Missions

Disclaimer: It's been one of those days where the words just aren't flowing. This post might not be a pretty read, so just imagine it's a blog version of Shakespeare.

In one day, I've heard more about missions in Uganda than I have in the course of my whole life. Today, my friend Mikeheads to Uganda with the pastor at his church, Scott, and a lot of other church leaders with Compassion International. And just yesterday, I talked to my friend Rev. Kim Urbanik, founder and director of the Christian Drama School of New Jersey, and she told me about an amazing mission that one of her former students, Cindy, took to Uganda in Summer 2008. The CDSNJ kids managed to raise ten thousand dollars to help Cindy's mission, which provided education in drama, singing, English, math, and much more - including new property and a new school building. The kids made these awesome tie-dye t-shirts for all 400+ kids at the school in Uganda.
Back in the states, the CDS decided to make their next drama pay homage to the kids in Uganda by incorporating African dance and songs into the show. The show quickly became their most popular, and there are plans to perform it even more in the future. And this summer, 40 staff members at Ligonier Camp will be performing sections of this show for campers and sharing with them how one passionate person can indeed change the world.

So here's what made me think about this post - Kim told me yesterday that a friend of hers is sponsoring a child through Compassion International, and she got a photo in the mail of her child from Uganda - wearing a tie-dyed cross t-shirt from the Christian Drama School. Today, Mike and a group of US pastors are heading to Uganda to love kids through Compassion International. I just started thinking about how two groups of people from two different areas are being used by God to touch the same group of kids. And many groups of kids all across Uganda and the world. How cool is that?

Love

God has used many, many people to show me his love, to remind me how His love works.

When I started attending NCC in Illinois, I got connected to the worship ministry there with a lot of amazing people - Mike, Jen, Ron, Karen, Todd, Laura - it was my first, real, connection with a faith community in college and it changed my life. The drummer, Todd Mitchell passed away last night. I won't presume to know the Mitchells really well, but I remember a few things just from being in that worship team community for a year: Paula and Todd were a great example to me of a loving, Christ-centered marriage; Todd loved his three little guys - Sam, Luke, and Jackson - as much for their mischievous acts as for their adorable smiles; Todd loved to make music, listen to it, explore it, be creative with it; and Todd loved the Lord and others with his whole heart. I learned a lot about the kind of musician I wanted to be from his attitude and approach to music ministry.

I can't begin to imagine how Paula and the boys are feeling, and I'm basically terrible at offering words of comfort, so I won't try. All I know is God is good and present and loves us. Pray lots.