"Truth be told I'm a bit of a disaster.…
I have gained way more from being part of this Hands family than I've given. Sometimes people ask me what I gave up to be here in Africa – I'm like, "nothing – I traded up".
Why...?
Well, I know that many of you can live healthy, fruitful, radical, sacrificial lives that create a better world and bring God's Kingdom down to earth without living in the Hands community.
But I don't think I can.…
To even come close I need this community of Hands.
I can think of four main reasons.…
You see, left to my own devices I drift and make bad decisions. I'm a better person when others are watching. In Hands we recognise this and we watch each other. We ask each other questions, tough questions actually. We ‘do life’ with each other, we get in each other’s business – the way I parent, the way I use my finances, my marriage, my relationships and my character are all open for other people to speak into and even challenge! We call this discipleship.
Left to myself I can become incredibly selfish – I can make life completely, 100% about me. It’s like my problems become the biggest thing in the world.… Being part of Hands and serving here in Africa gives me constant perspective and helps me to take my eyes off myself. I get to love and be loved by people whose lives and situations are often unthinkable. They live through injustices that are so wrong and heartbreaking. It is a gift for me to be part of their lives.
I constantly think I'm right! I often don't even realise where or how I'm missing the mark. Here at Hands I get to live and serve with people from different cultures, backgrounds and countries of birth. It’s often like having a light shone on my soul that highlights all the little dark areas that I didn't realise were hiding sin.
I need great examples in my life. I need great leadership. In Hands I've had the privilege and blessing to serve alongside some great leaders – many, if not the majority, African, and often women.
These are some of the ways being part of Hands has impacted my life."