God has been using this month to confirm my love for two
things: children and music. I knew I liked these things, but never really
realized my passion and calling for them.
It all started with Jaime (pronounced High-may). Our team,
along with team Transformed went to visit a neighborhood called Genesis. This
is a really rough neighborhood that the church has come alongside to share the
love of Christ with. Several of the kids from this area attend the school that
the church has on campus. But first, they wanted to show us where the children
lived so that we had a true perspective when we worked with them at the school.
Within 5 minutes of the visit, I was attached. And so was he. This little 6
year old came straight over to me with a smile from ear to ear, and we started
talking about his favorite colors and sports, normal conversation with a 6 year
old. I have no idea why he chose me, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Walking down the road, a little hand always found its way into mine. It was the
purest friendship I had experienced in a long time. He just wanted to hold my
hand, nothing else. He wasn’t there to ask for food or candy, to have me swing
him around and entertain him for an hour. He just wanted to stand with me and
hold his hand, and he was so happy. We left, but when we went to the school the
next day, I was almost as happy to see him as he was to see me! We ran up to
each other and shared a huge hug, and then that same little hand found its way
into mine. And there it stayed for the next 2 hours. Kids don’t need anything
but love. It’s that simple. Just love them, and everything else falls into
place. And Jaime helped me remember that.
For the last 5 months, I have had a really hard time singing
in front of groups of locals. I (now) only know 2 songs in Spanish, so when
asked to lead worship, my mind always went directly to “Let’s make this quick.
They don’t even understand what I’m saying, but since I have to, we will only
sing through this one time. Thank goodness it’s a short song.” But God has used
my love for music to change things this month. I was invited to sing in front
of the church we are working with this month: a congregation with an average of
around 3,000 people on any given Sunday morning. While
singing, all I could
hear God saying was, “Just worship me. Who cares if they understand? I do.” So,
pure and simple, I just worshipped God; who cares if it is only me, or in front
of 3,000 people. He’s the same guy in every situation. And after that, God
started to confirm my love for music, and help me realize that my music is an
atmosphere changer. People hear God when I sing, not my voice. And who am I to
decide when and how people worship? I just obey, and God does the rest. What a
privilege I have to bless others just by using the talents God has gifted me
with.
God is teaching me more and more to listen for His voice,
and not the voices of the world. When I obey Him and only Him, things change.
Because after all, God’s got the big picture. Who am I to try and fix things?
P.S. Even though I have spent the last 5 months in South and
Central America, God has been confirming over and over my calling for Africa. A
friend told me after church one day, “When you sing, all I see is you in Africa
with your guitar and a bunch of little children.” And to be honest, that is all
I can think about as well. God is using so many people, places, and things
around me to remind me that my future is waiting…
In Kenya with hungry4Him in 2007
