Mastering the art of A.T.L.
We currently find Team Zion and Team Lego at Love Botswana Mission Outreach in Maun, home of the African Safari, Botswana.
We have set aside a day a week to do “A.T.L.”
(ask the Lord). It is a type of ministry, but really it is more of a lifestyle. The basic concept is simply to start off your day by asking God what He is doing today and to join Him in that work.
“God, where do you want me to go today?”
“Who do you want me to talk to?”
Then to listen to the voice of your shepherd and do as He says.
Today, we had originally planned to head into the city center to minister to people in the market, but after some time of prayer and seeking God’s direction, several of us felt God was leading us to the area around the Love Botswana property.
Jessie, Brooke & myself set off down the road from the mission to the river. God is good and taught us a lesson on the road. We encountered a young man walking home from town. He was the only human we had seen on the road as of that point, and yet it wasn’t immediately obvious that we were to share the gospel with him. We started off our interaction with him by asking directions, hoping to find some sort of civilization down this sandy road. He was helpful in leading us to a few people living in the area. But more importantly, we came to the realization that it was this young man who God wanted us to speak with. We spent the next half an hour speaking with him of a variety of topics from occupation, ancestral worship, and God himself. By the time we reached his home, he had come the realization that Jesus Christ should be the Lord of his life and asked God to be his God right there on the road.
It is crazy how God will pursue his children and call them into his family. Had we not intentionally set out to talk with whoever came along our path, we would have passed right by this new brother of ours.
God reminded me of the importance to the journey and how simply walking and talking with companions along the road is just the way he loves to “do” ministry. I have been praying for God’s voice to be clear and present in my life. In response to my request He is asking me to listen for him all the time not just when my Bible and journal are in my lap. But it is just as important to hear him when I am out riding in a cap, talking with our security guard or even visiting the farmer down the road.
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The gatekeeper opens the gate from him and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his sheep by name and he leads them out.” John 10:3
