I remember Russell mentioning that missions is a call to worship.  And its interesting because I am looking at the challenge ahead of me, and there is absolutely no logical reason for me to go.  All logic points at me staying here and continuing the great life I have going now.  But its a call to worship?!

I often wonder about this trip to Tanzania, and if it is a permanent thing, what does it mean to me… And WHY does it mean that much to me…

Here’s the thing.  Its a cliche saying, but our whole lives we go searching for something– an unknown satisfaction– an unknown purpose.  And most of us, unfortunately, do not realize that purpose.  And this is because we are searching for the wrong thing.  If we seek purpose in ourselves, we will find failure– but the truth behind our seeking is the finding of worship.

Take a handful of the many African individuals who have had to face reealll tragedy.  They travel from Sudan to Tanzania and Kenya in search of safety, security, and a home because they have lost everything.  This trip is over 1000 miles, and they do it on foot.  This trip isn’t just a relaxing walk either– they are traveling through rebel-infested territory, desert, and forest terrain– resources are limited, medication is non-existant, food is scarce, and loneliness is their worst enemy.  And there is a good chance that they are there alone because they had witnessed their families deaths by a machete right in front of them.  How many of us could say that we have experienced that type of pain?  Not many, but when I look at their life, they have pure joy and continually praise God.  AND on top of it all, when they worship– they worship.  They are dancing, jumping, singing, etc.  But if even one of those things happened to us, or even a diluted version of such tragedy, we would question why God hates us.

I seek the worship that these disciples have.  I admire their joy and want to be in community with them.

What kind of love.