GlocalNet

I don’t want to go to Africa--everyone is going there! There’s no real need for me to focus there. Everyone will follow Rick Warren or Bono there--depending on your flavor. I like Africa. I love Kenya. My wife is going to Kenya in December to speak to pastor’s wives. I’ve been to the Serengeti.

I don’t have time to go to Africa--too much going on in other places. Glocalnet guys are in several nations and I’m mentoring and connecting many. It isn’t a priority.

A man wants me to meet a US Senator that has a heart for Africa. I’m learning to say no these days--too much going on. I say “no.” Deep breath--it’s okay to say no. That wasn’t so hard!

A very wealthy man I know in our area wants to meet with me--the same day I say no to the Senator. Out of the blue, he asks me to help with an orphanage he’d like to see in Nigeria. I explain I don’t do Africa. If, in the future, some pastors want to go, I’ll keep it in mind.

A man who works in Nigeria who is a doctor, veterinarian and a classic “nation builder,” without knowing the lingo or concepts, wants to meet me. He happens to be in the States and is the one who would oversee the orphanage. If he’s goofy, a nut, not solid, I won’t do it. I halfway expect him to be. He isn’t! He’s sharp and the real deal! He’s developing a cattle ranch for the people there. He’ll be hard to say no to.

A man who works with orphans in another nation our church works with regularly calls me--we’re partnering on a project. I ask him if he knows about Nigeria. He says, “Sure--35 years ago that was the first place he visited and he’d love to do something there with orphans.” Wow! He says there’s a Senator that lives two houses down from him that has a heart for Africa--you guessed it--the guy I didn’t meet.

OK God. I’m no idiot--I’ll go. The man has paid for my way to go. Another man I helped bring to God is the one who wanted me to meet with the man who wants the orphanage in Africa. I called my friend, “I love you, Andy, but there’s a lot going on, please make sure the guy is serious. I’ll tackle this, but only if he will put up the money for the orphanage--I don’t have time to horse around.” Andy says he’ll talk to him. Before Andy has a chance, the man calls him and tells him he’s already transferred the money.

I’m going to Africa--Jambo Bwana!