Corey McNamara

God does something different in my heart every time I go out to the mission field. He gives me a new glimpse into what it will be lke in eternity. He draws out of me a new Christ-like attribute or gift. Sometimes it’s all about my pursuit of excellence. Other times God is calling me to be a prayerful intercessor. Still other times I am called to be an encourager for my team. It’s different every time.

Collect call from Kable will you accept the charge:

Africa, a land we know very little of in America but which is becoming very, very known to us here in Kabale.  Africa is everywhere you look here most of all in the beautiful faces. We also find Africa in the things we don’t see, like washcloths and a doorknob to our bathroom.  These are small incontinences compared with how much the people of this special place display love for visitors. 

Through early morning eyes we walk toward the humble home hoping it belongs to Pastor Benjamin.  He was a crucial part of our success in Gisenyi so when he invited Tony and myself to his home we were happy to say yes.  He’s a quiet, humble man, the selfless sort often to a fault but not in a weak way.   If I remember right he’s running a household of 10 children of which at least 2 are orphans.   There’s no car in the driveway in fact there’s no driveway at all.  In it’s place just a pile of black rocks soon to be fashioned into a fence or short wall.  We knock and I’m relieved to see his silhouette resting on the fabric inside the bared and locked door.  A few rushed snaps and clicks and we’re welcomed inside with a warm smile.

Our destination was the highest and largest church in Gisenyi.  As we slowly drove up the hilly road I could see a steady stream of people headed in the same direction. 

The crusade (or “Great Great Gospel Festival”) is quickly approaching. It’s really happening. The enormity of it all is overtaking me but it’s also drawing out the best in me. Our East Africa Team is growing more focused and intense as the hours tick by. Dana, Karman and Randy have arrived today. But I need to put all that out of my mind when I go to preach.

It’s 9 in the morning and we’re driving through the twisting bolder
infested streets.  We're struggling to find the church where I’m to
preach. With the day starting to get hot we drop the windows giving us
our first clue that we are close.  The unmistakable sound of African
worship leaks into the car and I reflexively smile like it’s Christmas
day.

The day on paper looked like a nothing day.  Nothing but a travel day.  Nothing more than getting in the trouper and driving to Bujumbura Burundi.  Definitely nothing in the plan that would change eternity. So with my morning prayer I asked for nothing short of a miracle.  I began by asking God to place me in a situation where only he could be the solution.  I prayed that people would hear the story and instantly surrender all to Jesus.  I prayed hard and when I was done I expected to see something

We’re running late so I’m forced to travel in full preaching gear.  I loosen the tie and loose the top button attempting to cool off and relax.  The results were less than stellar.   As I writhe and shift I find myself plotting, scheming, dreaming of a way to get free.  Then I get this crazy idea to get even more UNcomfortable. It’s true, Africa continues to jack with my normality.  While here I’m consistently tempted to do something radical. For example Just a few days ago the thought crossed my mind to take a month and live just like the people I’m preaching to live.  Give everything in my luggage away and just see how it feels.  You know, spend some time getting dirty, hungry, needy.  I began to crave the chance to really try Africa on.  See if I’ve got the stuff to handle it. I began to double-dog dare myself to make a run for it.  It would take some serious stones and if I lived through it... it would be a great story.

It’s an odd thing, knowing why you’re on this earth.  Me? I’m an evangelist.  I evangelize people.  Not only that, but I evangelize to people to be evangelists.   It’s fair to say that it’s not very trendy.  In fact when asked about my profession I say, “I’m the International Director for aLn. A non-for profit that works with churches to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the world”.   It’s just enough info to be an answer but just enough mystery to beg another question or two and keep the conversation going.  What to be left alone... say you’re an evangelist.  Honestly though, my paragraph of a reply is not the most accurate way to answer that question. So this is a day in the life of an EvangelistSLASHinternational Director for aLn an non-for pro....whatever the rest is.

I’ve never been a big fan of nature shows.  Not a big animal planet watcher. Pretty much if some guy wasn’t sticking his hand in the mouth of a Crocodile (RIP Steve Erwin) I wasn’t biting.  That was until HD TV.  Suddenly, watching the gazelles jump/glide across the plain was fascinating.  Even watching clouds float across my screen in HD was mesmerizing.   My point? Africa has me mesmerized.