With an unexpected kindness, the king called out, "Mephibosheth."

Fear gripped him, limiting his words: "Your servant..."

"Do not be afraid.  I didn't bring you here to kill you, but to show you kindness on behalf of your father, Jonathan.  Likewise, you are the grandson of a king, and I am going to restore to you all that was his.  The land, the servants, the prosperity - it's all yours.  As of now, you are my family.  You will eat at my table."

"What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?"

King David addressed his question with an action.  He declared that all that belonged to Saul be passed on to Mephibosheth.  II Samuel 9:13 ends the story: "And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem because he always ate at the king's table; he was lame in both feet."

I am lame in both feet.

I was a dead dog.  By association with Jesus, I am the recipient of uncanny amounts of grace.  As I sat in the dark corner of my life, with legs broken from sin, my King summoned me.  He sent for me, and I was brought into His courts.  I was given a new life, things which I'll never deserve.  Anything I do is not from my own power, but His.

As I'm reminded by one of my favorite songs - when we're seated at the table, our brokenness is hidden.  When we look down, we no longer see legs that won't carry us.  We see evidence of a King who carries us.  We dine with Him, and HE dines with US.  As so shall it be.  We will forever lavish in the fountains of mercy and grace, because they are never-ending.

The one thing I enjoy most about African culture is the priority it puts on relationships.  Schedules and to-do lists take a back seat to friendships and time with another person.  I sometimes chuckle on the inside when I hear people return from a mission trip and say "those people in Africa, they have nothing, yet they are so happy!"  I would replace the word happy with resilient.  How happy would you be if you knew your kids were going to bed hungry for the third night in a row because you couldn't find work?  Thought so.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons I so love the African people - because of their resiliency.  The amount of need here is unfathomable, yet the people do what they can to survive.  When you see that with your own eyes - when you have lunch with a Ugandan man struggling to find work to feed his family, there comes an overwhelming sense of urgency to supplement their fight to survive with the joy found only in Jesus Christ.  A passion for giving them hope.  Not hope not that a white man will come and spend money on their problems, but that the Son of Man has already come and spent his life for their sins.

Over the years, I have seen my passion for humanitarian aid grow - a burning desire to spend my life fighting social injustice.  I want to see children be given the chance to chase their dreams through education, for mothers to have healthy babies, for fathers to have a skilled trade to provide for their family.  But I will attest with every ounce of my character that the one thing people need most has always been, and will always be, Jesus.

Many stories from Africa to share.  Will get to typing them up in the next few days. Come back and read!

The feeling of leaving America, flying to Africa, or even to Uganda, is nothing I'm not accustomed to.  I've fallen in love with the people of Africa over the last ten years of traveling there, most recently Uganda.  

This particular trip is different for me.  It's longer, and I'm going with much more responsibility than ever before.  I'll have more time to learn the culture, the language, and build stronger relationships with the people.  These alone are enough to make me giddy.

As I wait patiently in the Washington DC airport, I make my final, stateside plea for your prayers and support.  I'll be in Uganda through the Fall, doing anything and everything I can to serve my King through helping the ministry of Serving His Children.  As a Director, I'll be managing and taking care of all of our volunteers during their time there.  Please keep their hearts in your prayers - that God would instill in them a similar passion He gave me years ago - to see the uttermost parts of the world reached with the news of His grace.

If you'd like to stay in touch, please email me at josh@servinghischildren.org.  I'll update from Uganda as soon as I can!

I make one more walk through mom and dad's house to make sure I have not forgotten anything - a frequent occurrence.  As I look around my room, everything my eye lands on brings up memories - each item on a shelf has a story that runs through my mind in fast-forward.  I smile at the pictures of myself with some of my greatest friends like Carli Clements, Coleman Housefield, Joe Emmert.  Almost every picture is from Africa - a continent which has been the breeding ground for some of my deepest friendships.

I make it downstairs and take a moment to sit on the couch.  Ah yes, the famous green couch - ask anyone who has sat on it and they'll tell you it's one of the world's best.  I've watched many movies with my family on this couch, had many sleepovers in this den.  This is the house I grew up in; it's soaked in memories.  Every inch of every room wreaks of my childhood, and it makes me smile.

I close the garage door and watch my worldly possessions cluttering the garage (sorry dad!) slowly disappear.  Making the drive back north to central Virginia has become all too familiar over the past five years.  I have my normal stops and routes, and I can almost predict every bump in the road.  However, I won't be making the drive much anymore.  College has come and gone and I've landed my dream job, which has me packing my things and going to Africa for the rest of 2011.

It's not a full-time move, but for my heart, it might as well be.  I fell in love with Africa over ten years ago, and I feel like I'm going home each time I return.  This time I carry with me more responsibility (and luggage) than ever before.  Days ago, I picked up my international driver's license and I'll obtain my Ugandan license when I hit the ground there.  Another sign for my heart that my long-term missions career has begun.

I haven't written much lately, but I assure you that there will be plenty of material once I reach Uganda.  Come back soon, stay updated on what God is doing there.  Pray for me, for those I work with.  Labor for souls with us.

I fly to London on Sunday evening to meet some friends there.  After we spend the day touring London, there will be one last plan ride between me and home.  Praise the Lord, I'm going home.

I have bittersweet feelings about not having posted in almost a month.  Bitter because there has been so much going on that I haven't prioritized time to do so.  Sweet because, well, there has been so much going on!

Before I get into ministry, I have to give a shout out to my mother, Diana.  She single-handedly managed to completely deteriorate my left knee by convincing me to hike Mt. Leconte with her in a day last weekend.  Mt. Leconte is the tallest mountain (base to peak) east of the Mississippi River - a rigorous hike that yields breathtaking views at the peak.  I am, of course, kidding about my knee.  It was quite possibly one of the best days I've had in a long time, and it was certainly well-needed time with my mom.  She was a trooper and made that mountain look like an ant hill.  She knows my love for the outdoors, so we planned a day together that would strum the strings of our hearts while bringing us closer together.  Success.  Take a look at a few "iPhone" pictures from the day before you read on..

From the top...

Our route was the Alum Cave Trail

Moving on from the hike...

For me, the "international scene" is the most exciting, exhilarating industry I could ever ask to be in.  I'm constantly communicating with people around the world doing things that I could only dream of doing.  In my last post, I was in Marion, NC on the campus of Equip International being trained in the methods of Community Health Evangelism, or "CHE".  It's an incredibly effective system of raising both the physical and spiritual health levels of rural communities around the world.  What a fantastic training and networking opportunity that was.  Again - possible only because I'm financially supported by my sending church, Fellowship Chapel, and the wonderful families and individuals who donate monthly.

The past seven days have been an absolute whirlwind of meetings and travel.  Last Thursday I spent five hours in the conference room of Kissito Healthcare with their CEO, Tom Clarke, and his wife Ana.  Tom has a contagious heart both for God and for the world.  They are partnering with us in amazing ways that, frankly, we haven't made public yet!  So unfortunately, I won't be able to include details on that just yet.  However, it was my induction into the wonderful world of "international business".  Sitting around a table discussing the logistics of starting a project the size of this one was nothing short of humbling - that God would allow me the responsibility of representing an organization like SHC, and give me "co-laborers" like Tom and Ana.

The morning immediately following my meetings with Kissito Healthcare found me on a shuttle to the Roanoke, VA airport to catch a 6am flight to Chicago.  My final destination - Fargo, North Dakota.  I was on my way to meet a couple interested in serving with us for a year in Uganda.  My weekend was spent traversing the state of North Dakota meeting with not only them, but more young people interested in coming to Uganda with Serving His Children.  After driving through a snow storm to reach the airport Sunday morning, I made it safely home to (warm) Virginia.

I am constantly amazed at the opportunities God is placing in my path.  As most of you know, I leave for Africa this month, and will be staying for quite an extended period of time.  My return date is set for October, but I'm hoping that will get extended, perhaps into 2012.  Only God knows, and that's enough for me!

As an organization, Serving His Children is growing by leaps and bounds - the Lord is truly blessing us. I know I say it often, but I'm only able to play a part in God's love story for the world through SHC because of the financial contributions of those who support me.  To those of you who would like to join the team, please visit the "Support" tab above.  We would welcome the company!

On Monday, April 4 at 12:19PM, I received a text message that simply read "Pray now."  It was from my friend and co-laborer in Uganda, Renee Bach.  I knew immediately why she sent it.  I knew the situation, and it threw my heart onto the floor beneath my lunch table.  I quietly excused myself and washed my dishes off in the sink and threw them in the dishwasher.  I picked up my bag, and I walked out of the dining area where the rest of the missionaries were eating.

When I knew I was out of sight of the others, my walk turned to a run.  The sooner I could get to my knees in prayer, the better.  My destination: the small, 20 seat chapel on the campus of Equip International in Marion, NC.  I'm here for a week-long intensive training on the Community Health Evangelism model being implemented by relief and development organizations around the world.  As I ran, fear began to tickle my heart.  I prayed as I moved: "Lord, You love Muhammed more than we ever could.  Hold him, hold Renee.  I know you're there with them, but please, please show yourself."

My morning had been sprinkled with text messages back and forth with Renee.  We were discussing the decreasing condition of Muhammed, a young boy who entered our malnutrition rehabilitation program a few days ago.  I was doing my best to place myself in the situation that I knew of only through text messages - a small boy laying on a table, struggling for every breath.  Malaria was ravaging his little body making it difficult for him to move, breath, and hold down fluids.  Our conversation included random comments of encouragement about God making Himself known in our weakness.  Around 10:30AM, the discussion faded and all went quiet for a little over an hour.

You can see why my heart sank when my cell phone screen lit up with the message "Pray now."  The topic of the last few hours surfaced.  I thought about the symptoms that Muhammed was having; my (great) lack of medical knowledge likely making the situation more drastic in my own heart.  When I made it to the prayer chapel, I couldn't hit my knees soon enough.  I don't particularly understand why - sometimes I feel so far removed from the work our organization does in Uganda because of my position in the states.  I feel helpless when I try to "walk" with Renee through these crazy situations - I feel helpless.  This time, I felt more involved.  Tears threatened my eyes as my mind raced - what was going on there at this very moment?  I prayed.  I cried, and I prayed.  1:00 arrived, so I picked up my bag and walked to our next session.  No news...

Nine minutes before Renee asked me to pray, Muhammed's heart had stopped.  Ten seconds later, it began beating again, his chest rising with every rapid breath.  Do something for me.  Stop reading.  Close your eyes, and count to ten...  For that moment, a sick baby in front of you seemed lifeless, but God intervenes.  For the next nine hours, Muhammed clang to life.  Renee stayed by his side, doing everything she could to care for his little body.  We prayed.  We trusted.

At 9:19PM, I received another simple, two-word text message.  Tears immediately filled my eyes, and an unexplainable sorrow set in.  "Muhammed went."  I'll admit that I was surprised at how burdened I was over a child passing that I seemingly had no connection with.  He was on the other side of the world - never seen, heard, or touched by me.  The feeling of helplessness set in again.  What could I do?  I'm half a world away.  Again, I did the only thing I knew to do - pray.  And pray I did.  I spent the next hour in the prayer chapel, the moon light intruding through the window behing the small wooden pulpit.

I'll never understand this side of Heaven why God chooses to bring some of His children home so early, or why He allows suffering.  I'll never understand why at times, despite our best efforts, we feel like life simply slips through our fingers.  At the end of May, I'll board a plane for Uganda.  God is allowing me to spend the next six months doing anything I can to help Renee and Serving His Children save lives of children like Muhammed.  I have no medical training and frankly, am not very educated on malnutrition.  But I have hands, feet, and a voice.  I have Jesus.  "For I resolved to know nothing while among you except Christ and Him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2)

It is only through the generous financial support of families and individuals that I am able to follow God's calling to Africa.  I'll be overseeing the amazing teams of volunteers our ministry will be hosting this summer, and traveling to northern Uganda and Sudan to explore the opportunity to replicate what we do in the south in a new region.  If you'd like to parter with us in ministry by supporting me, please click on the "Support" tab above.

The Bible as a mirror

"Jesus, if this is what it means to follow you... If this is what being a disciple looks like, if this is what 'hating my father and mother and taking up my cross' translates to in my life, I'm no longer interested. It is simply too hard."

I wish those words were fictional, but the reality is that they have flowed from my lips, quite accurately reflecting the condition of my heart at one time. Perhaps you can recall a time in your life that you thought the same, when Christianity was no longer a convenience for you - a time where God drove a stake in the ground and your entire life got hung up and did a 180 degree turn. In America, we're plagued with blessings. I use that term because when I take a moment and look at how blessed I am, I have allowed those blessings to reduce my need for Christ. Face it: for the majority of Christians in America, we don't NEED Jesus. Instead of a five course meal, He's a side dish. It's fun to go to church, sing, be encouraged by the pastor, and shake hands on the way out the door. But, do we NEED Him? Do I absolutely have to have Jesus? I made a list of the things I feel that I need in life.

• A realistic financial income. I need that because I'm independent, and allows me to have:
• A place to live. I need my own space.
• Food to eat. I need to have snacks on call so I won't be hungry.
• A car to drive. I need to be able to go where I want, when I want.
• Companionship. I often find my identity in my friends, so I need them around often.
• Entertainment. The best types cost money, see need #1.
• Hope for the future. I need to know my life is going somewhere and will count for something.

The problem came when Jesus started tweaking my list. He apparently wanted to show me that, not only did He want to be on the list, He wanted to be first and last. I began to realize that if being a Christian is convenient, we're doing it wrong. We're missing the point! When I have the things from my above list, my life goes pretty easy, and I'd be willing to bet yours does too. But, was I created to have an income, shelter, food, and reliable transportation? Was I created to have friends and be entertained?

I can assure you my heart is no longer in the place you've seen above. The conflict was that I needed something I wasn't created for. Or to put it another way, I didn't need the one thing I WAS created for - to glorify God. The Lord had to re-arrange my life to show me that my needs were out of line. I relied on myself to provide things that only He can provide. I wanted Jesus to watch me try to live for Him. "Jesus, I'm gonna do big things for you, and in your name, and I'll call if I need help." It's laughable, now that I think about it.

I'll be the first to admit that it is a daily struggle for me to need Jesus. But I can promise you that when I allow myself to truly rely on Him, Jesus always pulls through. I told a friend yesterday that he was my superhero. If I step out in faith, He meets me every time.

What do you need today?

Good Things and Heart Desires

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” - Psalm 37:4

Take a moment and look back at your life — have you always gotten everything you wished for? Perhaps you can recall a situation where you wanted something with everything in you, but you never obtained it. In hindsight, is that a good thing? Maybe you realized later that thing would have done more harm than good? I know there have been plenty of times in my life where I have “thought” I wanted something, but in reality, the Lord saw it best that He withhold it from me. Looking back, I don’t always agree with His decision; my flesh tells me that God kept a good thing from me, and I don’t like it.

“…no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” - Psalm 84:11

Buzz kill. Seems we as Christians don’t always live out what we preach, do we? I know I don’t. I’m stubborn and selfish, my flesh is wicked. I’m like the girl on Willy Wonka who turned into a blueberry. I want what I want, and I want it now. There are two parallels between these verses that bring me to a conclusion that revolutionizes my walk with Christ. They hit me between the eyes, and I pray they do the same to you.

Parallel #1

My responsibility is to delight myself in the Lord (37:4) and walk uprightly (84:11). Delight myself in Him? So, I think about Jesus while frolicking through a daisy field and giggling hysterically? The Hebrew text here implies self-discovered joy, happiness, and (figurative) delicacy. So literally, look for my joy and happiness in the very person of the Lord Jesus. This means NOT in money, success, possessions, fame, relationships, or other people. Some of you just got convicted, like I did! And second, walk uprightly. The Greek here for “walk uprightly” literally means without defect, or blameless. Me, without defect; blameless? Pft, fat chance! Oh but enter the beauty of the cross. Remember that cheesy Baptist hymn “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus”? Not so cheesy anymore. “What can wash away my sin, what can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” Oh how true those words ring in my heart — through the death of Jesus, I can be blameless before God.

Parallel #2

He will give me the desires of my heart, and He will not withhold any good thing from me. Yeah, that’s why I have a 1999 Trooper in the driveway with a busted fog light and a bent side-view mirror, right?! Somebody’s withholding something, because my desire looks more like a jet black ’67 Mustang with 500 horses under the hood. I joke, but I’ve honestly met people who think that way. If you think that tightening your sin belt and paying closer attention to your thoughts and deeds will land you a fatter paycheck or a better marriage, please allow me to tell you that you are sadly mistaken. Don’t you see? Parallel one is about our end of the deal - search for our happiness in God, and walk blamelessly. Parallel two is a double whammy: anything He doesn’t give us was never good, and when we search for our happiness in Him, HE BECOMES THE DESIRE OF OUR HEART. Light bulb. Josh’s paraphrase of Psalm 37:4, “make Me the desire of your heart and I’ll give you all you can handle and THEN some!” He never disappoints. Isn’t that simple logic? Now about those things in life you aren’t getting or never got — they aren’t good! Sure, they may be “good” things. A bigger paycheck or a slimmer body (or bigger muscles!) are “good” things, but who’s definition of good? Have you ever considered that the Creator of the universe simply knows you don’t need it, or that it isn’t His timing? If you find the Lord withholding something from you today, despair not! His timing is perfect. My encouragement to you today is to trust Him. Rest in His promise that He will NEVER withhold ANY good thing from you. Syncing our hearts with the Almighty is the key to joy, because He IS our joy.

Job Description

Several days ago, Serving His Children had a board meeting, which I was able to attend. As we're sitting around the planning table, I'm flipping through one of the meeting info packets. To my surprise, I find a piece of paper with my name at the top. It's my job description on paper, so I thought I'd share it with you. If I said I wasn't proud, I'd be lying.

• Communicate regularly with in-country director (Renee Bach, follow her blog by clicking here)
• Oversee all volunteer communications and training
• Oversee management of Summer Servant Program (Brett and McClain Baggett have this under control! Visit them at www.livinghislovetogether.com)
• Create and maintain ministry newsletter
• Attend training programs through other mission organizations for resources and sharing (uh, clutch!)
• Seek out promotional opportunities to raise awareness and funding (ideas, anyone?)
• Be available for speaking opportunities (because you all know I just hate public speaking ;) )
• Oversee business planning
• Write job descriptions and contracts for volunteers and staff (Don't worry, I make them look professional, and leave out smirky comments like those above)

Well, there you have it. If you call and I don't answer, now you know why! :) If you have questions or would like to be involved in any way, please contact me at josh@servinghischildren.org. We would love to have you on the team.

A Week in Review

It has been one week since I made my official decision to take the plunge into full-time missions. Many of you are supporting me financially, and even more of you are praying for me. I simply cannot express my gratitude to you all - I'm humbled you would sacrifice your time and finances to support me. As such, I want to keep you updated on what the Lord is doing because of you!

1) The very first day after returning from my support-raising trip to Bristol, I was able to attend a two-hour seminar on a software called "Constant Contact." Serving His Children will use it to reach out to our support network on a regular basis with creative and directional email marketing. I guess you could say I hit the ground running.

2) The next day, two young ladies flew in to begin a series of planning meetings for this summer's "Servant" program. Between Wednesday and Thursday, we accomplished over 12 hours of strategic planning. The planning continued even further into Friday, and we're well on our way to a successful summer outreach. (more about what's happening later)

3) Over the past seven days, I've been able to put more hours into working in ministry than I could usually put into a month. It's like I've been given my wings and set loose. I know that sounds corny, but it's so true. There's nothing like finding what you're passionate about and being set free to pursue it.

4) Due to lack of typical "job" restrictions, I was able to sit in a living room last night with Steve Saint and Gracia Burnham. Steve is the son of Nate Saint, one of five missionaries murdered by the Waodani in 1956 while trying to share the Gospel. Gracia spent over a year in captivity in a Muslim country, with her husband ultimately losing his life to the hand of persecution. Needless to say, it was some of the best hours of my life. Their stories and insights were invaluable encouragement to my life.

5) Because I now rely on people like you for my financial income, the Lord continues to grow my faith daily in ways I never imagined. I've never been more grateful for every meal and, in this economy, every gallon of gas!

6) Tomorrow I'll sit under the voice of Wes Stafford, president of Compassion International. After that, two meetings with some of my closest missionary friends who serve with A.B.W.E. Following those meetings, my afternoon will be filled with more planning with Serving His Children. Our strategic progress continues to press forward, all because of you.

I so look forward to writing again at the end of this week. It's "Missions Emphasis Week" here at Liberty, so the atmosphere is buzzing with missionaries and legends of our faith. If you'd like to keep up with me through email, please subscribe in the boxes to the left. To become a sponsor, please email me at jhamby@liberty.edu. Thanks for your support!

Priority Focus

Whether you're a top executive or a late-night stock boy, chances are at some point in your career, you've had to take orders and work for someone. Your goal is to complete a task assigned to you by a superior, and contribute to the company's mission by being a team player. This has become the norm and no one questions it - it's how things work. But imagine showing up to work one day and your boss tells you, "John, your responsibility is no longer to run those reports or stock these shelves. From now on, as soon as you get to work, report to my office. Your main objective in this company is now to get to know me. Forget everything you've been doing, all of that will work itself out. Your main concern is simply to discover who I am. I want to be your best friend." That changes things, doesn't it? It's completely unorthodox, and goes completely against American culture.

In a job interview last week, I was asked what my biggest weakness is. It certainly isn't the first time I've been asked that, as every potential employer seems to think it's an important piece of information to know. I've always thought it would be intriguing to know the array of answers they get to this question. Lately, one of my biggest weaknesses has been coming to light. I try to do the work of God without involving Him. I focus so heavily on the things which I think I have been called to that I often end up neglecting Christ completely. But, that's not a bad problem. Or is it? As a die-hard missionary, my focus is supposed to be on spreading the love of Christ, right? After all, that's what I've been "called" to do. Ask my fiancée, or my parents. I eat, sleep, and breathe missions. I can't get enough of it. It's my job.

This morning, as I prepared for "work", my boss called. He spoke quietly, yet very direct - right to my heart. His words pierced every level of my defenses, and His message was clear. "Stop trying so hard to serve Me, and just get to know Me." I couldn't argue. I came home and shut myself up in my room. I began to read Psalm 23, a passage I had committed to memory as an eleven year old AWANA student, and perhaps one of the most popular, well-known passages in all the Bible. The words lept off the page and wrapped around my heart, taking me by surprise. This dusty, stale passage came alive. In all it's glory, it captured my attention and drew me in. One read-through and my mind immediately brought up the memory file in a computer-like fashion. It must have been ten minutes later than I found myself repeating it, over and over.

I took a few moments to flip through my African Bible Commentary and read what some African scholars had to say about the passage. What an incredible reminder of it was of my state of helplessness as a sheep, and God's miraculous love to meet every need I'll ever have. His love for me was overwhelming in that moment. My heart was drawn to the verse that sets the tone for the lesson I learned this morning. In Mark 12, we find Jesus conversing with the Sadducees, when one man asks, "of all the commandments, which is the most important?" Here it is in our culture: "Boss, out of all of my job responsibilities, which one should I focus on most?" The answer is nothing short of beautiful. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength." "Get to know ME!"

I have been called to mission work, and have, in recent days, had the incredible opportunity to make it my full-time focus. But my greatest instruction rings clear this morning. Above all else, my top priority is getting to know my Creator. Romans 12 says that if I do not conform to the patterns of this world, but allow myself to be transformed by Christ, I will know God's good, pleasing, and perfect will for my life.

I thank God for my reality check this morning. What about you? Have your priorities shifted? Where is your focus? Feel free to leave it in a comment below. I'd love to hear your heart.

A Dream Come True

I know, the title is pretty girly. I couldn't think of anything else, and I'm sort of giddy right now anyways, so let it be. I'm giddy from excitement, because that's what happens when I take a step of faith. And boy am I taking one! Allow me to explain...

About two months ago, I called two adult men that I look up to, and I knew would shoot straight with me. I told them I was miserable not being in full-time ministry, and I had to do something about it. I didn't know what, but I knew if I took another job that had nothing to do with missions, I would die. So I began to pray. At the time, I was unemployed with a wedding coming up in 6 months.

Fast forward to last Monday. Wedding is 4 months away, and still no income. I get a job interview for a 45hr/week position doing data entry. Can we say boring? Anyways, I go, and they say they will call me back by Friday. Two days after the interview, one of my favorite ministries calls. After meeting with them for a few hours, they want to bring me on as a staff member. WHAT?! Um, check! Only catch? I have to raise my own support. No big deal, right?

Well, right... I think. Right now it is Monday evening, five days after the offer from the ministry. So far, I've raised $600/month in support for the next five months. Scratch that, God has. And remember that job I was offered doing data entry? I'm going to turn it down. That's right - I'm taking a leap of faith (4 months before marriage!) and going into full-time ministry. YEAYA!

You know what I've learned so far? I trust a job more than I trust God. And I'd be willing to bet some of you are in the boat with me. "God, if I take this job, I'll have a steady, reliable income. But if I don't, I'm going to be relying completely on You, and that scares me." Does anyone see the theological tragedy I finally awoke to? I've got some serious praying to do!

(I know, this post has been somewhat of a verbal regurgitation. That's alright, I just had to get it out of my system. More details will ensue, I assure you!)

In American culture, money makes the world go round. I'm not asking you to quit your job or pass one up - my situation is obviously an exception. I am challenging you to search your heart, and see where you are banking your trust.

What about you? Is your financial security found in Christ or your job?

World, meet Southern Sudan

It's hard for me to imagine the excitement that surrounds the birth of a child. It's a big deal - the family comes in from out of town, close friends gather in the waiting room, and the husband is well, in over his head! (My deepest respect goes out to the women for bearing the pain of childbirth - I'll take the hateful looks and screams any day.)

What fascinates me the most about this process is how miraculous it actually is. I'm floored when I think of the processes that must happen for the successful birth of a human being. Months (sometimes years!) of planning, midnight trips to Walmart for random food items to satisfy cravings, and (joyful) suffering lead to those moments of sheer joy. I can't wait to hear my own child cry for the first time.

Newborns are worth announcing. It means a new beginning, a clean slate. Over the past several months, my heart has grown to love the people of Sudan. Their plight and suffering has drawn world-wide attention since the 60s. The world has followed their story through news outlets covering the Darfur genocide. Labor pains have been long, and have cost the people of Southern Sudan almost 4 million lives. Morning sickness is long gone, and the labor is almost over. We're about to witness the birth of an entire country.

News reports are already announcing the staggering statistics - over 99% of southern Sudanese people voted to separate from the Islamic north. If you're unfamiliar with the situation, you can read more here. That's overwhelming! Although the "official" results have yet to be released, it is kind of obvious, don't you think? The world is about to announce it's newest country, and the people of southern Sudan couldn't be happier.

Want additional information on current happenings in Sudan? Click here. This is the birth of their country. I encourage you to join them in their celebration. Better yet, you will have a chance to help them build it.

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Referendum seems successful

The Southern Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, being the current government leadership of the south, is now reporting that referendum attendance has reached 60% at the polls. Although they are aiming for 100%, the current percentages would allow for a cessation. The final vote count will not be certified until February.

Note the obvious, natural borders between the north and the south as seen above from space. Incredible. More in the article below.

Click here to read the article.

Sudanese Ballots

The photo above, from December 22, 2010, shows the unloading process of over 7 million ballots arriving in Juba, Sudan. The week long referendum process successfully started on time yesterday.

You all know of my desire to bring proper educational opportunities to the people of southern Sudan. My incredible fiancée emailed me a snippet of info today that I couldn’t resist passing on:

Because only 15 percent of southern Sudan's 8.7 million people can read, the ballot choices were as simple as could be: a drawing of a single hand marked "separation" and another of clasped hands marked "unity."