Purpose. That’s the word on my heart this morning. It’s been
on my heart for a while now actually… I haven’t been sure of my purpose in
coming here. To be honest, I haven’t been sure of my purpose in life lately.
Then on the drive up to Gulu yesterday, I was struck by the seemingly lack of
purpose in the many people sitting alongside the road or on the front step of
their homes or just wandering the roadside. It was quite overwhelming…
Then we arrive at the farm, and it was very clear to me that
my father has a very clear purpose when he’s here. As my mom, Betsy and I were
visiting with Suzan and getting a tour, my father was already scanning the new
building site for the tool shed, checking out the lumber that had been
delivered, and talking about how they’re going to level out the site… they need
some fill and where are they going to get it?
It struck me that our purpose is sometimes found in the
place God puts us. He doesn’t always ask us to go and find our grand purpose,
but to stay put and do what needs to be done… I am here for the purpose of
being here and to listen to what God is saying I need to do today. I think some
of my purpose here is to witness my parents in this place. (That thought brings
me to tears because seeing them here is such a gift.)
Side note: I’m sitting outside at our hotel and the biggest
bumblebee-like bug I’ve ever seen just buzzed by and it was all I could do to
not run screaming from my table…. but I’m pretty sure it’s not my purpose to
give every American and woman the reputation of being a wimp!!
Back to my thoughts for today… We are heading to the farm
this morning to be part of a “fellowship” that Tonny and Suzan have started
hosting at the farm for the farm workers and their families. They sing and listen
to God’s word in the Acholi language, the language of the local tribe in this
area. That shows to me that Tonny and Suzan have a pretty clear idea of their
purpose here at Gulu Country Dairy Uganda… spreading the one true hope or our
eternal, heavenly Father. Not only through the farm and the cows and creating
jobs and spurring an economy, but also through the mere presence of this farm
in this community, in this country, on this continent.
So I’m going back to my earlier statement about purpose and
it will become my mantra for my stay here: my purpose will be found where God
puts me today. And here I go….
Thanks for the heartfelt thoughts, Trudy. I certainly can relate.
ReplyDeleteReading "Unfinished,Filling the Hole in the Gospel" by Richard Stearns should be required reading prior to any "mission trip".
I miss being there with your dad and the crew at GUCD. Enjoy your stay there but as a Franciscan Benediction begins, "May God bless us with discomfort... May God bless us with anger... May God bless us with tears ..." and ends with, "And may God bless us with just enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in the world so that we can do what others claim cannot be done; to bring justice and kindness to all our children and all our neighbors who are poor. AMEN
Your family is DOING just enough FOOLISHNESS to make a difference in Northern Uganda. It's an honor for Liz and I to be a part of the fun.
Thanks for the heartfelt thoughts, Trudy. I certainly can relate.
ReplyDeleteReading "Unfinished,Filling the Hole in the Gospel" by Richard Stearns should be required reading prior to any "mission trip".
I miss being there with your dad and the crew at GUCD. Enjoy your stay there but as a Franciscan Benediction begins, "May God bless us with discomfort... May God bless us with anger... May God bless us with tears ..." and ends with, "And may God bless us with just enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in the world so that we can do what others claim cannot be done; to bring justice and kindness to all our children and all our neighbors who are poor. AMEN
Your family is DOING just enough FOOLISHNESS to make a difference in Northern Uganda. It's an honor for Liz and I to be a part of the fun.