Hello all!! I am sitting here absolutly exhausted, yet so full of overflowing joy. Just as the last post, I will give you some highlights...
Visted the orphanage and saw tons of smiling, happy faces. Such a blessing.
Didn't get to stay at the camp just because of the far distance (you can breathe mom and dad) Although, it would have been awesome!! It was the first camp to be hit by the LRA since it's so close to the border of Sudan. We were able to hear some heart wrenching testimonies. My heart ached for them. It was so dark there...no hope, no joy. I pray the love of Christ will begin to dwell there. They need it so bad. I've seen TONS of miracles. When I say miracles, I mean miracles. I'll just leave it at that for now. I was able to speak to a group of about 100 and share my testimony and give them some encouagement and share what the Lord wanted them to hear that day. It was awesome. Praise God He uses me! I have also had the chance to shake hands and pray with and for those fighting HIV/AIDS. It is amazing to see those fighting such a trecherous disease having SO much joy! Truly an inspiration and challenges me. The people here at Favour of God had truly grown on me. I cried today just thinking about having to say goodbye in a couple of days. I have grown to love them. It's going to be exceptionally hard to say goodbye...but I should probably say it'll be more of a see you later. :) I have had the chance to sit down and truly listen to the unbelievable testimonies and stories of some young men who serve Christ as their Savior. We have laughed together, cried together, sang together, and praised God together. It just doesn't get any better than that!! Today we went into the 2nd largest military base in Uganda. Last week was the VERY first time the allowed any organization to enter. We walked straight in and went into the military hospital and shared the love of Christ with each and every person. Talk about awesome. A number of men surrendered their lives to Christ and a lot more received encouragement in their walk with Christ. I'm still amazed at how 'simple' it seemed. God blessed us! Then, tonight we went out with the Portable Bible School crew. Talk about an awesome opportunity. They teach doctrine and community health and parenting and TRUTH, TRUTH, TRUTH for 2 months. The team stays there in the camp for 2 months. So cool. Let me tell you, I have never praised God for a silent heaver before, but there is always a first. haha. The 3 hour ride to the camp tonight took out a number of people. It was SOOOOO bumpy and swervy and hot and made a number sick. The guy sitting next to me puked twice. If he had been a loud heaver I would have puked all over the place. Praise the Lord he wasn't!!! :) Although, it somehow got on the floor (bag must have broke) and I stuck my hand in it. I almost puked then too. Anyways, tomorrow we go to the prison to share the love of Christ with those so lost. I'm excited. God is doing so much here. Ok, I'm about to fall over I'm so tired and plus it's just about my time to hop in the shower/dripper :). Blessings to all!!! Talk to you soon!!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Hello from Gulu!!
Hey everyone!! Oh, what a blessing to be able to update you! There is way too much to let you in on so I will try and get all the highlights in really quick.
The way up here went really well. I never knew I'd be so glad to stand and walk after sitting in a plane hour after hour after hour ....you get the message! I will say though I was highly impressed with the first 2 plane rides. Never have I watched 3 movies in a row...until my ride from Dallas to Amsterdam!! It was long, but good. Once we reached Amsterdam we had a 2 hour layover and it was fun to hear the different language everywhere! From Amsterdam we went to Nairobi. There is where I was able to experience being a minority by far. I found myself LOVING it!! Being out of my comfort zone was fun and exciting to me. In Nairobi we had another 2 hour lay over and this is where the Lord began truly using me for His glory...
Matt is a 16 year old guy from Virginia. (D.C.) I had noticed him on the plane ride in Amsterdam but was able to acutally talk to him and get to know him at the airport in Nairobi. There is a lot the explain that would give you a taste of God's sovereinty that I will have to explain at a later time. Long story short, I was able to find out he was by himself and going to sounthern Uganda to build houses with a group. I was so intrigued. The Lord gave me the opportunity to share the Gospel with Matt and love him with the Love of Christ. He is a very very smart young man with a lot of knowledge, searching for the Truth. He's not quite there yet but as I told him, I truly believe it's only a matter of time. I was able to give him a book I was only half way through chaper one in. I see now the Lord used a friend to recommend it to me and then used me to bring it to him. It was his from the beginning. It touched EVERY SINGLE question he asked me about the Lord and Christianity. I pray the Lord will bless him abundantly and that he will come to realized just how loved and adored he is by a powerful God!
Then, we headed off to Kampala where Norma met us. Oh, what a blessing it was to see her face and to see how blessed she was to see familiar faces also after being here for quite a while. I still couldn't believe I was acutally in Africa!! Honestly, I still have to pinch myself. I am in love, truly. I'm in love with the country, with the people, and with the Lord!! We stayed in a nice hotel in Kampala and got to see the city, ate out with an amazing missionary couple from California that are good friends with Norma. The testimonies will blow you away. I'll give more details later.
We headed on our van with Joseph, our driver, and up to Gulu we went. First we stopped on the way at a fish farm where a missionary couple lived from our church. It was amazing. There we met an AMAZING group of people and got to learn about their minsistry. Maggie Josiah lives here and runs a school and vocational training place...i'll fill you in on this later, too.
The road was very very long and even more so bumpy. You have not seen a pot hole until you've been here. I'm telling you it's something. Praise the Lord we were safe and I didn't get sick because of the movement!! (I thought I might for a minute of two) Once arriving in Gulu we were welcomed by sweet loving faces. They are such a blessing. You will be so amazed at the stories of each and everyone of the people here. Just to give you a taste...one of the sweet boys at the Mission House, Martin...he was abducted at age 12 by the LRA and was an officer for them. He lived in the bush...he was forced to marry....5 times...Koney told him he'd kill him himself if he refused. 12 years later he is free...has no wives...LOVES THE LORD and is so so precious learning how to live the 'normal' life. There are so many more amazing testimionies of God's grace and POWER! I get teary eyed just thinking about it.
Today, we went out with a medical missions team to a camp. Oh, man it was good. I was completely humbled and privledge to get to pray for 3 hours over and for all of the sick sick people...elderly people...young ladies...little tiny sick babies. Igot to hold little hands and shake strong ones,..I was able to see many come to trust in Jesus as their savior as we shared all He has done for us..I cried...laughed..and cried some more. I was so dirty and hot and sweaty and LOVED every single minute...and GUESS WHAT?! (don't freak out mom and dad) I may be able to stay in the camp in a hut with the people tomorrow night if the locals tell us it's safe. They are here for our saftey first and they will definityly let us know if it's not safe. HOW COOL IS THAT? No one else wants to...Lord willing, I will get to KNOW the people and love them with the Love of Christ. It's a live changing thing being here. I will never be the same and it's not even half way over.
Tomorrow I get to go out and do some trauma counseling. I have no doubt I will be on my knees. It will be eye opening, heart breaking, and joyously rewarding!! I pray many will lay their burdens at the Cross and follow Christ knowing they are loved and forgiven and will experience hope and joy for the first time in years.
I need to run, but I hope you are blessed by this. I know I am being blessed more than I deserve. I am always blessed more than I deserve. Please Please be in prayer for us while we are here. Pray for the people. The spiritual darkness here so thick you can feel it. Pray for our safety and discernment as we go out to minster to the people. I love you all!!! Talk to you soon!!
The way up here went really well. I never knew I'd be so glad to stand and walk after sitting in a plane hour after hour after hour ....you get the message! I will say though I was highly impressed with the first 2 plane rides. Never have I watched 3 movies in a row...until my ride from Dallas to Amsterdam!! It was long, but good. Once we reached Amsterdam we had a 2 hour layover and it was fun to hear the different language everywhere! From Amsterdam we went to Nairobi. There is where I was able to experience being a minority by far. I found myself LOVING it!! Being out of my comfort zone was fun and exciting to me. In Nairobi we had another 2 hour lay over and this is where the Lord began truly using me for His glory...
Matt is a 16 year old guy from Virginia. (D.C.) I had noticed him on the plane ride in Amsterdam but was able to acutally talk to him and get to know him at the airport in Nairobi. There is a lot the explain that would give you a taste of God's sovereinty that I will have to explain at a later time. Long story short, I was able to find out he was by himself and going to sounthern Uganda to build houses with a group. I was so intrigued. The Lord gave me the opportunity to share the Gospel with Matt and love him with the Love of Christ. He is a very very smart young man with a lot of knowledge, searching for the Truth. He's not quite there yet but as I told him, I truly believe it's only a matter of time. I was able to give him a book I was only half way through chaper one in. I see now the Lord used a friend to recommend it to me and then used me to bring it to him. It was his from the beginning. It touched EVERY SINGLE question he asked me about the Lord and Christianity. I pray the Lord will bless him abundantly and that he will come to realized just how loved and adored he is by a powerful God!
Then, we headed off to Kampala where Norma met us. Oh, what a blessing it was to see her face and to see how blessed she was to see familiar faces also after being here for quite a while. I still couldn't believe I was acutally in Africa!! Honestly, I still have to pinch myself. I am in love, truly. I'm in love with the country, with the people, and with the Lord!! We stayed in a nice hotel in Kampala and got to see the city, ate out with an amazing missionary couple from California that are good friends with Norma. The testimonies will blow you away. I'll give more details later.
We headed on our van with Joseph, our driver, and up to Gulu we went. First we stopped on the way at a fish farm where a missionary couple lived from our church. It was amazing. There we met an AMAZING group of people and got to learn about their minsistry. Maggie Josiah lives here and runs a school and vocational training place...i'll fill you in on this later, too.
The road was very very long and even more so bumpy. You have not seen a pot hole until you've been here. I'm telling you it's something. Praise the Lord we were safe and I didn't get sick because of the movement!! (I thought I might for a minute of two) Once arriving in Gulu we were welcomed by sweet loving faces. They are such a blessing. You will be so amazed at the stories of each and everyone of the people here. Just to give you a taste...one of the sweet boys at the Mission House, Martin...he was abducted at age 12 by the LRA and was an officer for them. He lived in the bush...he was forced to marry....5 times...Koney told him he'd kill him himself if he refused. 12 years later he is free...has no wives...LOVES THE LORD and is so so precious learning how to live the 'normal' life. There are so many more amazing testimionies of God's grace and POWER! I get teary eyed just thinking about it.
Today, we went out with a medical missions team to a camp. Oh, man it was good. I was completely humbled and privledge to get to pray for 3 hours over and for all of the sick sick people...elderly people...young ladies...little tiny sick babies. Igot to hold little hands and shake strong ones,..I was able to see many come to trust in Jesus as their savior as we shared all He has done for us..I cried...laughed..and cried some more. I was so dirty and hot and sweaty and LOVED every single minute...and GUESS WHAT?! (don't freak out mom and dad) I may be able to stay in the camp in a hut with the people tomorrow night if the locals tell us it's safe. They are here for our saftey first and they will definityly let us know if it's not safe. HOW COOL IS THAT? No one else wants to...Lord willing, I will get to KNOW the people and love them with the Love of Christ. It's a live changing thing being here. I will never be the same and it's not even half way over.
Tomorrow I get to go out and do some trauma counseling. I have no doubt I will be on my knees. It will be eye opening, heart breaking, and joyously rewarding!! I pray many will lay their burdens at the Cross and follow Christ knowing they are loved and forgiven and will experience hope and joy for the first time in years.
I need to run, but I hope you are blessed by this. I know I am being blessed more than I deserve. I am always blessed more than I deserve. Please Please be in prayer for us while we are here. Pray for the people. The spiritual darkness here so thick you can feel it. Pray for our safety and discernment as we go out to minster to the people. I love you all!!! Talk to you soon!!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
..and so it happened...
I should definitely be asleep right now. Who was I kidding telling myself I'd get a good night's rest the night before I leave for Africa?! Yeah, right. Plus, the hour and a half nap I took today doesn't help much. After my millionth trip to Wal-mart ( I could do without going there again for a looong time) I am completely packed and ready to go! Yeahhh! You should have seen my mom and I today...squeezing, stuffing, folding, zipping, me tripping as I was trying to hurry across the room and flying across the room straight into my mom. I gave her a left shoulder straight into her gut like I was trying out for O-line. You had to be there, it was HILARIOUS. :) (Once I realized my toe was still attached and my mom could breathe) It's definitely one of those things I will think about at a later date and laugh just as hard.
So...to finish up my pre-Africa story.
After college Africa and the need of those precious people would come up every now and then. Whether it was the testimony of someone who had been there, something at church, or personally looking stuff up, it didn't completely leave my mind...or my heart.
The summer of 07 came around and my good friend Jon told me he had decided to go to Ethiopia pretty last minute and that the Lord had provided what he needed! I was so privileged to be a prayer warrior for him and his trip while he was gone. I found it odd how passionate I was to pray for Ethiopia as a country and the people that would be touched by Jon and the others in his group. Never-the-less I faithfully prayed and through my prayer I began to question my desire to actually want to BE there. I found the thought of actually going to Africa didn't make my stomach twist with anxiety and I for the first time I didn't push the thought to the side and ignore it completely. I began praying for the Lord to reveal his will to me..whatever that may be. All I knew is something was different.
After a month or so, I was pretty convinced the Lord was asking me what it was I was scared of. I knew it was a matter of obedience to His will and not my fears. I didn't mention anything to anyone because I didn't want to jump the gun until I was FOR SURE I knew what the Lord wanted. I think deep down I knew at this point there would be a time the Lord would open a door that would deal somehow with Africa. I prayed specifically that the Lord would provide me with ways to know His will and would put people in my life that He would use to speak to me.
Then, the college group bible study started up at my pastor's house in August. The VERY first bible study my pastor had one of the guys speak about his summer. He opened up his mouth and I knew. He had spent all summer in Africa. He had ministered in Uganda and a few other places through out the summer and as he was telling us all of his experiences and the AMAZING works of the Lord I was hanging on every last word. I couldn't get enough. I think I might have even said "I want to do that". Then, I thought "Holy cow, I WANT to do that...I have a desire to actually go to Africa!" I talked to him after bible study and he encouraged me to go if the Lord provided a way. It wasn't soon after that I began telling people I was going to Africa...My exact words would be "I don't know when. I don't know how. I don't know exactly where, but I'm going."
I couldn't tell you how many times I repeated that phrase. I was so humbled to see the Lord actively change my desires. I was in awe that He would allow me to see clearly His will and answer my prayers to the tee. Now, he continuously asked me "Do you trust me? Do you really trust me?"
November of 07 rolls around and I'm doing my thing...I had been working at the Baptist Home for just about a year and still truckin' along in grad school as well as being involved in church stuff. The idea of starting up an international adoption program and floated around a couple of times over the past few months but nothing serious what-so-ever. Then, around November my boss had mentioned to me that she was researching what it would take to actually start one up just to get some information and I began reading things, etc. For some reason Ethiopia adoptions kept popping up in our research and my boss had mentioned it to me a couple of times. One day I remember sitting at my desk and was hit with a thought. "Oh, man. What if WORK is the way the Lord plans on sending me to Africa!?!!" I was beyond myself and couldn't help but to laugh because leave it up to the Lord to plan something like that out. I would have NEVER even entertained that would be a possibility. I just kept that thought to myself and went on my way.
December of 07 comes around and my boss informs me that the decision had been made to start up the international adoption program. I was ecstatic as you can imagine. It didn't promise me that I would go anywhere and I knew that--I honestly didn't really expect that because another lady we work with has been a missionary for years and at the time was in a position to be the one to travel for that purpose. Then, the middle of December came and my boss came into my office and sat down. First thing she asked was if I had a passport. I hesitantly told her I did. She then let me know that there was a trip planned to Ethiopia and Kenya with a number of couples wanting to adopt and that the other lady we work with couldn't go and Jami didn't have her passport and wouldn't get it in time. She then said that management okay-ed it for me to go. She didn't get through the sentence before I yelled. " I"LL GO!!!" She laughed and told me that before I made any decisions I need to check my school schedule and pray about it. She then told me that the trip would be in about a month. My mouth just dropped. So soon.
I prayed. Then, I prayed some more. I was going. The next week and a half or so was so crazy. I found out the details of the trip the exact dates, etc. I was pumped and told everyone! Then I was informed that the contact person had filled my spot and they were going to try and see if they could get another spot for the trip so it wasn't a done deal. I was floored. I hadn't been so disappointed in a long time. I wanted to cry. Wait, I did. Yet again, "Do you trust me??" I heard a soft, sweet voice saying "You JUST prayed for Me to close any doors if it's not My will...and now you're upset because I'm doing just that?! Rest in Me, child." I was told there was a pretty good chance it'd work out and I didn't have much time to raise support. I need A TON of support. $5,000 worth. The amazing thing is that didn't concern me one bit. I just knew that He would provide. After all I had been though on the journey to obey when he commanded, I didn't freak out about the money. (Trust me, others sure did) I made the decision to send out support letters and send out support letters is just what I did. A lot of them.
Then, came the news. The Baptist Home had made the decision for a number of reasons that the International Adoption Program wasn't' something they were going to pursue at the time. I couldn't believe it. Yet, I had a peace. Then I was told that the trip was still a go. I was still going to be able to go to Ethiopia and Kenya.
Then in January, the chaos in Kenya changed everything. The trip was postponed. (much to my parents' great pleasure!) I will flat out tell you that I would have still gone if I was allowed to. But, it wasn't the Lord's will. That's when I began wondering what in the world the Lord was doing. It happened fast, it stopped fast. Door WIDE open, door SLAMMED shut. The whole time..."Obey, rest, trust...". Don't get me wrong, there were times I was weary. Hence the need for the reminders.
February went by and there was word that the Ethiopia and Kenya trip was most likely rescheduled for March but it wasn't set in stone considering the unpredictability in Kenya. I had started to look into other options for trips going to Africa. I just wanted to see what was out there...different organizations, different countries, different mission opportunities. I began to pray again that the Lord would reveal His will specifically to me. (I've prayed the burning bush prayer one too many times to count) Then, I went to church on a Sunday and my at the very beginning of the service the announcements were being made and it was about the mission trip opportunities. I was looking down at something and heard them say Uganda and I got that same 'feeling'. Ya know, that feeling I ignored so many times in college? Out of everything that was being said that was the only thing I heard. Uganda. So, I asked about that trip and found out there was an informational meeting coming up for the trip. I knew I would be in attendance of that meeting. I mentioned it to my boss and asked all the job type questions pertaining to going on a trip. After praying a few days and talking it over with a couple of people I knew. THIS is what the Lord had for me. Of course I joked and laughed because I thought that about the other one, too. I knew He could change the plans at any minute but until He did I knew this was for me.
If someone would have seen me from the window, they would have thought I was crazy. I got the call from my boss saying that all of my requests for time off were approved--the last thing to seal the deal. I hung up and started screaming shouts of joy and jumping up and down and running around the living room yelling "YES YES YESSS!" (I was home by myself) and then I collapsed and fell to my knees and bawled thanking the Lord for his sovereignty and faithfulness even when I have such little faith.
The rest is history. I took care of all the support stuff (remember I sent out support letters months back for a completely different trip) and the Lord provided just as He said he would financially. I couldn't be more excited. Oh, and the people I'm going with (4 others) are so fun. Crazy fun. He amazes me. Truly amazes me.
If you don't take anything else away from this, please take away the truth that God is sovereign and KNOWS what is best for us. He protects, loves, and stretches us for our own good and ultimately for His glory. He asks us to obey him REGARDLESS of the cost, and doesn't take that light. He rejoices with us in our joy!!!
Hopefully, the next time for this will be once I'm in Africa!! I can't wait to share God's trip with you!
So...to finish up my pre-Africa story.
After college Africa and the need of those precious people would come up every now and then. Whether it was the testimony of someone who had been there, something at church, or personally looking stuff up, it didn't completely leave my mind...or my heart.
The summer of 07 came around and my good friend Jon told me he had decided to go to Ethiopia pretty last minute and that the Lord had provided what he needed! I was so privileged to be a prayer warrior for him and his trip while he was gone. I found it odd how passionate I was to pray for Ethiopia as a country and the people that would be touched by Jon and the others in his group. Never-the-less I faithfully prayed and through my prayer I began to question my desire to actually want to BE there. I found the thought of actually going to Africa didn't make my stomach twist with anxiety and I for the first time I didn't push the thought to the side and ignore it completely. I began praying for the Lord to reveal his will to me..whatever that may be. All I knew is something was different.
After a month or so, I was pretty convinced the Lord was asking me what it was I was scared of. I knew it was a matter of obedience to His will and not my fears. I didn't mention anything to anyone because I didn't want to jump the gun until I was FOR SURE I knew what the Lord wanted. I think deep down I knew at this point there would be a time the Lord would open a door that would deal somehow with Africa. I prayed specifically that the Lord would provide me with ways to know His will and would put people in my life that He would use to speak to me.
Then, the college group bible study started up at my pastor's house in August. The VERY first bible study my pastor had one of the guys speak about his summer. He opened up his mouth and I knew. He had spent all summer in Africa. He had ministered in Uganda and a few other places through out the summer and as he was telling us all of his experiences and the AMAZING works of the Lord I was hanging on every last word. I couldn't get enough. I think I might have even said "I want to do that". Then, I thought "Holy cow, I WANT to do that...I have a desire to actually go to Africa!" I talked to him after bible study and he encouraged me to go if the Lord provided a way. It wasn't soon after that I began telling people I was going to Africa...My exact words would be "I don't know when. I don't know how. I don't know exactly where, but I'm going."
I couldn't tell you how many times I repeated that phrase. I was so humbled to see the Lord actively change my desires. I was in awe that He would allow me to see clearly His will and answer my prayers to the tee. Now, he continuously asked me "Do you trust me? Do you really trust me?"
November of 07 rolls around and I'm doing my thing...I had been working at the Baptist Home for just about a year and still truckin' along in grad school as well as being involved in church stuff. The idea of starting up an international adoption program and floated around a couple of times over the past few months but nothing serious what-so-ever. Then, around November my boss had mentioned to me that she was researching what it would take to actually start one up just to get some information and I began reading things, etc. For some reason Ethiopia adoptions kept popping up in our research and my boss had mentioned it to me a couple of times. One day I remember sitting at my desk and was hit with a thought. "Oh, man. What if WORK is the way the Lord plans on sending me to Africa!?!!" I was beyond myself and couldn't help but to laugh because leave it up to the Lord to plan something like that out. I would have NEVER even entertained that would be a possibility. I just kept that thought to myself and went on my way.
December of 07 comes around and my boss informs me that the decision had been made to start up the international adoption program. I was ecstatic as you can imagine. It didn't promise me that I would go anywhere and I knew that--I honestly didn't really expect that because another lady we work with has been a missionary for years and at the time was in a position to be the one to travel for that purpose. Then, the middle of December came and my boss came into my office and sat down. First thing she asked was if I had a passport. I hesitantly told her I did. She then let me know that there was a trip planned to Ethiopia and Kenya with a number of couples wanting to adopt and that the other lady we work with couldn't go and Jami didn't have her passport and wouldn't get it in time. She then said that management okay-ed it for me to go. She didn't get through the sentence before I yelled. " I"LL GO!!!" She laughed and told me that before I made any decisions I need to check my school schedule and pray about it. She then told me that the trip would be in about a month. My mouth just dropped. So soon.
I prayed. Then, I prayed some more. I was going. The next week and a half or so was so crazy. I found out the details of the trip the exact dates, etc. I was pumped and told everyone! Then I was informed that the contact person had filled my spot and they were going to try and see if they could get another spot for the trip so it wasn't a done deal. I was floored. I hadn't been so disappointed in a long time. I wanted to cry. Wait, I did. Yet again, "Do you trust me??" I heard a soft, sweet voice saying "You JUST prayed for Me to close any doors if it's not My will...and now you're upset because I'm doing just that?! Rest in Me, child." I was told there was a pretty good chance it'd work out and I didn't have much time to raise support. I need A TON of support. $5,000 worth. The amazing thing is that didn't concern me one bit. I just knew that He would provide. After all I had been though on the journey to obey when he commanded, I didn't freak out about the money. (Trust me, others sure did) I made the decision to send out support letters and send out support letters is just what I did. A lot of them.
Then, came the news. The Baptist Home had made the decision for a number of reasons that the International Adoption Program wasn't' something they were going to pursue at the time. I couldn't believe it. Yet, I had a peace. Then I was told that the trip was still a go. I was still going to be able to go to Ethiopia and Kenya.
Then in January, the chaos in Kenya changed everything. The trip was postponed. (much to my parents' great pleasure!) I will flat out tell you that I would have still gone if I was allowed to. But, it wasn't the Lord's will. That's when I began wondering what in the world the Lord was doing. It happened fast, it stopped fast. Door WIDE open, door SLAMMED shut. The whole time..."Obey, rest, trust...". Don't get me wrong, there were times I was weary. Hence the need for the reminders.
February went by and there was word that the Ethiopia and Kenya trip was most likely rescheduled for March but it wasn't set in stone considering the unpredictability in Kenya. I had started to look into other options for trips going to Africa. I just wanted to see what was out there...different organizations, different countries, different mission opportunities. I began to pray again that the Lord would reveal His will specifically to me. (I've prayed the burning bush prayer one too many times to count) Then, I went to church on a Sunday and my at the very beginning of the service the announcements were being made and it was about the mission trip opportunities. I was looking down at something and heard them say Uganda and I got that same 'feeling'. Ya know, that feeling I ignored so many times in college? Out of everything that was being said that was the only thing I heard. Uganda. So, I asked about that trip and found out there was an informational meeting coming up for the trip. I knew I would be in attendance of that meeting. I mentioned it to my boss and asked all the job type questions pertaining to going on a trip. After praying a few days and talking it over with a couple of people I knew. THIS is what the Lord had for me. Of course I joked and laughed because I thought that about the other one, too. I knew He could change the plans at any minute but until He did I knew this was for me.
If someone would have seen me from the window, they would have thought I was crazy. I got the call from my boss saying that all of my requests for time off were approved--the last thing to seal the deal. I hung up and started screaming shouts of joy and jumping up and down and running around the living room yelling "YES YES YESSS!" (I was home by myself) and then I collapsed and fell to my knees and bawled thanking the Lord for his sovereignty and faithfulness even when I have such little faith.
The rest is history. I took care of all the support stuff (remember I sent out support letters months back for a completely different trip) and the Lord provided just as He said he would financially. I couldn't be more excited. Oh, and the people I'm going with (4 others) are so fun. Crazy fun. He amazes me. Truly amazes me.
If you don't take anything else away from this, please take away the truth that God is sovereign and KNOWS what is best for us. He protects, loves, and stretches us for our own good and ultimately for His glory. He asks us to obey him REGARDLESS of the cost, and doesn't take that light. He rejoices with us in our joy!!!
Hopefully, the next time for this will be once I'm in Africa!! I can't wait to share God's trip with you!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Fair Warning and Freedom
Surprise, surprise...here I am.
I feel cliche-ish in saying that I always told myself I would never 'blog' because everyone seems to start out their first blog that way. Cliche or not--it's the truth. I also feel like I'm supposed to have some catchy title and a post filled with material that leaves you hanging on every word. Not to burst any one's bubble, but I hope you don't necessarily expect to find that here. What you will find, however, is:
I figured a great way to let everyone in on my adventure and mission to Africa would be to start at square one. Shall we begin?
It began (well, looking back- where I now realize it began--I imagine the Lord has always been preparing me)when I was in college. I was a junior in college to be precise. I called up a guy friend to see what he was doing one night and he mentioned to me he was going to a meeting about Invisible Children on campus. (www.invisiblechildren.com --check it out, you will be educated) It was like 15 minutes before the meeting starting. Oh a whim, I headed out the door. I could never have been prepared for what I watched that night. I watched a documentary about the Invisible Children in Sudan and Northern Uganda and the horrible, mortifying ongoing war over there. I was in awe--and not in a good way. My heart was burdened that night. I couldn't really explain it. I went there not knowing anyone but the one guy friend really and left there glad because I wanted to be by myself to process what I had just seen. It was heart wrenching and I was grieving for the lives involved and angry that such a thing could be going on and it's like everyone ignored it. I joined the campus organization 'League of Nations' that night to do my part to help raise awareness for the Invisible Children. I told everyone and I helped raise money and I attended meetings and I prayed. I told myself that's where my part ended. I can remember a number of times getting this inexpressible 'feeling'. I can remember coming home from college one weekend and a video just so happened to be shown at church about missionaries in Africa and I had that same 'feeling'. I told myself Africa isn't where I was going to be. I told myself that I would support others 100% but to actually go myself was out of the question. I was scared.
OK, I hate to keep you hangin' but the continuation will come in the next blog. Stay tuned! :)
I'll leave you with a sentence or two from the email my brother sent me today--"Take lots of pictures and never forget the faces you will meet and the lack of understanding and lack of overall knowledge that many of the communities face every minute of every day. That is what you are fighting for. One life at a time!"
Amen, A-men.
I feel cliche-ish in saying that I always told myself I would never 'blog' because everyone seems to start out their first blog that way. Cliche or not--it's the truth. I also feel like I'm supposed to have some catchy title and a post filled with material that leaves you hanging on every word. Not to burst any one's bubble, but I hope you don't necessarily expect to find that here. What you will find, however, is:
- Updates while I am in Uganda, Africa (if I have Internet access that is)
***This is the motivation behind this whole 'thing'
- Amazing testimonies to an amazing and sovereign God
- Continuous ramblings most likely therapeutic for yours truly only
- Questions and Truth seeking
- A little insight into the undeserving life of mu ah. (is there an actual spelling for that?)
- Whatever these fingers of mine decide to put into words.
- A bit of the craziness that goes on in this mind...don't forget I warned you.
I figured a great way to let everyone in on my adventure and mission to Africa would be to start at square one. Shall we begin?
It began (well, looking back- where I now realize it began--I imagine the Lord has always been preparing me)when I was in college. I was a junior in college to be precise. I called up a guy friend to see what he was doing one night and he mentioned to me he was going to a meeting about Invisible Children on campus. (www.invisiblechildren.com --check it out, you will be educated) It was like 15 minutes before the meeting starting. Oh a whim, I headed out the door. I could never have been prepared for what I watched that night. I watched a documentary about the Invisible Children in Sudan and Northern Uganda and the horrible, mortifying ongoing war over there. I was in awe--and not in a good way. My heart was burdened that night. I couldn't really explain it. I went there not knowing anyone but the one guy friend really and left there glad because I wanted to be by myself to process what I had just seen. It was heart wrenching and I was grieving for the lives involved and angry that such a thing could be going on and it's like everyone ignored it. I joined the campus organization 'League of Nations' that night to do my part to help raise awareness for the Invisible Children. I told everyone and I helped raise money and I attended meetings and I prayed. I told myself that's where my part ended. I can remember a number of times getting this inexpressible 'feeling'. I can remember coming home from college one weekend and a video just so happened to be shown at church about missionaries in Africa and I had that same 'feeling'. I told myself Africa isn't where I was going to be. I told myself that I would support others 100% but to actually go myself was out of the question. I was scared.
OK, I hate to keep you hangin' but the continuation will come in the next blog. Stay tuned! :)
I'll leave you with a sentence or two from the email my brother sent me today--"Take lots of pictures and never forget the faces you will meet and the lack of understanding and lack of overall knowledge that many of the communities face every minute of every day. That is what you are fighting for. One life at a time!"
Amen, A-men.
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