A Hope for the Future--Thursday, May 10th (continued)

"So HOW can I help these people? Anything I give them does not move them to progress, but to dependence, and when they are content on their own, dependence is the opposite of progress. Even if they aren't content, dependence opposes progress. So what do I do now that I am on the other side of this world? How can I not waste the little time I have with them? How can I see Africa develop? By giving them something eternal. I can help them understand the love of Christ and the love of the Church in his name--the love that has sent me here. I can help them understand their part in the church."

The people I am seeing outside my window can hardly be helped by the little money I have with me, they could hardly be made anything but dependent with the wealth of our nation. But if we and the people, the church we represent can give them a hope for the future-a vision of God's plan-then maybe those that stay after us can move them to progress.

We met a man named Charles the other night when we arrived at Entebbe. He was our escort to the hotel. After the formalities of introducing ourselves and how we are doing, the very first thing he asked us was "are you saved?" Immediately, I felt like we had a connection with him. It was encouraging to meet someone so soon and to really feel like he (on the other side of the world) and I (from so far away) were a part of the same body of believers. As we talked to him, he told us that he was raised a Muslim and that his parents were still of that faith. Intrigued and excited we asked what brought the change in him. "Muslim has no future," he told us.

I don't fully know what he meant by that, but it is interesting that it is the Christians who brought and are still bringing education and technology to Africa. More than that, though Christianity is a progressive kind of love and a progressive concern for the well-being of the whole. It is not mere peace as many other religions profess. Christianity transcends mere peace to seek an active love. At least that is what it teaches, whether many of us, whether I live it out is debatable.

"I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a hope for the future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Trent