Videos, Videos, Videos!

Before I return to Uganda in less than 2 weeks and because of the wonderful and unlimited high-speed Internet here, I wanted to upload a bunch of videos to YouTube which have been sitting on my computer. These was taken in 2013 and 2014 and almost all were shot on Lingira Island. Happy viewing!

A video of the SHIM compound, taken the day I left the island for furlough.

The school choir presenting during a Sunday morning service.

The children's Sunday School choir sings, "Soon and Very Soon" on a Sunday morning.

Our pastors-in-training have some fun while acting out the story of Daniel in the lion's den.

Part of the baptism in which 90 people were baptized last September 2014. A very exciting day!

Stay tuned! I will post more videos soon!

Only One Life

A Ugandan sunset.

This morning while doing some other research, I came across a poem by missionary C.T. Studd. I don't recall ever reading it before, but I so appreciated its message, especially as I begin a new year and weigh my priorities and focuses. 

C.T. (Charles Thomas) was a well-known English cricket player from his youth, but when his brother George fell seriously ill, C.T. faced the life-changing question of whether his earthly endeavors were of real value.

"I know that cricket would not last, and honour would not last, and nothing in this world would last, but it was worthwhile living for the world to come." 

This searching of the soul led C.T. to become a missionary, first to China and later to India, dedicating a total of 46 years to overseas work. It was while in his '50s that he felt God's call to Africa (Sudan and the Belgian Congo), where he continued until his death in 1931. 

Needless to say, I am both challenged and inspirited by Mr. Studd's life and the following poem. All are not called to work and live overseas as C.T. was, but all of us are called to live for eternity.

“Two little lines I heard one day, 

Traveling along life’s busy way; 

Bringing conviction to my heart, 

And from my mind would not depart; 

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, 

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, 

Soon will its fleeting hours be done; 

Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, 

And stand before His Judgement seat; 

Only one life,’twill soon be past, 

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, 

Gently pleads for a better choice 

Bidding me selfish aims to leave, 

And to God’s holy will to cleave; 

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, 

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, 

Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; 

Each with its clays I must fulfill, 

living for self or in His will; 

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, 

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, 

When Satan would a victory score; 

When self would seek to have its way, 

Then help me Lord with joy to say; 

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, 

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, 

In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep; 

Faithful and true what e’er the strife, 

Pleasing Thee in my daily life; 

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, 

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, 

And from the world now let me turn; 

Living for Thee, and Thee alone, 

Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne; 

Only one life, “twill soon be past, 

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, 

Now let me say,”Thy will be done”; 

And when at last I’ll hear the call, 

I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”; 

Only one life,’twill soon be past, 

Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

— extra stanza —

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, 

Only what’s done for Christ will last. 

And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be, 

If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.” 

- C.T Studd

Life is too short to waste it on what is not eternal.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Studd 

Reflections on 2014

A tree growing out of the rocky banks of the Nile River.

It is hard to believe 2014 is over and we are already three days into 2015.

As I make the transition into a new set of 52 weeks and 365 days, I like to spend time reflecting on the past year and preparing for the new one. I have loved the idea of having "one word" for a year and though I didn't really have just one word, I believe 2014 centered around a concept - being planted in Christ.

In December 2013, God blessed me with a personal retreat and during that time showed me the importance of being "planted" in Him. I wrote more about it in a post you can find here. I believe He was helping me see that ministry and living life purposefully for Him are not all about going wider or higher in our activities and pursuits, but true success and fruitfulness lie in going deeper and deeper in Him. And as we are in Him, He produces the fruit in us and through us. Success in God's kingdom is not so much about doing, as it is about being.

As I sat on the banks of the beautiful Nile, God especially emphasized two scripture passages, Psalm 1:1-3 and Jeremiah 17:7-8.

"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked,

or stand in the way that sinners take

or sit in the company of mockers,

but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

and who meditates on His law day and night.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither - 

whatever they do prospers."- Psalm 1:1-3

"But blessed are those who trust in the LORD

and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.

They are like trees planted along a riverbank,

with roots that reach deep into the water.

Such trees are not bothered by the heat

or worried by long months of drought.

Their leaves stay green, 

and they never stop producing fruit." - Jeremiah 17:7-8

As I navigated 2014, I wanted go deeper and deeper in my walk with God and in His Word. However, it seems as He enabled me to draw closer, He is the One who took me deeper into Himself and His ways and purposes. I don't truly know how to navigate His depths and His unsearchable qualities, His mysterious ways and His incomprehensible thinking. But He presented the opportunities, the joys, the challenges, the insights to reveal more and more of Himself.

As I look forward to 2015, I put my hand in His and choose to walk closely. And as I do so, He draws me further into intimacy and plants me more firmly and deeply in Himself and His unchanging ways. 

Be planted. Go deeper. Bear lasting fruit. Don't just do, but be - in Him.