Several weeks back, our family escorted a couple for a day to Jinja, the source of the Nile. Dick and Jan have been married for over 50 years. For me, this is inspiring. But the couples inspiration doesn't stop there. They have traveled all over the globe, not for pleasure, but for the soul purpose in serving the church, and on their own dime! Freedom Church has many locations, most of which are newer church plants. Dick and Jan have found it their mission to go for an extended period of time (usually 3 months) and simply find ways to live, love, and lead. They never come with a specific project or their own agenda. Thus, allowing God to plug them in the way He sees fit. I believe it goes with out saying Dick and Jan aren't "spring chickens", and that's just part of what makes one inspired. They are honest, transparent, and about the most encouraging couple you will ever meet. But the one thing that inspires me the most is their sense of adventure. In fact, Dick has a tattoo on his shoulder that reads, "Live Full, Die Empty." He didn't get the ink when he was young, it is very fresh... a challenge given to him by his pastor! True Story!
So off to Jinja we went. We did the usual tour, first taking a boat ride on the Nile, then having lunch at our new favorite spot, "The Deli". The milkshakes are the real deal, and their sandwiches put most American chains to shame. While chatting and inhaling the feast before us, we discussed a lot. It wasn't our first time to sit and talk, so the conversation was full on. Just love when God uses iron to sharpen iron! I remember sitting there in total bliss. It must have been apparent because Jan asked me why I seemed so happy. She asked me, "So do you all love Jinja?" I couldn't hold back, and in unison, Wendy and I, (and I believe the girls were very much aware) replied "Yes! We absolutely love it here. What Dick and Jan didn't know, is that we had always said if there was ever a chance for us to somehow relocate FNC Academy, Jinja would be the place. The pace is slower, life is simpler, and the feel is good for the soul. The air is cleaner, the traffic is nil, and land is ever available. I believe God has many addresses in this world, His beauty has no bounds, but one of them surely resides here.
Because Dick and Jan are always up for adventure, they asked us if we had ever looked for property in Jinja? I quickly perked up and said, "YES, we have!" Before I knew it, we were off to look at a piece of land we had previously inquired. Oh, and it was raining off and on the entire day. As we approached the land, the rains continued, offering us less than ideal conditions to venture out into the red mud of Africa. After greeting a few locals, we piled out of the van, and headed straight for the Nile. I wanted them to see the view others before them had seen, also hearing the rapids which appear in either direction. With the rain continuing to fall, our shoes submerged into the earth, I watched Dick and Jan and my families faces as we came upon the ridge. One could have chosen to be bothered by the elements, missing the fruit God wanted us to taste that moment, but not us. Not this time.
For most of you, this the first time we are revealing a dream that started to brew years ago, something I'd always said I would do, "only if I could do it all over again." It seems God is up to something. The details are daunting, and for now let me just keep it at that. Moving an entire school to another location isn't easy, but we are finding it to be possible. And for all the naysayers out there, I would ask you for an optimistic spirit, trusting that God is in this. What He wants will come to pass. So let us trust Him together. Mpola mpola, or in English, slowly by slowly, God is working to see His will completed, no matter where, no matter what.
Right now, my mother has embarked on yet another adventure. The training has been exhausting, and at times feels like she's climbing a mountain. Just the other day, I felt God prompting me to send her a quick note of encouragement. This is what I wrote: "Mom, wanted to say I'm proud of you and I love you so much. Your going to conquer the mountain!" This is what she wrote back to me: "Todd...can't tell you what your texts have meant to me. I especially appreciated the one I got yesterday morning as I was at an all time low. There are a lot of people texting me that say, 'You can do it' and that they are praying. I appreciate them all, but when it comes to believing in me...I guess the ones that have meant the most to me in my life have been the men in my life...my dad, my husband, and my son. I'm not kidding when I say this is really hard stuff! In response to your video of the land you sent to our stateside board members...I choose not to be like David's brothers who said, 'what the heck are you trying to do killing this giant!' I choose to trust like David...yeah it is a lot of money, but if David can slay a giant with God in his corner, just using one stone, we can also watch God provide the power and money it takes to victoriously take this land. I don't want to stand before Him one of these days and hear him say, 'just why didn't you ask?' Proud of you son!"
Dick and Jan left for home a couple weeks back. I miss Dick and Jan, we all do. One of the things Freedom Church does so well is appreciating those that come and serve. They do this by inviting the person or persons to come on stage to say a few words to us, then we as a church family pray over them. As Dick and Jan so often do, they left us all with so much hope and encouragement. They even mentioned our trip to Jinja! I felt extremely honored. When the prayer had concluded, Dick and Jan took their seats. But before they did, I stood up and made my way to one of the isles where I greeted both of them with a hug and a kiss. It was an emotional time. As I hugged Dick, he whispered something in my ear I'll never forget, "You inspire me." I sat down and wept. Not because I was sad, but because the man that I was so inspired by actually said that I inspired him! After the service we came together one last time. Dick had gathered all the photos from the previous day, photos that brought lots of laughter and sincere joy. Two couples and 3 girls, going for it, no matter the elements that stood in the way. And there we stood, so glad for our day together, but even more glad we followed God down in the mud. I knew this was the last chance to gather any last piece of advice from my friend before they embarked for home. So I asked, "Dick, is there one more golden nugget you can leave me with?" And without hesitation He looked straight in my eyes and held my hand firmly and said, "Keep the vision alive, keep it alive Todd."
From 23 to this...
From 6 to this...
Only God knows what truly will come next. All we can do is continue to put one foot in front of the other, keeping our eyes on Him, to be expectant of tomorrow, never tripping over today. The future is bright, and our best days are yet to come. "Keep the dream alive!" Dick said. To Dick and Jan and all those pulling for FNC, let me end with a quote from a guy who believed in the impossible. "Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits, rebels, and the troublemakers. To the round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently...Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do."-Steve Jobs. Whether this dream comes to pass or not, I'll never forget that rainy Saturday in Jinja, where a dream that was all but gone, sprouted wings and became resurrected. And just in case it does come true, let it be called "Miracle in the Mud".
