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.