Many things move me, but very rarely do I feel a huge burden for something on my heart. A burden that I will stop at nothing to see change. Rarely do I feel an urgency that drives me to a such a great deal of compassion that I cry. Today was different. Today was a climatic day for me on the race. After today I will never be the same. Let me tell you about my day…
Today we went to a missions conference on campus from 9 to 3. The conference was the only thing that was on the “agenda” for the day, the only thing planned for ministry. Caiti, Syd, and I wanted to stay on campus for a little while to visit Lousia and NaNa (the girls we have built solid relationships with in the dorms at the University of Cape Coast). Everyone else went back home. We walked from UIC (the church) to Kwame (their dorm). On the way we ran into a group of guys (~6) who asked if we were Americans and what we are here for. We told them we are missionaries and are just loving on people and building relationships. Immediately they got defensive and told us they were traditionalist and god is in everything. They worship their ancestors and believe they are reincarnated. Right away they were quoting scriptures to us about why we shouldn’t have tattoos, have piercings in our ears, and how Jesus was a Rasta. At the beginning we just listened to what they had to say. It is important to respect what they had to say.
They asked us, “why aren’t you arguing with us?… You are Christians, you like to argue about this stuff.” We told him we are not here to argue we are here to love. They said Christianity is a white person religion and that Africans are not welcome in Christianity. At least that is how they have felt by Christians they have encountered. They expressed to us how whites only come to Africa to exploit and take what plunder they may. Whites have done nothing good on this continent, even the Christians. They said the church robs from Africans, and takes their money. They asked us why there is suffering in the world, asked how we can believe in the trinity, and about living in covenant (old and new), etc. They could not understand Jesus how he is fully man and fully god. Caiti explained to them through a great analogy. She said, “Lets say there is an ant hill that is about to be destroyed by a huge rock rolling through, and as a human we try and warn them by yelling at them, or even kicking at the ant hill. But unfortunately they will never understand to move. They cannot comprehend humans. But if the human was to become an ant and lower himself to an ant to tell them to move, that is the only way they would understand.” Apologetics was all over this conversation. Question after Question.
We then talked about the sacrifice Christ took on the cross to save humanity from our sins. They asked, “why would anyone die for me?” That question hit straight to my heart. The answer is because you are worth it. God desires so badly to be in a relationship with this student I was talking to. He asked me would you die for anyone? I said I would die for you! That answer took him back. I would die for him if it meant he could encounter the same God that I know.
Syd was talking to one of the other guys who was a Roman Catholic. They had a conversation apart from the one I was having with Caiti and the rest of the guys. Syd spoke about the spirit and just her story. The guy was so encouraged and felt God was speaking through the spirit through syd. The conversation they had was so good! So uplifting to both of them.
We met up with Louisa and she was so excited to see us. I am seeing the fruits of long term missions. How relationships can grow, develop, stretch, strengthen, etc. If we had to leave this place now, with what we have started, I would not feel complete. I am so blessed to be able to stay in Ghana another month!
When we got home today. I had a huge burden for those men that I met today; a burden that they will never live life to the full unless they accept Christ as their savior. I thought about how I told them I would die for them, and how Christ died for all of humanity from the beginning of time. There are no words to explain how my heart feels for what Christ did for us. Going out around the world this year, giving up my lifestyle in America, living out of a backpack, spreading the gospel, loving the nations, is the least I could do in return!
I will not let another day slip away from me where I do not go out to the nations telling of God’s amazing love!
I will not let another day slip away from me on this race where I am not living as Christ did.
I will not let another day slip away from me on this race where I don’t love the people I meet, my brothers, my sisters, my family, my friends, the poor, the widowed, the orphaned, with all my heart!
