Revealing the Father's Heart

"...without vision the people perish." I definitely felt as though I was going to perish after returning to America and realizing that I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing with my life! I bet Abraham felt that way when God told him to go, but didn't tell him exactly where.  I strongly dislike making decisions, especially important ones that have a significant effect on how I will live my life in the coming months and years. But more than that, I just struggle with transitions. However, what I have realized lately is that in order to get something you have to give something up. Someone I heard recently said that you have to give up the small to get the big. The problem is that the small doesn't feel so small when you are getting rid of the only thing in your hand. Wouldn't it be better to keep what you have than risk losing that?  It's all about trust. Trusting that God knows what He is doing and that He will get you where you are supposed to go. I had

My time in Walvis Bay has been a time full of self reflection and alone time with God. It is much harder to build relationships with those that I work with here but there are still many opportunities to show Gods love to people.  Relationships at JP Brand were much easier because the children were so desperate for love and affection and returned it back to us abundantly. However, my time in Walvis has shown me that even those that are difficult to love, like the kids at the orphanage and even my own teammates at times, are just as special in Gods eyes.  This trip has been different from my expectations because I think that I selfishly wanted to have God do great things through me. I wanted to see lots of results and feel better about myself because I was making an impact. However, I am beginning to realize that God has mostly just used me to plant seeds throughout this trip.  We had the amazing chance to go back to the desert this week for a cultural exchange. The chief of the Topnaar

This week was another incredible one in the desert. The relationships that I have been building with the girls there are strengthening and they have been able to open up to me about their stories. In our Bible Study on Wednesday they asked me questions that challenged me to get into my Bible and to know the references for the things that I believe. "Is hell real?, is Satan real and what does he do?, and how is God three in one but still one?" These were just a few of the questions that they threw at me in a few short minutes. Not being able to use my phone or the internet has given me more time and desire to read my bible in my free time (especially if I am going to attempt to answer all of these questions!) and I hope to continue this when I get back to the US.  It is really hard for me to go into my last week realizing that I will have to say goodbye, probably for forever, to the girls that I have come to love on Friday. However, even though it is hard to know that the othe

I wrote this as I was on the plane to London...we have had an amazing layover here and everyone is ready to get some much needed rest! Well we are about halfway through with what will be an over two day long journey to Namibia. It's still totally unreal and I don't know if it will fully hit me until my feet are on the ground! I have really enjoyed getting to know my team over the past few days! We really are an incredible mixture of personalities who somehow fit really well together. One of the things that really stuck with me the most from the four days of training that we had was that missions is not so much about what WE are going out and doing for others but rather it is more about meeting people where THEY are at and building relationships with them.  This idea is modeled in the life of Jesus, who entered the world not as a King, on a level above the average person. Instead he came as a baby and lived a life that allowed Him to identify with ALL of the challenges and tempt

As of today, there are only two more weeks until I go for training in Indiana before leaving for Africa! I have been spending the past few days getting to know my team better and praying that God would knit our hearts together. He is also showing me more and more about the significance of community in my life and the body of Christ.  This morning in my quiet time, I was reading about the Tower of Babel. It was as though God highlighted these words for me: "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them " Gen. 11:6 If these words were true in a negative sense then how much more in a positive one! When we are "speaking the same language," we can accomplish anything! Now I don't think that this means we all need to go out and learn French or Japanese, but it's about learning how to love one another and join together with a common purpose.  A New Testament example of this is found

I had my first conference call with my team yesterday to get some of the details about my trip! The whole things still seems totally unreal to me. I keep having to remind myself that I am actually seriously going to Africa this summer. One of the questions I get a lot about my upcoming trip to Namibia is "What are you most excited for?" While I don't mind the question, for some reason it is really hard to answer it. Obviously there are a lot of little things that I am excited for but to be honest, I have no idea what to expect from the trip. Its interesting because I am the type of person that typically has high expectations, whether it is for certain situations, for those around me or for myself. Many times these expectations are not met and I find myself unsatisfied and disappointed. Psalm 62:5 says "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him." The King James version uses the word expectation instead of hope. I know it is basic Bible teaching

When I was little we used to make what we called rocky roads, graham crackers with peanut butter and chocolate chips on them. Unfortunately, now that I am older I realize that rocky roads are not always pleasant and delicious. I guess that with God technically the rockiest of roads can be good, but I am not quite to that point yet! I am also beginning to realize how difficult blogging is, and my respect for people who can do it consistently is growing. Every time I feel like I should write a post I realize that I have no idea what to write it on! So anyways, here are a few updates as to what is going on in my life right now; the good, the bad and the rocky.  God is showing me that I can truly depend on him to provide for my needs. I know in my head that He will provide but it is different actually seeing it happen. I only need $1500 more to reach my goal! I am beginning to realize that if God tells you to do something he will help make sure that it happens! I am reminded that