Thursday from Liberia

Today we made the long trip (130 miles in about 5 hours) from Ganta back to Monrovia.

Before we did, we participated for the second morning in the chapel service at the hospital. The spirit was moving in chapel. On the chalkboard was the morning worship order, a French Doctor took the role of guest speaker and songs were sung a cappella. It was pure joy.

As we got on the road, only understanding half of what was said in chapel, we realized it didnt matter. There was a feeling among us that the Spirit was present in that place.

I am reminded at the end of the day, that reflecting on the experiences we are having is where the transformation happens. As we sat around the dinner table this evening, I was reminded of another table: the lord’s table. Through laughter and story telling, through questions and conversation, I found myself again standing (ok, we were sitting!) on holy ground.

The communion liturgy reminds us of being chosen, blessed, broken and given. It’s the very pattern Jesus uses as he presides at the table. He takes or chooses the loaf, blesses it, breaks it and gives it to those gathered. In the same way, each one of us are chosen, blessed, broken and given in Christ’s name for ministry.

Tonight I give thanks for the following:

The chosen place for the hospital at Ganta and the people who have been called to serve the physical and spiritual needs of people in their community.

I am blessed by a team, the people of Liberia and the connectional nature of the United Methodist Church. I wasn’t joking when i said there is no place I’d rather be than serving in mission on my birthday. We always think we are going to take something to others in another part of the world. The reality is, we are always more blessed than we can imagine. The people of Liberia continue to remind me of the places God is shaping my heart.

Because through our brokenness, God can bring healing and hope. These are places of vulnerability. When we are open to what God’s up to in our midst, God just might break our heart-for good. The hospital is filled with people who are in need of healing and hope. Im thankful because in their place of need, i become more aware of what i my own brokenness. Each one of the staff we met have a place of brokenness in their life. So do you & I.

The reality is, we have been given an opportunity to participate in Christ’s work in the world. I’m thankful tonight that I’ve been given to represent not only Hyde Park Church, but the United Methodist Church. Being given in ministry half way around the world, among familiar and unfamiliar sights and sounds, is a humble privilege.

Chosen, blessed, broken & given in Liberia. Yes, there are many more stories of each of these that will follow in the coming days. It’s almost midnight here. Time for me to go to bed. Another day awaits us to be chosen, blessed, broken and given.

The photo is on our short walk from the hospital to the guest house this morning following chapel.