Things Unseen

When Pastor Mike and all my friends at Hope Church prayed over me last Sunday, one phrase leaped out at me.  He asked God to "show Whit things that he hasn't seen before."  Later that day, a friend prayed the same thing.  When someone prays something for me that really stirs my spirit, I take notice.  When it happens twice, I take notes!

So what might I see on this trip that I haven't seen before? Well, since I've never been to Malawi, the easy answer is - "almost everything"!  I've seen beautiful scenery and wildlife in Ethiopia and Kenya, but this will certainly be a different experience.  Yet I'm sure that this is not what the prayer was about.

Beautiful Lake Awassa in Ethiopia, 2012

Maybe it's about seeing new people?  Of course, the people are far more important than the scenery, and I treasure the opportunity to make new friendships like the ones that I have with my brothers and sisters from my previous trips.  But that still isn't it.

How about seeing something new about myself?  Well, every trip reveals more to me about my inner self - and sometimes it's not a pretty picture!  I've learned a lot from the mistakes I've made, and I'm sure I'll learn even more on this trip in the same way!  But throughout my preparation for this trip, God has been urging me to be less introspective, not more - to focus on others - my team, our partners, our participants, and everyone I meet - rather than on myself.

The key, I think, is in a line from Hillsong's Hosanna that, not coincidentally, we sang last Sunday.  It says, "Open up my eyes to the things unseen." In other words, the things of the spirit realm, the things of God.  I believe that these prayers are asking God to show me what He sees.  Another line from Hosanna is, "Break my heart for what breaks yours."  God is already at work in Malawi to rescue the people He loves from disease, poverty, and hopelessness.  As Mike reminded us in his message, Henry Blackaby describes "experiencing God" as seeing where He is already at work and joining him there.  And there, I believe, is the meaning of that prayer, and the message I needed to hear before I leave.  I am not going to Malawi to help people learn about sanitation and hygiene.  God has invited me to witness and join Him in His work to redeem a nation.  Can there be any greater privilege?  So, I join my friends in that prayer, and humbly request that all of you join us as well.  I promise to return and report God's answers that will be far beyond what I can hope or imagine.

Malawi Travel Plans

For those of you who are detail oriented (like me)...

I leave Charlotte at 605 AM on Friday (pray for poor Cindy driving me to the airport at 430 AM!)  I meet up with the other four in the team at Dulles, then we have a 12.5-hour flight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Unfortunately, I won't have time there to visit so many dear friends!  Another 4-hour flight takes us to Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi.  We'll arrive at 1220 PM Saturday local time (620 AM EDT).

We'll be staying in a guest house at the African Bible College in Lilongwe.  Sounds like a beautiful campus. We'll have the remainder of the weekend to rest, worship, and prepare for the first day of training on Monday morning at 830!  We expect 20 participants, who we think will all be community workers with our partner, Live, Love Malawi (check out their website or their Facebook page.) The training schedule is very tentative, particularly because this curriculum is brand new.  We're scheduled to run from 830-430 everyday, and we hope to have dinner with the participants most nights, which will be a great opportunity to develop relationships.  We should wrap up the training by Wednesday 8/27 or Thursday 8/28.

Hopefully we'll have time for a little R&R Thursday night, then we're back on a plane Friday at 110 PM local time (710 AM EDT).  Unfortunately, my return connections are horrendous, so I don't arrive back in Charlotte until 630 PM on Saturday 8/30 - almost 36 hours later!?!

Our team has been reviewing the new curriculum in preparation, and we have each been assigned the lessons we will facilitate.  I'm really excited about a couple of the lessons I'm doing, and will share about the experience after I return - no matter how it goes!

Be on the lookout for another post before I leave, as I have some pre-trip thoughts that I want to share - then I probably will not have the opportunity until after I return.  I'll try to do a quick Facebook status and/or email update once in a while.  Thanks for your prayers!