Forgetful

3rd post of several recalling life impacting experiences in my travels as a follower of Jesus:

Not every border crossing is tidy and efficient with glass shields and marble counter tops.  Nor is it always efficient.  I was traveling with a group between two underdeveloped countries and crossing overland in a remote portion of the countries.  We needed to exit our vehicles and bring our luggage with us into an office.  The official who processed the paper work was not present.  So we waited.  And piled our luggage on one part of the room.

After awhile the official returned and it was our turn to be processed.  They decided to search our luggage.  And just at that moment I realized that I had some EMM names cards in my hand carry bag.  To be a follower of Jesus as a foreigner in that country is acceptable.  But to work for an agency that exists for the purpose of converting others away from the faith of their heritage is extremely unwelcome.  The potential problem was if the official noticed the name cards, realized what it meant, and assumed that all of those traveling with me were also affiliated with this organization it could be very difficult for us and especially for the traveling companion who was residing in that country. 

To move toward my luggage and pick out the offending cards would of course arouse suspicion.  So I watched and prayed.  And I watched the official methodically look in each bag.  Almost every bag.  Just before he got to mine he stopped and gave us clearance to go. 

Even when we are not faithful—in this case when we slip up and make mistakes—God remained faithful.  It is his nature.

Fearful

2nd post of several recalling life impacting experiences in my travels as a follower of Jesus:

I woke up early in the morning, worried.  Jet lag was one factor, but the worry was from the instructions I had been given a day or two before. 

I was teaching a group of students in a place where foreign Christian teachers are looked on as an intrusion by the government authorities.  The government perspective is that there is enough local talented teachers to train new leaders and that should occur only in specially approved places authorized by the government.  So there was the possibility that the police, since the training had not received government approval, could investigate the class location.  And if so, my presence as a foreigner would get the locals in trouble. 

So to protect both them and me they said, “If the police come to the door please climb out this 4^th floor window onto the ledge and drop onto the balcony a floor below.  We will keep the door closed and just let them in after you are gone.”

It looked far to me.  I do not like heights.  I do not feel very coordinated and I startle easily.  I wondered if I would slip on the ledge, especially since it was rainy.  I have been told to avoid jarring due to potential bleeding from blood thinner I take.  OK, TMI, but you need to get the picture.  And at 4:00am these instructions dominated my mind.  The unknown and uncontrollable in my mind carried a virus of worry and fear.

I could not simply wish the distance smaller.  Rational thought was difficult.  It was hard to get a bearing.

So I prayed.  For the ways of God to prevail where I was. For the people and places among which I minister in the USA.  And somewhere as I focused beyond myself a little phrase dropped into my spirit: “I will not let your foot slip.”  It was the promise I needed.  It calmed my fear and let me know my Heavenly Father’s reassurance.  He was present and not idle. 

I would have preferred a promise: “There will be no need to jump out the window.” But I suppose God wanted me to know he valued daily, even moment-by-moment involvement with me.  He did not just want to have me live in his favor and empowerment as I taught and ministered into the lives of these missionary students.  But in these days of ministry to also grow my own trust in God who stays involved through uncertain moments.  If I needed to jump, I would not jump alone.

Forlorn

The 1st of several posts recalling life impacting experiences in my travels as a follower of Jesus:

I had heard about the church in parts of the world where the government takes a strong interest in keeping religion expressions regulated more than I had actually experienced it.  So it was a remarkable experience for me to actually get to know people who lived in this situation.  The young emerging leader who hosted me was already carrying great responsibility since the leader of the movement was in jail for his faith.  This young leader spoke English well and thus I was able to really get to know him.  He became a friend to me.   He shared his life with me as a real person with dreams, goals and a desire to live for Jesus and express this as a leader in the church and into the world even at great potential cost.  No longer did I see only a category of static one-dimensional persecuted church leaders.

He came to the hotel to see me off as I left for the airport.  We were sitting outside chatting when a man came walking up to us.  He said, “There are security people watching you.  I am a pastor and we have a church next to this hotel and our meeting starts in a little bit.  Could you leave so the security officials are not around when my church members arrive?”

So I drove off in a taxi and the last I saw my friend he was standing forlornly, wistfully, watching me leave.  I flew off to my normal life.  He returned to looking over his shoulder.