Should Not Happen

There are so many things we see and experience where we look at it and say,
"This should not have happened!"

The death of Trayvon Martin is one of those things.
If this is news to you- Google it.
If you have made judgments about this already- remember this.

I wrote about justice earlier today.
I'm not sure what justice looks like here.
We cannot bring him back.
We cannot stop people from assuming a young black man will harm them- even when he's only carrying a bag of skittles and an iced tea.

All I can think is- we have to stop this kind of thing.
All of it.
We need to stop assuming the worst of people who look, think, act differently than we do.
We need to stop being so afraid.
We need to stop being so afraid of difference.

For sure- Trayvon Martin was afraid.

I wrote about privilege earlier today- about the basic core that- for me- that being born white endows me with privilege- its power and privilege that I didn't ask for, but that I have.
Because, when it comes down to it-- this article "White People, You will Never Look Suspicious" is actually pretty right on.

There is nothing that is okay about what happened to Trayvon Martin.

Will every young black man fear now?
Did he already?

What do we tell their mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, Grandmas, Granddads?
What do we tell ourselves when this happens.

What hope do we have for an end to racism, fear, ignorance?

To me- these are demons - that must be cast out.
To me- these keep us chained from living into the freedom Christ offers.
This should not happen.
But it does.

Ism's keep us in bondage-- "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1

When you ask the questions?
When you stand up and say, "This is wrong. This should not happen."
It matters.
It raises the consciousness of those around you.
It educates.
And God willing- it transforms.
Relationships create transformation.


If the death of Trayvon Martin does not bother you, I believe you may need to dig deeper.
I am not saying that to shame you- to make you feel bad. Not at all....
Rather I say this to release us from the illusive comfort of numbness.
Sometimes we would just rather not know... It is overwhelming and sad and haunting....



Is knowledge power? Is knowing that this happened a good thing?
Because we can feel defeated with knowing... this has already happened....
It should not have happened.

But I do believe that knowing is good.
We are broken and we feel more broken by this.
And yet we gather our shards of brokenness together-
To understand that this is not the end.
And to know we will stand in solidarity with all the other broken-hearts.
And together we will lift our voices and say - No more.

Justice and Mercy

There has been much much talk lately about the Kony 2012 campaign launched by Invisible Children. There have been many thoughtful responses and criticisms raised about this and some that perhaps have come about and felt not so thoughtful...

Rachel Held Evans summarized a lot of great resources here.
I really enjoyed reading this post too.
There are so many posts and articles going on about this right now, another blogger (and I am in no means a "professional blogger") do not really need to throw another one out there.

But a lot of this brings to mind a theology of justice AND mercy.

When Kevin was a youth director in the suburbs of Detroit we took a group of privileged youth from the suburbs of Detroit to Appalachia for a mission trip back in 2002. We had about 10 ish kids go on this trip.

Kevin and I were very clear that when we took these (fairly wealthy) kids to a very poor place we did not want them all coming back and saying,
"I learned on the mission trip that I am SOOOO blessed with all I have because they have nothing."

Mission isn't about patting yourself on the back and saying-
"Wow, I'm glad I'm not as bad off as those people."
Mission is not about comparison.
Mission isn't about going to teach people how they should do things.
Mission isn't you bringing Jesus to people-- because (wake up call) Jesus is already there!

Doing mission is about learning, connecting, sharing, loving.
It's about meeting people and being present with them.
It's about learning more than it is about teaching.
It's seeing that God was at work before you came, and God will be at work after you leave.
It's knowing that you don't bring the kingdom. Jesus does.
You get to be a part of the kingdom-- you get to live in and into the kingdom.

You do not bring the kingdom.

Mission is not about you.
Mission is not about fixing anyone.
Mission is seeing Christ at work.
Mission is creating relationships with sisters and brothers in Christ.
Mission is mission whether you even speak the words of Christ to those you are serving with.
Sometimes you preach the Gospel without words.


The kids on that mission learned a lot- Kevin and I did a lot of teaching with them about justice AND mercy and the power of both.

SO what do I mean when I say justice and mercy?

Often Mercy Ministries come in the form of feeding hungry mouths, clothing the naked, giving handing out bus tokens/tickets, paying for prescriptions, keeping people from being evicted by paying their rent, keeping the lights, heat, etc. on, etc. You get it.

Mercy Ministry is important.
Mercy Ministry comes in the day to day survival.
Mercy Ministry is the what (what needs to be done).

Justice Ministry is the why.
Why does this happen? What causes this?
Justice ministry works to end the what of the mercy ministry.

For instance: Why do we have homelessness?
Well-- there are lot of reasons: mental health, health care, job loss, drug issues, domestic violence, Abuse, lack of affordable housing, war, etc. LOTS and LOTS of reasons.

In Detroit - we often had a problem with people having their Landlords raise the rent every month on them- and they lived in horrible conditions with no accountability. Our church and others had asked why? Why were so many people unable to stay in their homes? What was happening to cause this? When we asked- we found out. Then what? Many people advocated for better laws to keep this for happening. Several organizations working for housing reform helped lead this effort including our church.

Mercy Ministries are Needed
Justice Ministries are Needed.

Depending on who we are, we may tend to favor one or the other.
Dom Hélder Pessoa Câmara was a Roman Catholic Archbishop is famous for stating:

"When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint.
When I ask why they are poor, they call me a communist."

I remember when Kevin and I went to seminary. We were in Atlanta on the campus of Emory University and every once in awhile someone who scoff and say, "What! You're drinking a Coke-Cola! They are such a horrible company...yada yada..."

We were like- uh-- look around- we are in Atlanta- we're on the campus of Emory! Really? Really? That's your thing?

I've also known folks who have said- "Building a house is the real work, feeding folks is real... letter writing isn't." Or people who say, "Walking in protest is just hippie stuff that doesn't do anything."

Letter writing, protest- can do a lot of good.
Talking to our legislators can do a lot of good.
And it isn't just something that helped people in 60's.
It changes things that often may need change.

Drinking that coca-cola may not help anything but my caffeine in-take-- but shaming someone? not sure if that's a great thing.
Every day we are participating in a global system. Every day we are voting with our dollars. Sometimes we are really aware of a particular company or corporation and we choose not to patronize them because of their polices. We want them to change their policy because they experience a lack of profits which force them to address it.
I have an Iphone- which I am sure has been made by people who do not make a living wage and they are likely working in poor conditions. What do I do about that? Where do I start?
Every day we are surrounded with these choices- and often it can feel overwhelming and paralyzing...

But I do not think shaming someone is helpful.

Judging, shaming someone because they do mercy work.
And you think they should do justice work.
Judging and shaming someone because they do justice work.
And you favor mercy work.

Well, that just doesn't work.

Shaming someone because they aren't like you or don't think or do things like you- not a such good thing. (see Matthew 7:5)

I think critique is good. Asking questions is good. Challenge is good.

I actually thought this was a good piece offering challenge about all of this recent controversy.

However- I do feel like he's a little rough on folks.

How does he know folks haven't thought about the things he is raising up?
Can he invite dialogue and conversation without shaming the work they are actually doing?
Can respect be more a part of the conversation?

I think criticism about this can be tough for well meaning privileged Caucasians.

It's important to have an awareness of yourself and ask: Who am I do go and do this?

I am a white girl from Virginia-- and here I am in downtown Birmingham, San Francisco, Puerto Rico, Mozambique, Detroit, etc. (some of the places I have served)

You ask the "Who AM I?" question- you deal with your own privilege.
You really do need to deal with it- and wonder what expectations, presumptions, judgments you come in with.
If you come with a "pull yourself up from the bootstraps" theology --its time to evaluate that. (Some people truly have no boots, no straps, nothing to pull them up-- and frankly, anyone who says this, anyone who thinks they did it all on their own are sadly mistaken-- they had a community, family, teachers, resources, support, etc--they may not see it- but none of us do it alone. Even if we feel forsaken by others-- God is present- we are never alone.)

After we deal with our own biases, think of our own context, etc- I believe we can assert:
Who am I NOT to go?

But you go with the right intentions.

Before every Service Learning Trip at Birmingham-Southern College we met for months to discover and work to understand what service truly meant and how to connect without cultural paternalism where and to whom we were going.

In training to be a US-2 Missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries I experienced training that forced me to confront my own privilege, racism, cultural biases, etc.

I had classes in seminary- that pushed this awareness in my face.

My classmates and I signed up for a class called RE-501 (where we all thought we'd learn how to write bible studies) instead we learned how to deconstruct and deconstruct and deconstruct....
Instead we read books like "Learning to Be White" and read books by bell hooks and worked on understanding our own cultural, racial, and teaching biases.
Some folks felt like that was a waste of time-- yet,
it really did a lot to help many of us - get outside ourselves.

And see. And ask questions. And work on not presuming.

SO much that has been wrong in ministry and missions is that people have gone to fix, presuming they understand what was needed better than the people who were indigenous to the situation.
So much of mission has been and can be paternalistic.

What's it like to be homeless? How should we end homelessness? Ask a homeless person.
Sure, ask experts too- but go and be with the people and love them.
Don't think you can spend a week "being homeless" and know what its like.
(When people go and do this for a week or month, or whatever it seems blind to me)
Don't think you can go to Africa and work on a building a school and speak with authority about Africans.
When we went to Mozambique, the people of Cambine taught us how to build the foundation of the school there, they taught us about their life. They taught us. We shared love and compassion, and a willingness to be in relationship. I visited hospitals - both run by the government alone and funded by the United Methodist Church-- There is a big difference.
I saw the church making a difference. And that was a good thing. It was done not to say "look! we're making a difference!" It was done because it was what was needed. And it was not run by outsiders, it was led by people who lived there and new the people.

I don't think you can ever leave your own privilege-- you can not abdicate your own power.

But you can use it.

I really have always hated the phrase that good, well meaning people say:

"I want to be a voice for the voiceless."

Really? If you do that- you keep oppressing their voice..

Don't try to be their voice-- lift up their own voice!

Talk with them, ask them, know them, care for them, be in relationship with them, encourage them.

But know that you cannot be their voice for them. You can be a voice with them.

I'll never forget working with my homeless sisters and brothers in the Creative Arts Program offered through the N.O.A.H. Project and sitting with them and saying- "Let's write a poem together." And seeing them go from saying, "I can't" to saying "Look what I just wrote" and seeing it published in our own N.O.A.H. Newsletter and then seeing them awaken to their gifts that were there all the time. Awaken to finally seeing their own worth!

One of my favorite quotes about leadership was introduced to me in a Leadership Class in college- by one of my all time favorite professors Dr. Rog- it goes something like this (I've seen it quoted different ways).
“A leader is best when people barely know that he exists, Not so good when people acclaim him, Worst when they despise him. ‘Fail to honor people, They fail to honor you;’ But of a good leader, who talks little, When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, They will all say, ‘we did this ourselves.”
- Lao Tzu

I always thought that was a pretty awesome quote. Jesus never said, "Hey look at me! I am awesome!" He gave credit and glory to God.

See the glory wherever you go-- don't assume you bring it with you.

God's glory is everywhere.

There is so much here-- the thoughts I have on this topic could be a book- and I'm sure many people have written books on this.

I think we are so quick to judge and criticize.
Just because someone makes a video about a topic doesn't mean they don't also see the fuller picture.
But also just because you post something on your Facebook page- doesn't mean you are an activist - doesn't mean you've "done it."
It may mean you are sharing good news- and important needs for justice.

But don't stop there.
Keep learning.
Keep doing justice and mercy.
Research, Learn, Explore.
Learn, Connect, Serve.
We're never done. Never.
There is much to do.

Justice and Mercy are not an Either/Or
They are a Both/And

Resources on Justice And Mercy
Great Sermon from Rev. Dean Synder
Mission and Ministry: What does it mean to be in ministry with?
http://www.ministrywith.org/learn/
What does it mean to be a missionary today?
What does mission mean and look like?
Go Here
Justice and Advocacy
Why is Justice Ministry Important? What does it matter?
The United Methodist Social Principles

Prayer at the Post Office

I just came back from the Post Office.
This morning I made visits and took communion to home-bound folks.
I had some lunch.
Came back returned calls and emails.
Had a message from a couple coming for counseling needing to reschedule.
Confirmed that 6 families are participating in the Baptism Class I am teaching tonight.
And then I walked across the street to the Post Office to mail a prayer shawl to someone whose father just died.

(I'm usually horrible at mailing things-- It's something I really want to improve on).

Usually when I go to the post office, I'm worried it will feel like this:


A long line and grumpiness all around.

There was not a very long line. A had a pen and let a man borrow it.
I got my stuff together.
I saw one of my church members, Sally* whose husband died a few months ago and said hello.
A woman near me asked if I made the shawl I was sending.
I pulled it out - to reveal the label "Made by Messiah Prayer Shawl Ministry." (Messiah had given out 1040 prayer shawls to share God's love and comfort.)

I shared that this was a ministry that folks from the church did to share their love and God's comfort. "You're from the church just over there?" she pointed across the street. "Yes." She shared that a friend had given her a prayer shawl when she recently had a surgery.
"Is that a thing Methodist Churches do?" She asked.
"I know many do - but I think lots of different churches do this too."

I was called up and made my purchase. The Post Office attendant - Linda-asked if this was a gift for someone. "Someone's birthday?" No, this is for a woman whose father passed away. It is a prayer shawl. "Did you make it?" No- its a ministry of my church to tangibly feel God's comfort.
"That is really nice," Linda the attendant said.
We finished up and I said, "Thank you Linda- Have a wonderful day!"

I then went to follow up with my church member Sally and see how she was doing. She and I caught up - I learned some prayer concerns about her family and wrote them down.

Then I realized the woman I had chatted with earlier was standing and waiting for me. I looked up and Betty said goodbye. The woman- Paula was standing there with a note she had written. Betty said hello to her and then goodbye and Paul went on to share some prayer concerns for members of her family with me. We were standing just on the side out of the way.
She came to herself and asked for prayer. She had just undergone chemo for Lukemia and is remission. She just had her wisdom teeth out and was black and blue. She would soon have a bone marrow transplant. She is musician and had heard of our church's music ministry and hoped to play someday with us. I said, "Paula, would you like to pray now?" Yes she said.
And we did.
I prayed that God would continue to comfort her and wrap her in peace that passes all understanding. I prayed for continued healing and wholeness and that she would feel God's strength in her and know and feel the presence of Christ walking with her and know that Messiah UMC would hold her in prayer as well.

Amen.

I looked up and tears were welled in her eyes and mine. I invited her to church and invited her to dinner tonight and our organ concert tonight. She offered to drive me across the street to the church. I thanked her but needed the walk.

I left with her prayer concerns to add to the prayer list.
I left knowing that God was at the Post Office.
I left wondering how many times I had stood at the Post Office, the Costco, the Giant, the playground, any number of places and there had been people with heavy hearts seeking prayer.

In all of these places, in all of these lines we stand in- let us pray:

Almighty God,
I pray for the strangers around me, who are sisters and brothers in the Body of Christ.
I may not know them, but you do.
I may not know what they are worried about or joyful about.
But you do.
I may not know what feels broken right now for them, what they are searching for,
but I know that you do.
I pray Lord that they will know your love, feel your presence.
I pray that You may shine in them and through me now to offer comfort and peace.
I pray that they may experience your love and grace through a smile, a kind word, and that when we leave our brief meeting, we will be closer to knowing and seeing that You are Here.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.


I'll never forget Robert Bondi teaching me about the early church father Dortheus:

Dorotheus wrote:
“Imagine that the world is a circle, that God is the center, and that the radii are the different ways human beings live. When those who wish to come closer to God walk towards the center of the circle, they come closer to one another at the same time as to God. The closer they come to God, the closer they come to one another. And the closer they come to one another, the closer they come to God.” (Instructions VI.)

Thanks be to God for

Growing Closer to God and one another at the Post Office

*All names are changed always :)

Create. Share Joy. Live Your Passion.

Sometimes it feels like we live in a time of totally polarizing time-- void of unity.
I will not allow that to be all I see.
Sometimes it feels like there is nothing new.
I will not give into this belief.
Sometimes people think if you are joyful you are a bubble head.
This is wrong-headed.
Sometimes life is filled with so much chaos.
God is still creating. Go outside and see.
Sometimes it is easy to let the negativity of the world be the loudest thing you hear.
Find a quiet place and pray.
Sometimes people will mock your passion.
Love them.
Sometimes they will say cruel things.
Love them anyway.
Sometimes ministry will be the most exciting, powerful, wonderful, joy filled experience ever.
Praise God! Glorify God! God is doing the work!
Sometimes ministry will feel like a huge epic FAIL.
Don't panic- shake off the dust. Praise God. Don't pout. Move forward. God is still working.
Do not give up.
Sometimes ministry will feel like the the best of times and sometimes it will feel like the worst of times.
This just means that God is working.
They crucified Jesus. The tomb was empty. You know the how the story ends.
Please see Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts...
When people laugh at you and say you have "rose colored glasses" remind them....
You wear Kingdom Glasses-- with Kingdom IN-Breaking Vision- keep seeing
God is doing a NEW thing.
I'll never let anyone tell me otherwise.
And if people don't like that--
That's okay.
I love them.
I love them no matter what.
When they don't love me back,
I love them anyway.
And I will "Not be ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes."

Time, Purpose, Seasons

There is so much to write-- I wish I could blog my mind more easily than the work it takes to carve out time..... but that is the point really I guess- to stop- to carve out time and to say- this reflection, this recognition of God's grace, mercy, and blessings- is needed. This is a moment to carve out, stop, and glorify God in my gratitude. I have been trying to write more- and it is because this is my Lenten Practice-- I pray that this practice increases my sight-- my God- sight- my insight- my blessings sight- my gratitude sight-- my deep awareness of all that God has done and is doing. When I write my focus is on Christ and the powerful presence and all it means for him to be my Lord and Savior.

So- if you've wondered if I've been more disciplined- I have- except for last week.
Last week was full and busy.

For a long time I have known about the unknown.
That's such a funny thing to say.
Last August, God, Kevin, and I all began a conversation to discern about our calls.
You can read more about that here
I haven't written about all this on the blog yet.
I grieved a lot and prayed a lot.

Its strange how you can grieve something before its happened.... pre-grieving! I keep hoping that maybe the fact that I shed tears every now and then-- that I won't be a total mess come by last Sunday at Messiah. But I'm not sure it works that way-- just like I know you can't ever pre-sleep to prepare for a night when children do not sleep...

I really love and appreciate the appointment system of the Methodist Church. That may sound strange to some who don't love it and would resent being told where they are going or what pastor they are receiving. And I understand how some may feel that way. My love of this system (it is not perfect-- we are going on to perfection) is simply my love- not a comparison, not a put down of any other system.
The United Methodist way of pastors moving - is called itinerancy and it is a sent system as opposed to a call system. I like this because for me, I feel like it isn't about me-- I am sent - "I go where God sends me" and I feel like God works through the Bishop and the cabinet. (Again, me saying this does not mean God doesn't/isn't working through call systems)

I like not being in control of where I am going.
That sounds so strange, but it is true.
It takes a load off of me, I feel.

I just trust.

Trusting doesn't mean I don't advocate for myself or the church or where I do see and feel God leading.

There is just a peace I feel about being part of this system-- its a good thing- since I'm in it! :)

While there is a peace- that doesn't mean that the waiting is easy. I really felt the waiting of advent this year- powerfully! And on top of that every worship, advent event, etc was so emotionally heavy with "This is my last x, y, z." I soaked up everything but grieved everything too.

About a month ago... I was visiting my dear friends at Hospice- you can read about my friends and some of my visits here and I received the call from my District Superintendent (DS) that the cabinet was making our appointments. I am not able to share publicly at this point where my appointment is- but it is public at Messiah now that we do know and cannot share more until later. The conversation could not continue while I was still at Hospice and I was told, we'd probably have the conversation with me, Kevin, and the two DS's the next day. Driving home, I received a call, pulled over, and with my snazzy smart phone was able to have a conference call with Kevin (who happened to be walking between Messiah and the Giant returning the grocery carts we borrowed from the Souper Bowl of Caring), and the two DS's, all while standing outside of my car (while Sophia sang along to "Into the Woods" in the car).

Wow- now, we knew.

It's a strange thing going from not knowing to knowing....because you still really don't know...anything.
I think in some ways that must be what trust is.
We talked about blind trust the other week in Disciple- and I've not usually liked the term-(not sure why) maybe b/c I don't feel blind-- just feel like I have blinders... I can't see it all.
I can't see it all because I don't need to and because I'm not ready to.
I've often talked about how my call was God slowly removing blinders and saying "and this too."

Before you know, you're nervous and excited. It could be anything-- anywhere in the Conference.
When you know-- you're nervous and excited-- -what if they don't like me? (this may sound weird... It's not so much that I worry and fret people "won't like me"-- its just ....the unknown.)
I'm passionate, and high energy (usually)- I've been told I'm intense, I've been called "Pollyanna" (which I think is a compliment in the true sense - but people use it negatively sometimes)-- folks assume b/c you're passionate, bubbly, joyful-- you are naive, stupid, rose colored glasses (of which I am not)- that's the fear I have I think... assumptions, maybe? judged first impressions...
why do we always jump to fear in face of the unknown?
perhaps blind trust- is not having fear there....

In the end- I know no matter- what God is leading.

I do know that and feel that-- That is the peace. It isn't about me-- God is leading this-- God set this up. God knows what God is doing. Trust.

Today a very powerful thing happened, I ran into someone who will soon take their first appointment and had a chance to talk with them. It was so awesome. This new friend wanted to know about my first appointment and my experience. As I shared it really gave me such a perspective! WOW! God has taught me so much here! God has blessed me so much here! I knew this- but it is just so so evident with everything I shared. I am so thankful God brought me to Messiah six years ago! God really knew what God was doing!

But the really powerful thing this revealed for me was that God has prepared me to be sent out again. In my prayers I have felt this leading, I have known this... but it was just so clear in my conversation today. Over and over I just felt so thankful-- Through serving at Messiah, God has prepared me to lead church effectively. I say this with humility - I'm not trying to be like- Oh look at me... I mean- I feel ready, sad, bittersweet, scared, excited, hopeful, joyful and ready...

My friend Lance said to me back in January, as I prepared to share the news with SPRC that we were checking "that box", that he always wished associate pastors would move on more, so that others would also have the same kind of opportunities. "I had to learn it all on my own," he said, "so look at it this way, you're just being selfish if you stay." :) I laughed so hard and thanked him so much! That really helped!

Yes-- God is preparing someone else to come and have wonderful opportunities just as I have had here!
Yes- God is preparing someone else to come and love this congregation and be loved!
And Yes-- where I am going the same thing is happening!

God is moving and growing us and doing "a new thing" in all of us and in all of our churches! The only way that can happen is when we are open to it! When a new pastor comes in - that creates change- yes- but that also creates opportunity, growth, excitement, possibly some fear and reservations.... but if we are willing to God's really going to take care of all that and really do a NEW Thing!

After meeting this new friend- this gifted and called person, discerning and listening, and awaiting their first appointment- I ran over to church to pick of Gracie.

As we were walking home, we saw the white chipmunk that lives at Messiah! We tent to call him "Monk". He ran under a planter and darted off and we peeked around trying to catch another glimpse of him. As we did so we came upon a decorative rock in the garden. Gracie said, "Momma, what does it say?" It read,


Wow!
Wow wow wow- was all I could think when I really started to see all God has shown me this day!

Gracie turned five this week! Five! (more on that later) I started this blog when she was a baby.

Unbeknownst to me, when we moved into this parsonage summer of 2006 I was pregnant with her! We are sent out with our lives more filled with grace and wisdom (our girls Grace and Sophia have taught us both).
We are sent out grown further by God.
We are sent out in God's timing , for God's purpose, and readied for a new season.

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1

God has called us for this purpose, for this time, for this season- and it has all be for Him "under heaven" guided by God's direction. Led by my Lord and Savoir.

Under Heaven. Wow.
Trust. God's got this.

There is a time, a purpose, a season and its under heaven.

I do not leave here this summer.

No, I will be sent out. Sent!

Sent out!


I love the hymn "Send m e Jesus" also called "Thuma Mina."
(I tried to find a good youtube of it... but you can find it in The Faith We Sing)

Leader: Thu-ma mi-na.
All: Thu-ma mi-na, thu-ma mi-na
thu-ma mi-na, so-man-dla

Leader: Thu-ma mi-na.
All: Send me, Jesus, send me, Jesus,
send me, Jesus, send me, Lord.

Leader: Thu-ma mi-na.
All: Lead me, Jesus, lend me, Jesus,
lend me, Jesus, lend me, Lord.

Leader: Thu-ma mi-na.
All: Fill me, Jesus, fill me, Jesus,
fill me, Jesus, fill me, Lord.

I sang this often as a US-2 Missionary, and we sang it a lot when I spent time in Mozambique.

I sing this now!

Jesus sends, me Jesus leads me, Jesus fills me!