It’s been 6 months of study, prep, meetings and shots……..can’t forget about the shots. I had to get 5 shots and take an oral vaccination. I don’t really mind shots but the price hurt way more than the shots. The good news is that I can travel the world much easier, so let’s go!

Anyway, as the nurse was giving me my shots, I started a conversation with her. Just the normal exchange of pleasantries in the beginning but then it took a turn. A turn that I was excited about at the time and a little floored, because I was convicted of some of my own issues. This RN was probably mid 30’s, very well spoken, well dressed, well traveled, well mannered, extremely friendly and a practicing Muslim. She said there are usually only three reasons that Americans travel to Uganda: safari, mission trips and service projects that are not church related. I told her mine is a mission trip and I explained how God intends to work through us and the ALARM team those 11 days. She asked about my faith and I asked some questions about hers. She already had the basic grasp about the essentials of my faith. As she was preparing one of the shots I said that I would be happier when all these shots are finished. She looked me straight in the eyes and said “Wasn’t your God pierced on a cross for you?”. My first reaction was that I was speechless….. That doesn’t normally happed to me. I felt like she stared straight through my eyes and into my soul with the stains of my brokenness lit up like neon sign. She wasn’t judgmental, she was just pointing out a flaw in my way of thinking, in a nice way. I was convicted and I apologized to her for not correctly representing or honoring my relationship with my Savior and His sacrifice.

As I am writing this, I am over halfway over the Atlantic Ocean on my way to Brussels and then on to Entebbe. It’s quiet, I think. I have noise canceling earbuds in with my “Worship” playlist cranked to drown out as much of the ride noise as I can. I slept for about an hour and now I’m just reflecting on the prep for this trip and how I am 46 years old and I think one day I will just magically stop procrastinating and doing important items last minute.

If you know me at all you have probably heard me grumble on about how Jesus didn’t call us to come sit in church. He called us to go! Go out into the world and tell everyone about Him! He calls us to live our lives as close to His as we possibly can. We can’t live like him but through His power and redemption, he wants us to strive for that goal.

How dare I complain about a few shots when my sin put Jesus on that cross? These shots are even to keep me healthy, not to harm me at all. Jesus kept his eyes focused on The Father and only did His will. He always started with prayer and reflection to keep in line with Gods perfect will.

It’s not that often that I get 30 hours to reflect and pray. I have even been complaining about the long trip but again, it’s been a blessing to me and my spiritual and emotional well being. My trip began when I said yes. It’s time to go out and be the Church!

Matthew 28:16-20