Two Years Ago Today...

Two years ago today our family arrived in Senegal. We arrived to a new life, a new ministry, new challenges, and new adventures. We arrived holding loosely to our "plans" for ministry, anxious to see where God would take us and how He would get us there.

And two years is a long time that seems like just yesterday. But, conversely, two years is just a blink, that some days seems like an eternity. Such is the paradox of life and ministry in Africa.

This morning over breakfast we all talked about the things that, by God's grace, we have seen and experienced over the past two years. In some of those moments we laughed. In others we cried. There were times of awe at the faithfulness of God.  And other times of frustration and confusion. And everything, truly every other type of emotion, in between.

But for the last two years we have shared life. We have shared life with one another in our family in a closer way than ever before. (There is something about a living space of less than 400 square feet that can really bring a family close!) We have shared life with our Senegalese friends, neighbors, and brothers and sisters in Christ. We have celebrated with them, mourned with them, danced with them, and walked side-by-side with them for the last two years.

But this journey has been shared with the God and King of the universe who promises to walk with His people. We, like Moses, dared not go out into the unknown in a foreign land without the presence of God, saying, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here" (Exodus 33:15). But God has intimately been with us saying, "I know you by name" (33:17). Jesus does not simply send His people to go and do His work and accomplish His purposes; Jesus goes with His people as they are sent by Him. His is not an invitation to ministry, but rather an invitation to journey with Him and share life with Him in new ways. This, more than anything, has been the sweet grace of the past two years.

Only God knows what the future holds for us. We pray that it is full of continued opportunities to share the love and truth of God among a people who are without the hope of Jesus. But we are assured of one thing: the Presence of God will be with us. And that sweet manifestation of His grace to us in Christ is enough.