Global Outreach Website

Apr 10

In the spirit of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, I'd like to borrow a phrase heard across America, "Win or Go Home." Or in some circles they say, "Go Big or Go Home."

Soon our little band of 24 is about to head off on this Go Journey to Guatemala. Perhaps we should say, "Go Guatemala or Go Home." But that might be too exclusive. The individual stories of so many on our team are a testament to the reality that God loves His children around the globe and mercifully calls some of us into being His hands, feet, and voice. What an honor. So we are stepping out in faith and asking God to guide and provide for the week that we are away. Then we'll go home. (but tonight we pack)

But I don't believe anyone, after a week in country, wants to go home the same person. I sure don't. Frankly, there's a lot that I want to take home- memories, stories, photos, and new friends. There's also a lot that I'd like to not bring home with me- pride, self-reliance, jealousy, and a whole host of vices that hide beneath the surface of my upper middle class attire. I'd love to not bring home independent minded teenagers too. But the reality is that there is something more important than what we take or bring home. There is even something more important than how much effort we give to serve the Guatemalan villagers. What is most important is that God shows up.

With His presence, no man, woman, or child remains unchanged. At the end of chapter 3 in Paul's second letter to the people at Corinth, there is a powerful description of the glory that comes from being in God's presence during our Christian experience. Many a lengthy sermon has been preached on the beauty and wisdom of the passage. So I won't even attempt to unpack its riches. The verse says, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." Bottom line- As long as God shows up, we'll be transformed.

My first blog entry for the team is probably not ideal for exposing my shortcomings and deepest hopes. Yet it is important to recognize that we all have them and long for something better. And my own issues are neither reflective of the rest of the team, nor are they important in light of the jointly recognized need for our Heavenly Father to show up big and transform us.

But I'm not sure I can or should write without pouring some of myself into this Guatemalan adventure. So how should I briefly introduce myself? My name is Tom. I'm going on this journey with my wife Amy of 18 years and my soon to be 15 year old daughter Abby and my son, Nate, who turned 12 last week. My wife’s parents, Mike and Ann, are going as well, which heightens the thrill for our family. I'm a native of small town Iowa and came to faith in Jesus at 16 through an organization called Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The proposition that I had to choose between loving either myself & basketball OR loving Jesus, who died in my place as punishment for my sin, made sense to me. I decided to follow Him. Late in college I got involved with a Christian group who taught me about following Jesus daily. As I've grown over the years, my connection with Jesus is much more relational than it is merely propositional truth. I've been fortunate to be a member of two excellent churches here in Atlanta where I continue to learn so much about whom God created me to be and why He made me. A lot of that learning has occurred since 1996 when I was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer and given four months to live. Since then I've had 18 surgeries and done almost 30 months of chemotherapy, most recently finishing in December 2009. Two days after we return from Guatemala I'll have a CT scan to see if those pesky nodules that had metastasized to my lungs are still there. So my list of issues that I'd love to leave in Guatemala includes this cancer as well as my sin. But to say the least, my connection with God is tested and experiential for sure. I have kept this site as a regular blog over the years of which has given me practice at updates. I think new readers will find my writing style to be laced with transparent stories, reflective introspection, and an occasional dose of humor.

So my hope is that those reading about Go Journeys trip will grow in their appreciation for the Guatemalan people, laugh and cry at the adventures of many on our team, and most importantly, sense the presence of God working in us, around us, and through us. And maybe, without even knowing it, you'll read some sound theology and be drawn to consider the really good news in the gospel.

However, the only reality that truly matters is that God shows up. Without Him, nobody will be changed in a meaningful way. Transformation cannot happen without His grace. Either God shows up, or we might as well go home.

To Him be the glory!