I'm drawing blood on this woman (Lord have mercy on her) @ JFK hospital in Monrovia. This was screening day-- you can read about it in a previous post.



Worship. What does it mean to you? Is it singing familiar melodies with arms raised next to other believers we know and trust? Is it praying aloud, offering God the most eloquent phrases of our vocabulary? In my faith experience, worship has most certainly been music oriented intertwined with prayer. "Emotional" worship times are so highly valued and sought after that sometimes I forget why I'm worshiping. The thing is, I'm worshiping God. I'm making an honest attempt to bring an offering of praise to the Almighty-- so that HE is pleased-- NOT me. It really doesn't matter how "I feel" or "what I got out of worship today." It brings me back to the extremely foreign notion that "it's not about me." Getting over myself is my biggest problem, and if you have figured out a 12 step program to a selfless life--- I'm first in line. I realize that being transformed by Christ is a life process with peaks and valleys-- but praise God for his unending GRACE!

So why am I writing about this? God has been teaching me about different forms of worship. I'm trying to understand that worship is a life choice and not an event. Offering God the best version of yourself (the version that he intended you to be when he created you) is a huge part of worship. This involves the utilization of all the giftings and talents God has blessed you with. Thus, worship could mean one of 300 different things, depending on the individual. God is so wonderfully in control!

I've observed much in the short time I have been here in Liberia. There are many Christians here, and West African Christians worship loudly! But why do these Christians shout with joy and offer praises the way I've heard? Their earthly hopes and dreams have been destroyed. Their families have been ripped apart by the war. Their bodies have been mangled and misused. These people have no electricity and no sewer (and it is really hot here!). Their cities are in ruins, filth, and disgrace. Young men wander the street all day long with no job, vision, or future. Young women offer themselves to anyone who can pay. Fifteen years of war has destroyed Liberia. They have nothing, yet their hearts are full. I'm understanding that hope in the Living God can be a source of life and light to those in need.


Thank you all for your continued prayer and comments on the Blog site. Big thanks to you guys from St Clare's!! You are all awesome and I look forward to coming home and working with a quality team. God Bless and stay tuned......