Sixth Months Later....

My sophomore year in college, I went to a missionary conference over the Christmas Break with several other students from Bluffton. I was a new Christian and in love with only Him. The conference changed my life. I knew at the age of 18 that my goal was to serve Christ with all I had. Worshiping with 18,000+ believers, and sharing in communion at midnight on New's Years Day was very powerful. I remember coming back from the conference high on the mountain top, ready to serve. Yet, some how between that conference in 1994 and 2008, I lost that feeling and forgot what my ultimate goal was. I forgot what it was to put God first and my desire to serve only Him. Somehow, I had strayed. Maybe it was the time factor,the choices I made, life circumstances, or perhaps a little of everything. Regardless of how it happened, in 2008 I began to realize, I was no where near who I wanted to be and my relationship with God was less than I ever imagined it would be. I began slowly finding God and the relationship with Him that I had lost. When I began attending Liberty, God began moving in a mighty way.

Sixth months ago, I was in Africa. When I was asked, I really had no idea why I was asked or why God would want me to go. I had nothing to offer anyone, or so I thought. My experience in Africa, like that of the missionary conference was life altering. Unlike the conference, I did not come back on the mountain top high (I came back exhausted beyond belief! :~)) I came back with the understanding that God was wanting more of me, and I wanted more of Him.

I learned a lot from the women and children that we met. I don't think that is how it was supposed to work. I thought I was going to Uganda to serve them, not to be served by them. What a surprise God had in store for me! To be given so much, to be shown such unconditional love and gratitude was powerful. To see people making sacrifices for me, when I knew it was all they had, was humbling. They didn't ask me if I deserved their welcome or their acceptance, they gave it freely.

People have asked me several times what it was like to be in Africa with those that have "so little," betting I saw things I could never have imagined. They are right in some sense. Maybe they had very little by our western, materialistic standard. But for those who had found Jesus, they were wealthier than anyone I have ever met. As for seeing things I never imagined, you bet! I saw a woman give up her only chicken in gratitude for us coming to visit her. I saw proud moms showing off their children. I saw children with clothes that didn't fit, with extended bellies, playing with bottle caps, with the greatest smiles one could ever imagine. I saw Jesus in each of them.

Since returning from Africa, I have sought God with a renewed passion. I have read, prayed, and studied. My goal is to allow Him to work through me and in me, all for His glory. Life has not gotten easier since my trip to Africa. If anything, things have been tougher. Some days I can focus on Him, and other days I need a reminder that His plan is far greater than I can understand. Many times, it is on these days that I run across a teaspoon laying in the strangest places (Read "The Teaspoon" if this doesn't make sense to you! ). I used to pick them up, throw them in the sink. and wonder why in the world the kids were playing with the teaspoons and why they were all over the house. Now, I stop, smile, and thank God for the reminder. He continues to show me his mercy and love, I just need to remember to slow down and allow Him the chance.

Africa changed me, but not in the way I thought it would. It changed my perspective. It changed my desires and goals. He continues to show me that the secret to my contentment is to trust in Him for the strength I need in each and every situation (Philippians 4:12-13)! I'm not the greatest or strongest in my faith. Sometimes,I have hard time trusting that He has a greater plan and allowing Him to work, but I do know one thing, and to this I will cling, "I belong to Jesus!"

done............well, almost

The last day of school for my students is tomorrow. I will be quite honest in saying I am NOT sad about this! :-)This year has been an emotional roller coaster for me. Two different bosses, staff relation problems, unethical behaviors, students that were beyond my realm of ability to help...these are just a few things that affected my year. I filed my first workman's comp claim this year...after nine years of working with students with emotional disturbances and thirteen years of teaching. Had a SCREAMING fight with my boss in the middle of a hallway (Not quite my style) It was not a good year. Well, until I started thinking about it and realized it depended on my perspective. I needed to change how I was looking at this year. When I changed my perspective, this was by far the best year that I have had with my students. I have seen amazing progress this year. I have had the privilege of watching how God moves and changes eight students. Yep, I said God, and yep, I teach in the public schools. God is awesome, He doesn't care about "keeping religion out of school" rule. I don't preach to my kids, I don't have to, God works in other ways. I had an amazing staff that were true examples of living one's faith. This year I also had the privilege of having my husband work with me in my classroom. This provided a different atmosphere than ever before. Between Rick being there, myself, and the ladies who work in my room, a family atmosphere emerged.

At the end of the year, we spend a significant amount of time cleaning. Since supplies are very limited, we reuse everything we can. While cleaning out notebooks, we ran across a journal entry written in March by the student I affectionately nicknamed "Big Guy" this year. This is what he said...

If my life was perfect, I would be in Africa, not Ohio. I would have nice clothes and shoes. My family would have a cookout without fighting. Mr. Wilson and I would hang out all day, every day.

Yesterday, there was a knock on my door. When I went to open it, there was a student I had two years ago standing there. In a fashion true to his personality, he announced his arrival and visited for ten minutes before announcing he must leave. He is doing well he said. Done with "being a bad kid." He had grown at least a foot since I had seen him last. Yesterday when he left, I knew he would be okay. He had found what he needed to be okay with himself and with his place in the world.

I can't...won't take credit for any kid's behavior changes, I am honored that God chose to use me to touch these kids lives. And I am blessed to be given such huge gifts of seeing how they are transformed...

I don't know what next year holds...but I am okay with that because I know that God already has it planned down to the finest detail. No matter where or what it is, I will do my job to the best of my abilit, and I will remain faithful that it is all for God's glory.

Lesson Learned

I will be honest, things have been a little crazy, and not so good lately. I know that with every great experience in which God is glorified, Satan does his best to attack and tear one down. This has been evident in almost every area of my life over the past few weeks. From struggles at work to struggles at home. But today was different.

I woke up and hour and a half late to discover I should have already left for work, but neglected to set my alarm. So after a quick shower,I ran out the door, knowing I did not take time to seek God and to be with Him, as I usually do. I remember thinking on my way to work that this was not the best decision! But,God had other plans.

If for some reason you don't know what I do each day...I teach...well, that might not be accurate. I have a classroom of 8 junior high age students that have some type of severe emotional disturbance. I really feel that my job isn't always about teaching what the state standards say, but instead my job is about providing stability and emotional support. Some days I get to teach a real lesson or two,and other days I am lucky to get through "How was your evening" without a major crisis.
As the day began to unfold, everything around me crumbled. The secretary was out, the teacher next door was taken to the hospital when her back went out, lunches were not accurate ( a long story in itself), but yet none of that mattered today. Instead, God gave me a gift, a lesson...

A few weeks ago, a new student arrived in my class. This kid is unlike any I have ever had in my class. Today, I had the chance to sit and work with him. As I did, Brandon Heath's song "Love Never Fails" played over and over in my head. I watched this student's eyes sparkle as he told me stories and as he caught on to what he was learning. If I didn't know his story, and hadn't witnessed the other side for myself, I would have thought he was a typical teen. After this time, I also had to meet with his family. As I listened to their story, my thoughts were on how their love never fails this child and how through their love, they have such hope for him. As the grandmother said to me through tears,"Tell me what I need to do. What more can I do to help him?" All I could say was, "You are doing it. Be there for him." I wish I could answer their questions and tell them the magical formula to change this. But I can't. Instead,I have the promise of a God who loves us and will never fail us.

When I finally had a chance to sit down today and just watch my students, I realized that I am their student and they are teaching me. I thought of the verse, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NIV). I have never thought of this verse as it pertains to all relationships in my life or even to my job. But watching my students today, I realized that this is what God was calling me to do right now. Love each and everyone as he does...patiently, with hope, with a clean slate each and every minute. Why? Because this is how He loves me, and this is what it means to follow Him.

Tegatatoo

While in Africa, we were able to visit an IDP camp. IDP stands for Internally Displaced Persons. These camps were established during the civil war that lasted for twenty-three years. When people were forced from their village, they found refuge in these camps. Since the war is now over, these camps are being destroyed and people are being forced to return to their native villages. Sounds simple, right? Well, then one has to throw in the factors of most people have been born and raised in these camps, most do not have a savings account that will allow them to relocate and take care of their needs, there are no real estate brokers to show them the latest hut that just came on the market, and most do not have any means of transportation besides their two feet. A little more complicated than a move in the U.S..
But that isn't what we were there to experience. We went to the camp with another ministry called Every Child Ministries. As we were driving down the dirt road, we pulled off next to a large tree. They explained it was their prayer tree and it was their custom to stop and pray before going any further. After a moment of prayer together, we traveled to a rectangular hut. The hut was larger than the round huts, had no walls, just a grass roof. Inside their were four split logs for people to sit on. This was the Baptist Church. (Sorry, I can't remember the real name of the church). Someone was sent to get the straw mats for us to sit on. As soon as we arrived, the women and children began showing up. Children from the local school filled half the church to eat their lunch of rice and beans. The pastor took time to share a message with the women who had gathered to greet us. Many of the women stood up and told their stories. Some made the comment, that although they had not committed their life to Christ yet, they planned to do so as soon as things were perfect. Mama Miriam jumped on this opportunity and she shared with the women that there is no such thing as perfect that the time is right now. She shared the parable of the soils and what soil did the women want to be like. Three women gave their lives to Christ that day...Heaven rejoiced.


As with Kasubi, I found that the women were proud. They were proud of what they had, of their children, and of who they were. I had seen a young mother come into the hut with a tiny baby that looked like a newborn. She saw me watching her, she smiled, and motioned for a little girl to come to her. This little girl, who we later learned was six years old, then proceeded to bring me this tiny baby. I still don't know if it was a boy or a girl. But I dubbed him "Baby Wilson" and was instantly in love with his big brown eyes that seemed to take in my every move and understand my every word. He could not have weighed five pounds, but he was so alert. I found out later that he was a month old. I loved holding this little guy, talking to him, and loving him. His mom watched my moves and by her facial expression, I could tell she was proud of her baby and was pleased that I loved him so.
We met a little girl that stayed by Cindy's side the entire time we were there. I can't remember her name, except that it started with an "I." She brought Baby Wilson over to me and then stayed. She was fascinated with Cindy's hair and brushed her hands through it. She touched my tattoo, and took in our every move. She had a sore on her foot that looked horrid, but she didn't complain. She had an open wound filled with flies, but never winced when it was cleaned with a wet wipe and put a band-aid on it.
After all the school children were fed, bowls filled with rice and beans were placed in front of each of us. They fed us first, and then the women that had gathered shared what was left. As if the meal was not enough, suddenly a covered tray was brought out. Soda...in the middle of no where, we were served Coke. Having nothing but water with us, we offered the women the new water bottles that we had. We quickly realized that this was a bigger treat than the soda. They began handing the bottles back for someone to take off the safety seals. They didn't know how. Something so basic, a simple water bottle was a bigger gift than we could imagine.

Cindy took an empty water bottle and poured some of her soda in it for the little girl. As she took a sip, we were pretty sure it was her first taste of soda ever. Her eyes grew big and immediately her facial expression showed she liked it. She drank and would motion for more. We, of course obliged. I took pictures to show her that her tongue was orange like the soda. Cindy began singing with her, teaching her our favorite new song, "I belong to Jesus."
We went on a walk through the village. Seeing the huts that had been destroyed, the local market, and of course the people. The children flocked. They posed for the camera, grabbed our hands to walk with us, and laughed. So happy, with so little. As we walked, I realized the little girl who had been walking hand in hand with Cindy, was now taking her water bottle of soda and giving all the little children sips of her treasure. She could have kept it to herself. She only had an ounce or two in the bottle, but she chose to give it away.
As we ended our walk through the village, we were invited into a hut. There a woman, Naomi, had prepared a feast for us. We entered her hut and found chairs placed neatly in a circle around a little table and then food was placed on the table. The meal consisted of boiled potatoes and some type of warm peanut mush. (I will be honest and tell you that I was thanking God for the lack of light in the hut, while praying to survive the situation.) The visitors ate and the locals watched. Then came another round of soda. Now, looking around the hut, I realized there was nothing else there, no other furniture, no bed, no storage of food (besides the gigantic bag of rice). There was, however,a toothbrush and toothpaste tucked into the grass of the roof! We thought we had been given so much, then Naomi brought in her only chicken and presented it to Bill. Her ONLY live chicken.

Before we left, the women sang and praised God. It didn't matter that I did not know the words of the songs, I knew the message behind it. We left camp that evening with a rooster and a chicken that had been gifted to us and to Every Child Ministries. We name the chicken Fluffy Mc Nugget and left it at the Zion Project, thanking God it was too late for Mama Miriam to fix fried chicken that evening!

I think about my experience atTegatatoo a lot. I learned something there from the women who by American standards had so little, but gave us everything. They had no idea who we were, but they welcomed us. They trusted us with their children and their stories. They invited us to be part of their life. They loved us without asking for anything in return. Then when we thought they had given us all they had, they reached deeper and gave us more. I pray that I can learn to live and to love as freely as these women. I pray that I can trust in Jesus with my entire life, giving Him my all, without asking for anything in return. No holding back...all to Jesus, my blessed Savior.

Blessed

Yesterday I was sharing my pictures of Africa with a family member. As I scrolled through quickly, I realized that they really weren’t that interested. Maybe because there are so many! Afterward, he made the comment, “So you had good time?” I said "I was blessed" He answered, “Well good, I thought you would get over there and hate it.” I have thought about this conversation a few times and realized how funny it is to me. Maybe because right now, I feel it is the opposite. I didn’t hate Gulu, the people, the culture, the food (okay, the peanut mush and the meat are not on my list of favorites), the lifestyle; instead I fell in love. I fell in love with the people and the culture.
I didn’t hate Africa, I hated leaving. I hated returning to a materialistic, status driven, competitive society that has forgotten how to slow down and enjoy. I didn’t go to Africa to have a good time, I went to follow God. I can’t think of too many people that would consider being drenched in sweat and living without electricity a “good time”…Oh wait, I do, but I call it camping! I went to Africa to be obedient to God’s call, and in return I have been blessed beyond measure (and I did have a good time because of His blessings?.)
I can't believe that it has been almost a month since we left for Africa. Since returning home, things haven’t changed or slowed down, just because my perspective has changed. I realize that if I want it to change, I have to be the change for others to follow. I have to be the example and make the change happen. This is so much easier said than done. I have to learn to be on my knees more seeking God's guidance to what He wants me to change in my life, and then follow.
A few weeks before leaving for Africa, I heard a sermon about what did one want to leave behind as their legacy. I have wrestled with this for almost two months now. I don’t want my legacy to be of earthly matters. I want my legacy to be my faith and my obedience to God’s calling. I want my legacy to be of the treasures I have stored up in heaven, not here on earth. So I as I seek God's will for what and where I am to go next, I hold to the promise that God has great plans!

Tears

I am NOT an emotional person. I never have been. But today, I have cried more than I have in a long time. This morning I received a phone call at 7:30 that set the mood for my day. This phone call must have been what broke through the wall, because since then, I have been an emotional wreck! I have cried all day!
Shortly after Kailie died, I met a woman who had just lost her baby, Noah. Over the past 8 1/2 years, we have held each other in prayer and been a strong support for each other. The funny thing is, in all that time, we had never talked on the phone or met in person. It was only last week that we took the plunge and began instant messaging. Even though we have never met in person, or even heard each others' voice, I know she is my friend and will be there whenever I need her.
While God has blessed me with two more children, she and her husband have prayed and tried for more children, but had not been granted this plea. Last month, she told me that they were beginning the IVF process. I knew the egg retrieval would happen around Kailie’s birthday, which also happens to be her nephew, who lives in Heaven, and her sister’s birthdays. As it turned out, the egg retrieval was on their birthdays. This morning, she broke all unwritten “no call” rules to tell me that she was looking at a positive pregnancy test! I cried. I cried in happiness, sharing her excitement and feeling all the emotions I felt when I found out that I was pregnant with Nicholas and with Aubie. I cried out of relief that her prayers had been answered, knowing that God's timing is different than ours and is perfect. I cried in praise for our God who listens to our hearts and has great plans. I cried because I was suddenly overwhelmed with so much emotion for how awesome God is and how he can take anything and use it for His good. I cried, well, because I could…
It is funny, that even though we have never talked in person or even met, I knew her voice the minute I answered my phone this morning. It was as though we had talked a million times and knew everything about each other. There was no awkwardness, no “what to say next” moments. Our friendship has been a total blessing, a gift from God.
As I cried, I thought about our friendship and how strong it is and how it put me in mind of my relationship with God… I don’t have to physically have seen God to know what he looks like. I have seen Him in the face of my children, of my friends, of the people I met in Africa. I do not have to have heard His voice to know His words as they are whispered in my ear, shared through a friend, or through His written word. I don’t have to see God to trust Him with my life and to know that He is the greatest friend, counselor, support that I will ever have. All I have to do is have faith, be willing to trust, and make that call…

Thank you Jesus for your greatness and for having a plan that is greater than we can ever imagine for each of us!

"I come from Zion..."

The main focus of our trip to Uganda was to work with the Zion Project. The Zion Project is the result of the prayers and hard work of Sarita Hartz and her dedicated staff (and family). Part of the Zion Project consists of a Children's Home that houses fourteen girls ages four to thirteen. These girls are orphaned or custody has been given to the Zion Project in order to keep these girls safe from a lifestyle that would be considered our greatest nightmare. At their young age, they have seen and experienced more than many of us ever will in our entire lifetime.
The girls were so excited to have company from far away. Each time we went to the house and each time we went to leave, it was like a flood of hugs. When someone grabbed a book to read, there may be one girl sitting at the beginning, but soon a crowd would be gathered. They loved their pictures to be taken. They would pose and then gather around to see. These girls have every right to be bitter and and angry; to not trust and shy away from strangers. Instead, they were happy and welcoming.
The first night we arrived, Mama Miriam who helps care for the girls, had helped the girls prepare a program. As the girls sang songs of praise and danced, I teared up. To be so young, yet so full of love for God. The girls sang with all their heart and prayed unlike I have ever heard any child pray.
The next time we went, the girls were so excited to sit outside and color! Their pictures were filled with vibrant colors. I knew Joseph had a coat of many colors, but I was unaware that Joseph himself was so colorful, until I looked at the pictures! :-) While playing outside, they would randomly break into song. One would start and soon others would follow. They were happy to spend time with us and with each other.
I have been surprised by people's reactions to my trip to Africa. For the most part, people are supportive and anxious to hear about it. But there have been the people who want to know how spending a week in a third world country filled with poverty, AIDS, disease, trash, stench, hunger, etc could be so rewarding. I try hard to respond by smiling and understanding that if you haven't been there to see and experience it, it would not make sense. Yes, all of these were present, but all it took for me to see a different side of Africa, was to pull through the gates of the Zion Project. Fourteen faces smiling, showing excitement. Fourteen sets of feet jumping up and down. More hugs being shared than I ever dreamed possible in a two minute period. These girls are a walking testimony of the healing power of our mighty God. This was the reason that Africa was so beautiful to me. It was through the compassion of these children and all the other welcoming people that I experienced Africa.

The Teaspoon

One of the first places we went outside of the Zion Project was to the Kasubi Slum. This was a small area outside of town where the Congolese sex workers and the mothers to some of the girls at the Zion Project live. The first thing I noticed was that in all actuality, it was cleaner than Gulu. Not nearly the amount of trash laying around. The children were outside and naturally curious at the arrival of our van. As we unloaded the van and assembled in the middle of the slum, a young boy caught my eye. He did not come up in the crowd initially, but he stood in front of his hut. Clutched in his little hands was a plastic white teaspoon. When he came over to check us out, he still held that teaspoon tightly in his hand, held to his chest. I realized that this tiny piece of plastic, as insignificant as it seemed to me, was this child's prized possession. I went through my pictures to see if I could find this little guy, but no such luck.
Kasubi, I think was I think one of the best parts of my trip. When we arrived, people began to assemble around us. One of the girls grabbed our drum and began the beat. We then danced and praised our God under a mango tree...in Africa! Afterward, the women began bringing couches out of the huts so that we would not have to sit on the ground...as they did. Then the girls each took a turn sharing their stories with us and telling us how God's love was so important to them. The girls were very proud of their children. They brought their babies for us to hold and to awwww over. I received quite the visual demonstration on how the copper bracelet kept Baby Joy from puking after breastfeeding (Use your own imagination here. Gestures are the universal language!) Baby Patrick christened my shirt with pee. The women straightened dresses and stuck the children in front of us for pictures to be taken.
Each wanted us to pray over their huts. They took us by the arm and led us around the slum, stopping when needed to share with us a story and ask for prayer. It was at Kasubi that I met Sarah, the young mother that had recently lost her three children.
I met Joseph at Kasubi as well. He looked to be about six, so I am sure that he was probably nine or so. Joseph came and stood next to me while I was sitting on the couch, listening. I felt his little hand touch my arm a few times before I really paid attention to what he was doing. Each time the wind blew dirt on my skin, he picked it off and cleaned my arm. When a seed fell in my hair, he picked it out. I took Joseph and sat him on my lap, where he settled in. His clothes were dirty and ragged, the back of his shirt was missing, and his skin was dirty. Yet, he spent his time making sure I was clean. His eyes were filled with a smile and his face was welcoming. He took my hand and walked with me for as long as he could before returning home. Joseph taught me a lesson in humility. To have so little, but to be willing to serve with what he did have...heart.
Today, I went to walk down to the basement to wash laundry. Laying in the middle of the stairwell was a metal teaspoon. Immediately, my mind shifted from the agenda that I was mulling over to my time under the mango tree. I am so thankful that God loves me enough to remind me of the little boy and his teaspoon, and how little it takes to really be happy. It isn't about what I don't have or how much I do have. It's all about God's love. I am thankful that as the little boy clutched that teaspoon with all his might, that God does the same for each of His children. Clutching us in his arms, close to his heart, telling us over and over that we are His prized possession...

Nine Years...

Nine years ago today, my daughter, Kailie was born. Nine years ago today, she returned to heaven. I remember the pain and grief that I felt. I didn't understand and I was so hurt. Never would I have thought God would use this experience to do great things in my life. Losing my child has allowed me to minister to others and has created deep friendships with so many others that I may have never connected with. For this I am grateful. Yet still, I had no idea how God could use this...even in Africa.
While at the Kasubi Slums last week, I was given the opportunity to pray with a woman who had recently lost three of the four of her children in a fire. Later I had found out that the woman had just accepted Christ in her life. As I prayed for her and then shared that I understood her pain, we embraced. In that moment, nothing else mattered--language barriers were lifted and circumstances faded. We were two mothers sharing a grief that I would not wish on anyone. It is my prayer that as she learns to walk in faith and finds comfort in God, that she will remember the white woman that came and shared her pain with her. This one moment that we shared, is by far one of my favorite moments of the entire trip.
God doesn't wish anything bad on anyone. He did not take Kailie or Sarah's three children. He didn't take my friend's little Noah or Syre. The truth is we live in a fallen world that is so far away from what God had intended. But when we can reach out and give the situation back to God, He will use our pain and suffering in ways that is beyond imaginable. He has proven this to me time and time again! For this I am grateful!

wow...

There is so much that I want to share, but right now there is too much to process and so much else to do.
Our time in Uganda was nothing short of a magnificent gift from God. We witnessed God working in ways that is beyond measure or words. We went to minister to the women and children of Uganda, but I feel the table was turned and we were ministered to by the women and children of Uganda.
Hopefully by this weekend I will have time to sit and share the experience for all of those that have supported the team financially and or spiritually.

We serve a mighty God, my friends. My life has been richly blessed...

Becoming a reality

Wow! I just read on Facebook that we are going to Uganda next week...NEXT WEEK! WHAT?! Ohhh, yes, that would be happening next week. Wow. It seems like forever ago when I was first asked to go on this journey.

This past weekend I was given the opportunity to share my testimony (the short and concise 3 minute version) at church. The sermon that followed dealt with choices each person makes. In Pastor Paul's words there is "grasshopper mentality" (Numbers 13:31) in which we tell ourselves "we can't" or there is Faith mode (Joshua 2:24) that tells us we CAN! The sermon went on to compare the attitudes of the people during the attempts to enter the Promise Land. I could not have designed a sermon to fit what I felt God was calling me to share if I had written it myself.

Over the past three months I have had "Grasshopper mentality" several times. I have thrown my hands up and said "WHAT AM I THINKING? I CAN'T GO TO AFRICA!" I have gone through every excuse--it cost too much and there are many other things we could use the money for, who will care for the kids, I have too much schoolwork, the loss of wages from taking time off is too detrimental. You name it and I tried to reason with God and myself, telling myself that this was something I could not do. But each time it came down to a simple response of "Go." And if God says "Go," I am going to follow His command and trust that all is under control!

Never would I have thought that God could use me...someone who struggles with my faith and remaining obedient, to go and minister to people on the other side of the world. But maybe that isn't God's plan. Maybe I am to go so that these young girls and their stories can minister to me. Or maybe I am to go to hear their stories in order to share them with someone else who needs to hear them. Whatever the reason, I am ready. I am ready to serve.

I ask that each of you continue to pray for all those that God wants to be on this trip. Pray that the financial burden will be taken care of. (Pray that I am able to cram three weeks of school work into the next 8 days) Pray that each of us will remember to open our spiritual ears, fight the grasshopper mentality, and reach out in faith.

I feel it my friends, God is about do great things in the lives of so many!!!

I'm leaving on on a jet plane (but I do know when I will be back again!)

Today, it is official... I am the proud owner of an airline ticket to Uganda. In three weeks time, I will leave all this white, cold slush behind to fly half way around the world to a world unlike anything my mind will allow me to fathom. What a great way to spend my 35th birthday! I am excited. I am nervous, yet I am unusually calm. I know that God has a plan for each of the people who are going on this trip and that our lives will be richly blessed beyond measure.
I have learned over the past few weeks that the more I pursue God, the more Satan actively tries to interfere. The great thing is, our God is soooo mighty that Satan's efforts are nothing more than foolish tantrums for something he will never have! What an awesome God we serve! I am confident that as the time approaches, Satan's attempts to attack each person going on this trip will increase. Please continue to pray for each of person going, as well as for those we are going to encounter. Pray that as the smaller details unfold, that each of us will feel God's hand and understand the plan that He has for this trip!

It's a beginning

Well, I have said for the past two months that I would start a blog so that people can follow what is going on with the trip to Africa... and our lives. This morning must have been the magical moment because here it is!

To find a spot to truly call the beginning is a senseless task. The best I can tell you is the beginning of this journey happened long before I took my first breathe, when only God knew of my existence. I can honestly say that I believe that God has pursued me all of my life. From the time I was young attending Sunday School and church with my cousins, I knew God was calling. In college, God's persistence won! I chose to follow Him. I wish I can say that since day almost 17 years ago, that my life has been nothing but worship and praise. However, that would be a lie. Instead it has been a ever changing journey. I have crawled through valleys and climbed to the peaks; cried out and sang His praise.

So to the present--the big trip.

Last January (oh wait, did I say to the present? :)), I finally decided it was time to go back to school and pursue my Masters. I chose Liberty University because of its Christian values and the fact that almost all of my Masters could be completed online with the exception of internships and three classes. Last summer I journeyed to Lynchburg for the first of these classes. In the afternoon, I was blessed to study under a woman whose love for Christ was nothing short of contagious. Our personalities clicked and since then we have become good friends. I have learned a great deal from this person professionally, personally, and most important-- spiritually.
At the end of October, she asked if I would accompany her and a team to Uganda. I, of course thought she was kidding. After mentioning it at least three more times, I finally decided maybe I should take her request serious. Rick and I talked it over, prayed, prayed, and prayed some more. We felt God telling me to "GO!" Since then, each piece to make this journey possible is slowly falling into place. My employer granted me leave without question, a family friend donated air miles so that I can fly to VA to meet and fly with the team to Uganda, my passport arrived without issue, and slowly funds are trickling in to assist with the cost.
In two months, I will board a plane and fly to a different continent, to a world that is unlike anything I can fathom. While there, it is my prayer that God will pour His love through me. I am told that our time in Uganda will not be structured minute by minute. Instead it is the desire of those in charge of the Zion Project that we spend time listening to what God wants each of us to do and then be obedient to this call. (WHAT! No minute by minute agenda?!!!! For those who know me well, know that apparently God has decided to work on my OCD through this trip!!!!)

I ask that you pray. Pray for each of the people we encounter; pray for each person God is sending on this team and for their families; pray for safety; pray for guidance. Most importantly pray that we will each set aside our needs and desires so that we can learn to be more of who God desires us to be. "Less of me and more of Him," not only for this trip but in our daily lives. Who knows, we may be the only "Jesus" someone will ever meet!