I landed in Entebbe, Uganda on Wednesday morning and quickly got through customs and joined Apollo who was there to greet me at the airport. We enjoyed getting caught-up on each other’s life journey over a quick cup of java at Good African Coffee Shop where he also chose to spring on me that I would be speaking in two hours to the staff at African Renewal Ministries. So, before we could get settled at the hotel, he whisked me off to Gabba and I enjoyed a great time with the staff at their headquarters.
You will hear more about Africa Renewal in days ahead… they have been key partners with us since 2003 and I am so energized when I see the work they have done all throughout Uganda over the past decade. I am privileged to play a small part.
It is Saturday morning and I am scraping the “crusties” out of my eye from a short nights sleep. I arrived home last night just before midnight from a leadership retreat for university students… it was a great event at a camp a little over an hour from here on the shores of Lake Victoria. The electricity went out right before dinner, so we ate posha (flour boiled in water until made into a firm “cake-like” substance), beans and cabbage together under a single candle in the center of the room. By the time I spoke, they had the generator fixed and two 40 watt bulbs “’illuminated” the large tent where they gathered. As I closed the session with a time of reflection and spiritual inventory, I was deeply moved to see the authenticity and potential of these young leaders who by God’s grace will soon be leading there nations with integrity and Christ-like character. And that type of leadership is so desperately needed in this nation and the surrounding region of East Africa.
Before I sign-off, let me remind you of a simple principle that is found in the Bible: integrity. It is on my mind a lot as I prepare to speak on the subject matter to leaders later this afternoon. It is a value that is missing so much in humanity today, but its scarcity is amplified in the corrupt nature of Ugandan politics, marketplace, society and dare I say… the Christian Church. Just as we depend on the integrity of our buildings, our bridges and most of the physical infrastructure for our societies, we must also depend on the moral underpinnings of our character and the character of those who lead us.
Jesus speaks to this issue on multiple occasions, but one of the most poignant is when he is delivering the “Sermon on the Mount”. In Matthew 5:37, Christ directs His followers to “let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and let your ‘No’ be ‘No’. He challenges us to be trustworthy, to follow-through with our promises and to sacrifice personally toward our commitments. He also encourages us not to over commit (this is certainly my vice!)… it is ok to say “no” in order to keep your character in tack. If we say yes to everything, then we set ourselves up for failure and cause pain for those we lead and influence. This value is at the core of the Live it out message because it is at the core of the Gospel.
The more I teach a principle, the more I become a student of that value and I realize my own areas of weakness. Today, maybe we could all take inventory and ask how this value is being lived-out through us.
I join David when He prays to God in Psalm 25:20-12:
“Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.”
OK, time to go! As soon as I finish this blog post I will put the finishing touches on a message I am delivering at a Youth Leaders Summit today in Kampala. Something tells me I will be speaking about integrity. :)
Thanks for the update John! I love that Apollo sprung a speaking engagement on you right away. Always have to have message on the ready in Africa! You're lucky you got two hours notice, that is pretty generous :)
Posted by: Lance | October 23, 2010 at 11:48 AM
Thanks Lance! Everyone is asking about you and of course all send their greetings! You should have come with me. :)
Posted by: John | October 23, 2010 at 01:13 PM
Wish we could be there with you! Just reading your blog gets me excited to go with the family this spring. What an amazing time we will have!
We miss you and are all praying for you every day.
Jen
Posted by: Jennifer | October 24, 2010 at 07:22 AM