By: Lily Sakata
Who’s Baba Yetu? If you don’t know what Baba Yetu means, don’t feel bad. I don’t believe I knew until recently. “Baba Yetu” translates from the Swahili language to “Our Father.”
If this doesn’t ring any bells for you, perhaps you’ll recognize it with some guided imagery: colorful flags, dazzling clothes from around the world, smiling faces, the feeling of joy and excitement while sitting beside hundreds of other Southern students in the Collegedale church. Does that jog your memory? “Baba Yetu” is the opening line and the name of the absolute masterpiece of a song that plays at Student Missions vespers at least twice a school year.
If you’re anything like me, you likewise experienced some epic mixture of fascination, enthusiasm and a glimmer of purpose during this iconic vespers service. While such a fabulous introduction to student missions left me with divine butterflies in my stomach, I wondered if my curiosity was founded on a spectacular emotional high or if this intrinsic calling truly held a deeper purpose.
As “Baba Yetu” naturally faded off into the outskirts of my brain, the feeling—or, rather, the invitation—remained.
That’s the difference. An invitation from God will find a way into your spiritual mailbox LONG after you’ve opened the letter and even thrown it to the bottom of the drawer. The packaging may look different, but He never fails to deliver.
Feeling ignited after a conversation with a friend who’s returned from being a student missionary? Invitation.
Catching yourself thinking at random points in the day about how God could use you as a student missionary? Invitation.
Did an opportunity arise for you to use your gifts in a way that could absolutely be replicated in the mission field? Invitation.
Needless to say, Jesus knew EXACTLY how to reach you. While more conversations definitely need to be had before making the decision to become a student missionary—with yourself, with Jesus, with wise friends and mentors—rest assured that God does not make mistakes.
I understand that not everyone’s invitation looks the same and that the pathway to making or even following through with this decision is not always a smooth process. I also realize that regardless of how excited you may be, the road leading toward becoming a student missionary includes a decent amount of anxiety, fear and a heaping pile of “what ifs.”
Although I was surrounded by an immeasurable amount of support and encouragement from my friends and family, nothing could completely eradicate the human instinct to explore these “what ifs.”
What if I choose the wrong location?
What if my help isn’t really needed?
What if I don’t have a community to lean on?
What if I walk away with more regret than purpose?
Let me shed some light on just how different my situation is now compared to the point in time where my mind was invaded by the “what ifs”:
I’ve been serving in Daugård, Denmark, at Vejlefjordskolen for almost six months now, and I don’t think I could ever describe how captivating my time here has been. Just when I thought God’s love couldn’t expand any further in my life, I have been overwhelmed with gratitude while watching Him reveal His character on a blank canvas, in a new context—amidst new surroundings, new friendships and even new challenges. I like to think of it as the Artist taking me by the hand and unraveling entirely new shades of eternity.
Even though I find myself in an extremely secular culture, among 110 high-school-aged kids who are not religious and have never actively explored a relationship with Jesus, I deeply believe that although they may not be able to understand His love, that in no way disqualifies them from being able to experience it.
When did my lack of understanding ever disqualify me from experiencing Jesus?
Getting to love WITH Jesus on the other side of the world is quite possibly one of the greatest adventures I’ve ever known.
I’m reminded every day that “Baba Yetu” didn’t just inspire me; it tipped the row of dominos that eventually led me right into a place where I absolutely belong.
I couldn’t be more grateful that Jesus gave me the courage to accept His invitation to the adventure of a lifetime—one where I can almost hear Him constantly whispering, “I’m so glad you decided to come. You were created for this!”
I equate the initial process of wanting to become a student missionary to standing on the edge of a cliff.
Gazing off into an alluring unknown, you feel a combination of unquenchable excitement while simultaneously experiencing an ambush of legitimate questions, doubts and, of course—the “what ifs.” Yet, I believe the Holy Spirit challenges you to reframe those nagging questions as curious ponderings:
What if God sends you exactly where you need to go?
What if you were sent to help for such a time as this?
What if you fall into a community that embraces you with contagious love?
What if you walk with your Creator in a way that you will cherish for the rest of your life?
I’m here, as a fellow voyager of the unknown, to confirm that the feeling of standing on the edge of this “cliff” cannot even begin to compare to watching God unravel His purpose for you as you serve alongside Him. What you’re feeling now is not comparable to the wonders God will reveal to you when you step out in faith (Romans 8:18).
I believe that you’re standing near the edge, looking off into the horizon for a reason. Maybe that looks like being a missionary halfway across the world, or even across the street or down the hall from your dorm room. Jesus caught your attention, and now He’s inviting you to believe in the possibilities of an adventure He’s called you to. Only you know what that is. This is between you and Him.
So yes, “Baba Yetu” is an incredible song that holds a special place in many people’s hearts. Consequently, just because it’s a song does not mean that the impression it left on me was meaningless. None of God’s invitations are accidents, and they’re FAR from being a coincidence or just an emotional high. They come with clarity, purpose and reassurance.
Speaking of reassurance, during one of my first car rides here in Denmark, l sat in the backseat and looked out the window, admiring the luscious landscapes and views, feeling encouraged by my dearest Friend.
I’ll let you guess what song began to play in the car.
