Resurrection Blessings: “All of creation shouts!”

He is Risen!

I awoke to a chilling bite in the air passing through the open windows of my bedroom, the sky beyond the tree canopy a jaundiced stain driving out the night.  Dressing quickly I greeted the dawn on a path at the edge of Lake Chivero.

A ghostly mist shrouding the valley galloped purposefully westwards, fleeing the pending eruption of the sun from the granite bowels of the African earth – the birth of a new day, a new month, and new season.  In the opposite sky the Full Moon fell softly to the earth, the past died with it and a new year of promise was birthed.

Like angels summoned, on a myriad wings flocks of waterfowl rose vigorously into the golden sky, their raucous cries heralding the new dawn as they circled wide and low over the water creating swirls in the drifting mists.

Alone and in awe I marvelled at this morning miracle, a reminder, a picture of the very resurrection of Easter, the fulfilment of Passover, the new life we have been given in the Risen Christ!

For too long I have tried to identify with Jesus as the Son of Man, acknowledging his humanity, his reality and proximity to us – tangible, touchable, even vulnerable, yet able to remain in a spirit of self control, supernatural power and divine love.  But this view has often left me looking at myself in light of my failures and shortcomings and weaknesses in comparison to the Son of God.

Today I am challenged to identify with Christ, not as the man who was beaten, bruised, torn apart and pierced for my sake, who bled out and died because of my wrongdoings and iniquities, but to identify with him as the Risen Lord, the Glorious Victor, the Conqueror over death, sin, iniquity and all the indwelling wickedness that has trapped and held me and the rest of mankind in bondage and failure, grief and despair.  Today the night of my life was made fully mature, fully illuminated with nothing hidden, and I could lay it down in total surrender to the King of Kings.  As I placed it on the altar in the west, with the sinking moon, so I could turn around expectantly and long for, anticipate with excitement and faith, seek after and then stand awestruck as the Son of God rose from the grave, parting the mists of doubt and unbelief, dispelling the fears and insecurities that have haunted me for so long.

At the Master’s great command, with such grandeur and glory, the sun burst from the earth this Easter morning, the drone of angel’s wings rising in celebration with the birds, to declare with great reverence and zeal as they sped around the earth, “The Christ of God is alive!  Glory be to God!  He is risen!”

May the Glory of God rise in our hearts today and set us on a new path, a road of victory, where the things that have hindered us are consumed by the fire of God’s glory, and the Anointing of the King quickens our mortal bodies souls and spirits to live life here on earth, to the full, even as it is in the Kingdom of Heaven!

With love this Easter, and faith and hope.

From my wilderness to yours,

Rowan

Back to an African Night!

Nearing midnight, from the leather passenger seat of the Land Rover Discovery, I wearily stared out of the window toward the western horizon, silhouettes of roadside trees interrupting my view as they sped past in the dark.  The cooling air brooded heavily with the smoke of a thousand cooking fires, many of which I had seen as tiny glowing specks from the plane as we approached the International Airport in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital. 

Seven months had passed since I left African soil.  Now the scent of wood smoke stirred in my nostrils the memory of rural Africa – not the aroma expected in a modern city.  How much could things have further deteriorated in the short time I had been away, I wondered.

The loving chatter of my parents, though pleased to have me home, was burdened by how things had gone down and how they were surviving.  An air of resignation echoed with the sad truth that even they now had to make drastic plans to seek a living beyond the borders of our beloved Zimbabwe.

My mind was weary from the many hours of travel and stress of the past few weeks of preparation to return to Africa.  Concentration was difficult.

My heart still tender, grieving over the sacrifices I had just made days prior, setting free a life and love most dear to my heart, I gazed out into the heavens beyond the hills and the dull city glow, seeking some reprieve.  Miraculously, as though hung in the sky just for me on this day at this time, the outline of Orion, the celestial hunter, bow in hand and sword at his side lay horizontally above the western sky line, bright, crisp and clear, renewed yet familiar, poignant with connection to the land and wilderness from which I had just come so many thousands of miles.  I smiled inside and let out a little laugh as I remembered fond walks beneath northern skies where the hunter runs upright over the frozen peaks of the White Mountains, and stands watch guarding weary travellers of the rugged red deserts in the south.

My mind made an effort to engage the conversation, my heart following reluctantly, until half an hour later Orion was replaced with another familiar friend, the Southern Cross.  And so I knew I had returned.

“What God, would you ask of me?  Because, ‘Yes. Lord,’ is the only answer I can afford to give.  ‘No, Lord,’ would require me to wander the desert, or circle the mountain yet again.”

Please pray for me as I seek the Lord’s perfect plan and strategy; for healing to my heart and mind from the oppression we have suffered in this land, and assurance and clarity of God’s purpose step by step as I walk out this life in this time.  He asks me for total surrender – of all I love and hope for.  I trust he shall return it to me hundredfold in this life and the next.  However, if he decides it is not best to do so, may God help me to be accepting, grateful, and glorify him still in everything.

My love to you, my friend, from an African Night!

Rowan

On My Way to Africa…

Enjoy my photo journal of African Mission Adventures in 2007 by clicking this link:  http://www.youtube.com/v/brit1hr48Ko

February 2008

Dear Friends and Family,

What a year 2007 turned out to be!  What promises 2008 holds for us now!  My friends, I am excited to see what faith-building opportunities the Lord has in store for the days ahead.  I thank God for you, and thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement along the road.  Certain pot-holes have been deeper than others, adding to the adventure!  But, God has been lifted high and His Kingdom advanced, made possible largely by your generosity and love. 

The Lord has been faithful to His covenant of Love and at times I have felt your prayers!  In May I miraculously survived a serious car accident (my beloved Land Rover sadly crumpled).  Praise God for protecting all concerned!  Though frightening to endure, I do believe God saved us from a worse case by it.  Miraculously, He gave me new direction through it!

And we know that he works all things together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28

While recovering from the accident at Overland Missions Base, I met Dr Frank Hubbell.  With a common love for God and wild things, we soon became friends.  A few months later I was living in his home in America, studying to instruct Wilderness Medicine with SOLO Schools!

I return to Africa in 2008 as a Missionary Associate with Mandate 3, a supportive ministry to other mission minded ventures.  With Overland Missions, Mandate 3 has me teaching as we launch the Village Medic Program in rural Zambian communities.  We envision that, trained in Wilderness First Aid, village School Teachers, Midwives, Social Workers and local Pastors, equipped with “buckets” of first-aid supplies, shall become the Village Medics.  To the school children, practical health skills and basic health care shall be introduced in classes, and a First-Aid Club should enable them to outreach into their own communities with health skills …and prayer!  Also, I shall be assisting with Geo- and Missionary Medic courses we provide to Overland Missions.

Then, joining Mandate 3 Pastoral team in seminars for Pastors around Zimbabwe, I further exercise my teaching wings, and my faith!  I shall also take the Word into Safari Areas of north and eastern Zimbabwe, just as I have these past three years, ministering to fellow guides, clients, camp staff and the local villagers.  Zimbabweans need so much encouragement and hope.

Thank you for courageously stretching your faith to provide for this work.  I have seen God’s powerful hand of provision toward me and to those who have faithfully supported me through 2007, both in Africa and in the USA!  It has been incredible!  God is always faithful, honouring the seed we sow with a good harvest.

Excited, I return in March to fulfil the Lord’s call “to prepare the saints for works of service” through pastoral and medical training.  Safaris generate about 20-25% of my operating budget needs.  The budget balance, and substantial one-time expenses such as a replacement vehicle, I believe shall come through prayer, love and generosity of others.  Would you continue your prayers, love and support for me?  Would you partner with me again in 2008, as I serve you in the Lord as your hands and feet to a hurting world?

Thank you for loving God and for your friendship.  We could not do this alone. 

With my love, trusting God richly blesses you through 2008,

Rowan