My Reach must Exceed my Grasp

As I was doing my devotion reading time this morning, which I am reading from Ephesians in the Bible and Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest", the question was asked: Do you know a man of vision? How about a man with the vision of God?

The passage goes onto say, "A man with the vision of God is not devoted to a cause or to any particular issue; he is devoted to God Himself. You always know when the vision is from God because of the inspiration that comes from it; things come with largeness and tonic to the life because everything is energized by God."

Well, I must say the first person to come to mind after reading this was Pastor Michel who I was introduced to in Africa this late winter. His really big faith in God made him obedient to the vision of a 30,000 student Christian University in Burkina Faso, Africa. And when we got there to master plan and design the campus, Pastor Michel sat down with us and painted the vision. It was large, it was energized, and it was inspiring! It was inspiring to the point that we jumped right in to carry out that vision. This vision was not from Pastor Michel, but from God.

During our work there we felt ourselves not only being devoted to Pastor Michel and the Village of Hope; and not only to the children who would some day attend this university, but we found ourselves devoted to God. Because this vision was bigger than all of us.

So the question I am asking myself this morning and you should ask yourself also; what is the vision I am committing myself to? Is it a cause or a particular issue? Or is it a vision from God that is so big, so inspiring, so energized that you can't do it alone. That you will need help from God and from others.

The reading in Chambers book ended with, "Our reach must exceed our grasp." This is telling me I can not become satisfied with what I have attained, and the cause or issue that I am striving for. No, I must endure and receive power from the One who gives me vision. My reach must exceed my grasp. My vision must come from God.

Win4Him!
Karl

Finishing the Work We Started

A couple of weeks ago on April 15th (Tax day) I was able to drive off to Colorado Springs, Colorado. This is home to EMI (Engineering Ministries International). This is the ministry with whom I went to Africa with this late winter. We went to work on master planning a christian university in Burkina Faso, Africa. Pastor Michele, who is blessed with the ministry of reaching the lost children in the local tribes surrounding Ouagadougou with his boarding school for children, was going to be in the country. He was coming to EMI along with the 2 men who work feverishly to help raise awareness and support for Pastor Michele's efforts.


The reason for my visit was two fold. I wanted to see Pastor Michele again. I love experiencing his passion and deep faith in the Lord. It is contagious. And I wanted to deliver a second model, which myself and my work intern had spent over 70 hours working on since March.


This work would not have been able to be done without the help of many people. First my intern, who spent alot of hours working on all the details of the model. And second the people who sponsored my trip and prayed for me. Additional money had been left in my EMI account from your support. So all the support that came in allowed me to make this additional trip to Colorado. Thank you again to all who gave, and to all those who prayed and continue to pray.


The model will serve to give a visual in 3-D for people to see from all different angles. To dream, to pray, to financially support until a time that it becomes a reality in Africa.

So I have included a few pictures for you to see that work that you have made possible through your support.

Thanks again. And may God bless you.

By Who's Power?

I was reading in Ephesians 1 this morning and specifically the following verses 19-23: "I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else in this world or in the world to come. And God has put all things under the authority of Christ, and he gave him this authority for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is filled by Christ who fills everything everywhere with his presence."

Now when I read this I couldn't help but think about how this played out on my trip to Africa this past February. It totally amazed me how a group of 15 people who didn't know each other came together for about 10 days in a foreign country to do the work of God to design a 30,000 student university in the middle of a far away continent in a hot, dusty, lacking vegetation 1000 acre site. We all came in with our own ideas, our own agendas, and our own "power". But God had different plans. Christ brought all of our work, all of our time, and all of our strength under his authority. And we finished the work, which would normally take 2-3 weeks, in a time frame of 5-6 days. That's amazing! The amount of work and energy we spent was not in our own power, but that of Jesus Christ.

This was super natural power that kept us going. How do I know this? I was able to stay up for 3 nights in a row late and survive on 3-4 hours of sleep anight. I was totally focused on my work and had a clear mind. I was able to take time out and interact with the 450+ children presnt at the school too. And as I was totally wiped out physically and emotionally for almost 2 weeks when I got back to Sioux City. And in God's super natural plan, he allowed me to rest before the on slot of work that he has currently blessed me with.

So ask yourself (as I am), "Who's power am I under today? My own feable power or God's mighty power who raised Christ from the dead? When the task seems insurmountable, who do I lean on for strength and power to go forward? I can only go so far on my own".

Maybe it's time we all surrended to the power of Christ, since it is available for us to tap into for all those who believe in him. This is my prayer for myself, for you reading this and the church. It's time for us to plug in. The time is now.

Win4him!
Karl

Did you ever think about...

Did you ever think about the uniqueness of God's plan in the way Christ came into the world vs. the way he was crucified and resurrected?

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." Luke 2:10

A speechless, defenseless baby in private...

vs.

"They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They made a crown of long, sharp thorns and put it on his head, and they placed a stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery, yelling' "Hail! King of the Jews!" And they spit on him and grabbed him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified." Matt 27:28-31.

A speechless, humble servant in public...

He came into this world in a private way with a few chosen to see him born in humility, feared by one king. And he was crucified in a public way, feared and hated by multitudes that wanted him silenced. Only thing is he chose to Love us in humility by going to the cross in silence with no arguements . But he is not silenced. He is risen with blessings and honor, glory and power, forever and ever, Amen.

Have an awesome Easter and Ressurection Day and be thankful for what Christ has done.

Revelation from My Trip is Coming Along

It has been almost 2 weeks since my return trip home from Africa. I have had plenty of time to catch up on family, friends and other things and I feel like I am almost caught up. But I must apologize that I haven't blogged much. I have been spending much needed time alone with God reflecting on the trip and what God has done in me.

At first I found it difficult to tell someone that asked what the trip was like. What do you tell someone about an experience which changed your life, "it was great" or "it was awesome"? Words can't necessarily express what I experienced and how God has opened my eyes and my heart. But God has been working in me to give me revelation of why I went on the trip, what he wants me to do and how to go about it.

But before I get to that in future posts to this blog, I thought I would share a quick video of what the experience was through my eyes. I pray that this video impacts your heart in any portion to how much this trip has impacted me.

Back Home Now

I have been home for 2 days now and have probably slept about an average of 14-16 hours a day. Over these last 2 days, I have felt tired, angry, depressed and withdrawn from my family and society. I feel like I am a foreigner in my own land. I am constantly processing what I have just experienced. This trip to Africa has changed me. I feel different like I have gained something different, but also like I left something back in Africa. I am processing to figure this out, and at this moment I am not sure what has changed.

I know I have met some awesome brothers and sisters in Christ who have become life long friends. Their example of faith, servanthood and love towards others is very inspiring. They live out their faith in a big way everyday. They serve the same God I serve, but a much bigger God. Bigger than I often think is possible. They totally depend on him for everything. They are not comfortable like we are in the US, where we feel we can depend on ourselves.

Since I am still processing, I thought I would start out with the story of Pastor Michel. He is the leader of a huge church in Ouaga, Burkina Faso which his father started. He is the founder of the Village of Hope, where we stayed. This man has huge faith in God. He has never ending energy and joy of the Lord. He is very humble, delegates like Moses learned to do, and shares the vision God has given him whenever he can.

Pastor Michel's Story


When Pastor Michel Ouedraogo graduated from seminary some 25 years ago he carried a burden for his people and the transformation of his nation (Burkina Faso). Traveling village to village on a bicycle, then a mo-ped, he presented the message of Jesus Christ through a film-strip projector which he carried strapped to the back of the bicycle. In the beginning, the elders in the village of Banken asked him to leave, but he persisted in returning to bring hope to the village.

Pastor Michel, with his wife Lydia were saddened by the many children in the village who had no opportunity to know Christ or to improve their lives, so they asked the elders if they could take one child and educate her. The elders agreed and gave them one little girl. When the Ouedraogos received her, she was dirty and sickly with a runny nose and a bloated stomach from malnutrition.

The elders in Banken were soon able to see a big change in the little girl the Michel and Lydia called Sarah. She was cared for and loved like all of the other kids in the Ouedraogo family. She was clean. Her health improved. She showed that she was smart and an eager learner in school. Today, Sarah has completed medical training, and gives leadership to one of the medical clinics started by Pastor Michel. She is married, and has beautiful children.

Sarah’s transformation was so amazing that the Banken elders asked if Michel and Lydia could take more children. The idea was daunting, but the Ouedraogos believed they take more children…and the Village of Hope was born.

Today over 400 children from 15 villages are housed, fed, and educated at the Village of Hope, returning home during holidays. The school day begins early with Chapel every morning at 5:00 am. Morning chores are a part of the routine, too. The kids are learning so well that they consistently place in the top three on the national exams. Some have progressed through to middle school, so Pastor Michel has added facilities for that. Within a few years there will be need for vocational training for some, and university for others.

Another remarkable part of the story is that when the children have returned home for holidays, they have wanted a place to go to church on Sundays. Parents and elders in several of the villages have seen much change in the kids, so they have asked Pastor Michel to send a pastor to their village to start a church. The villages are now being transformed by the kids.

Today is the Day!

As one of my most favorite recording artists sings "Today is the day the Lord has made, I will be glad and rejoice in it." Ok, so Lincoln Brewster didn't write those lyrics for his song, but he borrowed them from God's word. Isn't it fitting for our day today?

I am eating my breakfast here and wanted to post quickly before I drive down to Omaha. It's hard to say good-bye to my wife and family, but it is now time - off to Africa.

Pray for the team and I as we all get ready to converge on Africa via Paris. I don't meet my team until I get there. And on top of that I don't even know who I am looking for. So pray we all meet up and all get in on-time to Paris. I will try to blog from there with a team photo if possible.

Thanks again for you support financially or in prayer. I know I wouldn't be going if it wasn't for this team of friends and family that God stirred their hearts to be a partner with me and Him on this trip.

God bless!

Wow tomorrow I leave for Africa!

As I am packing for my trip it has hit me just how dependent I am on technology. I need this charging cord, that backup cord, this plug-in adapter, these batteries. I have needed to charge battery paks, load batteries, download music and movies to the borrowed Ipod (my son's - thanks Doug), had to get a global phone (just in case as my wife says), etc, etc etc. Wow it can be really overwhelming. We don't realize just how connected we really are and the price we have to pay for that.

Now contrast this with where I am going. Ouagadougou (wa-ga-dough-goo)in Burkina Faso (burr-keen-a faa-so), Africa. Most kids won't have shoes let alone an Ipod. From the reseach I have done their life looks so simple, yet they have so much freedom and joy. Maybe they have it figured out.

Why do we get all these gadgets that allow us to set schedules, keep our schedule, listen to music, watch videos, take pictures and video, download pictures and video, post blogs, facebook, etc, etc, etc? To be more connected and efficient?

Is it that we are just so busy running around in this world that we don't take time out to enjoy the freedom, beauty and peace of God's creation and people? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for staying connected and everything, but have we really stopped to think about all the stuff we have in our lives that make it so complicated?

I was reading last night in my "Prepare Your Heart - A study booklet for your short-term mission trip" and there was a quick comparison of vacuums vs. brooms. We in America use a vacuum cleaner, because it is efficient, does a great job picking up dust, and we can get onto the next thing quickly. Compare that to a third world country that for thousands of years have cleaned the floor the same way - with a broom. Their not looking for efficiency. They are are happy to sweep and may choose to spend time talking to family or a friend who just stopped by (ahh -a form of multi-tasking). But efficiency never enters their minds.

All this to say that I am sure this culture places a high value on relationships while placing a lesser value on technology and doing tasks efficiently. A lesson I am sure to learn while I'm there?

So pray for our team. That we are servants with humility and the love of Christ. That we can slow down to show openness and acceptance of our hosts' way of life. And that we can take time to work on our task with efficiency, but also take time to focus on relationships. After all that is why we are going over there. We are going over there to learn, to serve, and to build relationships that honor God.

T - 3 Days Left

(this image to the left is the steel cross that was erected on site at the Village of Hope recently)

As I was blowing the snow off the driveway this morning I was thinking about how it is going to be quite a physical shock to my body to go into 100 degree weather in a few days. But then I thought, when I return to Sioux City, I will be shocked by the cold again. But I think I will be going through more than "physical shock" to my body once I get over to Africa.

For instance besides the climate change and jet lag... food, language, dress code, social differences, waking and walking around in unfamiliar surroundings, wierd noises and sights, and even unmet expectations are a few I will experience. These are called "cultural shocks" and God will be using these to show us on the team that our way "in America" is not always the only way to do things. I will have to look at things in the light that "it's not wrong, it's just different."

Paul, known for his short term missionary trips in and out of different cultures, addressed this in 1 Corithians 10:23-33. First he states that whatever we eat, drink or do, we need to do it all for the glory and honor of God. And secondly, we need not offend our hosts by not eating, drinking or doing only what we would normally, but if it blesses them for us to accept what they give us, we must accept it in faith and bless them. This is putting others first and not being judgemental and critical of another culture.

Please pray for our team as we enter this "culture shock". That we are open minded and accepting of foods and activities, and even their church "worship" style as not wrong, but different. And give it a try so that it will bless them, and that we have the right attitude also.

T - 10 Days Left

As I am going about preparing for my trip to Africa, God has really been speaking to me about quite a few things. I thought I would share a few today.

First, as I have had to have all these vaccines (yellow fever, hep A & B, tetnus, meningitis, etc) and take these pills (malaria and typhoid) it makes me realize how as a christian nation we are blessed. In the US we have civility and order when it comes to health care, so we don't have to worry about getting these diseases in our country. That is a daily threat for 10/40 world countries. How can this be changed?

Second, as I have done research on Burkina Faso, I see a country with lots of poverty and a nation that doesn't have much (materially speaking). Then I think about how we in the US have much of what we need and some of what we want. If we want it we go buy it. God has blessed this nation, so what are we going to do with that?

Third, I was reading last night a short book the ministry gave us to prepare for our trip. It is called "preparing your heart for short term mission trips". I read Matthew 25:31-46. Jesus is teaching his disciples about the final judgement. This is when he says, " for I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you cared for me, I was in prison and you visited me." As I was reading this I started to realize that all these things that Jesus was talking about were basic needs. And the example was about filling the needs of others.

So as I pondered that, I realized that when I go on this trip and stay at the Village of Hope with 450+ plus grade school children, that not only am I filling a need of helping to master plan their future university campus, but that also I am going to fill the needs that they have today. Whatever that may be. And by filling those needs I am sharing Christ's love with them. All these kids at the school, which is a boarding school, are there away from there parents and families. So a few hugs and smiles will be necessary.

So how can we fill the needs of those around us? We don't have to jump on a plane and travel to Africa to do this. We can love our family, neighbors, co-workers and strangers by filling their needs in that moment. To have an attitude of "whatever it takes" and to act with enthusiasm, smiles and hugs if necessary.

Mission Trip Entry: T minus -12 days

This is my first ever attempt to setup a blog, which just happens to be about my mission trip to Burkina Faso, Africa and my experience before, during and after. I am not too up on these technologies of blogs, ipods, downloading pictures and videos. But I'll do my best for you to keep you posted. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks anyway?

Today is the count down of 12 days until I leave for Africa. Laurie, my wife, and I have been fasting and praying for 21 days now for the preparation for this trip. And I must say that God has been closer than ever and giving me visions for the trip, waking me up in the middle of the night to pray for our trip, the other 10 people of our team and other missionaries. It has been an exciting time of fasting for my first experience in doing this. But I would be lying if I said I wasn't craving pizza or hamburgers, but I have learned to focus on God when the cravings get bad.

Don't worry, we have been eating, though I have lost 13 pounds over this fast (like I need to lose 13 lbs!). We did a Daniel fast which is eating fruits, veggies, nuts and water. I never thought I would last, but the Lord has strengthen us both.

Tomorrow we break our fast before we go to church. I know Laurie is going to have a Starbucks (yep she made it 21 days without one - can you believe it I am so proud of her) and I am going to make a nice pancake breakfast for the kids and I. I am really excited about that :]! And so are the kids - they have had to fend for themselves for meals.

Thank you to all who have been praying and have sent financial support. I feel so blessed and I know God will bless you for giving.