"As He Went"

(Written on Friday) Many times in the missionary life we/I feel like we have to perform big things, and that only the big things count. And it is true some days are like that, but most aren't. Many times in the New Testament it talks about Jesus "as He went", the lives of people that He touched, literally as He went, day in and day out. So today I thought I would describe my day, just as it was, unique to today, hope you enjoy:
  Woke up checked the US Open Scores (Federer won!!), made breakfast for the kids and myself, then went to the Samaritan's Purse Office. It was raining so traffic was light. Walked in and already in Praise and Worship. (there is nothing like African worship) Drums are banging, everyone singing. As I look around the room, there are guys from Chicago, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and England, Jamaica, Ethiopia, and Kenya; gals from England, Texas, Germany, and Florida, with of course many Ugandans praising the Father. Then met with my boss about future planning. Left there to go to HR to discuss an issue. Came back down and talked with a coworker about their health issue. Checked with a few others on their health issues (I am not in the office that often). Then across the street to the office to meet with coworkers. There we discussed many topics related to the children that we serve including how hard it is to wait for kids to get their hearts repaired to which a coworker reminded me of 2 Peter 3:8-9 where it says: "with the Lord one day is a thousand years, and and a thousand years is as one day". Time for lunch. At lunch met a Rwandan refugee who literally slept outside all night, and then knocked on doors till he found someone who knew his language (can you imagine walking around a strange city, where you understand no one, no one understands you, you are wet, cold and broke.) Was able to help him get back to the refugee camp. Then to school to get the kids, where I talked with a mom adjusting to life in Kampala from living in the north for 3 years as she described how hard the people are there. Then to answer insurance questions for other teachers. Then to another teacher couple who have been sick this week, and their health questions and related adjustment issues. Then to our night guard whose wife is in the hospital about to have a baby. And then home to wash the dishes, interrupted by a call from a coworker about a girl who had seen the cardiologist today and had been told that she is fine now, that she is living on "bonus time" (after her heart surgery), and that her body is the temple of the Lord and that she should start treating it that way (amen!); then to get the kids to bed.
   So, as you can see, some things are very normal, part of all our lives, others are so multinational that it can seem disorienting. And yet all along the way, God put people in my day to touch and to be touched by. I could have been too busy to get things done and missed those opportunities, but a listening ear He used. So next week let's not lose sight of the big, but also don't forget the small everyday encounters and that each of those can be salt and light touching and being touched by those that He loves all around us!