Monthly Archives: May 2018

Africa- Part 2

Adventure, Calling, Journey, Rest

Before we continue, with our Kenyan adventures, would you take several minutes and pray for our African brothers and sisters❤ Their faith is incredible, but they need our prayers, so that they too, can finish strong.

Tuesday morning we awoke to hearing all the sounds of the town of Nairobi, plus the patter of heavy raindrops on the roof, and oh the bed felt so good, so getting our weary bodies moving was quite difficult. Our team met for a briefing for our week ahead, which then turned into a mini revival service right there in the hotel lobby.

We then began our journey over to the first village where we would spend a few days. God allowed us to find this incredible hotel, right in the village, and we were taken care of so well, the food, hospitality and their ever welcoming smiles when we would come back in the evenings, after a long day, were so amazing.

We also experienced our first meal at a Kenyan restaurant, which was a unique experience but the food was so good.

Whenever we would come back to the hotel the children from the village would come running to see if we had anything for them. Pictured below is me with Angel, she was the first little girl we met when we arrived at the hotel and she was always among the first to greet us when we would come back in the evenings. She had very little, but she always had the sweetest smile. ❤ Several different times we passed out candy and balloons to the children which was a huge hit for all of them.

Those of us who had never been to another country were quite shocked by how many people could fit into one small vehicle, not to mention the driving in Kenya, there were a number of times we all held our breath as mere inches were between us and the vehicle beside us. We soon got used to it tho and by the end of the week we didn’t even think about it.

Our first full day in Kenya was incredible and heading to bed that night we were super thankful for soft beds and hot showers (for those that figured out how to turn the hot water on, some of us had to experience cold showers). We didn’t know what that the next day was going to be day filled with many challenges, including lots mud😏

So in part three you will hear more about our African adventures and what incredible things God allowed us to be a part of.

Africa-part 1

Adventure, Calling, Freedom, Healing, Journey

Such a God-orchestrated trip! Such an incredible team! Such a journey of preparation! I will attempt to document highlights of our incredible trip to the villages of Kenya, so you as the reader may get a glimpse of it too.

From the first time back in October 2017, when I first heard about Africa and the mission there, to the beginning stages of planning the trip in January, to the work God did in my own heart before we went, to each incredible moment of our time together as a team, it truly was a trip I will never forget!

As I mentioned above, last fall was the first time I heard of the mission in Africa, through the stories shared by our team leader, and in that moment something on the inside of me was stirred and I knew I wanted to go to Africa, although I had no idea that 6 months later I would be on my way there.

In January I had the opportunity to meet up with our team leader Matt and his brother Ken at a conference. The conference was incredible but church service the following day was even more amazing and that is where God really began to speak to me about going to Africa. And the question that I asked myself as I was wrestling with what God was asking me to do was:

“Do we miss opportunities by not being obedient immediately to what we know the Father is asking us to do?”

I could not deny that God was calling me to go, although I had no idea what all I was committing to. Before I left the church that afternoon the beginning stages of a trip to Africa were in motion and as I drove home, God gave me a theme, #aboveandbeyond for the trip, which was from Ephesians 3:20-21:

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” -Ephesians 3:20‭-‬21

I was unaware of just how exceedingly, abundantly above all that I could ever ask or think, the Father was going to do things. GOD IS SO GOOD🙌❤

The excitement began to rise as the 7 members of the team were asked and then committed to going, passports were applied for and processed in a very timely manner, which was definitely a work of the Father himself.

Planning was in full swing on our end, as we planned a t-shirt fundraiser, which totally went #aboveandbeyond what we ever dreamt of, it was absolutely incredible at the amount of support we received from people all across the U.S.

And most importantly, the work the Father was doing in our hearts as members of the team, the emptying of ourselves, surrendering to Him and allowing Him to renew our spirits and hearts. The journey was hard and lots of tears were shed before we even begin our trip, but the preparation was essential for the work the Father had for us to do.

The days and weeks passed ever so swiftly and finally the day came! Our excitement knew no bounds as we arrived at the airport, met up with members of the team. Oh, it was exciting to know that we were about to embark on a journey, a work that only the Father could orchestrate.

Boarding the plane for that 13 hour flight, was an experience in itself. We had the best stewardess and we were served so incredibly well, amazing service and delicious food, including ice cream that was served to us at 2 AM. That stuff was incredible 🍦

After 13 hours, we were ready to get our feet on solid ground for a short time and so with swollen feet and weary bodies, we traipsed through an airport in Doha, to meet up with the remainder of our team, and then boarded a plane for the last 5 hours to our final destination, which would be Nairobi, Kenya.

Landing there at midnight, stepping on African soil, oh my heart felt like it could burst, as I took in all the smells and sounds of that land, clothed under the cover of night. Checking into our rooms for the night we rested our weary bodies on those beds that felt much better than the airplane seats that reclined only a few inches. and there was Wi-Fi to connect too, total American, I know😁

And then the next day, the adventures were about to go to a whole other level. But that’s coming in the next post… 😁

But I do have to show a photo of our incredible #dreamteam, along with our incredible safari guide. 😍 we made so many memories together in the beautiful country of Africa!

“Mama”

Calling, Love, Peace, Rest, Safety

First I want to honor each and every Mother that reads this. And let me start by saying this, you are Amazing! Motherhood is a very high calling, not only are you training the next generation of the church, but you are raising godly men and women who will impact the world. The level of serving and dedication you put into being a mother, truly is changing the world!

Thank you for serving and loving your family well! I know there have to be days you literally almost fall over from exhaustion, because you feel like you have given every last drop you ever had within you, but the next morning you are back up and going with renewed energy and a rejuvenated spirit. You are such an example of Jesus! Thank you! I pray blessing and a fresh annointing from the Father over you!

To every Mother, who hears “Mama,Mama” multiple times of day and it feels like your supply of patience and grace have been completely emptied and sucked dry. Thank you! Thank you for taking the time to minister to every need your child has, I promise you, it will make a difference in their life, even if you never get thanked for it. I pray the Father would give you even greater levels of grace for each day that is difficult! “His Grace is Sufficient”

Thank you for keeping things running smoothly at home, while your husband is working to provide for his family. Thank you! All the behind the scenes things you faithfully do, that noone ever thanks you for, like the toilet paper ministry, as I call it (you know, always changing the empty roll to a new one). The delicious meals you prepare to nourish your family, the endless stacks of dishes you wash and the never ending loads of laundry you wash and fold on a weekly basis. Thank you, for being willing to do all the things that don’t get noticed, yet you serve willingly and well!

Thank you for pouring into your children’s lives daily, for encouraging the gifts that you see rising in them. Thank you for nurturing each one of the souls that were granted into your care. Thank you for loving the ones who are away from their Mama! ❤

From the bottom of my heart, I again say Thank you! And I pray that the Father would pour out abundant blessings upon you as a Mother, that you could continue to serve and love well. ❤