I DARE YOU

A team landed in Johannesburg, South Africa, today headed tomorrow to Swaziland. For the next several days, they will be loving on some of the most precious kids in the whole, wide world, the children of Bheveni Carepoint. Their entrepid leaders, Mike and Danielle Brower, are pictured below. Danielle wrote this blog post while en route:

For such a time as this… a divine appointment to travel across the earth to be with our Swazi family once again.

In my journal, on a connecting flight to South Africa, I wrote this to God… after I wrote it I thought, ‘Huh, that might bless someone else.’ So here it is, like it or leave. This is how me & Jesus hang out.

I’m so completely grateful that You are allowing me to be a part of this journey.

I don’t know if I’ll ever understand why You give people desires to travel all the way around the world to minister to other people – a people not their own. Logically, we should all just stay where we are ‘planted’ and be a blessing in our own neighborhoods. But Your plan is not always birthed in logic, isn’t it, Lord?

You love a romance adventure, don’t You? Ha Obviously You do! Sending your own Son to a far-off land, to a people who needed to know Your love – regardless of the distance, resistance, or danger… no matter the costs.

Why then should it seem odd that You call your children to follow Jesus’ example to go and preach the Gospel, to share the Good News, to heal the brokenhearted? There are no lengths you won’t go to, to share Your love – you’ll even use imperfect, scarred people like me to share your Love with anyone who will receive it.

God, You amaze me, in all your profound wisdom, you really have made it simple for us to obey…trust. Go. Love. Wherever You lead – if its across the street or across the world. That’s sorta awesome.

We each have a call, which is simply what Your highest and best is for us, that brings You the most glory and draws us closer to You.

For us, part of our call is to go be Your hands & feet in Swaziland, offering encouragement of God’s illogical, far-reaching, nothing-is-impossible love to children who have been born into a country where they must daily fight loneliness and hunger on many levels. We pray our very presence (our hugs, kisses, goofy games, gifts, and time) simply reminds them that they are valued, worthy of love and not forgotten – and that Jesus’ hands-on Love would be evident in all we do.

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What is your purpose? When you are alone, what do you dream of? What do you want to be your legacy, that produces growth and hope far beyond your lifetime? I want my legacy to be eternal, so that means there may be temporal discomfort, temporal sacrifices like leaving our own boys for a few weeks a year, or downsizing to give more. More than taking fancy vacations, sight seeing excursions, or even creating ‘fun’ memories with my boys, I want them to live with a purpose – that they were created to be a blessing, to create hope in the lives of others, and ultimately to bring the Gospel message to those who would believe, no matter how far the miles may take them. Let my life be an example of that kind of love. When it comes down to it, nothing else matters.

Perhaps you don’t know your passion, what you were born to do. That’s okay… until now! I urge you to seek! I urge you to GO, find your God-given passions and use your talents for the furthering of His Love to the world around you.

Those unique desires and talents were GIVEN to you by God Himself for more than you probably think. Have a conversation with God. I dare you to ask Him to show you why you were created, how you can be a light in a dark world.

And watch out, because God honors bold, audacious prayers! You will find your passion, what makes you come alive, what you were born to do! Combine that prayer with faith-filled action to step through the doors He opens and your life will never be the same! The best part? Chances are the lives of those around you will never be the same again either, and create a legacy far beyond your yours.

Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Shine On!

Danielle

Please pray for the Bheveni Team as they travel tomorrow to Swaziland and then settle in for ministry.  Pray for good health, lots of energy, and team unity.  Pray that above all, God's love will transform them and the lives of the ones they've gone to serve.

To read more of Danielle's writings, visit her blog:   http://live4change.net/