Two events this week underscore the fact that the world is a dangerous place for Christians. Ten people working for the International Assistance Mission were shot dead in Afghanistan, allegedly killed because of their faith. Then a militant group in Somalia—where World Vision has worked for 18 years—ordered us and two other Christian organizations to close down operations, claiming the groups are proselytizing. (World Vision provides aid to people regardless of their religion.)
Such news hits us hard, and yet it never weakens our resolve to work in the cruel corners of the world. Throughout World Vision’s 60-year history, God has called our ministry to serve where Jesus is—wherever that is.
Perhaps God hasn’t called you to a war-torn country. But is He calling you to something risky in a different way—because it’s out of your comfort zone? For me, the call to join World Vision in 1998 was just that. I didn’t want to give up my comfortable, predictable life. I resisted, wanting to stay where I felt safe.
Jonah in the Bible also resisted God’s call to go to Nineveh and preach to pagans. And you know what happened to him—he landed in the belly of the whale. That’s a harsh example, but still a valid one; when I was tempted to turn down the World Vision job, my wife, Reneé, said, “If we turn our backs on God’s will for our lives, what makes us think we’ll be better off? Maybe God is saving us from something we can’t know—one of our kids getting into trouble, losing your job, a terrible accident, or worse.” And in her wisdom, Reneé reminded me that living in God’s will is the only safe place to be.
This is our assurance: God has a plan for our lives. Wherever that takes us or how much it stretches us, we don’t need to fear the consequences.
Where has God called you? In what unexpected places or situations have you found peace by following His will?
“Growth demands a temporary surrender of security.” Gail Sheely I have never traveled out of the country without my husband before, but guess what? In October, I will be going on a Women’s Vision Trip with World Vision to Mali, Africa. We will be visiting water projects that Bridging The Gap by giving has helped put in, seeing a well being drilled, visiting our sponsored child Tangara Hawa and being a part of selecting a new water project for BTG to partner with. Mali is one of the five least developed countries in the world and is not a vacation destination. Please keep me in your prayers.
I went to Samfya, Zambia, Africa in April and I saw so many children (the population of Zambia ia approxiamtely 11 million and 50% are under the age of 18 years of age). I felt that I was seen as the “lucky” one. I did not feel lucky at all.
I wish I had never seen a TV. I wish I had never been shown a magazine. I wish I had never seen a movie. My childhood and thus, my adult life would be so much better off. “I wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then”. In regard to things that really matter in life: the people of Samfya are the super-rich of the world and I am the one on the cover of their “Hole in the Gospel” pamphlet. I would trade a hungry pang in my stomach over the ache in my heart that is caused by sins that I so desperately regret and constantly agonize over.
But Jesus calls me forward and forward I am headed. God is calling me to reach the hungry and thirsty in the area I live – north of Willowcreek Community Church. It is a very rich area in monetary wealth, but a very poor area for those that hide in our train stations every day and wonder the streets looking for something to make the pain in their stomach go away. I cannot drive by them, walk around them,and/or tell myself I don’t have the time for them anymore. I have a higher call.
I met the rich in Africa and they helped me see how poor I am here in Chicagoland. I HAVE to meet the poor in my surrounding area and tell them how rich they are, and then, I can learn to live the way Jesus wants me to live. And I can fill their stomachs with food.