We were asked to write a blog about how we felt before leaving on this mission trip. Here is what I’m expecting…
As each day passes and I get closer and closer to leaving on this amazing journey, my heart is racing with joy, excitement and passion!! I know God is leading me, and while the next few months will be full of preparation, prayer, and excitement, the following months on the field will only be greater. Yet as I pray for this trip, my team, and where God will place me in Africa, I can’t help but reflect on my past missions and the work He has done in and through me. However, through each of these trips, I have learned one big lesson: To set aside all expectations and just go. I have found that when I decide exactly what I want and need out of an experience, I am shutting myself off from what God has planned. I get disappointed when things aren’t as I expected and miss the beauty of what my Lord is doing. So as I pray, I ask that the Lord take my selfish and prideful wants and expectations and fill me with His plan and direction. After all, this is His calling for my life, not my own! As I have done this, these are the things He has placed on my heart:
Growing in my Trust and Faith in Him
As I leave my comfort zone and accept God’s call for my life, I pray that my faith and trust in Him will be strengthened. God has always used the unexpected to reach me, to guide me, and teach me of His will and path. I don’t assume that this will be any different! I have prayed for years that the Lord would teach me to trust only in Him, without reservations or doubts. If He needs to take me away from my safe place to do so, then I will take His hand and go. Am I nervous? Yes, but my desires to meet God in new and amazing ways outweigh any worries.
Women’s and Children’s ministry
Over the year’s God has placed women and children ministry heavily on my heart. He has opened my eyes to the struggles that they face in different parts of the world. Where ever I am placed, I know God is calling me to work one on one with women and children, to build relationships, and to show them His love and grace. I know many of the situations that I will face through this will be heartbreaking and overwhelming, but I know God will lead me through and strengthen me.
Experience and Worship His Beauty and Creation
The Lord has blessed me with being able to see His hand and marvelous beauty in all creation, even in the normal. I see so much of Him in children, in nature, in strangers, in so many places. I can’t wait to experience His creation and awe-inspiring splendor in Africa, in the people I meet, and the situations He places me. I love photography and can’t wait to capture the glory of His creation, though a picture never quite does Him justice. I look forward to worshipping Him with people from different cultures, backgrounds, and walks of life. I JUST CAN’T WAIT!!!!
Glorify Him through Community
A huge part of this program is the community I will be living with. Over the last month, the Lord has heavily placed my teammates on my heart. I have been filled with such excitement over the relationships He has laid in front of me! I pray that God will place people in my team who will challenge, support, teach, and love me throughout and that I might do the same for them. I pray the community and friendships I build will turn into lifelong relationships.
Struggles
While I can pretend that this next stage of my life is going to be wonderful and perfect, I know from experience that isn’t the case. It is going to be a year filled with hardships and struggles. Being away from my loved ones for so long, living in a foreign environment, facing poverty and despair, and being surrounded by intense spiritual warfare. Yet I know I won’t be dealing with these struggles alone. I pray that God will help me persevere through whatever struggles may come my way and that He will use them to advance His kingdom. I know I won’t be alone and that my Lord will show me blessings amidst the hardships.
Prayer, Being Still and Listening
