Claudia Humphreys, Joe Robertson and myself completed the first 3 ½ hour leg of our journey to Ethiopia with no drama or scares. The passengers on the flight next to our arriving gate were held for an hour because of a medical emergency. We were packed in like sardines, middle seat for me of course, but we quickly disembarked into a rainy DC.
I sat next to a guy who lived in Brooklyn New York who had not been able to contact a friend who ran in the Boston marathon. He was worried, angry and perplexed that God did not show up and prevent the two terrorists from succeeding. The absence of God in the world is not the cause of such evil acts; it is the absence of God in the hearts of men!
Both in Boston and West God showed up in the sea of first responders and “Joe Citizens” who crossed the bounds of their comfort zone to bandage, console , help, serve, protect and search. God even showed up at the Boston Bruin hockey game when a packed house raised the roof with the loudest version of God Bless America and The Star Bangle Banner I have ever heard.
The terror in Boston and the tragedy in West were not because God didn’t show up, but because we live in a world were evil lurks in the hearts of humanity and bad things happen to good people. Stuff happens and often it is bad stuff. But do not be mistaken, God showed up in Holy Spirit filled Jesus Followers and maybe even an Agnostic or two who understand we are our brother’s keeper.
And I trust God will show up on Change the World Weekend as we invade our communities with helping hands. I trust God will show up in Ethiopia as we continue to make a difference in the least of these who never heard of Boston or West. I trust God will show up every weekend we assemble for worship. Here's what I know. I want to be where God shows up because there is nothing like being in the presence of God.
This will be my last timely blog post as internet service will not be available again until Monday April 29th. On that day, I will attempt to find a hot spot and load all of my daily blog entries. We leave tomorrow at 11:00 AM EST to begin a 13 1/3 hour flight and then a 5 hour drive to our first teaching location. We will host three two day conferences beginning Monday six days straight and then head back to Addis Abba to prepare for our return flight. Ethiopia is 8 hours ahead of Texas CST.
I already miss Dallas and my family, including my church family but I am ready to get on with the mission because I know God is going to show up. He already has! "Where two or more are gathered in my name, I am in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20
We are praying for you. Please pray for us.
Peace
