The work of reconciliation, the melting hearts of stone, the righting wrong relationships and priorities is God’s alone. This month has repeatedly beaten me with news of the world’s brokenness. It began with a measles outbreak in our community. Babies too young to yet be immunized were dying. The government hastily moved to vaccinate those at risk who didn’t yet have symptoms, even in the midst of news about the USAID shutdown that has many repercussions in the health care system in Uganda, most notably in the availability of affordable malaria treatment. But the measles outbreak quickly left the top headlines when another outbreak was reported – ebola. The Sudanese strain, or the one without a certified vaccine. Uganda once again responded admirably to the crisis. This isn’t its first encounter with the disease. Contract tracing, monitoring patients and exposed people, and testing a new vaccine were all quickly implemented. News across the border in the DRC, which is usually the culprit of ebola outbreaks, of a rebel takeover of a city on the border with Rwanda (Goma), and news of a friend’s uncle shot by a stray bullet in the ensuing mayhem. An employee of the mission in Mbale died after repeated heart attacks. A church member in Mbale and friend of the college died in a fatal motorcycle crash on his way to set up church. A friend’s brother died after a prolonged fight with organ failure. Another employee’s nephew died in the womb. More goodbyes to teammates and flaring emotions in my children as they anticipate the loss. The prolonged lack of an evangelist pastor chains our zeal for the next phase of ministry, muddying future plans. Patience building interactions with government agencies while applying for official documents for our own immigration status, renewing the NGO, and buying vehicles for teammates in Mbale. A petty quarrel between relatives erupts into police intervention and jail time. A phantom disease harries the health of teammates’ toddler. The scorching easterly wind continues to blow ash and dust leaving a shriveled, crackling wake evidence of a heat wave harassing the entire country. Broken and breaking, this world reels from one war to the next like a drunkard ricochetting from wall to wall, tripping over every obstacle including their own feet, yet clinging to its right to be drunk.
Take a breath, I tell myself. Shake off senseless or borrowed grief. Give thanks for all the blessings born of the night. These are the days that separate us, when we shine Christ the brightest. We are not tossed and blown by every wind of rumor or trial or loss. We stand fast in love on a foundation that cannot be moved, servants of the God of gods who reigns over and in and through it all. Now has no power to move Him from His course began in ages past strung forward into years to come. He is the one who makes and breaks kings and kingdoms. Thus we stand today anchored in eternity, even with a smile on our lips.
It is in this light that we celebrate adding eleven new members to the church. Some with a long relationship to the congregation, others newer additions. All identifying with God’s people. Pastor Julius challenged them to remember and praise God’s goodness even when life feeds them only thorns. God is good all the time, no matter the state of the reeling world.
As I prayed over these brothers and sisters while they were taking their vows, I gave thanks for evidence of the Spirit’s melting power there before us. Sanctification, reconciliation is not the work of a moment, but a lifetime. None of them are perfect, but all of them are in process. Just like me. The ministry of presence is walking the road of faith together, graciously, imperfectly, eagerly. We trust in the Lord to continue His melting, pruning, and winnowing work.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
Wonderful, Chloe, thank you for expressing the Christian’s groaning in a Psalm 73 format! In our sin-broken world that we own responsibility for, must praise the grace of God in atoning for our sin and adopting us into his eternal family. Amazing. May your local neighbors professing Christ continue in this same grace that your presence demonstrates.