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My Blog
“I don’t have any message for you...”
Sitting here in the cool morning breezes in Okahandja I know that I am so blessed. I’ve been here in Namibia for the last week and a half to gather with my brothers and sisters in Christ - the staff of Christ’s Hope International. It is rare that we are all able to gather together like this because it is so expensive to bring everyone from the dozen or so countries in which we work. But when we do have this opportunity, it is always so encouraging to see and hear face to face how God is working to care for His precious kids in Africa through this incredible ministry.
This past week has been a long one. Meetings from morning to evening; difficult and even contentious issues to address; heat (an over 100 degree temperature difference from my home in Northern Michigan!). But through all of it, God’s goodness, grace, mercy, provision and love were abundantly evident.
The last couple of days were taken up with the conclusion of what has been a long-term strategic planning effort. Although not yet condensed into its final working format, we now have a clear picture of where the ministry is headed over the next three years - and it is daunting. So much so that we have all thankfully come to the understanding that if this vision is to be realized, it will only be by God’s grace. But, we serve an awesome God! We can hardly imagine what He can achieve!
Praying for God’s wisdom and guidance
Which brings me to the message we received yesterday morning from one of the most godly men I have ever had the honor to meet - Jimmy Bassingthwaite. I won’t even try to convey what an extraordinary man Jimmy is and how his life and testimony have inspired me and so many others. But as we listened to his devotion yesterday morning, I was blown away by one simple thing that he shared. Despite all the difficulties that Jimmy and his family have faced trying to grow vegetables in this harsh and unforgiving climate. Despite all the amazing ways that God has continued to manifest Himself and carry him through both good and bad times, Jimmy had one thing to say: “I don’t have any message for you but that God loves you.” As my nephew Christopher would say, “Boom!”
So, I am sitting here this morning at the Sylvanette Guest House enjoying a cup of coffee and the cool of the morning. I am sitting here getting ready to start working on plans for my ministry work in the coming year. And I am doing it secure in the knowledge that despite all my faults and shortcomings, God loves me anyway. Boom!
BH
Friday, February 27, 2015