Next Steps 2014!

It’s really happening! AHH! I was accepted for Next Steps 2014 in Togo, Africa! I get to go back and work on my ministry! AHH! I get to return to the place I left my heart last year. And not only do I get to return. I will be there for 2 whole months! How amazing?! The Lord truly answers prayers!

                Our last day In Tanzania we got some time in the church in the Esso Village. We locked the doors and closed the windows and got some personal time with God. This was time to reflect on the trip, pray and ask God for direction on our life, and just sit and bask in His glory. After 12 days of constant ministry and travel I can honestly say this alone time in the church was perfect. He told me “your work isn’t done here.” And Sister Smoak hugged me as we were departing and said, “I’ll be seeing you again” what confirmation!  As I sat and reflected on my short time in Tanzania I realized my life had been more affected in those 12 short days than any other time in my life. Every person, every home, every road, every service, they had completely changed me. And I’ll never be the same again, Thank God for that! How selfish I was! It took seeing one of the poorest countries in the World to realize that. What really brought me to my knees was seeing how giving they were. They literally would have given their last meal to someone in need. For a people who don’t even know where their next meal will come from, they are the most generous people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. How lucky I am to get to spend 2 months back in Africa helping people just like the Tanzanians.        

                I will be in Lome, Togo, West Africa this time with the Next Steps group. Not sure of anyone else going yet, but it will be a group of UPC young people who have a hunger for World Missions. I mean, seriously?!  What have I done to be so lucky! How the Lord has blessed me! 2 months on the field. I think back to all we accomplished in 12 days, just imagine what can be done in 2 months! So many services, youth camps, family camps and kids crusades! I seriously can’t wait! Can’t you tell? ;) With Next Steps we will be doing everything from helping in the local churches, to building churches and helping in the bible college! We have an intense 3 week training course then the remainder 5 weeks will be spent applying what we have learned and helping wherever we can. I just can’t imagine what God has in store for us!

                Now of course with any opportunity like this comes an opportunity to give. I’ll need to raise $7000 for this trip. Sometimes I look at the number and think dear Lord! How am I going to do this? But He quickens me and says “I got you this far, I won’t leave you now.” I’m thankful for His peace. Now just to come up with fundraising ideas! And save, save, save! I have a Go Fund Me account for anyone interested in giving… or I can take personal checks. Just remember all donations ARE tax deductible! I thank you so much for your support and support for His Kingdom! It means the World to me!

Go Fund Me link:  www.gofundme.com/brandismission 

"They shall dream dreams..."

Yes, another post about a dream. But my experience was too amazing not to share ;) 

Last night I had a dream and I was with my family.  Mom, Dad, siblings, step dad and my nana and papa. I was showing them around this city. They have never been there so it was almost like I was giving them a tour of somewhere so familiar to me, like it was my home. As I was showing them certain places around the city its like each place had an important meaning or purpose on my life. Like something big had happened there. They were so amazed that I had so easily fallen in love with this place. From the filthy dirt roads and little shacks that lined the road, to every mud stained face we passed. Everything was important to me. During this trip my families lives were completely transformed. They finally understood why I had fallen in love with the place and why I had worked so hard to get back there. They understood and they supported. As I watched them take off from the long, dirt runway I realized it might be a long time till I see them again. It made me sad for a moment, but I was comforted by knowing I was exactly where God needed me to be, and I wanted to be there. As I woke up thinking about the dream I realized I recognized those dirty streets and little shacks. And all the places that were significant to me were places God had performed amazing miracles. It was Africa, and I had fallen in love with every piece of it. Maybe it was God confirming things for me, maybe He just wanted to give me a little peek into the future ;) whatever it was, it was comforting, it was a sure thing, it was a perfect fit. I seriously can't hardly wait to return to the place I left my heart last summer! This made me all the more ready and willing to work toward Next Steps 2014! It's gonna be a long 10 months. 

"I need Africa more than Africa needs me"

"It's hard to reconcile the challenges many Africans face, with the joy I see in the people. The images I saw only showed Misery. I bought into the lie that circumstance defines happiness. In a place where despair should thrive, I found people dancing and singing. Relationships and faith provide joy. My new reality... My joy should have no regard for my circumstances. I want what I have learned to trickle down from my head into my heart. Africa does need our efforts and support. But for me... I need Africa more than Africa needs me." -Mocha Club

Sorry it has taken me so long to give you an update on my mission’s journey! It has been a crazy few months. Mainly just trying to heal, trying to let go of the hurt and confusion. Mainly trying to be there and help my sister. This has truly been the HARDEST trial we have ever faced and pray to God, will ever have to face. I know there is a plan and a time for everything under Heaven, just hard to see that through such tragedy. But in the meantime…

Still keeping my eyes on Africa! A few of my AYC family members are headed back onto the mission’s field! How I wish I could go… but I know I’m holding back for a bigger purpose for myself. I would love to go on the Kenya trip. In fact I had every bit planned on it, even started fundraising for it. But turns out the Lord had bigger plans for me. I didn’t feel the drive for it like I had felt for Tanzania.  Yah, I wanted to go, but I didn’t have that drive to fundraise, to prepare for it. So I started praying and asked “OK, God. What’s going on? I left my heart over there. Why am I not driven to go back?” Not that he talked back in an audible voice but I just felt that peace in my spirit that I needed to wait. “Wait and save your money. Prepare yourself for what I have in store for you. Completely put your life in my hands. Prepare yourself and be ready for what’s ahead.”  It’s almost like it was on repeat in my head. So why not trust God? It’s all worked out in the past when I did. So… I put it in his hands. Again. And here I am, more than ready to be back in Africa to start my ministry. But not quite ready.

I feel like every day has been a preparation for 2014. Every church service, every person I come in contact with, and every trial I face. These things are preparing me for my 2 month journey in Togo and Benin, West Africa. I can’t hardly wait to return to Africa! But that’s a given ;) I’ve had countless dog sitting jobs and even horse sitting jobs. It’s been fun. Stressful at times, but it will all be worth it.

I promise to keep you more up to date on my mission’s journey! Keep checkin’ J