When I started writing The Monday Memo in March, 2001, I didn't really think I would write 250 issues. Then again, my purpose has allowed me to do things and go places that were just a dream. As you read this, my son and I will be enjoying a game drive in the famous Masai Mara region of Kenya. I have been there before, but this is his first time. In fact, he has been with me for four weeks on this trip and he has visited a lot of places he has never been to before. It has been my honor to serve as his tour guide for the trip.
Coming to Africa as I do is truly a dream come true, and the dream goes back to childhood. When I was young, I was an avid stamp collector. I would sit for hours and study the stamps of the the nations of the world, especially Africa. I would watch any show on television that had anything to do with Africa and its animals.
Then in 1981, I discovered my purpose to create order out of chaos. Shortly after that, I sensed that my purpose would bring me to Africa one day. I didn't know when or how, but I knew I would go.
My first visit to Africa was in 1993 when I worked for Integrity Music. A turning point in my life, however, was my infamous visit to Zimbabwe in 1995. I had planned on staying one day, until someone stole my briefcase with my passport in it. I ended up staying four days. During those four days, God arrested my heart and gave me a new assignment.
Since then, I have visited countless times and have used Zimbabwe as a base to visit Malawi, Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, and Uganda. I have also brought about 250 people with me over the years, introducing them to the joys and pains of work and ministry in Africa. Much of what I teach and write I have developed while here in Africa. And no longer am I watching shows about the animals here, I am seeing them firsthand.
So as you read, I may be watching a herd of elephants or hearing the crunching sounds of a lion eating his prey. I may be tracking a leopard or getting so close to a rhino that I could reach out and touch him. What's even better is that I am doing it all because I am a man of purpose and God has opened doors for that purpose all over the world.
What are your dreams? What did you think of doing when you were young? What do you dream of doing today? The key to fulfill those dreams may not be to pursue them directly, but to clarify your purpose and pursue it wholeheartedly. As you do, your purpose will open doors and along the way you will find your dreams coming true. As you read this, I hope you will think to yourself, "Hey, if God did that for John Stanko, then God can do that for me!" And your thinking would be correct. Have a great week!
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1. In keeping with a practice I started last month, I am attaching my monthly prayer letter to this Memo. If you feel led and can commit to pray for me over the coming days, I invited you to download the letter. If you don't feel disposed to do so, then just ignore the attachment.
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