So, in just a month I’ll be heading home for a short vacation to the states to see some very special people in my life and I am so PUMPED! All this to say that my mind has been going 90 miles a minute or perhaps I should say 150 km per minute! LOL! There’s a little metric system humor for ya. Hope you enjoyed! J I know I did. Anywho…I’ve been wondering what it will be like to be back in an American church and even American culture. Will I fit in? Will it be like I remembered? Or will everyone have moved on and forgotten about me? Will I be so different that I’ll just stick out like a sore thumb? Will be abnormal? See how many questions are flurrying through this poor brain of mine. So, here’s my thinking…

 

I’m sure you all have at one time or another been driving down the road and seen one of the oversized trucks that reads “CAUTION: WIDE LOAD” and the cars that proceeds in front of them warning the other drivers to come; however, the trucks in South Africa read a little differently. As I was driving home recently from a visit to Johannesburg for the birth of our newest team member, Nathan Allen, I began noticing these oversized trucks and I had to laugh. Instead of the warning reading “CAUTION: WIDE LOAD” it reads “CAUTION: ABNORMAL”. So, here I am driving down the road being approached by vehicles reading “CAUTION: ABNORMAL” laughing all by myself.

 

Webster’s dictionary defines normal as not deviating from a norm, rule, or principle…conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern…of, relating to, or characterized by average intelligence or development. Webster’s also defines abnormal as one whom deviating from the normal or average.

 

Several weeks ago as I was sitting in service at one of our church rural, I began thinking about worship. I thought about my worship experiences in the states verses my worship experiences here in Swaziland. On Sunday mornings in the states I was almost more concerned about how I looked verses how I was worshipping an ALMIGHTY, HOLY, and POWERFUL GOD. I was worried or nervous to raise my hands in praise to God because I wondered what people might think as I stood in the choir loft. Now on Sunday morning in my Swazi churches I often find myself dancing with the women or sitting with my eyes closed and feeling the gentle brush of the Holy Spirit all around me.

 

So, when I go home and worship who will it be with the abnormal truck in tow…will it be me or will it be those around me? Will I ever be able to worship in the US as I have here in Swaziland? I sure hope so. The presence of God in the gentle brush of the wind is AWESOME! To look up at the sky to see what a creation sits before me and to be in sheer AWE of what a God I serve. I am blessed.

 

I know that being here in Swaziland has forever changed not only my life in general, but my heart and world mindset. I’ve seen things and experienced the world in a way most have never imagined. I’ve seen those living in great poverty, children abandoned, people affected by HIV/AIDS. I’ve loved and I’ve lost. I can never go back and live the same life I did once before and if I do I should be ashamed because that means all the work God has done on my heart was in vain.

 

Right now I’m in the midst of deciding whether or not to extend my time in Swaziland. I’ve been considering extending my stay for another 7 months, till September, for our National Youth Camp in 09. There’s so much work here to be done, but the fact of the matter is there will always be work to done no matter where I am and when I leave I want to leave a lasting impact, where I am replaceable by the Swazi people. All I know is my “yes” is already on the altar. I’m just waiting to hear from the Lord what I’ve said yes to. Perhaps it an extra 7 months in Swaziland, career missions, or just merely to come home and help others to be on mission with Acts 1:8. To all this I’m unsure, but I know I have to be committed to the call Christ has given me whatever that might be.