We are a little more than three months away from our departure for Africa and I can tell you that the excitement I am feeling is unlike any other. This dream to take a trip in July started with a conversation between two friends that both fell in love with the people there and desired to go back. Our prayers were consistent and were answered when we met with our mission pastor and his wife to share our hearts. Since then God has grown our two person team to five! We are excited that there are two new people that will be joining us that have never been and our missions pastor.
Recently I was asked by our missions pastor if I could look for discipleship lessons that we could teach while there. I can't tell you how daunting of a task that is but one that is blessing my heart in the process. In the midst of living every day life I get to escape and focus on lessons that we will get to use while there.
I am intrigued by the plans that God is bringing together for us. From what is being talked about right now we will do intense discipleship classes, follow up with the children that make decisions at the April Holiday Bible School, other follow up from the April team, possible baptisms of those that made decisions in April as well as other outreach. As we know with ministry things can change in a heartbeat and we are ok with that. One thing I have learned over the years of going to Africa is that you must be flexible. Flexible in the comforts that you enjoy, flexible in the time things take, flexible in the plans that you have....just be flexible. I'm certain our plans will change more as we near our departure time but this I do know.....we are going and we will share the hope that we have in Jesus while there....and I can't wait!
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Saturday, January 24, 2015
God is SO good to provide
When we first started the planning for this trip it looked like it would just be Leah and I going. However, God had other plans. Since sending out my first round of letters God has added several members to our team. We are so excited about this because it greatly increases what we are able to do while there. More people reached and more teaching of others.
While we don't know all of the details of our plans there we are trusting God to provide those details as well as the funds to get there. I know for me sending out letters hoping people will respond quickly has always been a stressful time for me. Trusting in this area is not easy but if you know you are called to go then it becomes a little of a stress point. God has provided in great and amazing ways before so I know this will be no different.
As time gets closer I will share the other team members names so that you can be in prayer for them. Right now you can cover us all by praying for the July team. Thank you for thinking of us!
Monday, November 10, 2014
Return to Africa
In April 2013 I stepped foot off of African soil with my heart still there. I felt clearly that God was asking me to wait to come back to the place I fondly call my second home. That seems silly to me since I have only been there 5 times for a grand total of 10 weeks. My soul on the other hand feels like I have been there my whole life. So with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat I said my goodbyes with the hope of returning again but not really knowing in my heart if God would call me back. That was one of the hardest things to do.
So let me backtrack even further if I may. I first felt God calling me to go to Africa in 2006 but I was afraid. I was afraid of the unknown, of being away from my family, of being somewhere I had never been before, of dying, of flying and so much more. So I said no. Not me. Not to Africa. Ever.
Time passed by and each year a team left from our church and I felt in my heart I should go. Our pastor spoke one Sunday about missions and putting your yes on the table. No matter where or what would you say yes to God. So I took the long path up to the alter and I prayed with tears streaming down my face that I had been disobedient to God but I am ready to put my yes on the table no matter where He sent me, what He asked me to do I would do it. I asked Him in return to give me peace about it as well as my family.
So 2009 comes around and our church had the annual Zambia interest meeting and I went. With a new anticipation in my heart I was confident from that moment that God was telling me.....Now, now is the time you will go and be my hands and feet. You will plant seeds and reach people in Africa.
I can only tell you that the next years (5 total) I spent my free time thinking of returning, what I could do, who I would meet, how could I contribute to the team, how many days would it be between my trips there, how would I raise the money to go, how many people would come to know Christ because I was now obedient.
So last year I stayed home because I felt I needed to focus on missions here. In my neighborhood, in my town, in my state. I have found ways to be involved with sharing the Gospel and it has been satisfying but my soul longed to be elsewhere. Each time I have sat down to speak to someone about Christ I picture a dirt floor, a mat, wild dogs, pigs or chickens around me, shaking hands in an unusual way, children giggling as they dare each other to touch me on the arm, the smell of the fire as it prepared dinner.....but as I looked around that was not what I saw and my heart felt it. I have been successful in leading several people to Christ (only because God allowed me to be the one to harvest that seed) but more successful in discipleship with long time friends who need one on one mentorships. That is how God is using me here and I am grateful that He chose to use me in that way.
My heart longs to be in Africa again. There has not been a day that goes by that I don't pray and ask God to make it clear where I am to serve Him. My sister in Christ, Leah and I have been praying together and talking about what God is saying to each of us. We both feel He is calling us back but we are unsure when we will go, how we will go, what we will do and much more.....but we don't need those details because He already knows them. He has thankfully made it abundantly clear to us both that we will be going back soon and my heart couldn't be happier. So I write this to ask you for your prayers. Prayers for our plans, prayers for our families, prayers for our funding, prayers for our hearts to be prepared to return to Africa.
So let me backtrack even further if I may. I first felt God calling me to go to Africa in 2006 but I was afraid. I was afraid of the unknown, of being away from my family, of being somewhere I had never been before, of dying, of flying and so much more. So I said no. Not me. Not to Africa. Ever.
Time passed by and each year a team left from our church and I felt in my heart I should go. Our pastor spoke one Sunday about missions and putting your yes on the table. No matter where or what would you say yes to God. So I took the long path up to the alter and I prayed with tears streaming down my face that I had been disobedient to God but I am ready to put my yes on the table no matter where He sent me, what He asked me to do I would do it. I asked Him in return to give me peace about it as well as my family.
So 2009 comes around and our church had the annual Zambia interest meeting and I went. With a new anticipation in my heart I was confident from that moment that God was telling me.....Now, now is the time you will go and be my hands and feet. You will plant seeds and reach people in Africa.
I can only tell you that the next years (5 total) I spent my free time thinking of returning, what I could do, who I would meet, how could I contribute to the team, how many days would it be between my trips there, how would I raise the money to go, how many people would come to know Christ because I was now obedient.
So last year I stayed home because I felt I needed to focus on missions here. In my neighborhood, in my town, in my state. I have found ways to be involved with sharing the Gospel and it has been satisfying but my soul longed to be elsewhere. Each time I have sat down to speak to someone about Christ I picture a dirt floor, a mat, wild dogs, pigs or chickens around me, shaking hands in an unusual way, children giggling as they dare each other to touch me on the arm, the smell of the fire as it prepared dinner.....but as I looked around that was not what I saw and my heart felt it. I have been successful in leading several people to Christ (only because God allowed me to be the one to harvest that seed) but more successful in discipleship with long time friends who need one on one mentorships. That is how God is using me here and I am grateful that He chose to use me in that way.
My heart longs to be in Africa again. There has not been a day that goes by that I don't pray and ask God to make it clear where I am to serve Him. My sister in Christ, Leah and I have been praying together and talking about what God is saying to each of us. We both feel He is calling us back but we are unsure when we will go, how we will go, what we will do and much more.....but we don't need those details because He already knows them. He has thankfully made it abundantly clear to us both that we will be going back soon and my heart couldn't be happier. So I write this to ask you for your prayers. Prayers for our plans, prayers for our families, prayers for our funding, prayers for our hearts to be prepared to return to Africa.
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