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... :)
