What's in a name?

I've thought long and hard about what to title this blog.  I've considered names having to do with the kids in the countries I'm visiting- Kings and Queens, The Least of These, Sons & Daughters (John 1:12) I've thought of names that have to do with God's purpose and the journey of obedience- Be Still (Exodus 14:14), Earnestly Seeking (Hebrews 11:6), Good Pleasing and Perfect (Romans 12:2), Seek First (Matthew 6:33), Seek With All Your Heart.  Names having to do with God's transformation in our lives- Unveiled Faces (2 Corinthians 3:18).  Names about going- Therefore Go (Matthew 28:19), To the Ends of the Earth (Acts 1:8), and names that are current song lyrics- Strangely Dim, Already There, A Beautiful Life I Live, Kings & Queens.  And it's hard to choose one because I want to challenge and encourage people in all of these things- to serve the least of these, to seek God's purpose, to be transformed by God's work, to go if it's across the world or outside your comfort zone.  So what's in a name?  Does it really matter, will it make you read more?

Complete in Us.  I chose this name because that is what all the mission organizations I love and what this trip is about, God's love being made complete in us.  That while we may hope to alleviate poverty, and feed children, and make sure they're educated, and save them from rough situations, it's all in vain if it's not done in God's love and not done to show God's love to them.

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, 

God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.  1 John 4:12

So while this is a blog for my trip to Africa and maybe other trips after, and while I'll probably share about the scenery or the crazy food I'm eating because I love those things, it will be a blog about the ways God is working in the world. 

Over the past year, God has blessed me with friends who continually share God's faithfulness in their lives and that's such an amazing thing to have in front of you- that God is always at work.  And He always wants to use us in that work.  Even if you can't see Him working presently in your life, surround yourself with those who will remind you that He does.