Voted as one of the most classic movie lines of all time, this snarling taunt from Clint Eastwood (a.k.a. San Francisco detective Harry Callahan) forever rings in my mind, especially when I’m confronted with a day that looks like it might be a tough one. I was about to start a week of many meetings and workshops with candidates seeking to become GEM appointees to various fields in Europe. By all counts, this should have been a celebration as this is a pinnacle event for our Mobilization department, and in all honesty, I am encouraged to have these many seekers come to our offices. However, with a stack of papers and other duties piling up on my desk, I was no Pollyanna. In fact, I felt more like Dirty Harry.
Late one afternoon our short-term ministry coordinator approached me and said, “Don, I have a married couple here who are just not sure to what country God is calling them to serve. Can you meet with them?” I get a bit nervous when people come to me for “the” answer, so I asked for the couple’s file to peruse their information prior to meeting them. “Lord, help me in this conversation,” I prayed. Moments later the couple entered my office and I began to probe about their backgrounds, interests, and passions. It appeared that they were debating between two countries, and after some dialogue, a sense of “ah-hah!” occurred. We prayed together, and when this young couple left, they had a better grasp of where God was leading them. That made my day.
This past year the Lord has laid Scotland on my heart as I believe God wants to re-ignite His flame in this country that was once known as one of the Christian centers in Western Europe. Last February I led a team to Edinburgh and Glasgow where I met with Christian leaders, discussing the possibility for missionaries to help in Scottish churches. Bryan came with us, a young man in his 20’s—sharp with a contagious enthusiasm. This week he was in Colorado for Candidate Orientation. I met with him early this morning and we were reminiscing about or February visit. “Boy, I’d love to see you over there in Scotland soon,” I told him, and he shared that he was seeking additional prayer partners. Four hours later I received an message from a woman who just received GEM’s latest Prayer Communiqué that focused on Scotland. “I have had Scotland and the UK on my heart for many years. Please keep me informed on how I can pray and be a part of your Scotland projects.” I passed her email address on to Bryan immediately. Now that made my day.
Three of the candidates attending orientation this week are aiming their sights on the Black Forest Academy in Germany. These are top quality candidates who hope to minister to these students and their families. Speaking to them about what they can contribute to this school was a total joy for me. That also made my day. Pray for Smitty, Carolyn, and Taylor.
Our department just accepted a new co-worker with ministry experience in North Africa. He stopped by my office and we chatted for nearly a half an hour about his vision for this part of the world and how GEM can be a part of this. Specifically, we discussed what we can do to help create and promote solid values for these communities through the platform of education. Because of my own experience at the Black Forest Academy, seeing what that school has done to prepare students for making an impact in their world, I grew excited as I listened to my new colleague as he painted a picture of influencing a nation for Christ. That really made my day!
I wish I could tell you that every day was as fulfilling as this one day. I believe that God is ready and willing to make all our days exciting and surprising if we only keep our eyes out and our ears open to what He is doing.
“Lord, surprise me. Go ahead. Make my day.” And He does.
