Thanks to You!

Thanks to you, those who supported me in my travels to Africa, I have come back loaded with awesome.  God's awesomeness.  It wouldn't have been possible without your support and prayers.  There was a lot that happened in the past 10 days that I want to share with you.  I will try to do my best.  I know...it's a huge responsibility.

 

God happened.

God showed up.  

God moved in the hearts of those we encountered.

God moved in my heart.  

That's the 30-second answer to "How was your mission trip?".  Do you want to hear the longer version?They say that not everyone is ready to hear the long answer.  I have found this to be true from my stories from the Dominican Republic (June 2010).  I want give you the right answer and but please know that it will take more than 30 seconds.  So you need to tell me...which answer you want to hear. 

 It was an incredible journey.  One that had more than what I expected, and held more promise than I would have thought.  There was discovery of new territory....that of Swaziland, Africa and also those uncharted waters of my heart.  

Changed happened in Africa, change happened in my soul.  I now see God in a new and fresh way.  Not that I had a bad view of by any means.  But it is bigger, it's on the wow-scale at 15, it's now expanded.  That is awesome, that is God.  I can't wait to share with you.  I hope you are ready for the long answer.

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Merciful Footprints

It's about a week before we leave.  Wow...I remember when this time was months away.  I didn't realize that it would go by so fast.  All of a sudden I feel so unprepared.  This is really going to happen.  I have been traveling to distant lands for a while in my mind and prayers.


There's a verse in scripture that gives me reassurance this week.  

Isaiah 52:12 "But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard."  

I am praying for traveling mercies.  Not just safe flights to and fro but for mercy to be shown, mercy to be given.  I want to be a giver of His grace as I have received it.  I want to be a giver of smiles as He has given me joy.  I want to be the giver of His love.


I know though it's really not me who is doing the work.  I am just an instrument that God chooses to make His footprint there.  My small imprint will be with the host of others that going in name of Jesus.  I know that God has prepared this way...laced with His mercy and grace.  Just when you think your heart can't take any more...God is expands it a little further.


I appreciate all the support and prayers of those have come along side to support me in this incredible mission journey.  It's really just the beginning of a whole new story, a whole new work in my heart.  And as I go forward, I know that God's mercy and grace are making footprints too.    

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Ordinary Missions

One of my recent memory verses really defines my idea of missions.   


Ps. 82:3-4 "Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and the oppressed.  Rescue the weak and needy, deliver them from the hands of the wicked."


It speaks of helping, serving, reaching with action words like defend, maintain, rescue and deliver.  Everywhere I look there are mission fields full of the poor among us.   


Jesus focused his ministry on the down-trodden.  He hung out with the sinners, the tax collectors.  His mission team was comprised of the ordinary.  Those who cared.  Those who had been changed.  Those who had followed him in His ministry on mission trips.  

The most striking idea in this verse is that it commands.  Our participation isn't optional.  It's a calling that is not reserved for just a few who have a divinity degree.  There's no disclaimer that says...only if you can or want to or have special training.  

Everyone is invited and expected to be a part of God's work in the harvest field.  The disadvantaged, the low, the down trodden are close to God's heart.  He keeps them in the folds of His love.  I pray to sense His heartbeat for those who are in need.  These verses softly speak missions and quietly quicken my heart with deep devotion to serve mercy, inspire change, and bring boldness.

"When God said 'Go!' he meant 'all the way'" 

Dave Ohlerking, founder of Children's Cup   

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His Big Picture From the small

I pray that we can be one as a team. 

There is not one thing I can bring.

I am not skilled.  

I only have a willing heart to follow...

With eyes on our big God....He leads....

As seeing Him I am able to see a small slice of His grace.

I can't comprehend why He would want to send me.  

I only follow.  

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Packed

I have been away for a while...this life I live for Christ is consuming.  As the mission preparations are being made in regards to fundraising, selling "This Is Africa" t-shirts, gathering supplies for VBS, being on-the-ground ready, God is preparing my heart to be on-the-ground ready too.  


With all the things that need to taken or packed in my luggage I am leaving pockets of emptiness that can only be filled by Him once I arrive. Filled with empathy and compassion, laced with His love, my suitcases are bulging.  As each gift is packed in the weighty bags, there is still room for His Spirit to work.  With each day on the count-down calendar, God keeps reminding me of one more thing bring.  Deeper still is His love for us, the gospel message brings that truth.


My heart is packed and ready to go, but still it stirs.  

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Whispers

I was visiting with a good friend about our trip to Swaziland.  She's traveled there before.  She remarked it is a hard place.  She said that she has left a piece of her heart there.  I told her I felt like my heart was already there as God has been planting His seeds of love deep within. It's interesting how God will plant the seeds of His desires and they quickly become your own.  


One of the activities that we know we are going to do is love on kids.  That is one of the main reasons to go.  They need a lot of it.  But not just our love, they need to know that they are holy loved.  She told of previous trip of a time when she had some littles in her lap.  As she held them in her arms, she whispered "You are the one Jesus loves".  When she told me that a wonderful picture of Christ came to mind.  I could see it so clearly, her lap full of kids, hugging those who needed an extra measure of grace, whispering love in their ear.  Imagine it with me, in that moment..in the quiet and the still, I would guess you could hear God whisper love too...saying the same in our ear.


How could I not go...knowing I would miss His whisper??  I don't want to miss a moment.

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God Doesn't Really Need Me To Go

I had this thought this weekend....God doesn't really need me to go to Africa.....It's true.  


When I was first asked to go, I didn't hesitate to say yes.  I recognized the opportunity to go and see the work of Children's Cup in Swaziland.  I couldn't wait to see the kids they reach and teach.  I still can't.  I can't wait to hug them with love.  


But God doesn't really need me...to go.  It's not about feeling needed.  


It was in Sunday's message that I understood.  Yes, this is an opportunity but I also have a responsibility to go.  I can't pass that up.  I do missions, that is an area where God has called and planted His desires for His needs in my heart.  So it's like I can't NOT go.


I don't really bring any special skills to the team.  I can't fix the broken, I can't bring prosperity, I can't heal the sick, I can't.  But I can love, I can hug, I can serve them where needed, I can paint, I swing a hammer, I can sit and hold a precious heart in my lap.  Those things I CAN do.  


God does want my willing heart to be, to go, to give.  I believe that is His mission.  I can obey His call to go.  I can share my love of my Savior with them.  I can tell of how he has worked in my life with the broken things.  I can give them hope.  I can.

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