“Please, please. I beg of you more time. I didn’t account for the laughter!” That was George Verwer speaking at an Urbana missions conference over thirty years ago, imploring the leaders to extend his time as he gave a talk that made me roar with laughter and rethink my life choices!
I saw George speak several times over the years and always enjoyed his candor, humility and passion. His book Revolution of Love and Balance left a dent on my psyche. I got to meet George in person a few years ago and briefly thank him for the way he’d blessed me.
Determined that Jesus was worth it, he challenged people to do crazy, world-changing things. I would love to grow up and mobilize like George Verwer.
It was while doing one of those crazy things that I met Viju Abraham. Although we’d landed in his city of Mumbai unannounced, Viju helped our team find places to stay, showed us where Muslims lived and shared his heart and ministry for the city.
A consummate networker, Viju introduced us young, bumbling Americans to key ministry leaders. Even more so, he endorsed us. I think it was his passionate commitment to Jesus and Mumbai that pushed him to take such risks.
When I grow up, I want to love and serve a great city like Mumbai the way Viju did.
As I write, it’s my birthday. I’m grateful for another year of life, for satisfying work, for a family that’s bigger and better than I deserve and for the cloud of witnesses, recently joined by George and Viju, that surround us.
Ramadan ended on April 20th, so Eid al Fitr is today! If you’re reading this Muslim Connect when it drops, here’s something fun you might do: Visit my friend Jeannie’s website, grab an image and put it in your social media status. I just did!