The Amani mission team (Laurel
Walters, Janis McBee, Beth Dickson, Sean Moats, and I) is less than a month
away from our journey to Uganda. Most of
us have at least some experience in international travel. Laurel certainly knows the way. I don’t think any of us have the illusion that
we are ever going to be fully
prepared for what God has in-store for us in Africa.
Part of our preparation together
has involved reading a short yet profound book together: Henri Nouwen’s In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on
Christian Leadership. Sean suggested
it, and his instinct for good spiritual resources has been right-on. A passage which has recently challenged me
speaks to a unique dynamic Christian leaders appreciate regarding our personal
connection to leadership:
“Somehow we have come
to believe that good leadership requires a safe distance from those we are
called to lead. Medicine, psychiatry,
and social work all offer us models in which ‘service’ takes place in a one-way
direction. Someone serves, someone else
is being served, and be sure not to mix up the roles! But how can we lay down our life for those
with whom we are not even allowed to enter into deep personal
relationship? Laying down your life
means making your own faith and doubt, hope and despair, joy and sadness,
courage and fear available to others as ways of getting in touch with the Lord
of life.” – Nouwen, p. 61
We all know leaders who make little
impact and lack a personal connection with those they serve. Nouwen challenges his readers to identify
that dynamic and become skillful in removing it. Our team won’t enter Uganda perfectly. We won’t serve the people of Jinja or the
Amani Baby Cottage without any hiccups or stumbles. But we will do our best to share our lives
with our brothers and sisters in Uganda.
I think we’ll find ourselves in the good company of other imperfect
leaders who are willing to lay down their lives for the sake of the
gospel. Our travel dates are June 4-16. Thanks for praying for us.
Solo Dei gloria,
Travis
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