Up next!

Just eleven weeks ago, I sat with some friends, talking about what I was hoping for in my next "season" of life.  It seemed that God had closed the door on my last season, so what was next?

"I just want to get a regular 40 hour job that will pay me" I said.  "I'm tired of doing new things, being the pioneer.  I just want a normal schedule, and a normal paycheck."  Simple, right?  Yeah, you probably know where this is headed.

A week after I talked to them, I found myself at a gathering of Christian leaders.  I got talking to someone who was a leader at the gathering, who does a lot of work in Africa.  When he learned more about what I'd been recently doing (that "closed door" I'd just mentioned), he got very excited.  "Africa desperately needs leadership training.  Would you consider sharing with the African church?"  

"Uh... What exactly does that mean?" I asked.  

"I'm not sure.  But we'll talk more" was his reply.

This idea was so crazy, that I mentioned it to another leader.  Her response?  "I think you should come get your Doctorate of Ministry with me (she heads up a program that I was already well aware of) and your dissertation should be on creating an affordable, transferable, multipliable leadership training program for the majority world." 

Wow.  That was REALLY CRAZY.  So, I said what all good pastors say when they think an idea is crazy:  "Um...I'll think and pray about it."  Actually, those are dangerous words.

Since those initial conversations, God has been opening doors like crazy...

1. I've been accepted to the program, granted the credits I need to enter this program without needing to take other course work, AND someone has offered the funds I'll need for schooling.

2. With a free plane ticket (I "just happenened" to get bumped off a flight!) & friends offering last-minute housing, I was able to attend my denomination's "General Conference" where I talked to key African leaders.

3. The Lord has brought me some key "partners" in this journey:  people committed to praying for me, committed to journeying with me (still don't know exactly what that means, but there's a willingness!), and...

4. At least one (maybe more) other person who will be working on their doctorate at the same time, coordinating with me to bring this to fruition (the fact that there's a willingness on the part of the academic institutions for multiple people to work together is amazing in and of itself).  Since I'm a team person, this is huge... and the last "piece of the puzzle" that I was looking for before I'd commit. 

 The first other person to commit is Jackie.  She's someone I "click" with, she's fun and smart...and did I mention she's already done quite a bit of work in Africa, and has lived there for a significant amount of time? (In addition to having 30 years of ministry experience).  Being on this journey with others makes all the difference.

So... It's definitely not nine to five.  And there is no paycheck.  I'm still pioneering.  But as I looked at all those "9 to 5 jobs"?  I confess... They looked pretty boring.  I'm glad The Lord knows better than I do.