Sick in Africa

So, I have been here for 15 days so far. 13 of them were spent at a hostel type conference center. All of the hands on missionaries were there for an orientation. We definitely had a lot to be taught about living and working in Africa. There were around 10 different teams represented here in Dar es Salaam for orientation. This past Thursday all of the different teams left for their fields: Our team stayed in Dar, there were teams sent to Uganda, Kenya, Madagascar, South Africa, and a few more secure countries. 

Friday, I was really sick. Apparently I had a small colony of amoebas in my stomach and they caused an infection; all this led to a fever of over 104... apparently that could kill someone who is not as tough as I am. So, I had a miserable first day in our new house. I spent the day in the hospital here in Dar, and got some good medicine. I am pretty sure I saw God in 4 yellow pills.

Speaking of God, He is doing some amazing things throughout Africa. Obviously bringing 37 college kids out here for a semester is quite indicative of some of His goings on, but as we listened to stories at orientation, and met some of the national partners, it is evident that God is here. 

Long story short, here is where I am at in all of this: On day 2 of orientation, I was scared. Very scared. Scared that God would call me here forever, and I honestly didn't want that. I have plans and goals and things that I want to do in life, but they are all centered around my desire and passion for leading worship and making music. I was scared that God would strip me of those goals and call me here if I get too involved here and what not. But then I heard a quote, and I believe it is a partial quote by John Piper. It was something along these lines, 

"... missions is not the goal of the church [christians]

worship is; missions exists  where worship

does not."

This radically changed my thinking. It is not about me not wanting to be a worship pastor, more than a missionary; it is about the fact that God has equipped me to do both. By the fact that I am a worshipper of God, living in a place that does not worship God, missions exists. This is in Americus, Georgia or Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Although this does not take away my flesh, which screams that I am not in a safe or comfortable place. It does not take all of the homesickness away, nor the desire to see the familiar faces of loved ones. It does, however, free me to rest in the fact that God, from whom all blessings flow, is good. And He has placed me here. And He is what this life is about. It is hard. 

But He is good. It is one thing to know that He is good, but I have found it to be a completely different thing to believe it at all times. It is my prayer that I will believe this simple truth in my heart and in my actions the same way that I know it in my head. That when I am sick, in a hospital, in East Africa, missing friends, wanting to be comfortable at home, but torn because of the lostness all around this world, I can say God is enough... Apparently I am not there yet... still a little selfish... but working on it. It is a slow process and sometimes it sucks. But He IS good.

Peace,

JOel