Being that our lives are in Africa, you can imagine that this would be true. We kind of live on the edge. Even at the moment I have a fever of an unknown origin that may be for all I know Swine Flu along with all the other symptoms. Too bad there isn’t anyone to check for it here, or I might make the news and get quarantined like all the Mexicans in Hong Kong. Last November we had all the symptoms of SARS (hysterical I know). The high fever lasted for five days, I lost ten pounds, that I didn’t gain back and our whole family had it within four days. We quarantined ourselves that time. Of course no one was there in Togo that could verify it. Not that I am trying to make the news or anything, but sometimes the edginess of life here kind of seeks you out.

There are other times that you seek it. Call us crazy, nuts, whatever, it is pretty fun to be chased on foot by a bull elephant, and live to tell about it. Holding a crocodile by the tail can be rather low key at the moment until later you realize how quick that moment could have changed. Of course driving here is the real kicker. Every time you sit behind the wheel, it is as if God calls out an extra angel or two.

Then there is life for your kids. One such game park occasion that I have a wonderful picture of is that of three of my sons being charged by an elephant while they just stood there with a pea shooter toting park ranger. He did stop, by the way, but in the picture it looks as though it could go either way. Then there is the risk of sickness for them. Me, I don’t mind malaria so much for myself (my number of cases has been in the double digits now for years) but it is pretty scary when those unexplained fevers, body aches, and chills hit your child broadside on a day or night that you can’t get a test.

There is their future to consider. What will they do one day? Where will they live? What language will they speak? Who will they marry? Will they go to college or tour the world (especially since we have vicariously trained them to travel on a dime, adapt to cultures as they go along and learn languages on the spot).

Then, there are the real tests. There are the attacks from people motivated by spirits of division, greed, deceit, and whatever else is dark and light absorbing. Often it is in the shadows, undermining us and our work. Sometimes it is petty, but when twenty petty things occur in one day, especially after a real good one, you begin to see it as an attack. Then there are the blatant frontal attacks that can even come from those who claim the spirit of Christ. Those are scary and bewildering.

You are beginning to get the picture. Satan hates us being here. He will take any opportunity to hurt us physically, spiritually, or emotionally in order to get us to leave, especially if we are bent on spreading the peace, joy, grace, truth, and love of Jesus. I want to take this a step further, though. It is you, as well, who walk along the edge, at least I hope you are. It is you as well that the enemy hates and wants to destroy. For you have made a series of decisions that have put a very large target on your back and price on your head. The enemy hates everyone he cannot control. So, every day that we grow further from his grasp because of the deepening submission to the Holy Spirit we get a little closer to the edge.

I like the edge. When I am aware of the edge, I walk carefully and I pray a lot. I take advantage of opportunities and live a fulfilling life. I long for His Word. More than anything, though, it makes me want to go home to be with Him. He is King of the edge walkers.

Be at peace. Enjoy the journey. Persevere in the times of trouble. Focus on Jesus!

John 16:3 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”