My little Monkey

My sweet nephew Kane is one week old today. Wow. One week in Heaven. How that must feel. I know he is flying all over up there, and if he is anything like me, he is into everything! ;) When he gets sleepy he rest in the arms of angels, and when he is curious he talks with Jesus. When we miss him, he comforts us. When we cry he wipes our tears. He is walking down the streets of gold, and helping build our mansions. What a celebration it must have been when little Kane flew home to Heaven. Those gates open wide, and Jesus waiting. If he has half the voice his mommy has I know he is singing in the choir with angels. If he is anything like his grandpa or Uncle Jay he is probably scoping out some nice “huntin” spots to save when we get there. If he is like his grandma He is being strong, praying over us each day.

                I still don’t understand why God decided to take you before we got to know you. But I have to believe that somehow through this tragedy God has a plan. Though, I still wish we could have heard you cry, and I wish Natalie could have taken you home. She will be the most amazing mom. I wish I could see you grow up. I wish I could see you walk and run. We had so many plans, and hopes and dreams. But what we don’t realize is that God’s plan for you is SO much more than any plans we could have ever dreamed for you. In your short time here, Kane, you brought our family together. You brought us deeper.  You healed old hurts, and created new relationships. You showed us how strong love can truly be. I believe, in a way, you saved us.

                You will never have to feel a tear on your cheek. You will never have a scraped knee. You will never break a bone, or bump your head. You will never get your heart broken, or know how it feels to be sad. You will never have to eat broccoli or green beans. ;) You will never have to know the hurts of this world. And you will never be scared. You will never feel alone and never feel worthless.  You will, however, always be happy and always have a purpose. You will always be supported and always be watched over. You will forever be with the Lord in a perfect paradise.

                We miss you every day. Keep watch over your mommy, she needs you.

Watch over me in Africa little monkey,

-love your Aunt B

                “If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think, but the most important thing is, even if we’re apart…I’ll always be with you.”

                                                                                                                                               

-Christopher Robin

Dream A Little Dream...

My last couples of post have been about my struggles since returning from Africa. Mainly just questioning myself of how I was going to do missions and if it’s really what I am suppose to do, and so on. I feel in my heart I am called to missions. God confirmed that for me in Africa. Why was I questioning that? I had let everyday struggles slowly tear me from my calling. And no, I have not black slidin’ or committed some major sin. Not at all. I just let life bog me down, and the stresses and problems were making me question my call. I truly believe that God knew what was going on and decided to fix it. Three months in the making. All of this is so crazy to me because HE knew EXACTLY what I would be struggling with in the future, and started orchestrating something 3 months ahead of time. The Lord is so good.

 I got a text message on October 3^rd around 10:40pm asking “is this Brandi Young?” With a curious mind I replied “Yup”. I get a message back and it was a person I haven’t talked to in probably 6, 7 years. This person went on to tell me that they needed to talk to me.  Worried, I said “sure. Is everything ok?” and she told me “yes.” This person and I never had the best past. To this day I still can’t tell you why we never got along, but sometimes I feel like God has funny ways of orchestrating things. My guess is this is one of those instances. J So I waited a little while and let my mind wander to all things this person could possibly need to talk to me about. My mind went from past dramas, to present happenings and I was just trying to figure how this person is connected to my present life, and I came up with nothing. So finally my phone rang. It started out with apologies for the past and trying to explain what this person was about to tell me. She went on to tell me that she has prophetic dreams every now and then. And I completely believe that because I’ve had a few myself. God can work in any kind of way.

 She first asked me what I was doing 3 months ago. What was I doing? I was getting ready to leave for Africa in 9 days. (She had had the dream about 3 months ago) She then went on to tell me that she should have called me right after she had the dream but couldn’t work up the nerve. And honestly, her timing couldn’t have been more perfect. If she was to of called me 3 months ago, I honestly probably would of thought she was crazy, because I was about to leave for a missions trip. I was in the “will of God”. So yes, your timing couldn’t have been more perfect. After she began to pour out this dream to me I literally began to sob. She went on to lay out everything I had been struggling with the past 3 months, and told me that God didn’t want me to worry about those things anymore. She also told me that whatever I do for the Lord, Its going to be so anointed it will be over flowing.  After we were done talking I asked her to send me an email about the dream. And she so kindly did. So here is the email…

        “Okay so I won't do the whole spill on my dream. I'll start at the church service. There was some kind of revival thing going on at a church and we both ended up there. The spirit was really moving and people were going out into the aisles and... well, being Pentecostal haha. You and another girl went to the alter and grabbed these vials (they were empty). The first girl started praying and said "when I pour out this vial it will turn into blood." I watched as water poured out and as soon as it hit the floor blood went everywhere. Then you came up to me, which was kinda toward the back and said "when I pour out this vial it will turn into oil." You poured out the vial and water, just like the other, came out and turned into oil when it hit the floor. The oil ran so close to me that I had to stand up on the pew. At the same time though as soon as it hit the floor I started speaking in tongues. I couldn't control it...I don't think I've ever spoke in tongues with as much force as I was there. From that moment I couldn't focus on anything but what I was speaking. 

 I woke up and had been crying. I was in awe of my dream because it was so random (the parts before) but yet had so much power. Over the next couple of days I started searching and seeking out what things meant. Blood and oil are powerful in general but when God speaks to you using them.. it's another amazement! When I was speaking in tongues I kept saying "Malachi" which translates into God's messenger. I read the book of Malachi thinking there was something in there... and I did find some but then I realized that I was searching to hard... I was the messenger!

  3 months later as I'm praying, you came to me. I wasn't even praying about the dream. I had the dream interpreted and I had learned for myself, so I thought. The dream wasn't just to tell me that I had the gift of dreaming...The dream had to confirm that so I could give God's message to you. I knew that I dreamed like this but never for someone else. Especially someone like you with our past. God has a crazy way of working, but yet it's so divine!! 

  I know this may have been scatter brained. It's a lot harder to type it out into words. That doesn't change the meaning for you. I'm glad I followed His word even though I fought with him first about it haha! You are SO beyond blessed and God is going to use you Brandi. It may be now or in 5 yrs.. maybe 10, but you have a call on your life and he gave me that to confirm what you already know. You knew you were called, but you were doubting.  Idk if you asked for confirmation but you got it and that's awesome! It makes me smile just thinking about the way He works!!”

(She didn’t write it in the email but oil in the bible represented God’s anointing or His “Holy Spirit”)

 It was so crazy to me because this was the MOST unlikely person I could have ever imagined getting a confirmation from. But ya see, I believe God did it this way because he knew we both had to get that bitterness out of our hearts. And there was nothing we could have said to each other to make anything OK. But after this long talk, every ill feeling toward this person was literally washed away. Every hurt, every ounce of bitterness, was suddenly gone. I am still just dumbfounded at this. I don’t know why we act so surprised when God “shows off” like this. But I just can’t help it. He knew I doubted and He fixed it, simple as that. God confirmed 2 callings in the dream. One for me and one for her.

Here’s to you: You will probably honestly never know the depth of that dream, what God orchestrated or why He did it. I don’t know why God picked you to help me. But I just want to say thank you for listening the heart of God. Thank you for reaching out to me. I know if I was in your shoes I never could have done it. But you stepped out and reached out, and you’ll never know how much it meant to me. I was really struggling, and you had no idea. Yet, you helped me more than I ever imagined. That’s why all of this is still so crazy to me. Please continue listening to God’s heart. I can only imagine where your walk will take you with dreams like that! J  Thanks again.

As of lately...

      Nicole inspired to write yet another blog post to keep you all up to date with happenings in my life. Nicole is my AYC sister and she posted an amazing blog about the "after effects" of a 3rd World missions trip, and its pretty amazing! Check it out at http://niclynn91.blogspot.com/2012/09/after-fact.html   :)

    It's been 2 months since I left for Tanzania, Africa. In these past 2 months the Lord has been dealing with my life like He never has before. He has asked me to let go of things, and to sacrfice things. He has placed in my heart a burden for lost souls, that I can't seem to let go of. He is molding me and preparing me for a life in Global missions. My room-mate recently moved out, and all I could think was, "WHOA! Lord what are you doing here? I have to save money so I can go back. This is a road block. what is going on?!" I didn't understand how the Lord thought I was suppose to be saving money now that I have all these bills and rent on my own! I was so confused. I thought this was going to hinder my trip to Kenya next summer. But, after many nights in prayer I realized that the Lord has me right where He needs me. The Lord would NEVER put me in a situation I couldn't handle. I belive this is the Lord preparing me for a life in global missions. I'm not going to be able to do go and do as much as I please, or buy what I want just because. There are things He is wanting me to sacrifice.
     Being back hasn't been easy. I miss Africa so much sometimes I just have to stop, close my eyes and remind myself I'll be there again one day, and that its all in the Lord's hands. It seems like everyday troubles can so easily "knock you off course" and can hinder you from truly pursing God's call on your life. Worry is one of my main problems. I worry that my plans won't turn out the way they are suppose to. I worry that the choices I make now are going to effect me negativly down the road. I worry I won't raise the money in time to go on another missions trip. I worry about my family. These problems / worries can eat you alive if you let them. And I feel like the past 2 months God has been telling me, "HEY! Trust in me! Stop worrying! It's all in my hands!"
    One of my main struggles here has been trying to witness to others as I have in Arica. Most of the time it’s easier for us to witness to someone who has never even heard of God. As in Africa where the people were so open and willing to receive any kind of “good news” information. It was easier to reach these people, for me anyways, because most of them had never even heard of God and were not already “set in their ways”. As I came back to the states with this “I’m going to win souls” attitude, I quickly became less “excited.” Per say?...We in America are so set in our ways and most people are offended if you even begin to speak of God or try to “witness” to them. I beg of you not to get discouraged when someone doesn’t want to hear what you have to say about God. No matter what words came out of your mouth you reached them somehow. God will give you the words to say when a situation presents itself. And never, never pass someone up because of nerves or because you feel they don’t care what you have to say. Everyone is hurting, and no matter what their reaction, you still reached them, somehow. Everyone needs reached. Just as they do in Africa.    
     This past weekend we had our youth retreat in Amity in beautiful cabins and in a beatuiful chapel on a hill. It was the perfect setting. Theres something about open air and a beautiful sunset over a lake that makes you think. ;) And unfortunately, I began to worry about my  future. I was worried about my finances, realtionships, my family, but my main worry was what if I never get the chance to go back to Africa, and what if my life doesn't end up in global missions somehow?! And what about a husband who feels called to be a missionary, and what about the money, and what my family and friends, and just so on until I felt like my head was going to explode! I can't imagine not doing missions. My heart is nowhere else BUT global missions. And I couldn't imagine God calling me to missions without sending me a husband who feels called also, then I start thinking, OK God, where is he?! He obviously isn't here, and I don't know where else to look. But then again, if I am called to do this alone I will have to accept that as the call on my life. But man!...The worry just began to overwhelm me.  
     As I sat in that chapel on the hill, kneeled in a corner pew, with the cries of my youth all around me,                                                                                                                                                                                                                             I was suddenly brought back to that glorious last day in Africa when the Lord confirmed to me that I was called to global missions. And not that I had forgotten about that, I had just let this thing called "life" blind of that call. All the struggles, and pain, and worry. Those things had made me lose sight of what I was working towards. Our services in the chapel were just so cleansing. On our way back from retreat I just felt like so much stress and worry was released from me. God had put my call back on the "front lines" of my life. I am continually looking down that road, and doing everything in my power to work towards that and prepare myself for that. And whether I'm called to go alone or if God will send me a missionary husband ( Lord, please) I don't know. I don't even know what He has in store for me tomorrow. But oh Lord!...whatever your decision, keep me prepared and constantly in sight of my goals. I will do my absolute best to not let life get in the way of my dreams in global missions. For i can't wait till the day I can be on the field full time, advancing your Kingdom. 
     Thank you Lord for this call on my life. Thank you for trusting me with this. And thank you for constantly preparing me. 

I HAVE A PRAISE REPORT! So as you have read while I was in Tanzania the Lord told me to wait on doing the Next Steps Program in 2013. Which is a 2 month program through AIM. I was like Lord?! You know i want to do this?! why do I have to wait?! But I went with and when I came home i found out AYC was going to Kenya next summer. So another journey to Africa soon awaits me! :) So a couple weeks before my trip I applied for some AIM information in the mail. I got it after I got back and my mom came over and we began to read through it. There was a Next Steps flyer for 2014 in it. And low and behold, Next Steps is spending TWO MONTHS in AFRICA in summer 2014! I could not believe my eyes! I just starting bawling! nothing like this had ever happened to me. I was like mom!, "You don't understand, The Lord TOLD ME to WAIT. and i didn't know why, i didn't want to but NOW, oh but now, I see why!" The Lord so perfectly laid my plan out before me. I was in total awe.

So Kenya in 2013 and Togo and Benin in 2014. See what the Lord did there?... ;) 

                     WORD FROM TANZANIA

Results of Regional Conferences in the regions of Mara, Tabora, Shinyanga, Singida, Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Mwanza and Ziwa - Attendance: 2,165, Holy Ghost infilling: 221, Baptized: 44, Reported healings: 40, demonic deliverances: 7.

While overseeing the new construction of a church in Musoma town, the presbyter, Brother Choka, brought in 6 new members through evangelistic efforts.


PLEASE JOIN WITH ME IN PRAYER FOR THIS FAMILY 

The younger brother of Rev. Daudi Mwandase, regional presbyter and Mwanza Bible school chairman, was eaten by a crocodile while fishing on Lake Victoria yesterday. Please pray for the Mwandase family during this tragic time that God would give them peace and safety as they gather at the family home for the funeral. There will be a widow and children left behind who now will face great hardship also at the loss of the husband / father.


Until Next Time... :) 

3 Weeks Later...

     It's been 3 weeks today since I returned from Tanzania, Africa. With all the love in my heart for this land, I can't help but miss it. I can't help but wonder how the fruits of our labor are growing in Christ, and how the Smoak's are doing, and how their works are going. I'm not gonna say its been great being back. I miss Africa very much, I can't hardly wait to return! I've had serveral sleepless nights since being home, and have heavily dealt with spiritual warfare. In all honsety being back has been pretty hard. I feel self-fish over many of the things that I have, and I feel a longing in my heart for lost souls, like Gordon said, Its been eating me alive. I can't say I've been depressed, no, I'm a very happy person! I just simply miss Africa.
     My pastor gave me the oppurtunity to speak to the church last wednesday about my trip. I was very nervous but got told I went through it like a breeze. I'm so happy I got to present all of this to my church. I showed a slideshow and had a table out of all my things I had gotten in Africa. I felt like a real missionary! ;) And I taught the praise team "Nothing but the Blood" in Swahili! It went great! I felt like I was in africa again.
    I am applying to go Kenya next summer thorugh AYC again! Prayers please! :) God willing I will return. I told my church that I am so excited to see my future in Global Missions unfold. AYC 2013, Next Steps 2014, adn God willing I will apply to be an AIMER (Associate in Missions) Once I am an AIMER, I will go to my desired field and stay 3 months to however long. I would work hand in hand with the missionaries there. I still pray that this land is Africa :)

     Gordon Smoak told of theTanzania Church in Mwanza and posted it on facebook. It was amazing, so I stole it to post on here. Enjoy!
  
     Adults sit on rough benches, four people to a 5 foot bench to fit them all. Late comers are sitting on teh small stools here and there, wherever floor space can be found. Serveral pieces of a sheet are spread across the dirt floor for the children. The pastor stands behind a wooden frame draped in cloth, their home-made pul-pit. As the choir sings, a segmented offering box is passed and teh congregation purts money into the four holes. (church fund, womens ministry, youth and building fund)  This too is made from salvaged wood. On the table sits a bag of corn meal. (someones tithe). This is church in Tanzania.
     Perched precariously on the side of the rock-strewn hill in Mwanza, the church at Bwiru is thriving. In 2 years they have grown from 4 to 45 this sunday. The building is no more than 10'x20'. One wall is hared with a block building, the other 3 are rough, crooked poles supporting torn black plastics sheet. Int eh distance, through the many holes, can be seen the waters of Lake Victoria, far down the hill. The roof, supported by the same crooked poles, is half tin (purchased after much saving) and tattered tarp. (they are saving for more tin.) This is church in Tanzania.

Until next time...

After Africa...

     Chantry Dean and his wife warned me that leaving Africa was gonna be hard. I thought, yah, I'll miss it, but I mean it won't hurt or anything. Little did I know how right they were. Its only been 3 days. 3 very long days. And I miss Africa so much. Anytime someone ask me about my trip and I start talking about I go into to immediate cry fest! Brother Whittingham preached wednesday night and asked me before church to say something about my trip and I started crying just talking to him about it! I feel bad, but theres no way I could get through anything right now talking about my missions trip. ;) But I PROMISE I am doing a slideshow for the church and I'm gonna talk a little bit about my trip. IF I can get through it ;) I have to do the slideshow last because I'll probably cry all through that.
     I guess my main reason to write this post is to explain to you all just how much a missions trip can change you. Brother Whittingham hit the nail on the head when he said, "The poorest of the poor in America, is rich in Africa." You wouldn't believe the poverty. I posted my pictures on facebook and you can see in them just how poor it is. But those pictures are only a small glimpse into the heart of Africa. Yah, you see the poverty and starving kids in the pictures, but until you see it with your very own eyes, you never truly understand. Brother Jury made a good point when he said, "we as americans feel the same hurt they do. but we have so many things to mask it with." thats so true. We as americans are so prideful. I am myself, I can admit that. We all hurt somewhere deep down, but we have our things like, iPhones, iPads, nice cars, big houses, designer clothes and bags to mask all this hurt. So it seems on the surface, we are doing just fine and dandy. And no one really ever sees the hurt. But the Africans, they have nothing. You can see the longing and hurt in their eyes. They are so hungry, not just for food, but just for anything more. More than the life they have. I am so humbled to have reached them with the gospel. Because God is the ONLY thing that can heal that hurt. They are so willingly and ready to learn anything. So its easy to teach to them about God and the bible. Once the ones that were filled with the Holy Ghost were filled, you could just see a release in their spirit. They were so happy. They just had unexplainable joy! They couldn't help but dance and cry before the Lord. And they didn't get a new car, they didn't get a new phone, or new clothes, they simply had experienced God's presence and that, that was enough. No new car, or new home, or purse or clothes could take the place of that feeling. They were just happy. Unexplainably happy. I want to get back to that place. To the place where God's presence is enough. To where I don't need my iPhone, my iPad, my Mac or my car, or my clothes or purses to make me feel "acceptable"....I want to go back to the time when God was truly ALL I needed. Because when God is ALL you have left, you find thats really all you need. He can and WILL supply your EVERY need. And this is what the Africans know and believe. So they don't worry about the latest gadgets or clothes. They are just content with the Lord, and the Lord alone. I want to know that place again. And I am working on it.
     Going on this missions trip opened my eyes to so many things. Like just how lucky we truly are in America. I am so blessed and thankful to live in America. This truly is the home of the free. But Africa stole my heart, and its there tonight. My heart is with the people. Its with the kids. My heart is the Esso Village tonight and in Majengo KIA. My heart hurts because I am not there. I wish so badly that I could be there to see the fruits of our labors. And to rejoice with the people. I know the reports will come in from Brother and Sister Smoak. But I wish so badly I could be there to rejoice with them. But one of these days! OH! One of these days! I WILL be back in Africa. I don't know when, and God knows I don't know how, but I will be back.
     Every since I got home, and I know this sounds crazy, but I've had a hard time shaking this feeling. Its a feeling of home sickness. I am home, and this will always be home, but this is how much I miss Africa. I know I was only there 11 days, and I know this sounds crazy. But this is how big my burden for that land is. I miss it more than I eve thought possible. Please pray that God will lead me and that I will have discernment to hear His voice above my own. And that in HIS time, not mine, I will go where He see's fit, and where He knows I will be best used. I know in my heart this place is Africa, But I want it to be the Lord's choosing. And please pray for my future in Global Missions. :)
     Thank you to all who have kept up with my blog. I've heard from so many people who have. I am honored to have kept you up to date on all things Africa and myself. Every now and then I will update this. I want to keep y'all up to date with my goals, and plans. Thank you again everyone :)

     Until next time...

My Work isn't done here... I love you Africa :)

       First off I am so sorry for not posting sooner! The wifi at the hotel has been down! :(          I can't even begin to explain the joy I hold in my heart. I know God had a purpose for me to go on this missions trip. I didn't know what it was, and part of me still doesn't. But I do know that I have been completely changed inside and out. (as I ball my eyes out while writing this) When you go to Africa, it really steals your heart. I have seen with my own eyes starving children. Hungry souls. Poverty at its worst. The devils hold on people lives. I've seen all this first hand, and it has changed me. There's no way you could go to Africa and NOT be changed. Gordon Smoak (the Smoak's son) made a valid point when he spoke to the group this morning. He said this, "...once you go on a missions trip, especially to Africa, and see all these things with your own eyes, you will be forever changed. Every lost soul you see, your co-workers, your classmates, your lost family, it will eat you alive." I don't think he could of been more true. God has truly set a fire in my heart for lost souls.       So we got a total of everything that has happened since we arrived in Tanzania and started passing out tracks and having crusades. We were in 2 different cities for services,  Majenga KIA and Arusha. DRUM ROLL PLEASE!  Majenga KIA  28 healings  33 holy ghost Baptized 3  40 ready for Jesus name baptism Over 470 in attendance at these services  Arusha 17 kids holy ghost 31 adults  6 delivered from demons  3 ready for baptism in Arusha  1 baptized THESE ^^^ are the fruits of our labors! Hallejuah! I'd call that a very successful missions trip! And the fruits of our labor are continuing to grow even with us not there. I'm so excited to hear the results as the days go by. Because that my friends, is what a missions trip is all about. Yah, we had a blast. We went on a safari, we camped, we shopped, we bonded. But THAT, the soul winning, is the best part of the entire trip. Thats what we came for, and that's what we accomplished. We bonded so well as a team! We were united with one plan and one goal. And that goal was met. I think we all cried once we found out the results.       This morning we had the opportunity to go to the Esso Church and have our personal time with God. No ministry, no locals. Just us, and God. We shut the doors to the church, and just poured our hearts out to God.  Before we started praying individually we all spoke to the group and told about our favorite part and what God has done for us. My favorite part of the whole trip I think was seeing the Massai Tribe members receive the Holy Ghost. They worship many gods and to see them pray and repent to the ONE God was so rewarding. After we cried, spoke with the group, and cried some more ;) we had our individual prayer time. I thanked God for the opportunity to go on the missions trip and for providing my way. I asked him that if there was anything He needed to reveal to me, I am open and ready.........I had planned on going on the Next Steps trip to Uruguay next summer. (it's through AIM, it's a 2 month trip.)  but the Lord told me today that my work wasn't done in Africa......And once I said out loud that I didn't need to go on the Next Steps program, I had peace. Unexplainable peace, and joy?! Ya see, I believe God confirms and will with Peace. And that my friends, was unexplainable peace. The Lord told me my work wasn't done in Africa. "your work isn't done here." " your not done here" is all I could "hear". Not an actual audible voice, no. But a sweet peace over my spirit told me I'm not done with Africa. SO! With that, I truly believe it's in God will for me to go to Kenya next summer with AYC again. Kenya is right above Tanzania. Once the Lord told me my work wasn't done there, AYC Kenya 2013 immediately popped in my head. Of course I'm gonna do some more prayer and fasting over it. But this is where I feel called.       In the van on the way back to the hotel Brother Jury told us 4 ways that will help us determine the will of God and how we know it's true.  1.  Voice of God. You hear it. He speaks to you in your spirit. You feel it  2. Word of God. He will never go against his word 3. Spiritual authority. Go to your pastor or your youth pastor 4. Circumstances. If your broke and not raising money, your not going to the missions field. If your in debt. Don't have the ambition of a snail. Don't sit and wait around till it comes to you. Work for it!!!  And patience !!!!! :)  -Brother Jury       I know I've already said it but Africa has changed my life. It has changed my outlook on ministry, and my outlook on our missionaries. I had respect for them before, but now... They are some of the most inspiring people in the whole World. Keep our missionaries in your prayers. They need it. It's so easy to forget about what's not there, but they are out there. And they are risking their lives everyday to save lost souls. I hope to join them one day. :)     Before we left the airport we hugged the Smoak's and the Johnson's (missionaries in Rwanda, who came to help with AYC) and cried of course!  but while hugging sister Smoak she looked me in the eye and said these exact words, "I'll be seeing YOU again." :) I believe that was God confirming His will. So I'll take that as a word from Him. ;) Tanzania 101 part 2  Once again. Don't drink the water! You have to brush your teeth with bottled water.  D not give out your contact number.  No matter how much the local begs you for it. It's WapechO, not wapechU ;)  Theres no prettier sky than an African sky at night :) or at sun rise You haven't really seen Mount Kilimanjaro till you fly right over it :)  Africans pee anywhere. Even on the side of the road with traffic coming. :/  Sanitize sanitize sanitize!!!!   All soft drinks come in a glass bottle. ;) Shockalabockala-  all mixed up. Confused (probably my favorite Swahali word)  Peepee-candy Umbra- Pray  Until we meet again, I love you Africa :) 

Africa has my heart...

     Today we woke up and had breakfast at the hotel. Then we headed to the Esso church to pray as a group and hand out tracks. While handing out tracks my group had 2 mini street services. We sang a song in Swahali from the Swahali song book the Smoak's gave us. Which I love! And myself and Elizabeth testified. It was pretty much amazing. I think over the course of the trip we have handed out around 4000 tracks! That's 4000 seeds that have been planted and now need prayed over!!! We found out today that in Majenga KIA where we camped and handed out tracks that 475 people showed up for church the night after we handed out tracks! Four hundred and seventy five people!!! They said the tent couldn't even hold them! And 28 were filled with the Holy Ghost! Amen!!! All because we passed out those tracks!     Tabitha had a foreign exchange student from here inTanzania last year at her school. Well Tabitha took her to church and she got the holy ghost in the states. But she had to come back home to Tanzania after about 7 months in the states. Well we got to meet up with her at the hotel here in Arusha! Tabitha was so happy to see her! Brother Jury baptized her in the pool in the sweet name of Jesus!!! It was amazing!!!  The pool was freezing since its their winter here! It was only something God could of orchestrated. She traveled 4 hours to get here! And had to turn around and leave to make it back to school. But she was baptized!!!             In my testimony I talked about the struggles I've had since I was accepted to go here. From fear, nightmares, anxiety, depression, a sense of low self worth and feeling I wasn't qualified to come here. And how the verse 2 Timothy 1:7 has given me peace through it all. And that if God did that for me, he can do the same for them.      Tomorrow is our last full day in Africa. I can't help but feel our work here isn't done. We still have a long ways to go before the devils kingdom is completely torn down. I honestly don't wanna leave. But I know deep down in my heart, that I will be back to Africa. I don't know when or how. But I will be back. :) there's too much that needs done here. Africa will always have my heart.      Monday morning before we leave the Smoak's are letting us use the Esso church to wind down and really have a heart to heart with God. I remember hearing about this the first night and thinking OK that's MY time with God.  This will be our chance to stop and breathe, cause we been non stop since we arrived here, But our chance to stop, and really listen to God. I pray that God will reveal His plan for my life during this time in the church. Away from all the people, away from the work we've been doing. Just me and God. I pray that He confirms things for me. And for others. That we seek His guidance and He lays out a path for me to take. This is will be a very crucial part of the trip for me, Because I need some things confirmed on my life. Like my calling to missions. And I pray this is where that happens. :)        so here's a little info if you ever make it to Tanzania... Tanzania 101 DON'T DRINK THE WATER!  Don't waive with your fingers, it means "come here" (I've made that mistake a couple of times)  If your not dancing in church, your not having church ;) Don't sing in the shower. Water will get in your mouth. Humming is ok though ;) If you don't go to the restroom in a hole, you have not had the true African experience. If you sit down and someone offers you their food,  it's kinda rude not to take it. ;) They see heavier white (pale) people as a sign of wealth and beauty. ;) Tanzanians are overall extremely friendly people. Minus a few here and there.  If you get proposed to by a guy you've known like 5 seconds, say no and keep going. (they just want to get to America. And they are dead serious about the proposal.)  Strangers WILL kiss your hand and try to pull you in their shops. Keep walking.  You can feel the spirits while walking through certain areas of the villages here. Just pray that God breaks every chain there.  If you ladies ever wanna get out of doing something say "I have to ask my husband" and your immediately relieved ;) There are NO posted speed limit signs here. People drive on the opposite side of the road than America. And they drive like maniacs!!!  Swahali terms: (a few) Jambo- hello Habri- how are you Zuri- good  Mambo zuri- very good Assanta- thank you Poa- OK Beunoesa asafiway- praise the Lord Karibu- welcome  Wapechu!- where's the toilet?    Until next time... :)

The past 4 days...

     These last four days have been pretty amazing. More memories than I  can even count. So I'll start with the fun then end with the amazing ministry!                      Monday we passed out tracks around the Esso Village of Arusha. The Smoaks started a church right in the middle of this village. I love the people of this village. They are so friendly and just ready and willing to learn about God. Of course there were times we would talk to certain people and they used not nice slurs with us. I'm just glad we didn't understand them. But those are the ones we are trying to reach so badly. Everything you see on TV about Africa is true, but about 10 times worse. I've seen it on TV and in movies, but when i saw it with  my own eyes it was heart breaking. Tanzania is such a poor country. People  literally live in shacks. and i cant even explain how bad it is. It's worse than shacks. You just honestly have to see it. Trash is just piled in the streets. There are rats running around and even dead rats in the streets. And the roads are dirt, not concrete. Only in the more advanced areas is there concrete roads. Barefoot kids running around in the filth, no telling where their parents are. It just surreal. And we can't take pictures because it makes them very angry.        Later Monday  afternoon we headed to the Haven Nature Camp about 3 hours outside of Arusha. It was quit the journey. African roads are terrible! But supposedly it was considered a "good" road. We stopped and shopped along the way and got all of our souvenirs out of the way then headed back down the road. All along the road to the crater their we're Maasai tribal people and Maasai warriors. The warriors are considered protectors of the tribes and are very aggressive and DO NOT like their pictures taken! One of our girls on another jeep took a picture of one and the warrior threw his SPEAR at the jeep! All of our jeeps decide to STOP to check it out and my jeep was in the lead. So our jeep is turned around looking at the the others and then we turn around... Then next thing I know there is a PACK of Maasai Warriors in all black and white painted faces RUNNING straight toward our Jeep with spears in hand and in the air as if they are about to throw them. I was scarred for dear life!!! So as everyone is pushing their windows closed, mine is BROKE and would NOT close!!! I seriously thought I was gonna die! So, Dullah (our driver who was awesome!) said, "OK! We go!" and pulls off so fast! I was terrified!!! They are crazy! It was like a "Welcome to Africa" moment! It was hilarious but terrifying all at the same time.  ;) when we arrived at the camp some people got tents and some got rooms. Me and my roommate, Elizabeth, got a room, thank God! ;) our room was small and we had to sleep with nets over our beds to keep out mosquitoes. There were SO many bugs! we probably would of been better off staying in a tent! And their was a gegco in our bathroom! A Gegco! (lizard) ahhhh! Another "welcome to Africa" moment. ;) but the camp was absolutely beautiful! On a mountain top, and the weather was beautiful. Just kinda cold at night! We had a huge Bon fire one night at the camp and our waiter told us stories of himself and his tribe growing up. He went on to tell us just how important education was to his tribe. In America kids don't even want to go to school. Here in Africa, the only chance of leaving their tribe is by going to school, even without the families blessings. And he wanted to leave his tribe, so he was accepted to school and did exceptional well. He now starts university in the fall and is VERY excited! Kids here are literally begging to go to school. And not all of them can, it's so different from the states. We also had performers from the Maasai tribe perform a series of tribal dances. It was so fun! They called us up and we danced tribal dances around the fire. It was just an honest and good time. The tribal people were a blast!       Tuesday we went to the Nogorongoro Crater for an all day safari.  Which it was so cold!!! Considering this is Africa's "winter" on top of the crater it was probably about 40-45 degrees! So cold!  The Nogorongoro Crater is basically a huge "crater" like hole in the ground surrounded by mountains and rainforest. It's a huge ecosystem in itself. It is part of the "Great Rift of Africa".  It was amazing, I still can't comprehend I was there! We saw everything! Wildebeest, zebras, flamingos, warthogs, ostriches, elephants, hippos, water buffalo, gazelles and lions and a lot of others I probably left out! It was truly the opportunity of a life time. Oh! And baboons that could eat your face off! They were a little mean! But So funny! They take over the road and like, don't move! And if you "shew" them off your safari jeeps, they will chase you! And grab at your legs! ;) We had a very rare chance to see a pride of lions feeding on a Water buffalo they just killed. It was some Discovery Channel stuff we were seeing with our own eyes!  It was amazing. I got great pictures! We stopped to eat lunch at the "Hippo Pool" in the crater, and it literally a big pond of Hippos! They were everywhere! Just barely popping their heads above the water just watching us. The safari was a chance in a lifetime thing. And it was beyond amazing! So glad we saw everything there was to see in the crater. This was an all day event, and we got back to the Nature camp at around 6 then had dinner. And by the way, the food has been really good! Definitely not what i expected. Now, some meats are questionable....but other than that NOT BAD. ;)      So we had the "fun jeep" as we called it! Nicole, Julianne, Gordon, Jessica, Jennifer, Zachary, Tabitha, and myself. We had so much fun the 3 days we had the jeep! The whole time driving down the road we had the roof popped open and we were "Jamboing" saying "HI" in Swahili to EVERYONE we saw on the road, which was a lot of people! And with that, I have lost my voice! But it was worth it. ;)  Dullah our driver just thought we were the funniest people! He was laughing with us so hard, he was crying! He said, "the Americans are in town and they are crazy!" we loved Dullah. And I totally got him  to call the hogs! I'll have to put the video on Facebook! ;)      Wednesday we left the Haven nature camp and headed to Majenga Kia which is where one of the churches in the UPCT (United Pentecostal Church of Tanzania) is. The church is right in the middle is a Maasai village which is really cool. Luckily no warriors! ;) The village was located right between Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro! But it was too cloudy to see either one :(  So we set up tents right in front of the big church tent. Yes, TENTS. (pics of all this to come) We slept on the hard ground, and had to go to the bathroom  in a hole.  I said I wanted the whole African experience, and now I can say I truly got it! My first service here in Africa was a kids church service in the village. I couldn't even contain my joy when I was in there with the children worshipping ONE God, (when many of the tribes believe in many God's) and praying and singing his praise, I cried the WHOLE TIME. No lie. But this day Tabitha and I taught the lesson "Daniel in Lions Den" to the kids. It seems appropriate. ;)  We had big pictures that illustrated the story  and you would think they had never seen it before. Their eyes just lit up every time we would turn the page. We had to speak through an interpreter which was pretty cool ;) It was just an awesome experience. I absolutely love the kids. They are so playful and sweet! After the kids crusades we had our evening service. I was so humbled to be at the service with all the people I cried the whole time too. I've pretty much been a ball bag through out all these services. I'm just so humbled to be here. It's just the coolest thing to see these people worship, the same God I worship. The one and ONLY God. I just can't contains my tears! Even while typing out my blog!         Let me tell you, African people KNOW HOW TO WORSHIP! They dance for HOURS before the Lord! Just worshiping and crying and smiling. They are so happy and so free. They love the Lord so much. I asked a preacher why they dance so much and for so long, his response was this, "David DANCED before the Lord. The Lord loved David very much, and he danced. So they dance before the Lord." We jumped, and danced and shouted and just had one SPECTACULAR worship service. Their worship services probably last at LEAST an hour and a half to 2 hours! But they love the Lord so much, so it's all they want to do. They had another service that started at 10 o'clock at night! And went on well passed midnight! People were sleeping in the church tent just so they wouldn't miss it! It was their fourth service that day! It's like, WOW.  So wednesday was a beautiful day. But we didn't have showers out there and we all were SO dirty! Africa has red dirt, so my TOMS are officially dyed red!  I think we all gave up on looks like the second day here anyways. There's NO way to stay clean here. You can only imagine the locals. Its heart breaking. I also learned a new game called ninja that I can't hardly wait to take back to my youth!       So thursday I think I'm on?... ;) I got absolutely NO sleep the 2 nights while camping in the Maasai Village. But, it was a fun experience. So anyways! Thursday we headed out into the Majengo Kia area and around the "market". We spilt up in groups and started distributing tracks to locals. My group was with Brother Jury (our chaperone) and an assistant pastor of the church there, and there was 6 in my group. We started handed out tracks and it got crazy. I was not scarred while in the Esso Village back in Arusha, but here it was a very different story. Walking down the streets you could honestly feel the evil spirits. I've never experience anything like that before. I tried not to let my fear take over so I started quoting 2 Timothy 1:7 over and over again. Men were doing very inappropriate things as we girls walked by, and they had camera phones held up in our faces screaming things at us. I had no idea what they were saying but I know it wasn't good. We stopped to do a "street service" here (which I was still freaked out) and in the service one girl testified. While she was testifying a huge circle crowed us and people were cramming in as close as they could to us. A man held his camera in my face the whole we were talking. We started to sing "Set a Fire" and I'm telling you the very second we started singing the crowd swarmed us! People kept getting closer and closer and closer. Men were pulling us and trying to grab our hands, they were literally hanging on us. All I could do was keep singing that sweet song. As we sang the crowd got EXTREMELY intense. It was mainly men in the entire area since its a mining town. They were screaming at us, and videoing us. The evil spirits got very heavy during this time. I was so scarred. I tried hard not to be but it was very intense. The pastor finally said we need to leave. So the crowd FINALLY broke and us girls walked holding hands while looking down at the ground. We turned down a road that was filled with hundreds and hundreds of men. But we had to go down this road to get to our meeting spot. The evil spirits were so heavy here. Major spiritual warfare. The men continued trying to pull on us and take our pictures. The men were yelling dirty things at us, as if they'd never seen a girl before. I still kept quoting that Scripture and grabbed my prayer cloth that my church gave me. The good Lord protected us. He truly had his hands on us that day.       We had problems with immigration in this city. They did not think we had the right to be in the village, so we had to stop. We still handed out tracks while walking to the bus station. But I could tell we were NOT wanted there. Like I said the spiritual warfare in this town was so strong. SO, so strong. They want to start a church in the area, I truly believe thats why it was so strong. The devil has his dirty grip on so many people there.       This night we had church. And boy did we ever have church!! Brother Jury spoke on repentance. The alters were full of people praying and seeking after the Lord. We had 4, Maasai tribe members to receive the Holy Ghost. FOUR! It was worth all the spiritual warfare we fought! Because one of the tribe members who came paid all he had to get a taxi to the tent because he was handed a track in the streets that very same day by one of us. THATS PLANTING SEEDS PEOPLE!  You may not think the little things you do count, but do they ever! FOUR Maasai tribe members, who worship many Gods! Prayed through to the one and ONLY God, and were filled with the HOLY GHOST! That made all this passed year of struggling and the nightmares and the panic attacks, it made it worth it! Seeing the Maasai people speak in tongues, made it SO much more worth it than I ever imagined! Now they can take this back to their tribe and I pray they listen! One of the tribe members told the preacher His heart was racing and racing and racing. And he was speaking a language he had NEVER heard before. He said he felt so free and happy. THATS THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST FRIENDS! Also, a lame child was healed! The child could not walk, and though I couldn't understand the language, when the preacher was praying for his legs while his mom held him, then that child WALKED OUT OF THE CHURCH with a huge smile on the moms face, I knew exactly what had happened!  Hallelujah!       So this morning we packed up camp and couldn't wait to get back to the hotel! And the showers! and a toilet at that!! It was Heaven ;) But still so glad I had the experience of  camping in Africa for 4 nights! So we got back, SHOWERED! And i know its gross, but we sponged bathed for  3 days! A Motel 8 would of been Heaven to us! ;) We had Kid and adult crusades back at the Esso Village church today. They children's church went off with a bang! So many kids showed up outside the church where the service was held. When it was alter call we started praying for the kids.       A Muslim girl came to the crusade and started praying at the alter, she was probably around 9 or 10. We prayed and prayed over her and her family. I don't know who sensed it but someone felt something on her so they took her into the church. The muslim girl told the pastor (who translated for us) that she had been having nightmares that scary things (demons) were chasing her. When they finally caught her they would throw her into a coffin and she could not get out. We continued to pray hard over her. But let me go back! Cause this one dealt personally with me. ...I noticed a girl that was standing by the gates of the church yard just watching the alter call. She had tears in her eyes. She was probably about 12-13. I kept watching her. My spirit was so heavy for her. She finally walked up beside me to the front. (keep in mind we were outside in the church yard) When she walked up I immediately laid my hands on her head and started praying for her. The SECOND i touched her, she somewhat passed out on the ground, and sprawled out and started shaking. I knew exactly what was happening. But I was not leaving her. I was motioning for some of the ladies to help me. We carried her into the church and laid her on the floor. She was shaking and convulsing. I immediately started rebuking spirits in the name of Jesus! Some other AYCer's noticed and came to pray also. I knew this girl was possessed. I knew I would see demonic possession but I didn't know it would be for someone I personally first starting praying for. She looked me right in the eyes in between one of her attacks and at that moment I realized just how strong of a hold the devil held on her. Her eyes were screaming for help. But she could make a word. I was so scarred but never once let my spirit show it. I prayed for power and annoying in the name of Jesus. And I know He gave it to me! I held her hand the whole time through her attacks and convulsions. This demon made her so sick and she was violently vomiting. She was shaking and was clawing my hands but I would not let her go. We rebuked demons for the next hour out of this girl. She would calm and we would start thanking the Lord then she would convulse again. The demon was so strong. The Lord truly gave me and my friend Tabitha anointing during this fight.... The muslim girl was also possessed. We prayed and prayed for her. She was screaming so loud it was nerve rattling. She was trying so hard to run she was clawing us. She laid out on the ground and was shaken so violently. At one point both of the girls were being attacked and they tried so hard to get to each other. They were fighting us to touch each other. I don't know what was happening here  but I know it was the demons. We prayed as long as we possibly could for them. I have never in my entire life felt such an anointing and power in my prayers then I did with these girls. I know it was all from the Lord. When the pastor finally came in he had immediate control over these demons, and at this point he asked us to leave. We left before I could find the girl I started praying for,  but I pray for her tonight and for the Lord to give her a peace in her spirit. Lord give her rest and peace! Rebuke the spirits! The Muslim girl told the interrupter that she felt delivered from her nightmares.        Let me repeat my self on these girls...They weren't even over the age of 15 and the devil had that much of a hold on them. I can only imagine how many more there are. There are so many people that need reached, so many demons that need rebuked. The devil has such a strong hold on these kids at as young as 10. Please friends, I BEG of you! Pray the seed we sow here grows and prospers! Pray that EVERY chain the devil holds on these people is broken and released!!!  It's so easy to not think about it because your not here. But happening all around us! And there are so many people that need us. I don't want to leave till they are all touched. Is that too much to ask?      Africa has been so much more than I thought possible. My heart is here and will forever be here and with the African people.       Until next time... 

We Have Arrived!

We landed in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania at around 2pm today. (its sunday I think) I was beyond excited! Like, after a year of planning, and saving, and praying and fasting, I'm here. On African soil. We flu right over Mount Kilimanjaro (the tallest free standing mountain in the World, you may regonize it from The Lion king) but anyways!...It was more beautiful than anything you could ever imagine. It was covered in snow and soaring above the clouds. It was breath taking. I think that was the moment I was like, OK Brandi, your here, you made it. (I may or may not of started crying) ;) Our wonderful missionaries, Brother and Sister Smoak, met us at the airport (after having to clear customs) with big AYC signs and huge smiles on their faces! They are amazing! In May they celebrated 25 YEARS of being in Tanzania as Missionaries, isn't that amazing?! So our drive into Arusha, Tanzania was about 45 minutes. And they drive on the opposite side of the road here! The first thing you will notice when driving through Tanzania is all the poverty. I knew I would see it, but I never imagined how bad. And that was just on the ride to the Hotel. Just shacks, and starving children and starving animals. It was very emotional, more than I ever thought so. And by the way, goats, cows and donkeys roam the streets here like squirrels do at home! ;) There were so many sunflower fields, they were beautiful! Just amongst all the poverty and shacks. There are so many buildings that have started to go up, but were just haulted. So now all thats left is erie brick walls and cut out windows and no roof. And people lived in these. Even on a short 45 minute drive I realized just how blessed we are in America. No, just how spoiled we are in America. I've seen pics on the news and in magazines, but until you see it with your own eyes, it never really sinks in. When you take a shower you can't open your mouth! We can't get the tap water in our mouths because it could make us very sick. We definately can't drink it! OR brush our teeth with it. We have to use bottled water. CULTURE SHOCK! We got to our hotel, The Naura Springs Hotel, around 4pm. The hotel is a HUGE glass building about 12 stories high, just right in the middle of all the poverty. We look our window and see the beautiful Mount Meru, the second tallest mountain in Africa :) its a gorgeous view. We are pretty high in altitude. It's probably in the 80's, but so cold at night! Ethiopia was really cold! So, anyways! We got settled into our rooms, which were NOT at all what we expected. They are HUGE, with beautiful hard wood floors and a HUGE window looking out at Mount Meru. And since we have been up for about 30 hours straight we all crashed! We were exhausted! But, we had a wonderful dinner in the hotel restrauant. And no, it did not consist of any bugs or mice. ;) It was actually pretty good. After dinner we met in the Smoaks room and had our orientaion and a little "get to know me" session even though we all knew each other ;) It was mainly for the Smoaks and The Johnsons who are also missionaries here in Tanzania. We have a PACKED schedule this trip! We are going to be exhausted! In the morning we drive to the Esso Church and are doing a prayer walk through the town. Then we head to the Haven Nature Camp where we will be for the next 2 nights. Tuesday we do a safari on the Nogorongoro Crater, which will be exciting! Then, wednesday and thursday we camp and have I think like 4 church crusades! Our camp is at the base of Mount kilimanjaro! We also have church for the Masai tribe people and we will touring their village. So, for the next 4 days I WILL NOT able to update the blog for I will not have access to WiFi. BUT please keep checking! I'll have a few mintues at the hotel switching bags and I will post on facebook. So with that...Keep our team in your Prayers. It's already been a pretty emotional day. We need all the prayer and support we can get! Until next time... :)

Tomorrow?!...

So today was so much fun! Me and my mom landed in Virginia about 11:30 today then headed into D.C. Which was surprisingly a lot of fun! Seeing as to how I could care less about history. ;) But it was fun! just A LOT of walking! We probably walked 10 miles today! No lie ;) My favorite part of D.C. was probably the Lincoln Monument and a HUGE building that looked like it belonged in London or France, somewhere like that! (forgot its name) ;) We saw the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, and a lot of other D.C. things. :) I would of loved to see the Reflection Pool, BUT most of it was drained. :/ But overall a VERY fun day in D.C. with mom!
Our group met in the lobby tonight for dinner. I was SO excited to finally get to meet everyone! And they are all so amazing! We truly have a team ready to see Godly things happen for Tanzania. Makes it seems more real! Like after a year of planning and trying to get to know everybody, ITS HERE! We leave for Africa...TOMORROW! I'm panicking trying to get last minute stuff together and stressing about luggage, that I can't even comprehend, OH MY, BRANDI, you leave tomorrow for Tanzania, Africa. Not only am I going on a missions trip, but I am fulfilling a nearly life long dream! Chasing my dreams. I get to cross something off my bucket list! ;) I'm going on a missions trip. I don't think I could say the words enough to comprehend it! But ready or not! it's here! and our time is NOW. READY OR NOT TANZANIA! We are on our way! We are the last trip for AYC, so we have to go out with a bang! A HOLY GHOST BANG that is ;) Now to prepare for this 14 hour flight :/
Until next time....

Longest Day EVER!

     So today will be the longest day ever! I knew I should of taken off today. ;) Not, to mention I'm using 9 days of vacation from work for this trip! So, I guess I'll sit here way too excited to do anything! ;)
     Bags are packed! THANK GOD! And they are both under 50 pounds, that's a miracle! ;) My mom and I head to D.C. at 5:45 in the morning! We will have a day to see D.C. then she'll head home as I leave for Africa on Saturday. So glad we get to see the city. :) Then our team will meet for dinner tomorrow night, go over final details for the trip and we are off! Our flight leaves D.C. Dulles airport at 11:35 am on saturday. And we should land in Ethiopia around 7:50am their time. Then we head to Tanzania after that! I'll be updating as often as I can so keep watching! I'll post my blog on facebook as I update so it will be easier to keep up with :)
     Now, does anyone have any suggestions on what to do on a 14 there and 17 hour flight home?!
Until next time... :)

Long Time Coming...

     Just 1 more day! 1 more day at work and my plane leaves about 5:30 a.m. for DC on Friday morning! This has been a LONG week! So much to get ready for and to finish packing! and getting money and bills situated! WHEW! ;)
     I started planning this trip about 352 days ago. And I've been counting it down ever since! Now, I've been preparing for even longer! I'm just ready! I'm so ready to be there, and start interacting with the Tanzanian people! It's been a long time coming.
    I can tell we have an amazing group of young people going! We have all binded together and have been on a month long fast from different things. And we have been in prayer together, and have prayed for each other. We seem to be in perfect sync with what we want accomplished and what we want to see happen! This means God is orchestrating something GREAT!
      Keep checking :)
    

He Qualifies the Called...

Sorry this is such a long post! but its got a little history in it, so please read all the way through! :)   

 3 DAYS! just 3, seemingly very long days, I leave! I guess I won't really comprehend this whole thing till I land in Tanzania, or about half way through the 14 hour flight there! ;)
     So a few people have suggested that I tell a little about how I get to go on a missions trip and about where it all started. I was a little nervous Sunday night at church speaking in front of everyone, so I said my thank yous and was done ;) . So, with that...here it goes. :)
     My passion for global missions began when I was oh?... probably around 14. I was at Apostolic at the time and I believe a missionary to the Philippine's came. And that's where it all began! The pictures, the sacrifices his family had made, how they picked up and left everything they knew. All to win souls. It was so inspiring to me. And then my love for global missions grew. Though at an age so young I never really knew there was anything I could do about it but the usual...pray, fast, ask God for guidance. So lets fast-forward say, 5 years down the road. At this time I had just started going to New Life. Which truly saved my life. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, New Life Church was a God send. It was here that I "rediscovered" my love for Global Missions. So at about 19 years old I got on google. ;) I googled, and I remember so plainly, "Pentecostal Mission Trips" and wouldn't you know the first thing to pop up was a program called "Apostolic Youth Corps" formally known as "Youth on Missions". Apostolic Youth Corps (AYC) is based out of the General Youth Division for the UPC whose headquarters are in St. Louis, Missouri. It gives young people ages 16-35 a chance to explore their love for Global Missions. So in 2011 I applied for the AYC trip to the Fiji Islands.
    Now, unfortunately I was not able to go the summer of 2011. I was heart broken. But I had prior plans I was committed to, and couldn't get off for both. But ya see, I believe in God's timing and He has a plan. It just wasn't my time to go. So the time came when the trips were posted for summer 2012. These trips included Tanzania, The Philippine's, Switzerland, Russia, Haiti, Costa Rica, Argentina and Portland, Oregon. I prayed so hard over where I needed to go. And before I knew it, Tanzania was all I could think about. So I applied, and prayed, checked the mail, and prayed some more. And what felt like an eternity later, I got that glorious letter in the mail! I had been accepted! ME! a small town girl from Arkansas. I was going on a missions trip, to Africa!
     I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and have dinner with Brother Mark Alphin, UPC missionary to Finland when he and his daughter were in town. He gave me so much wonderful advice! He also warned me that I would be under a great deal of spiritual warfare. Now, I had been told this before. But, its only after many sleepless night that I truly understood what that meant. I have fought nightmares, doubt, fear, and one pretty bad panic attack during the process of preparing for my missions trip. I have fasted all social media sites for a moth now, and as dumb as it sounds I fought major urges to get on them.
     One major thing I have been dealing with is doubt. I had a nightmare where a person I've never seen before was talking to me. He looked me straight in the eye, and I remember this so vividly, he said, "you've been praying and fasting since February (for a certain need) and nothing as happened. what makes you think you can go to Tanzania and in 12 days help all these people? You are not going to accomplish anything. You are not qualified to do it." This dream stirred my very soul. I should not have let it affect me the way it did, but it was so vivid. I know it was the devil himself telling me these lies. But, I had a bad panic attack and all these feeling came out I thought I had pushed aside. I was crying and could hardly breath all while telling my mother, "I'm not qualified to do this. I'm not ready. I can't even help my own family, how can I help the Tanzanian people? I'm. Just. Not. Qualified." Looking back on that I realize was I saying the EXACT things the devil had told me in my dream.1. I am not qualified. 2. I cant help these people. and 3. I'm not ready. These are LIES the devil put in my mind to kill and destroy my dreams. During this attack my mother kept repeating the sweet name of Jesus and said something My youth pastor taught on not to long ago. She said, "God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called." Those words have never meant more to me in my entire life. The devil might of shaken me to my core, but he has NOT broken me. The Lord has His hands on this trip! He has His hands on me and the AYC team. And He HAS qualified us.
      Now I know the only reason the Devil is attacking me so hard is because he knows, oh believe me! He knows something GREAT is about to happen! And he is doing everything in his power to stop our team. Several others on the AYC team have fought everything from fear, depression, health problems, nightmares and many other unsaid things. Ya see, I believe the devil takes your weakness and uses everything in his power to fight you with it. That's his ONLY tactic. Well, Devil I've got news for you! YOU WILL BE AND HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEFEATED! Our team is going to sweep through Tanzania like a HOLY GHOST FIRE! They won't know what hit them! I'm praying we break EVERY chain that is binding the Tanzanian people, and that we break every single hold you have on them! So fight all you want Devil, we have already won. ;)
     I know this was long! And I'm sorry. But I had a story to tell, so I did. If you only take one thing from this whole story take this... "God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called."
    Until next time....

Pursuing My Calling

           First, let me say how thankful I am for my church. I started going to New Life 2 years ago this past June. They welcomed me with open arms and its as if I've been there my entire life! It is one amazing church! I love the worship and freedom I feel there. I know that God sent me to New Life. It was there my faith was restored, and it was there that God confirmed my calling to the Missions field. If you were to tell me 2 years ago that I would be going on a missions trip, I would of thought you were crazy! I never thought that I would have this oppurtunity! But thanks to Apostolic Youth Corps, I leave FRIDAY! in 4 days!!! And it STILL does'nt seem real! One of my best friends told me this week, "Brandi, never doubt the Lord's timing." She was so right! My church gave me a donation for my trip and prayed for me last night. They also gave me a prayer cloth, well, more like a prayer blanket ;)
           So this past week has been tough. The devil has attacked me in my dreams, my mind, and just about everyway imaginable. I was told I would be attacked, but I never dreamed so hard. BUT it makes me fight even harder because Satan knows we are about to do something AMAZING! He will NOT stop us! So bring on the nightmares, bring on the panic attacks, My God is stronger than you Satan, I know the outcome of the story, prepare to be defeated! My God is a great and mighty God, and His hands are on this trip! It is going to be LIFE CHANGING!
         I am going to update this blog as often as I can! I know 4 nights we will be camping and I will not have access to WiFi there. But in our hotel I do. Now I will be 8 hours ahead of Arkansas time...but please keep checking! :)

Eve of 21

      On the eve of my 21st birthday I find myself thinking of a lot things. Mainly the fact that in 10 very long days I will be headed to Tanzania, Africa with about 22 other young people in the hopes of winning lost souls and experiencing something we never have before.
      Going on this missions trip is an absolute dream come true for me. I was about 14 when I fell in love with Global Missions. I believe I was called to Global Missions when I was 18. Now being stubborn and scared I didn't exactly follow my calling. I was confused by it honestly. But now, 3 years later, here I am, going to TANZANIA, AFRICA with Apostolic Youth Corps! Still scared? YES. Excited? More than you'll ever know. I have put a lot of prayer and fasting behind this trip and so have the others. I know this will be the most life changing trip I'll ever go on. I'm praying God confirms many things for me on this trip. Like, am I really called to Global Mission's? I don't have any doubt that I am, but I need a confirmation. And I KNOW this trip will be just that.
    I've been counting down this trip for nearly a year. And honestly, it has flown by. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little bit nervous. But I know the Lord is in this trip. He has opened SO many doors for me through this process. And has provided the funds too. There's NO way I'd be here without Him. Praying for a VERY successful and life changing trip. I'm ready for this :) Keep up with the blog.

www.apostolicyouthcorps.com