restore tour...

on monday night i had the privilege of attending the Watoto Choir: The Restore Tour in southlake, tx. the children and students in the tour have all survived the war in northern uganda. they all have either been former child soilders or abductees. it was a powerful message. they shared their song, dance, and stories of being captured by the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army). it moved me to tears. i can't imagine feeling what they felt. 

and in the midst of sharing the reality of what has been happening for the past 24 years, there was hope in the darkness. there was joy found in their deep sorrow. the children began singing, "my only hope is you, jesus." and though their lives were in the hands of the rebels, they continued to sing...though they lost family members, were forced to kill, and were brutally abused, each one of them choose to forgive. there is power in forgiveness and only through jesus do you have the ability to truly forgive. 

as i was watching the performance, my heart was full. i was just there in Gulu, Uganda a couple weeks ago. i got to visit the babies in Baby Watoto. i got to see the Children's Village that already has 300+ kids who have been rescued and now living in a place of restoration. i got to meet the women in the living hope ministry who are regaining their dignity. it's beautiful to see how God is changing that country one person at a time. it definitely made me miss being there. and i can't wait to get back. it is one of those moments when you see God moving and you just have to be a part of it. and as i long to be back, i have to see what God has for me today. where i am right now. as i gaze upon the Lord, I have to believe that He is and will fulfill His purpose for me in this place, as well as in africa.

And as Paul journeyed from place to place teaching and preaching the gospel…he was also a tent maker. He didn’t waste the gift the Lord had given him. He used it to further the kingdom. So wherever He went to take the gospel, he brought his work. So the lesson from that for me is to be wise with the gifts the Lord has given. While he has me where he does, I want to be a tool for the Lord to use so that He may receive even greater honor. I can’t just sit and do nothing. I must be actively engaged with the people. As a new church in Atlanta, GA, Passion City Church, says: “For God. For People. For the City. For the World.” That is my prayer. For where I am, For Cleburne. That the body of Christ , the church, may be a beckon of hope. A light in the darkness. The church is for God. It is for ALL people. For the city. And ultimately for the world.