See and know–I have theories and thoughts of how life is for the African people but I don’t know. I work with a man from the Philippines who tells me what it is like to live poorly, he knows. I don’t know. He can tell me and I have great compassion for his family but I still don’t know. I want to know, I want to gain perspective and experience. What that experience involves I have absolutely no idea; I pretty much don’t know what I am getting myself into. What a great feeling! It requires total trust and reliance. I ask your prayers in this, that I may surrender the restrictions I place on the trip through my expectations and that I will allow myself to just go with a willing spirit.
A huge time of listening–I desire to know more about my purpose and where God wants my mission field to be. Daily I pray for openness to hearing and seeing God speak in this area.
Answers –Along with expecting many days of listening for the guidance of God, I am also expecting answers. I expect God to show up. I expect to see God in new and exciting ways that I never have before. I expect to see His hand working, his Spirit moving. I expect His signs and wonders in the lives the African people as well as in the lives of those on my team.
Discovery–With incredible excitement I think about all the people I have yet to meet. I think about all the culture I will be thrown into and how beautiful it will be. When I picture myself in Africa I envision my eyes growing bigger and bigger trying to take everything in, trying to capture it all. Patience is good to pray for because I just want to launch this adventure and get going… but preparation is important and necessary.
Trust-I anticipate trust….trust on a deeper level. I anticipate the risks of entering such a rugged country. Thinking of this I pray for my team, that we will fully lean on our faith in God. I anticipate situations that are so much bigger than me and anything I could do to help. I must entrust those people and those situations to God. Even now I am learning the meaning or this word as I look at my finances and as I realize what is required to make this all come together. The biggest thing I can do is surrender it to God and trust He will provide for my every need.
Prayer-I know that it is most important to always be prayerful. I expect to be challenged in this area of my life. I want to journey in prayer and grow closer to God through prayer. I want to spur people on to pray for me and my team and also for the African people. Pray for me over this next year as I prepare to respond to God’s asking in my life.
Wow, that was so encouraging! Thanks for sharing you excitement and zealous faith! I am going to Swaziland this year with AIM for a month if God willing! I have always wanted to go to Africa. I feel my heart is already there even though I’ve never been there! I can’t wait to see God work in so many ways!!
Bring it on Jesus!!!
God bless you! My his face shine on you!
Your sister in Christ,
Noelle