I apologize for my delay, the internet in Africa only works
about once a week. Although I know God is doing great things here, in us and
through us, I have never missed the States so much before. I think it’s a combination of the following:
being away from my family for so long, getting odd looks EVERYWHERE I go,
choosing from the same 2 menu options each day, lack of consistent sleep, the
power going out every other day, and not being able to walk for 2 seconds
without being asked for money. I understand the needs of the people here, but I
have nothing to give. I sold everything I have just to come here, and still
don’t have all of the finances I need to complete this trip. It’s difficult to
get the local people to understand this…..thank you for letting me vent.
On a
brighter note, we have been building some amazing relationships with the
students at the University of Cape Coast. We go there about 4 times a week and
hang out in the dorms with friends that we have made. Most, if not all, call
themselves Christians. So we go into deeper conversations about God, it’s
amazing how many of them believe in the gospel, but are not 100% sure if they
are going to heaven. I have also noticed that their beliefs are based on what
they can and can not do. For example, they asked about our tattoos, ankle
bracelets, and more than one piercing on each ear. To them, these are signs of
rebellion and stubbornness, and good Christians don’t wear such things. How sad
that this is what we have made God out to be…a dictator. Why did His Son suffer
so harshly on the cross? Was it just to tell us that he would poor out His
wrath on us if we didn’t take all of the following steps and precautions? Of
course not!
In the
book of Exodus it talks about the Tabernacle. Before the priests could enter,
they would have to sacrifice an animal and be washed clean, then they could
only enter the first room. In this room there was no light, only the light of
candles, representing Jesus…the light in the darkness. There was also incense
burning to represent the prayers of the people. In the innermost room of the
Tabernacle, it was separated by a veil, only the high priest could enter this
room once a year. In this room, was where the high priest could encounter God.
So we used to need someone to be the mediator between God and us, because our
sin separated us from Him. When Jesus came and paid the highest price possible
for our lives, that veil that separated us from God tore in two. Mark 15:37-38
With as loud cry, Jesus breathed His last. The curtain of the temple was torn
in two from top to bottom. We no longer
have a veil separating us from God, but when can approach His throne
confidently….why?….because we are His children and He loves us. Hebrews 4: 14-16
Therefore, since we have great high priest who has gone through the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not
have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have
one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin. Let
us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive
mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
In
closing, as children of God, we have been given true freedom. It does not
matter what we look like on the outside. Believing in God, loving God, and
serving God is a matter of the heart. Jesus didn’t pay that price so we could
live under legalism, He paid that price so we could have a true, intimate
relationship with Him and His Father. This means, just like you would invest
time in getting to know a friend or significant other, you invest time in
getting to know God. Find out who He truly is, not who someone else told you He
was.
