Here we are Lord send us...

No we have not made a decision about going to Uganda yet. We are still digesting and processing all that we saw, heard and felt as we visited beautiful Uganda. Let me tell you there was a lot! The hospital, prisons, Dinida, Loco, all the surrounding area's, the people, the beautiful people who love on you from the very first meeting and who are so very lovable, the many errands, the culture, the other missionaries so many pieces to sort and sift through. Let us not forget the many questions that come not from those around us but from within. I.E. "Is this what and where you would have us go Lord? While it is easy for us to lean in favor of going, the number one and main reason we go must be because the Lord is calling us there. It is sometimes easy to become distracted with all those who offer, "financial support when you go", those who offer encouraging words like, "you would be perfect for this work!" Please do not miss understand me it is very nice to know that the example we are living and the walk we are walking inspires folks to get behind us in what God would be doing. My point is these things alone can not be the deciding factors, our standard, our measuring rod which we use to make a decision like this must be, "Is God calling us there?" A very wise man shared with me once, there is a difference between filling the gap (doing or joining a work because it is open and there is a need) and being called to a work. The former after the novelty wears off and the flesh gets tired will become a burden that becomes a work of frustration and eventual will spring up into a root of bitterness which ultimately will cause meltdown or a rift in the existing work and the ripples from that can be more harmful than not having enough laborers to begin with. The latter will give those laboring the strength to endure all that comes their way, when hard times arise they can and will run to God because they know that it is He that has brought them there. They will be able to lean on Him when everything and everyone seems to be against them. They will be able to find peace and solace in His embrace, trusting that "He who began the work will bring it to completion." They will praise His name giving Him the glory for the victories because they will know and understand it was the Lord who did it. I love Isaiah's response (6.8) after being spiritually cleansed with the hot coal from the alter prepared for his commission if you will, "Here am I! Send me." Oh that we all would make this the cry of our hearts knowing that we have been saved, cleansed and raised up in the ways of the Lord fully prepared to be His messengers first in Jerusalem; our homes and community, Judea; surrounding areas and our state, Samaria; other states and our nation, the end of the earth; just that the rest of the world, the nations. Let us all cry today, Here am I! Send me!