This is perhaps the "advice" I hear most often when the time draws near for my next departure to the mission field. Of course my response is always something like, "I will try my best," and that is a sincere reply. But the topic of safety, in general, makes my head swirl like those vanilla-chocolate mix ice cream cones! Now for many of you who have spoken those words to me--and probably in the last couple of days--hear me out...

Is Haiti "safe"? No. Was Namibia "safe"? No. But God graciously kept me under His hand of protection throughout my 7 months in Haiti and 18 months in Namibia. At the same time, I have other precious friends in both of these locations during those same months who have much different stories to tell. Does that mean they weren't also under God's protection? Of course not! But I am constantly reminded to give all thanks to God for His provision and I never want to take one second of His care for granted.

I'm not driven by safety. Yes, I have a brain and I consider it to be an intelligent one, but I suppose I am still a risk taker. I want to live life, experience every ounce of it, and when it comes to my faith and surrendering to God's call on my life, I want to be completely free to follow after His plan without being weighed down by worry and fear.

No, I am not superhuman. Many of the same thoughts and rationalizations enter my mind as they enter most of yours. Of course I think about what it means to live in a country with a severe rate of poverty and I know that desperation can be a breeding ground for some really bad stuff. So what's my alternative? Don't go? Stay in my comfy bed, safe from the evils of this world? And then that leads to my next question... Is America "safe"? I think we can all agree on that answer, especially in light of recent events. Yes, perhaps the "chances" are an -nth degree higher that "x" might happen to me in Haiti rather than the U.S., but my tomorrow here in America is just as uncertain. Goodness knows my own family is all too aware of that fact. And I suppose that's why James 4:14 says, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." Well, if my life is but a vapor, I'm determined to spend it wisely (by God's standards), to the fullest, and for Kingdom purposes! And I am convinced that if safety is my priority in this life, those things will not be accomplished.

I was encouraged by a reading in Acts tonight and immediately I had the urge to compose this blog entry. Paul writes in Acts 20:22-23, "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me." Wow... prison and hardships! Sounds exciting, doesn't it?

Now catch verse 24... "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

What a man of faith and such determination to serve the Lord! The only thing Paul knew for certain was that chains and afflictions await Him! But that didn't stop him--not even a moment of hesitation! Paul's priority was not safety. His priority was going where God led Him and telling a lost and dying world about the Saving Grace who is our Lord Jesus Christ. (If you aren't familiar with the many trials and sufferings Paul faced, check out 2 Corinthians 11:23-27.)

Of course it is my prayer (as I know it is yours) that I never have to face even a fraction of the hardships faced by Paul. How dreadful the thought. And I think prayers for safety and protection are valid prayers and prayers God delights in answering. Please know how incredibly appreciative and humbled I am for the prayers that any of you utter on my behalf! But I can't ignore the testimony of Paul's life and his devotion to the Lord whatever the cost. Even my own Savior was beaten and murdered in fulfillment of His purpose. And as I think about Jesus and Paul and many other pillars of our faith, I wonder what their reaction would have been to someone insisting that they "Be careful!" An interesting thought to ponder. (You can actually read Paul's response to one such occurrence in Acts 21:13-14.)

Bottom line... I have to go to Haiti, "safe" or not. I'm compelled to go, and I wouldn't be satisfied doing anything else at this moment. God has opened this door for me for 2013 and I'm going to run through it! I am so excited for what God has planned for this time back in Haiti!

Again, I do thank you for your prayers... for safety, for guidance, for patience, for boldness... however you are led to pray, I am truly grateful. I've said this before, but I don't know that I've ever written it out, I also ask for you to pray for my family--my parents especially. I can only imagine what it's like to see your daughter--still a little girl in your eyes despite the fact that she's in her third decade of life--hop on a plane for a country you've yet to see with your own eyes and of which you haven't always heard the most pleasant reports. Pray that God will fill them with a peace that passes understanding as they do the only thing they can do by placing me in the Lord's care and trusting Him as He leads my life. I truly will try my best to be careful, which for me means the obvious--paying attention to my surroundings, following the advice of those who know Haiti better than I do, traveling with others, learning the language, and generally not doing anything stupid.

I'll close with one of my favorite parts from the whole of C.S. Lewis' Narnia collection. Little Susan is listening to Mr. Beaver describe Aslan the lion who she will soon meet. Nervously, Susan asks, "Is he--quite safe?" To which Mr. Beaver replies, "Safe? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good."

Safety in the life of a Christian is not guaranteed, but the goodness of God is.

Oswald Chambers wrote, "Faith never knows where it is being led, but it knows and loves the One who is leading." I do not know what the next year will bring. I have an idea of what it may look like, but even if it's altogether different, it's okay. I'm following after God, whom I know and love--and who knows and loves ME--and truly that is all that matters.