Elections and Snowstorms

This winter has been relatively mild here in Northwest Indiana. Maybe that’s why the snowstorm that is blowing through as I write seems all the more significant.  While this storm is by no means the biggest one we’ve ever experienced, it is a big change from what we’ve gotten used to this winter!

In Uganda, where ECM operates ten projects, the political climate has been relatively mild for many years.  There have been occasional uprisings from the dissatisfied, but for the most part the country has been stable, and the economy has been on the upswing. Unfortunately, it appears that a storm is rolling through the country, and prayer is much needed.  In the middle of February, the country held a presidential election, as they do every five years. Once again, as he has in every election since he took power in 1985, President Yoweri Museveni was re-elected to office.  About fifteen years ago the law was changed to allow unlimited terms for the president, virtually assuring that in the case of Museveni, he would be in office until he retires on his own, or dies.  Aside from obvious political issues with this policy, it has left many Ugandans feeling cheated and mistreated.  So much that the possibility of post-election protest and violence is very real.

Today, please take a moment to pray for the people of Uganda as they navigate this difficult time in their country’s political history.  Pray for our missionaries and staff who live and work in various parts of the country, that their work would go on without interruption.  Pray for the children and communities who we strive to help. And pray that as we get caught up in the drama that is our own presidential election, we don’t abandon those whom others have forgotten. 

Letting Go

In 1994, God called my wife Stacy and I into missionary service.  But the process didn’t start in 1994!  That year was only the culmination of many years of pushing our own agenda and fighting God’s.  For years we had felt his nudging, but could never agree on how or when or even if to move forward.  We kept running from the idea, but it kept hounding us, relentless and uncompromising.  Then, on a cool fall evening in western Michigan, we finally stopped running, and the rest as they say, is history.  It would take a long time to share the ups and downs, the joys and pains, the surprises, and the frustrations of serving as missionaries since that day when we surrendered our plans to his will.  I’ll spare you the details, but I will say this:  There are many things we have learned over the years, but among the most important is this simple truth - God wants to use you wherever you are, in whatever situation you might find yourself in.  We only need to surrender to Him.  Right, I know. Easier said than done.

But that’s just the point.  It isn’t the easy way.  In fact, sometimes it’s just plain hard, and sometimes it even seems overwhelming and impossible.  But that doesn’t make it any less true.  Maybe God has something impossible for you to do!  Perhaps God is calling you into missionary service on another continent, in another culture.  You might be absolutely terrified of that thought (most of us would be), but no matter how hard you try to run from it, it will always find you.  You see, when God is seeking you, pestering you, and even annoying you, it’s likely because he has something very special for you and he doesn’t want you to miss it!  Stop running, and start listening.  Then let God begin to use you in ways you could never have imagined.  Trust me. I know.

P.S.  Like most mission organizations, ECM utilizes missionaries to assist in our work in Africa.  If you would like to talk about the possibility of serving with ECM, just contact us and we can start talking.  Don’t worry – no pressure, and no obligation!

Thanks for Caring

“I’ve got to go back and talk to that man” I thought, as I drove home. I had just read the cardboard sign he held, as he shielded himself from the wind while standing outside a local department store during the busy Christmas shopping season.  The sign said, “I’ve got four kids and I lost my job. I want them to have a good Christmas.” I made eye contact, then looked away quickly, afraid that somehow my guilt for not stopping would be magnified if I gazed long enough to see through his blank stare.  But then an inaudible voice  - the Holy Spirit, I think – clearly said, “This time, Mark, you NEED to go back.”  I didn’t have a choice.

I parked nearby the man, and walked toward him.  We shook hands, and then I listened as he told me his story.  It wasn’t a new story – we’ve all heard similar ones (if we stop to listen).  But it was honest and painful, and his need was real.  We chatted about Christmas and church and knowing God, and he seemed glad for the company.  I gave him a gift certificate to a local grocery store and then walked back to my car.  As I opened my door, he called out, “Hey! Thanks for caring.”  I drove home and wrapped my presents, but I couldn’t stop thinking about him.

Christmas is over.  The presents have all been given and the food has been eaten.  Even New Years is past now, along with the parties and celebrating.  But the need is still there, and will always be.  Thanks for caring about some of the neediest children in the world, the children of Africa.  Thanks for caring about their education, their physical health, their diet, and their relationships.  Most of all, thanks for caring about their spiritual health.  Thanks for caring that they know Jesus and experience the love of God.  You truly do make all the difference in the world!