I have been awful about writing for a day or two and evidently, when I don't write, you all stop reading...go figure (lol). When you write a blog there is an overview page where you can check to see how many people are reading. On the days that I post a link to my blog on Facebook, the number goes up dramatically. On the days that I post a link with a caption that sounds personal, or is about struggle, the number of readers triples! It's like driving on the highway and slowing down for a good look at the cars piled up after an accident, we all do it. I am not sure what it is about human nature, but we like to take a look when things are falling apart, and then move on. Having noticed this unfortunate trend has helped me to witness about what Jesus has done in my life. You see we are all a hot mess with out him and when I offer to share my inadequacies, people read. When people read I intentionally make sure that the gospel message is in my story.

The gospel message is in every born again Christian's story...but not everyone shares their testimony. For the mission trip to Malawi, we have all been asked not only to share our testimony's, but to cut them down to 300 words! ( "What, have you met me?" I remember gasping..."I can't do that, that's impossible!") Of course it wasn't impossible. As a matter of fact I was able to consolidate my story even more than that. When we get to Malawi, we are not only going to share our story's, but we are going to have interpreters helping us to share them. That will be a challenge. I have enough trouble keeping my thoughts straight as it is, but having to stop and wait for my words to be interpreted and then beginning to speak again with out losing my place or the momentum of the story seems a bit daunting.

Last night several of my team members gathered for prayer. As we discussed our hopes, our preparations, and our call to this mission field, it became clear to me that the only thing that we know that we will be able to share in another language is "love", and after all isn't that what God commands us to do...isn't that how we are to be know as His children...isn't that how the gospel spreads? The word love is mentioned 114 times in the bible (yes, I actually went to my concordance and counted, no need to check, it is 114 times). Now if something is mentioned that many times from the beginning to the end of a book containing the principles of life from our creator...I am going to take note. Faith is mentioned 90 times (I know..."don't you have something better to do than count things in your concordance?" you think smugly...NO, I don't, so just bear with me please, I am trying to make a point here) Faith and Love...that's trust and appreciation...belief and thankfulness...hope that need will be met and need being met because of another...this is what needs to be shared in Malawi.

God is love. He loves us first. Because of His love he couldn't stay separated from us even after Adam and Eve fell. Because He is Holy and Just, there was no choice in the matter...until He decided to send His only Son to make a way...That is true love. We are eager to accept it but not always so willing to express it in our own lives.

""I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings." - Hosea 6:6

God wants a relationship with us, and then He wants that to spill over into the world.

"Jesus asked the man 'What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?" The man answered, 'You must love the Lord your God with all you heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself.' "Right!' Jesus told him. 'Do this and you will live!'"

What did he say? "Do this and you will live?" We will die if we don't Love God with everything and love our neighbor as ourselves? Who is our neighbor?

In the story of the good Samaritan, a man who wanted to justify his actions asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?". Jesus replied with a story about Jewish man traveling who was attacked by bandits...
"They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead on the side of the road. By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds...bandaged them, and put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn where he took care of him. the next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him,'Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this I'll pay you the next time I am here. Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man? Jesus asked." - Luke 10:29-36

Samaritans and Jewish people were arch enemies at the time. It didn't matter where he grew up or what he looked like, whether he had different features, skin color, or beliefs...a man in need was the Samaritan's neighbor, and that is who my neighbor is too. If you don't read the bible, it's hard to know what God requires of us. He wants a real loving relationship with you, and he wants you to extend that love to others. Remember Jesus said "Do this and live".

I am going to Malawi. My neighbors live there. No matter what differences there may be, love will transcend, and they will know that I love God and them through my actions. The language really doesn't matter...love is the same in every language, it is expressed by how we treat another.

I had no idea what I was going to write today. I opened my bible to a scripture about love...and this is what came out. I am thankful that God gives me truth that applies to my life.Whatever I may be doing or going through, His truth remains as constant as His love.