A Passion for the Lost

God has been opening doors left and right for my internship coming soon. As you probably know, and if you don't know then I will tell you, I have a passion for Africa that transcends anything that I have ever believed in beyond God. I desire to dedicate my life to the need in Africa. A family friend has been working with a non-profit organization in Malawi, Africa, planning on setting up air bases and MASH units in Lilongwe. These bases will teach nationals how to fly rotocraft aircraft around the country to help supply the villages with fresh drinking water, food, and needed medical supplies. The base will also teach the locals how to plant crops and do other useful things. In the long run, they want to start a Bible school and church.

This is exactly what I want to do. I have always felt that in order to reach others with the gospel, they must first have their biological needs met. If someone is starving to death, they will only dwell on their hunger and fail to see the relevancy of the gospel. If we teach them how to sustain themselves, and with that, save their lives, they will in turn be open to what we have to say. So many times these people have been preached at but not loved. There have been missionaries who have come, planted a "church" and left. We want to leave a lasting legacy that will impact generations to come. Caring for the widows and orphans in their distress was one of Jesus' top priorities.

So you may be thinking where I come in to the the picture. Well, this whole program is still in the planning stages. There have been a couple airstrips built and the ground breaking will happen in early fall, but we are still a year or so out from actually working with the nationals. And what will happen in a year or so? My need for an internship! My heart's desire is to work with these people, teaching them how to plant crops and sustain their families. I want to work with the women, teaching them proper nutrition and care for their young ones. I want to teach them handicrafts or knitting so they can make things for their family. And most importantly, I want to share the love of Christ with them in very practical ways. They are a lost people in need of a Savior. My dream is for God to enable me to reach these people with the hope I have in Jesus.