A New Journey

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

Like each of you, I have a past. My past has shaped who I am and will in many ways shape my future. Nine years ago, while living in Kampala, Uganda, God began a work in my heart. It all started with a tiny, sickly little eight month old baby who was dying from malnutrition and several other life threatening illnesses. This little child somehow fell into the arms of my wife and my oldest daughter, who one day carried her compassionately into our home to offer the care that was necessary to keep her alive. That one day changed my life forever, only I didn't know it at the time.

To say that I was not planning to have more children would be a great understatement. When Stacy asked if I would consider adopting this little girl I grew anxious and even bitter. This was not my plan! Over the next few weeks I struggled with this decision, but all along I knew that I was not struggling with a mere decision; I was struggling with God, his Word, and his will for my life. Pure and faultless religion is looking after orphans.... God placed this needy child in my care. How could I say anything but yes? It was only the beginning of the work God would do in my heart.

Soon after, he would bring another orphan baby into our home, and we began the adventurous task of raising a “second” family. I was not surprised by this turn of events. But then God began to do something that did surprise me; he began to melt my heart and re-mold it into a heart for orphans and for children in distress. He gently pursued me with the overwhelming need to care for “the least of these.” My heart began to weep with emotion brought on by the needs of children growing up under the crushing weight of poverty, disease, and abandonment. And finally, he looked at my restless heart and said “This is who I have made you to be. This is what I have prepared you to do. Now go and do it.”

And so we go.  God has called us back to Africa to help meet the needs of the orphans and vulnerable children of Uganda. It is a daunting challenge, and I would not be honest if I said that the transition would be easy. We are aware of some of the difficulties that lie ahead, yet we rest in his unfailing promises.  We must follow God's lead, wherever that might take us. Singer/songwriter Josh Wilson reminds us of our responsibility to respond in his song I Refuse,

I don’t want to live like I don’t care. 
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose not to move, but I refuse.

I couldn't agree more!