Becoming the...church?

Many in our group are wearing bright green t-shirts with the slogan “engage, grow, learn” emblazoned on the front. As other curious travellers and airport security see our t-shirts the question invariably comes: “what does it mean?” “Where are you going?” “Why?”

And it’s great to hear the responses that our group in forming in these conversations: “We are going to learn from church.” “We are visiting our mission workers and hope to learn about their work.”

As we wait for our final flight to Burkina Faso, it is wonderful see the connections growing in the group. New friendships being formed, the “Mennonite game” has made a few rounds and common friends have been discovered and a few possible common relatives...from a scattering of individuals we are becoming a team...more than a group...could we call this church?

God is present here...and there!

When the alarm went at 6am on Thursday morning, my body reminded me that I had very little sleep last night. Preparing to gather a group of 17 travellers who have never met one another and then travel a combined 16-17 hours...I guess nerves got the better of me.

As my feet hit the floor I uttered the prayer with which I begin each day, “Lord, this is the day that you have made and I will rejoice and be glad in it.” But then more thoughts, words, concerns began to pour out...prayer for health, strength, patience, and then health again.

My wonderful wife joined me for a good breakfast of porridge and blueberries and plenty of milk as I prepared to take my first malaria prevention tablet...again prayers for health and group unity and safety.

As I drove to the city the words of familiar Psalms began to fill my prayers and the reminder that God precedes us on this journey, that God knows the concerns of our hearts, that God has been at work in Burkina Faso for ages past and has prepared this time for this group to experience God’s church in new, unique, wonderful ways.