We came to Cameroon to serve people. 

Young people,

old people,

people we like,

people we would rather not see again.

Anyone God brings across our path.  

 

In any way possible. 

For His honor and glory.  

 

We serve them in big ways, 

in small ways, 

in ways that are seen, 

in ways that go unnoticed, 

when we feel like it, 

when we are too tired to think.

 

In any way possible.

For His honor and glory.

 

And that brings us to today.  A Cameroonian man we have known and loved for a long time asked us to pray for his younger brother.  And out spilled his story.  We had heard bits and pieces of it in the past, but never in one long, connected chain of events.  We saw so clearly his deep love for his sibling, and yet his agony of soul as this one is choosing a wrong path for his life.  After an hour and a half of sharing deeply, we separated, renewing our commitment to pray.  Our God can do all things.  Nothing is too hard for Him.

 

Not an hour later a young lady sat with us and poured out her story.  She's a new missionary.  Been serving in a neighboring country for a handful of months.  Didn't expect to have so many issues with fellow missionaries.  It was all so intellectual when she was going through her training.  But now it's real.  Real people, real conflicts.  Where is God in all of this?  And how can missionaries act this way?  

 

Grappling with the big question.  Should she just give up and get out of missions?  Is she even cut out for this kind of stuff?  She really hates this one person.  Missionaries aren't supposed to hate.  Especially not fellow missionaries.  But the emotion is there.  And there is the strong temptation to accept a job offer with a humanitarian aid organization.  She wouldn't have to go back home in disgrace.  She would earn a good salary, stay in the same location, keep using the foreign language she has been struggling to learn, and not have to work with difficult-to-get-along-with missionaries.  

 

Tough issues.  Hard to deal with.  Listened to her for an hour and a half.   The tears flowed as disappointment and frustration poured out.  Surprised her (and even shocked her) with glimpses of our story.  We know.  We understand.  We've been in her shoes.  

 

Cling to God.  He is her only hope.  Our God can do all things.  Nothing is too hard for Him.

 

Exhausted bodies climb the stairs at days end.  Emotionally drained.  Giving out all day long takes its toll.  But our God can renew our strength.  Nothing is too hard for Him. 

 

Tomorrow is just around the corner.  New opportunities to serve people await us.  And we remain committed to do just that...

 

In any way possible. 

For His honor and glory.