To those who just came home from South Africa,

You must know first how much joy it brings me to belong to a church that has partnered with my home country. For those who don’t know, I was born and raised in South Africa. Not as a missionary. My dad is from England, my mom is from Zambia, and my brother and I were born in South Africa with no plans of ever leaving. It was home. Thank you for your faithfulness to Jesus that led you there to love on the people. He birthed that desire in your heart, and you were obedient.

Now, you are back in America.

I am sure you all had different experiences in South Africa. I know your joy. I have spent time there, with those kids, with Pastor Fola, and have experienced a similar joy. I want you to know something about South Africa. Where you went and what you experienced is unusual. Townships do not usually have open doors where you can just go in and love on the people there. You couldn’t just show up anywhere in South Africa and do what you did. I want you to understand that a man has labored years to build trust within that community and show the love of Jesus consistently and faithfully. In Worcester and in Avian park, we are enjoying the fruits of another man’s labor. Pastor Fola has spent years reaching that community. It is for that reason that we can go there and spend time with the people and wrap our arms around those precious children. I know you were inspired, how could you not be!

Now, you are back in America.

I know some of you might be struggling with being in America and seeing excess for what it is and dead hearts for what they are. I know it stings just reading the words, “Now, you are back in America.” And I said it twice! It might have stung like salt in a wound that is still healing. As hard as it is, please let me challenge you. We are here. For whatever reason, you, me, we’re here. In America. In Humble, Texas. I’m not sure what could be less appealing to a heart that has recently been stirred. But nevertheless, we’re here. For some of us, buying a plane ticket, flying back to Africa, and loving on the kids there, is a much easier thought than being here. But since we’re here, and God is sovereign, what will we do?

There are communities just like Avian Park right here in Houston, but we find something more appealing about doing the same work in Africa (this is a consistent struggle in my heart). It would take a lot of work to build that community with people here, to travel to the less glamorous parts of Houston, and build trust with the people, and eventually be able to love on the children. It would take years. Like it took Fola years. And it’s just nowhere near as cool as Africa. But is that the heart of Jesus?

Some people are going to be called back to Africa. Some will go many more times. Some might even move there. But some people are going to be called to Houston. Are you okay with that? I feel like I’ve arm wrestled God over this issue many times. You’re going to have to struggle too, wrestle with the thought, decide how you’re going to respond if you’re stuck in America for the rest of your life. I pray that we all find a way to be the hands and feet of Jesus wherever we find ourselves, faithful there, to labor persistently and joyfully. We will need to be determined to be in and not of. To love those who are rich but poor. Alive but dead. Who have everything they think they want but are in desperate need.

I don’t know how to do it. I’m praying that God will strengthen me for the work and help me to love like He loves. Here. And praying for an opportunity to go back and see my home and my people!

In South Africa, we sing a song. Shosholoza. Scroll down a couple blog posts for the link to hear it. Its not the national anthem, but it’s a close second. Shosholoza means go forward. It’s a song of encouragement. I pray that you all find encouragement as you go back to work and school and life here. The ordinary. But shosholoza. Go forward. In Jesus’ name.

Thank you again for going. Thank you for loving. Thank you for holding those precious babies and whispering in their ear the name of Jesus. Thank you for the photos.

South Africa needs the love of Jesus. America does too. Be faithful wherever you are.