The delay is simply because schedules are difficult to work together.
I’m done with all I can offer and have since passed on the torch to the
youth. They are doing an outstanding job and I’ll let you all know how
it turns out.
This past Saturday I was there with about a half a dozen of them to
paint. We had a fun time and it’s been a huge blessing for me just to
get to know them more. I can brag about them later…
This morning I went by myself to touch up a few things before youth
group tonight. It was cold and quiet. I only planned to be there for a
couple of uninterrupted hours. Get there, get the job done, get home.
Turns out some of my new friends from the church were there. Every
Wednesday morning a small group of women clean the church. When I first
met them I noticed the unique accents as they spoke in their native
language. I’ve been around the globe and usually can tell from at least
which part of the world people are from. When I couldn’t figure it out
and they saw the African itinerary written on my World Race jeans they
told me they were from Eritrea in northern Africa.
Though we haven’t talked much, and I haven’t seen them in a few weeks,
there’s always a joy about their presence. This morning as I was
talking with one of them she asked me what my “real” job was. I tried
to explain to her my job as a gymnastics coach and how spending so much
time painting hasn’t easily allowed me full-time employment. This was
OK for now because they are two things I enjoy doing very much. She
could tell I was a talented artist and could hear my struggle to do
what I love. With much joy she reminded and encouraged me that God
knows what I do and He will be faithful to provide what I need – for
how can I continue to do what I do for Him if I do not have food. That
was her simplistic explanation. I LOVE THE AFRICAN HEART! God is here!
I smiled. Sitting on the cold church floor I became wide-eyed in His
wonder. He got me here because He is here. Though life has been
ridiculously different than I had imagined it would be when I returned
from the Race there is no doubt that God is here with me. Though
humility, refining, and mystery has been more a part of my life the
past six months than all the years before – God is here. Though I’ve
come to realize more of my weaknesses and failures – God is here. And
that’s Who I want.
In essence, there is only one thing God asks of us – that we be men
and women of prayer, people who live close to God, people for whom God
is everything and for whom God is enough. That is the root of peace. We
have that peace when the gracious God is all we seek.
-Ragamuffin Gospel, Brennan Manning
[“Deus est hic” which is painted above a
doorway as part of the mural is Latin for “God is here”. I borrowed it
from an old co-worker’s tattoo.]
