Africa Adventures Begin!

Today was shot day ... I got five today, and I have three more in a couple of weeks. Who knew shots could be so painful? Luckily ... they tell you the side effects afterward.

I pray it's all worth it once I see that beautiful desert plain.

Pray for a quick recovery.

A Little, Dead Cat

I am not sure how … but I learned a lesson from a dead cat today. I remember I even posted recently how God can use everything to teach, encourage, or rebuke us. I guess I literally did not think He would use everything.

I was driving to work, and I saw a wet, dead cat in the middle of the road. I was surprised that I felt bad for that little cat. I’m not a cat person – at all. After a childhood trauma with cats – and severe allergies – I tend to really not like them.

But today, I was thinking about that cat … and I realized it was sad. That cat probably belonged to someone. It probably had a name … a personality … it maybe even did funny tricks. Someone is probably looking for it … or knows what happened and has to explain it to their kids. Some kid this morning might have found out their beloved Fluffy is no more.

And that’s sad.

I think about if it was Giselle that people were driving by … and tears begin to well up.

It made me realize that everyone matters to someone. People I don’t like, people I don’t agree with, murderers, terrorists – when things happen to them, they still had someone who loved them. It is always a tragedy for someone. Maybe not me, maybe not even the majority of people – but for one person, it could still be a tragedy.

I pray that little cat’s family find healing and maybe even a new cat to love.

Release of Rights

We live in a world full of rights. Our particular culture is one in which we take pride in our rights. As a matter of fact, the rights of individuals are in our Constitution. As we see the demand for individual rights increase, we see much of the moral fiber of our society decrease. Jesus laid down His right to comfort, His right to authority, His right to be recognized as good and wise and all-knowing. He became a man so that He could serve, not be served. For this trip, I want to lay down many of the privileges to which I have grown accustomed. These rights may seem entirely reasonable, but on a mission trip, insistence on them can cause dissension.

So while in Africa, I give up my right to ...

A comfortable bed.
Having three meals a day.
Having familiar food.
Dressing fashionably.
Try to control others.
Try to control my circumstances.
Having pleasant circumstances circumstances.
Taking up offense.
Being successful.
Being understood.
Being heard.
Being right.

I give God permission to do anything He wishes in me, with me, through me, by me, or to me for the purpose of glorifying Him.

Journey to Africa - Part II

God has been working on my heart preparing for this trip. It’s already May, and I can’t believe it!

People have been very generous in offering support, both prayer and financial provision! So thank you for that!

Two exciting doors have opened. First, my church is sponsoring me on the trip (again, both financially and in prayer). I was very excited to hear that. It feels great having your home church behind you when taking on this mission. They have been wonderful. I have logistical training available and debriefing when I return – both of which I fully intend to take up on.

For logistical training, we talk about passports, health insurance, shots, what to pack, what to wear, how much luggage is allowed, emergency phone numbers to take, copies of all important documents, a few politeness words in Swahili, and being prepared a little ahead so I’m not up half the night (right) before a long trip and can spend quality time with Brent.

For debriefing, we talk about what it is, how the team should do it a little every day on the trip, doing it at the end both as a team and with national partners and then debriefing with people at home (which I struggled with the most after my trip to Mexico in college).

Second, our first deadline for payment was pushed back. I felt like that was God give me a little nudge of encouragement – because I seriously had nothing. I was talking with Brent one night, and I was so sad. I honestly felt like maybe God was closing the door (by not allowing me to have the means to pay for the first deposit), but Brent encouraged me to push through. Then I found out the date had been pushed back. What a blessing an encouraging husband is!

So – thank you for your prayers, and keep them up!