Finally!
After, a busy and bustling number of weeks, we’re on our way to the Lutheran School of Theology in Kenya to serve with Rev. James May and Lutherans in Africa.
The preparation for a trip to the African continent is controlled chaos.
It’s filled with scattered and coffee stained sheets of lists, tedious double, triple and quaddruple checking, weighing luggage, adjusting suitcases, checking the scale again …
… last minute trips to the store, unexpected repairs to the washing machine, a replacement sump pump for the basement, filing taxes, and detailed notes and explanations for those handling the everyday affairs of life while we’re away.
For those of us who relish, and flourish in, the consistent patterns and routine rhythms of the day, the pre-trip disorder can be overwhelming. All of it can prompt a racing mind, scattered thoughts, a fast paced heart, restless nights, and a final push of adrenalin to just get out the door and on the plane.
For me, it’s been a stark reminder that any and all control of life is just an illusion.
We are not ordering gods in charge of the universe.
We are creatures (and corrupted ones at that). We are solely dependent on the ever faithful provision of the Father, the loving kindness of Jesus, our Advocate and Brother, and all of the gifts of the Spirit.
And so, I have found that the chaos has brought with it a gift … a sacred opportunity, and invitation from the Triune God, to pause, pray, confess, to call upon the Lord in the day of trouble, and entrust all into His hands.
As Martin Luther notes in his meaning to the First and Second Commandments …
The First Commandment: Thou shalt have no other gods.
What does this mean?
Answer: We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
The Second Commandment: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain.
What does this mean?
Answer: We should fear and love God that we may not curse, swear, use witchcraft, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.
Small Catechism (Triglot, Concordia)
A Video Update and Invitation
As we leave, here’s a brief video with an invitation for you to use Martin Luther’s Morning and Evening Prayers as a way to calm the chaos and commend our bodies and souls and all that we love into the Lord’s hands.
Come what may, we do belong to Jesus!
The following prayers are taken from Martin Luther’s Small Catechism (Triglot Concordia Version – here).
I’ll be teaching the students at the Lutheran School of Theology these prayers and you’re invited to make them a part of the daily rhythm of your life.
The Morning Prayer
In the morning, when you rise, you shall bless yourself with the holy cross and say:
In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. If you choose, you may, in addition, say this little prayer:
I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray Thee to keep me this day also from sin and all evil, that all my doings and life may please Thee. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Then go to your work with joy, singing a hymn, as the Ten Commandments, or what your devotion may suggest.
The Evening Prayer
In the evening, when you go to bed, you shall bless yourself with the holy cross and say:
In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. If you choose, you may, in addition, say this little prayer:
I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast graciously kept me this day, and I pray Thee to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Then go to sleep promptly and cheerfully.
Pictures, Videos and Updates
If you would like to follow along with our journey, you can sign up for email updates in the button below. When the videos are created, I’ll send them directly to your inbox.
Thank you again for your generous support, encouragement, prayers and many kindnesses.
Travel Updates
Update – Tuesday, February 27th (Kenya Time): We made it to Amsterdam without incident. Our three hour layover has now been extended for another 3 hours because of a delay in our connecting flight to Nairobi. If all goes well, we will arrive in Kenya early Wednesday morning, February 28th.
As the Lord wills.
We’ll commend into His hands.
If you would like to continue to support the Missionary at Large position through East Bethlehem you can either give a charitable donation by check or through electronic giving. Here’s a link that will give you more information … Support Missionary at Large (here).