Some people may say...

Some people may say why go to Africa? It's primitive and under-developed. There's war and disease. Here in America you have all the comforts, technology, healthcare and ease of life you could ever ask for. First of all, Jesus constantly condemned a love of wealth and comfort, calling people instead to a life dedicated to God (Mt 19:21, 29). If a desire for comfort prevents us from following Christ, we must seriously reevaluate our priorities. Second, religious statisticians have observed that the center of global Christianity is no longer the West (N. America and Europe; 41% of the world's Christians) but rather the Global South (Latin America, Africa, Asia; 58%). By the year 2025, it is estimated that 1 out of every 4 Christians in the world will live in Africa. There is no doubt that God is moving in Africa, preparing them to be a major player in the world Christian movement. Why wouldn't you want to be a part of that? Third, it's true that some of the greatest social issues in the world today exist in Africa (poverty, malnutrition, orphans, child slavery, racism, HIV/AIDS, etc.). Is that not, then, where God will accomplish some of the greatest feats of love, mercy and justice? The Dark Continent needs the Light of the World (Jn 8:12).

Some people may say why go to Namibia? It's a small, insignificant country which nobody has ever heard of. There are only 2 million people and have little to no influence in today's international world. But God says how many of you were called because you were wise, influential, or noble?? No, rather "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; He chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong . . . so that no one can boast before him" (1 Cor 1:27, 29). Jesus himself hailed from the small town of Nazareth and ministered in the backwoods province of Judea rather than the industrious and influential Rome. Perhaps Namibia has far more potential in the economy of God than some people realize.

Some people may say why go to the desert? It's hot and dry and leaves you thirsty, sunburned and miserable. There are sandstorms and droughts, and did I mention it's stinkin hot! But the physical conditions of the desert picture our spiritual condition before Christ. We were dead in our sins, bearing no fruit because we weren't attached to the vine (Eph 2:1; Jn 15:4). We were a barren, desolate wasteland. Such is the spiritual condition of the lost in Namibia. But Jesus is the Water and Bread of Life (Jn 4:14; 6:35). Those who seek him to satisfy their spiritual hunger and thirst will be satisfied and blessed (Mt 5:6). He will renew the wasteland, water will spring up in the wilderness and flowers will bloom in desert (Is 35:1-2).