Not the way things were supposed to be!

Well, the first thing I learned on this trip was that things do not always work out according to the plans I make. After boarding the plane in Minneapolis for a flight over the Atlantic Ocean to Amsterdam the captain said over the intercom, "One of our engines is not passing the safety test so a mechanic crew is coming to check it out." Thank God we were not in the air yet. After an hour we exited the plane and waited three more hours for another plane. Needless to say we missed our connecting flight from Amsterdam to Accra so we had to stay the night in Amsterdam. So I have said all this to say that I didn't have access to the internet, therefore, I was not able to keep this blog updated. I am sorry if you were anticipating some exciting stories of adventure and excitement in the Lord, though there were many that I want to share, it will probably be a while before I can get some of the stories from my journal typed and uploaded since medical school begins tomorrow. However if you want to see the pictures you can check them out on Facebook. There is a story behind most of them I hope to share. I can report that Africa is beautiful, the people are wonderful, the food was more than tolerable ( I find myself wishing I could have some fried plantains with beans and some fresh mango or pineapple), and God has a dream for Africa.

Why?

I have been wondering why anyone would desire to go on a mission trip, especially when there are so many other things a person could do with their time and resources. I mean many of the places people go to do mission trips are certainly not what I would call ideal vacation sites. Often living conditions and resources are very limited, the food is less than appetizing, the language barrier is insurmountable, the weather is overbearing, and the work one does seems to be such an insignificant contribution when compared to the need. I suppose their are places one could go that do resemble paradise because God is redeeming a people from every tongue, tribe, and nation. Let the knowledge and glory of the Lord fill the earth like the waters fill the sea!

So I imagine there are many reasons a person goes. But there must be some sustaining reasons to go in spite of the above mentioned obstacles. Well for me the fact that Christ died so that I might no longer live for myself but rather for him who was raised from the dead motivates me to work for something that is lasting--I mean someone who overcomes even death is worth working for. So my purpose is for him. When I think about what this looks like I hear Paris Reidhead in the sermon “Ten Shekels and a Shirt” screaming, “Humanism is the stench of the ages.” After speaking about his motivation for going to Africa being to serve the justice of God—thinking that the Africans should not go to hell without hearing the Gospel preached. He said the Africans had heard the Gospel, they knew God, but they loved their sin and did not want to repent. So he questioned God about why he would send him to such people and God responded, “Will not the judge of all the earth do right? Do I not deserve the rewards of my suffering? I was no longer serving man but rather the living God!”

While God is not in need of anything and does not need to be served by human hands he chooses to invite people to join him in mission and work through them. So the other guiding principle I have received from the Lord comes from the great missionary the apostle Paul in Romans 15:18-19, “For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God.” Only what is built by God will sustain. So I know the success of this mission is dependent upon the Holy Spirit’s work in and through me. If I suit up and show up—become willing and available—I will see the handiwork of God. I want to see God!

To answer the question why do people go on mission trips: I would say the reason Christians (a.k.a the Church) should be engaged in mission is because God has a passion to see his glory fill all the earth. “All the nations you have made God shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name (Ps. 86:9).”

Give Thanks!

Hospitals of Hope here in Wichita has blessed me (or my friends in Africa) with sutures and diabetic supplies. Last night at bible study all that I could think about is that God acts for those that wait upon him (Isa. 64.4). Of course after fretting for three days in search of medical supplies without getting much response from the places I had contacted I began seeking the Lord diligently about these requests. He was testing my trust level and he found it near empty. When I began to trust that God knows what he is doing and that he is more concerned about their petitions and needs than I am. Sure enough he came through in his time. So I give thanks to him for all circumstances--in worry and doubt, in waiting, and in plenty. And also I thank God for faithful ministries like Hospitals of Hope. I pray that he continue to use them as "the leaves from the tree for the healing of the nations," and that they receive all their needs to complete the work to which they have been called.

One More Week

Wow! It is only another week before I leave. I have received all the immunizations I need. I have purchased malaria prophylaxis. I have sunscreen, sunglasses, and a safari hat to protect me from the sun. I have bug spray and insect repellant to deter undesireable creatures from living within my vicinity. I have all the clothes I will need, apparently it is custom to wear pants or slacks as an adult male within the village. I have a camera that can zoom 7X further than our old one that broke on our trip to Michigan and can take very clear pictures while moving or of moving objects. I have gathered some soccer uniforms and soccer balls. It looks like I will get to pick up some medical supplies this week from Hospitals for Hope here in Wichita. Everything is almost ready for Ghana. I can't wait!

1st Mission - Kasei, Ghana

Dear Family and Friends,

Greetings!  I am writing hoping and praying that all is well with you and your family.  I want to share with you what God has been doing in my family and I and give you an opportunity to participate with us in the work God is calling us to do.  While we were at seminary we met a retired physician who worked with The Luke Society, a medical mission organization. After hearing my story he encouraged me to go on a trip with The Luke Society because I would get to experience the best of both ministry and medicine. Again I was stirred to seek medical training in order to prepare me for foreign medical missions.  Then my pastor, professors, and classmates affirmed and blessed my decision to withdraw from the Masters of Divinity program to pursue medical school.  And lo and behold I was accepted to Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences for the class entering in August of 2009 to become an osteopathic physician.    

Then I received news that I have been accepted to serve at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kasei, Ghana with The Luke Society.  To learn more about the work in Kasei visit these links www.lukesociety.org and www.basicghana.org.  On June 22 I will be departing for 5 weeks while Ashley stays home with the kids.  (God bless her!)  The purpose of this trip is three-fold: to minister the love of Christ through preaching and teaching, to explore a possible career in international medical missions, and to provide medical care to the Ghanaian people, many whom have traveled far seeking medical treatment.  I will be working along side Dr. John Boateng, an indigenous surgeon and elder who has helped plant several churches in the area and participated in several community development projects to help lift his people out of poverty into the kingdom of the Son.

As I read that Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction (Mt. 9:35), I began to realize that going to Ghana is an opportunity to be the extension of Jesus’ ministry.  Then as I continued reading this passage Jesus calls his people to pray for laborers to be sent into the harvest giving everyone who believes in his ministry an opportunity to participate in this glorious mission through prayer and sending.  So I too ask you to participate with me in this ministry through your prayers and financial support.  The work in Ghana will cost $3800 and be funded entirely through donations.  Every penny collected will be used for airfare, required immunizations, food, lodging, transportation, and ministry and medical supplies that will be carried with me.  All contributions are tax deductible. You can make your check payable to The Luke Society indicating your donation is for Chris Gifford and mail it to The Luke Society, 3409 Gateway Blvd., Sioux Falls, SD 57106.  Please include your email address with your donation. You will receive a tax-deductible receipt for each gift via postal mail or email.  I thank you in advance for your financial support and encouragement. I look forward to sharing with you my experiences when I return.         

Blessings,

Chris Gifford

(616) 298-4557

cmgifford1@gmail.com