Trite and True

In three days it's wheels up, off to Africa with a small team of believers longing to share the love of Jesus. Sounds trite, right? “Share the love of Jesus.” Overused. Unoriginal. Uninspired. Yes, in a way. Like so many religious clichés regurgitated on cue, “Jesus love you,” has lost its cultural appeal. But if it’s not about His love then what is it? It’s not the adventure or chance to get away. “Squatty Potty” is not something I look for when considering travel destinations. It’s not obligation. There are hurting souls and broken lives in my very own neighborhood. It’s not attention or the need for pats on my back. Few will even know that I’ve left home. Trite? I’m okay with trite as long the core of the message is still truth. People need to feel the overwhelming, unconditional acceptance and love of a Saviour; that’s a truth that never goes out of style.

Buloba is the community we will visit. Our church, Cornerstone, has partnered with the people there for five years. During that time, God has provided a freshwater well on church property, the beginnings of an actual church structure, and sponsorship and education for 300 Buloban children. God is already at work in this village. We are not going with the focus of sharing the Gospel, these people love Jesus and they worship Him. I mean they worship Him! We are going to love on them. To stand beside them and say I am your friend, your sister in Christ, and I support you, pray for you, love you.

Personally, I can’t wait to get my hands on those babies, big babies, children that we sponsor collectively as a church. I know that God will use them to change my life. I pray, please pray alongside me, that my current perspective will be challenged and uprooted. I welcome it, long for it. I pray too that we can truly share the love of Jesus with our friends so far away, and that they understand that it is because of His love for them and our love for Him that we journey across the world, leaving the familiar behind.

This trip is about love. It was love that caused God to send His son on a mission to us, and it is love that sends us on a mission to Africa. So, with all the triteness I can muster I say, “Jesus loves you,” and I pray that you experience that in a very real way today.

With much love,

Tonya