Thank you, Darara, for writing me.

I congratulate you on studying human rights law here in the U.S., applaud your Christian convictions, and am grateful that you want to use your studies to make a significant contribution in life.

In order to answer your question, I guess I have to ask you some key questions:

1) Since you are concerned for human rights as well as the communication of the Gospel, why did you decide to study law rather than prepare for the Gospel ministry? What led you to this decision? Did you make it by yourself or in consultation with others (including your father)? Did you consult God before you made this decision?

2) Since you are now involved in studying law, do you sometimes think you made a mistake? If so, what has led you to doubt your original decision? Do you sometimes think that ultimately the greatest need in Ethiopia at this time is the extension of the Gospel in small villages rather than struggling for justice and human rights?

3) What contribution to Ethiopian society do you feel you can make as a human rights lawyer? Would this be a dangerous occupation? Do you fear the possible consequences? What are your gifts - your interests - your passions?

Personally I would not put in a scale of values the life and witness of a human rights lawyer over against that of a missionary. One responds to God according to His call.

A man like William Wilberforce, who fought the slave trade in England for 25 years in Partiament, was certainly serving God, and he did so because he felt called to it by the Lord Himself.

The Puritans in England used to say that it was the greatest duty of a Christian to be "fully established in his (or her) calling," regardless of what this might be, or regardless of what others might say.

So this is the question you must face before the Lord. I would encourage you to think the whole issue through, talking with your father, with mature men and women, with your Christian friends, but most of all with the Lord Himself.

God loves you, made you, knows you, and has a place for you. Finding that place is a noble search, and will cost you time in His presence. But the search is worth it and though it may involve you in a struggle, will finally bring you to peace.

Blessings on you, Darara.

Jack

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.