I've been thinking lately. (Actually, I think always, but I digress.) I've been thinking that I may have too much ambition for Chad to bring all of those ambitions to fruition alone. To those of you who know me personally, you know me as a very ambitious person. I want to help at whatever way, shape or form that I physically and mentally am capable of no matter the cost. But the bad thing about ambition is the disappointment you may allow yourself to feel if you achieve anything less. I know that to achieve even one thing on my list of wishes for Chad would be a huge blessing, but I know that I probably won't be able to accomplish the entire list, let alone by myself.
Here's what I've been thinking: Why would I go there alone? I get to go and meet wonderful people and do wonderful things, so why should I be the only one who can experience that? Honestly, by me thinking that I'll be going alone, that's me being selfish. I want to share Chad and the glory there with anyone and everyone. Chad is not mine.
I think God is laying something new on my heart. I think He wants me to gather a group of those who love Him together so that we can make the difference He wishes to see. I don't think I'm supposed to be "the missionary who went to Chad"; I think He wants me to be one of those who changes Chad for the better. Plural, not singular. God has showed me that all great things done through Him should be shared so that others can see His grace. I want to share this.
So I am going to list off a few of my ambitions for Chad here. When I say it's very ambitious, I am not exaggerating. If you want to accompany me to Chad or you're interesting in going down for a mission trip or you just want to find a way to get involved after you read this, I'd be honored if you'd let me know. I may not be going to Chad permanently for a few years, but that doesn't mean that Chad has to wait on me.
In Chad, I wish to:
- Establish new schools for all ages. Almost half of Chad's people (46.7%) is 14 years of age or younger. This demographic needs to be reached because if we can reach the children, we can then reach the entire country as time progresses. Plus, higher education in Chad is practically non-existent. The only main university is the University of N'Djamena and it is severely underfunded (as is to be expected) and is falling to pieces. Those children deserve opportunities of higher education too. The more we educate the people, the better the country as a whole can become. We then can gain doctors, teachers, scientists, etc. Education is essential.
- Establish churches. In Chad, there already is a Christian population. It is not the majority of the country, but it is larger than some of Chad's African counterparts. (Southern Sudan would surpass Chad percentage wise, except Sudan has not split yet. However, it will soon. The referendum produced numbers of 99% in favor of the split.) Chad has a few churches establish, but again, they are falling apart. I want to put in not only new churches, but to re-establish the old ones too. God's message is too great to not be shared.
- Establish homeless shelters and refugee centers. Due to the strife in Darfur, Sudan, many refugees have traveled into Chad seeking a new home since theirs were destroyed. I want to provide these people with what they need so that they can survive until they go back to their old villages to rebuild, or I want to provide them with a way to become citizens of Chad. However, the homeless population of Chad is steep and I would not want to bring new citizens into the country just to have them living out on the streets. So with the refugee centers, homeless shelters would come as well.
- Strengthen Doctors Without Borders in Chad. To read why, you can refer here: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news/country.cfm?id=2286
- Establish orphanages. This one is huge for me, as my own home will serve as open for anyone who needs a place to stay (Both children and adults). However, a child who has lost their parents does not need to end up on the street (Obviously, nobody needs to end up on the street, but this is particularly dangerous for children). As I previously stated, 46.7% of Chad is 14 years old or younger. I want to give Chadian children what every child wants most: to be loved. Now, I will love every single person I come into contact with there, but those children (and the adults too) deserve more love than just mine. Any orphanages established will be more than a promise of family, but a guarantee. Any orphanages established will be through love, not desperation. The orphanages themselves will be homes filled with love and adoration. Plus, what better way to show a child the beauty of God than to provide them with love? My love may not be enough for all of these people, but God's definitely is.
- Clean up the country, one village at a time. This will take serious time and manpower that will most likely extend for years after I am dead, but it needs to be done. No country has to be third world. It will take a lot of effort to make this happen, but I think it's definitely possible (since all is possible through God). I know that I won't live to see the entire country lose third world status, but I want so much to be able to look down after I'm dead and see the good done and still being done there.
I told you I was ambitious. Now, I realize that I won't be able to do this alone, and that the effort will have to continue long after I'm gone, but I know that some serious good can be done. I'll probably establish a few organizations there so that all efforts will continue after my death. Progress should never be halted.
For the next several years, I am pretty much going to spread all of this to anyone who will listen. It may be obnoxious to some, but it needs to be done. I know that I'm not the only one who wants to make a change like this, and I want to find those people, love on them, and then share the beauty of Chad with them if they wish. Whether it's a donation or a mission trip or even becoming a citizen like I will, I know that anything helps.
I'm so excited about this. I feel so blessed. I can't even describe how much.
I know that changes like these take time and effort, but I know that it will be worth it. God wouldn't have it happen if the effort would just go to waste. He'd have people do something else. So I'm not tiptoeing into this. I'm diving headfirst.
But I'm not the only diver out there.
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