Why are we here?

by Anne Marie Cox | January 20, 2025

Jet lag.

I tried going to sleep at midnight and must have slept for a few hours. Around 4:30 am (about 8:30 pm in Des Moines), I heard a bird singing outside my window and knew there would be no more sleep this night. 

So I poked around in my bag and found “Everyday People: A Mission Journal” that Blessman International provided to us missionaries to ensure that our trip is set in the context of prayer and the focus is on God. Blessman International is a Christian, faith-based ministry, though people of all faiths or no faith are welcome to serve the children in South Africa.

I’m afraid in the busyness of work and home, I didn’t get very far in the journal. Forgive me, Dr Blessman! But I truly believe God will provide for what he wants, and in this case, apparently 4:30 am was a good time to think about Him.

We tend to think of ourselves as just ordinary people, like an ordinary pot made from clay. But God works through us - even in our cracks and blemishes - to accomplish what He wants.

Each day, we will reflect on four themes:

1. Center us. May we be open to where he is leading us.
2. Shape us. We ask God to use this mission experience to shape us. Let us recognize how God wants to use us to help his people.
3. Fill me. May God fill us with compassion, love, peace, patience, and whatever He feels we need.
4. Use me. May we act on where God’s Spirit leads us.

You know, these four themes might stick with me long after this mission trip. I invite you to consider these themes in your own life and follow along with our blog to hear of our adventures.