Carry the Jerry

This past weekend we had the chance to participate in a water walk to help raise money for a well in Rwanda.  We learned they were trying to raise $5,000 for the well.  This event was put on by a small group of college students who are eager to help make a difference in the lives of a few people who they have never met.  It was inspiring.

When we got there, we were greeted kindly and handed a jerry can to carry to a near by pond where we would fill it up.  The walk was nice. We were on a paved track, some trees helped to provide shade, we had our tennis shoes on, and it only took us fifteen minutes to reach the pond. We all gathered and filled up our jerry cans. We had the option to fill it to the top or half way.  Whatever would be easiest for us. It said on the side of our can that it was the equivalent of 2.5 flushes.  Mark choose to fill it up all the way and we were on our way back to the where we started.

The walk back took a little longer since we were now carrying a very heavy jerry can.  We joked that we could take Emma out of her stroller, hold her, and push the can.  But we continued on!

In Africa, most women and children go and fetch the water.  They walk 2, 5, 7 miles multiple times a day.  I honestly don't know how they do it.  I tried carrying that jerry can and it was really heavy so Mark ended up carrying it most of the way :)

On our twenty minute walk back, we talked a lot about how different our walk was compared to the walk these women and children take. We had sunglasses on, socks and shoes on, we were walking on pavement, we got to push our baby and not wear her on our back, and we had our water bottles to help hydrate us. We were reminded, in our tired and sweaty state, of the many who still need access to water.

Just think about it, if the children spend most of their day walking to fetch water, there is no time for school.  The time that the women spend fetching water could be spent in more care for their family and with other necessary tasks. They walk so far just to fetch contaminated water, sometimes leading to sickness and death.  It just breaks my heart.  We are to be His hands and feet in the world. If we follow Jesus, then we will love those in need.  If a physical need is clean water, shouldn't we help the locals provide it?

We are told to "carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galations 6:2).  When we join God's family, we join the family business and that is a life of serving others.  Jesus set the example for us throughout scripture.  As Good Friday approaches, I can't help but think about how Jesus died on that cross carrying my burdens and your burdens.  He did it because He LOVES us.  And if He can do that for us, I think we can take His request to heart and look after each other, help build each other up, and love each other in a way that makes us lay ourselves down at the feet of the cross daily.

Will you carry the jerry for someone today? 

Living a Lifestyle of Discipleship

When we think about how God has been at work in and through us, the times in our lives in which discipleship was abundant come quickly to mind.  This includes both receiving discipleship and discipling others.

What is discipleship?  In our experiences, and as briefly described during a recent training at The Mission Society, discipleship involves followers of Jesus experiencing transformation by the power of the Holy Spirit and enabling others to do the same.  The lifestyle of discipleship directs all aspects of our life for His glory and purpose in the world.

The model of discipleship is clearly seen through the life and ministry of Jesus.  He invested in a core group of followers and commissioned them to do likewise.  It is key for how the Body of Christ joins Jesus in His mission today of bringing redemption and reconciliation to the world.  As individuals and as the family of God, we never stop learning and never ‘graduate’ from being a disciple.  Jesus is constantly changing us and using us as agents of change in the world.    By grace, we have the privilege of working with King Jesus and intentionally for His Kingdom on earth as in heaven.

I (Mark) have great memories of discipleship while in college, especially with the student ministry organizations of Cru and Bridges International.  It seemed that my days were fueled by both the regular time spent being discipled and discipling others.  It was a blessing to be able to pour into the lives of new believers (including a few roommates).  It was a time of encouragement when things were rough, teaching as foundational truths of the faith were sought, coaching to naturally share the Good News of our Lord Jesus with friends, and simply a loving and growing community.

While serving Christ in Mexico a few years ago, I (Kenzi) had the opportunity to disciple five young girls.  It was a time for them to ask questions, seek prayer, and be encouraged by someone they trusted.  Through this experience, I learned how much God desires to truly have a personal relationship with us all.  Currently, I am being discipled by someone who I trust and admire in the faith.  It has been such a blessing to me, as our family is on a journey of becoming cross-cultural witnesses in Kenya.  Our time together encourages me and provides accountability in my prayer life.

God has amazed me (Mark), by showing how much He has been and is at work.  During my short 18 months at my last job, great relationships with co-workers from Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian backgrounds were formed.  Our true friendship allowed me to better listen to and learn from their perspectives and respond to their questions on who Jesus is, what He is doing, and how we can be a part of it all.   It was simply following Jesus and praying that the Holy Spirit would work through that time together.  God is currently working in lives all around us in different ways, and in that setting, He opened doors for trust to be made and Jesus to be explored.  

Discipleship looks different from one relationship to the next.  It can simply be having coffee with someone and investing into their life for the glory of God.  The opportunities to be a part of discipleship are all around us and in all aspects of our everyday lives.  We have been sent into the world, both near and far, to make disciples.  Our prayer is that the Holy Spirit will continually lead and transform you, and in your daily life, use you to draw others closer to Him and to each other.

Where is God working around you today?  How can you be a part of it?  Will you accept the challenge of seeking discipleship and offering discipleship in a Christ-centered, relational, intentional, transformative, and self-replicating way?

To that, we say Amen - may it be so.