You're never too old to learn

Once again...Toothpaste for Dinner on a Friday.

Fate, coincidence, serendipity....whatever you personally like to call it, I've been blessed with curious circumstances this week.

I happen to believe that these moments are nothing other than Godly. His provision or blessing, His divine coincidence, His determination for me to be somewhere and learn something crucial, even though I wouldn't have done it on my own.

Tuesday night I had all intentions of going to New Community at Heartland Community Church. It's the church's mid-week service, and I love the revitalization it gives me. After a particularly powerful intro to the week, I'd been looking forward to it.

That morning, my boss asked me to take the minutes at our board meeting that night. I wrestled with it. Be a good servant, or follow this desire (and previous committment) to go to Heartland? I politely said I couldn't make it, but any other time, I'd be happy to help. Cue coincidence/distraction #1.

After making dinner for Cass and myself and hot-footing it out the door to make it in time (which means 5 minutes late), I locked myself out of my apartment. I locked myself out from the inside...something that's easy to do with my inner sanctum's security lock. Boo.

So, I call the maintenance office, hang in the parking lot, and Cass and I decide that there is NO way we're making it to church. No way that is, until Curt (Mr. Maintenance) calls me back and asks if he could fix it around 9 p.m. because his daughter is having her final symphony concert that night, and he wants to go. Cue coincidence #2.

Now that I don't have to stay and wait for Mr. Maintenance, I can go to Heartland. They're doing this week-long push for their Hemi(sphere) program, which is their vast organization of mission groups spread all over the world. Two amazing speakers talked about risk and faith, and how they relate to being called to live in other places. Listening to their stories was beautiful. I have so much respect for them.

So, the man who's in charge of their Hemi program talked after that, and here's the jist of why I think I was still supposed to go. It seemed like the whole message was about "mission" work, and doing the mission of evangelizing while in the process.

Not a bad message, and lots of people feel called for this purpose, and whatever works with them is straight...I don't really want to debate their hearts. I think they ultimately end up doing a lot of good for people that need help, and throw in a few paragraphs about Jesus while they're there. Cool for them.

But I'm not super crazy about this approach - I don't think it affects long-term change. It doesn't really change the heart. Maybe it works for two people, or even ten, or even a village, but certainly not a continent. Not this huge world.

The reason I want to go to Africa isn't to throw my bible around. Yes, I'm a Christian. Yes, I LOVE me some Jesus, and I want to sit next to people from all cultures and worship styles at my final eternal banquet.

BUT I don't want to "go on a mission." I want to go and make a difference. I want to make my life a mission.

This journey to Kenya is only one of the missions spinning in my life. I feel like the purpose for this mission isn't to convert, or evangelize, but to LEARN. About their beauty, their culture, their love, their religion or belief or lack of it. I just want to KNOW them, and let them KNOW me. I want to invest in their world.

I just think it's too bad that with all the criss-crossing of the world people can make good progress for the causes of humanity, yet end up trying to leave the world imprinted with our version of Christianity. White, with worship bands and three steps to salvation. There's so much more to learn.

I want to learn and help the people of Kenya. I want to touch people that no one else would come near, let alone remember after they saw a commercial about it. I want to be a part of real social change, and help build real infrastructural support after we leave.

This is why I love working with Sarah & Julius so much. Soulfari Kenya's people are all about being changed while you're in Kenya and they're devoted to bringing that influence back to the United States.

It's definitely not a coincidence that I heard those words on Tuesday night. God has carried this thread on. In my prayer life, conversations and what consumes me, I've been dissecting the real reason we go anywhere to help. Expect to see more about this here in the upcoming weeks, and I'd love to know your thoughts on this too.

Because I know I'm never too old to learn.