On Our Way Rejoicing?

Why on our way rejoicing?  The phrase is actually from Acts 8 where Philip explains the gospel to the Ethiopian eunuch who immediately asks to be baptized. When they came up out of the water, Philip was carried away and the eunuch “went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39). In other words, the eunuch’s life had been completely transformed through an encounter with Jesus as he read the book of Isaiah. The gospel had infused his life with joy.

That’s the first thing we mean by “on our way rejoicing”. We want the entire journey of our lives to be defined by this joy in the gospel of Christ, no matter where he may take us.

So where could he be taking us? As many of you know, Lilli and I served at a missionary boarding school in Kenya called Rift Valley Academy (RVA) soon after Hannah was born. Lilli actually went to school and graduated from RVA.

A few months ago we were made aware that the school was in need of a staff chaplain and student health nurse. We’ve spent the last couple of months praying, researching, considering, getting counsel, and praying some more.

The result is that we feel God calling us to pursue these roles and return with our family (except Hannah who is in college) to Kenya. We will be attending a Connect Week with the mission agency, Africa Inland Mission in late February, and then begin the process of raising the support that will be needed.

So now on our way rejoicing also takes on new meaning. It includes our journey of preparation to spread the joy of Christ among staff and students in Kenya and to support their parents who are also spreading this gospel joy all over Africa!

However, here’s what on our way rejoicing does NOT mean. It doesn’t mean that we are eager to move away from our family, our friends, our church, or our community! In fact, that’s about the last thing we feel like “happily” doing!

One evening when I was in high school, I found myself in our church library and bored. Perusing the books, I laid my hands on an incredible missionary biography of a family serving in East Africa. The Lord used that book to give me a heart for Africa and missions. The book’s title? On Our Way Rejoicing!

At the beginning of the book, it is thought that the author’s father had died at sea returning to East Africa at the request for help. A reporter had come to interview the father’s mother when the news had become public, and asked her, “Why did he want to go out to Africa when he knew it would be so dangerous.”

Instead of replying, she simply read some lines from his last letter,

“We are not going out on an adventure trip. This is a matter of urgent business for the Kingdom of God. Why should we not be confident? In giving his disciples the great commission, our Savior assured them, ‘Behold, I am with you always.’”

Ah, there is the secret to being on our way rejoicing no matter where he leads, because his presence is always with us. So it’s not that we have joy in leaving, but we know that true happiness is being exactly where he wants us. And that’s also the safest place to be. We’ll continue to keep you updated along this journey and would appreciate your prayers!