Ever since I knew God was telling me to be a missionary, I’ve always felt a pull towards Africa. Because I hadn’t ever been to Africa, I couldn’t’ explain it logically. How can you feel connected to a place you’ve never even seen? Please, that doesn’t make any sense.
Well, this month I’ll be home for Christmas. I’m living in Swaziland for the month of December, at an orphanage in the mountains called El Shaddai. Coming into this season of holidays, I was wondering how I’d react to being away from my family for the first time in my life. Am I going to miss decorating the Christmas tree? Of course. Am I sad that I won’t see my eighteen month old niece tear into all of her presents? Definitely. Is it going to be difficult not seeing my family? How could it not. But the more I think about Christmas this year, the more I realize I’m right at home.
Every month of the race has had some good times, as well as some trials, and there are definitely some months I’ve enjoyed more than others. This month is more amazing than I ever could have imagined. I’m doing manual labor all month, and I’ve already done everything from painting, to digging a trash pit, to shoveling out sludge from a duck pond. Even though I love manual labor, it’s nothing compared to the love I have for these kids. They’ve already stolen my heart, and I don’t know how I’m going to say goodbye to them at the end of the month. Although I’m going to be away from home, I can’t think of any better way to spend my Christmas than loving on these kids.
As we go into this Christmas season, I want to encourage you to remember what Christmas is really all about. It’s not about the tree. It’s not about the food. It’s not about the presents. It’s not even about family. It’s all about Christ coming into the world, in order that we could have a personal, deep, intimate relationship with God. How are you going to share Christ’s love to others during this Christmas season?
