I’ve been meditating a lot on an old testament prophet’s words, “Behold, I am doing something new.” There is an important reminder for me in this ancient wisdom. A call to remain ever watchful for where God is working and what the right next step is to join God in that work.
In another translation of Isaiah’s words, the call to behold becomes “be alert, be present.” God speaks through and to Isaiah that, ‘everything is going to look a whole lot different. I’m up to something new and impossibly surprising. Join me in the journey of growth.’
Practicing presence and alertness has been my walk for many years but it’s seemed extra urgent in 2020. What has 2020 been teaching you?
Isaiah reminds us to stay open to the shifts and switches and sharp turns that life’s journey brings us all on — because every moment and new thing can be our teacher. God calls each of us on the journey of growth.
Last week, I had the honor of meeting with all of our indigenous directors to discern and discuss the “something new” God was up to in our anti-human trafficking network. Francis, Ezekiel, Jane, Eugenio, Peter, and James (pictured above) all met together in Nairobi, Kenya for our African Leadership Summit. The USA team (Rob and I) joined by Skype for a series of important sessions.
During our time, we named the painful places that 2020 brought and discerned together about our next steps for deepening LUV’s holistic empowerment model that prevents trafficking and empowers children and women to thrive as change agents in their own lives and communities.
In spite of it’s virtual nature, our meetings were really rich and very exciting because we could all sense the bursting out of the brand new thing that God is up to — both right now in our midst and building momentum for a stronger future.
This brings me to our “something new” logo and updated website! Our new logo reflects this very vision of seeking out and participating in something new that God is doing in Sudan and South Sudan. The icon portrays an individual growing beyond oppression and thriving for the benefit of the community it is planted within. It captures our values of love, gratitude, and empowerment.
We envision a world where vulnerable children and women are empowered and, through them, war-torn communities are transformed.
In these uncertain times, our work now is also more critical than ever. Your prayers and financial partnership will help us save lives. Join us.