NFL Goes to Swaziland

One of the blogs I frequently check out is Seth Barnes, the director of Adventures in Missions (AIM) an organization that I have partnered with on several overseas trips. As I was on his blog this morning, I came across this post, The NFL Goes to Swaziland. I've never been to Swaziland but my heart beats for Africa nonetheless.

This video hit me pretty hard. There is a reality out there that so many of us are unaware of, not just in Swaziland but all over the world. There are people in need, hurting, hopeless, needing love and care. There is a question posed at the end of the video by New Orleans Saints Defensive Lineman, Anthony Hargrove that resonates with me.

In getting ready to return home, he comments "How am I gonna go back to the U.S. and how can I 'live' the American Dream knowing that Swaziland people are dying every day?"

As a Student Ministries, we've taken a year to address the issues of Kids In Need. We've gained awareness & we've given sacrificially. And we've been challenged again and again to LIVE DIFFERENTLY.

On a personal level, my world has been rocked by the stories I've heard and the people I've met over this past year. I've seen and heard about needs that are far greater than I can handle on my own. The reality is, I can't fix all the worlds problems, but DOING NOTHING IS NOT AN OPTION. So knowing what I know now, "How can I go back to life as usual? How can I not be changed by the perspective I've gained?"

I feel like this year has been a huge wrestling match as I try to figure out how to "bring home" all that I've seen and experienced. More and more I recognize that my life was never intended to be lived my way. My life was always intended to be about loving people to Jesus. And all I've seen and experienced changes the way I do that - the way I serve, the way I give, the way I listen, the way I see others, the way I work, the way I shop, the way I encourage.

I'm still wrestling. I pray I never stop wrestling. It's messing me up...yet it's messing me up in a good way. I'm praying that God continues to break my heart for the things that break His heart.