This Is Africa!

So, to exaggerate on my last blog. This entry and the next few will be ALL ABOUT AFRICA. Oh... how I love it!

Okay. So as I mentioned, in December-ish of 2008, I started feeling a tug on my heart to go on a mission trip to minister to the Deaf SOMEWHERE in the world. I was willing, so I started searching. I ran into some really sketchy "ministries," people, and websites. I persisted. My motto for that times in my life was and forever will be, "GO until God says 'STOP!" So I went, and searched, and prayed. Somehow, I'm still not sure how it happened I was put into contact with a church who put me into contact with Lance McWilliams in Colorado! Crazy! Lance recently became the "owner" of a DEAF ORPHANAGE in Kisii, Kenya! YES! I was pumped! I knew in my heart of hearts I found the place I was suppose to go.

Lance's Deaf Orphans

I wanted to go alone, just me and God, and be brave and experience all these amazing things. God said no, re-evaluate. So, I did. He said... "invite." So, I did. I invited 2 of my closest friends, Kira and Jamie, who are also interpreters. That was funny in itself. One day after class, I told them I had a question to ask. They were like, okay... and I said, "Do you want to go on a mission trip with me to Kenya to a Deaf orphanage?" haha! Their faces were hilarious. They said, "Are you serious?" "YES!" They questioned whether an "adult" would go with us, if we would go through an organization, if I knew someone in Kenya. My answer was the same... no... God just told me to go and I want to share the experience with you ladies. They (along with their parents) were a little stunned, but my God softened their hearts, made a way, and allowed us all to agree. I NEVER imagined them really going, but it happened. The fourth member of the team, Emily, was added one day in my apartment living room. Emily is my best friend and was my roommate at the time. I love her so much and am so grateful for her friendship/sisterhood.  Her heart is so precious and pure. That specific day Kira, Jamie, and I had been fasting to really pray and discern if this was God's will. (Keep in mind that this was late April and the trip happened in August!). We were praying together and Emily walked in and semi-jokingly I looked at her and said, "Do you want to go?" She looked at me with wide eyes and told me she was going to go on a walk and talk to God about it. And she did. And He said "YES! You are going!!" 

Jamie, Kira, Emily, Me

So the four of us begin planning. Support letters. Phone calls. Plane Tickets. But all those things require money and we had none. We were told we needed to raise $4,000 for EACH person = $16,000 in THREE months (May-July) WHAT?!?! Mind you, Emily and I worked as camp counselors in separate states, without cell phone service, without a way to "plan!" CRAZY! Some might say impossible! So, the months rolled on and we started saying "WHEN we go..." and not "IF we go.." because God was supplying the money! It was insane. Check after check came for all of us. By the time we left in August, our AWESOME God has raised over $17,000 for us and the orphans!! Exceeded our needs... as usual. Our faith was so small. He was just showing off, and we relished in His love! It was so amazing. He is our Provider!

We prayed up, planned up, read up, packed up, and were ready to go to KENYA on the adventure of a lifetime.

This was posted in the orphanage office. It's so true and rang far more real throughout this mission He sent us on.

Sunshine... Summer... Satisfcation

So, for the past 2 summers, I have been out of the state and even country. I haven't been in my sweet home Alabama at all. This summer is different. This summer I will be here in south Alabama. I'm excited to see what God does here as I reflect over my past 2 years of AMAZING-NESS. God has showed up. God has changed lives. God has used ME! These past 2 summers have been about surrendering to His will, His wants, and His ways. I plan to do that this summer as well. It may look different in pictures. My heart may sometimes ache for Africa and our orphans, but my God is the same here that He is in Kisii, Kenya, Pine Cove, and Illinois. I am not who I was 3 years ago, and that has a lot to do with the things God has done in my life in... the past 3 summers!! Here is my heart:

The summer that started it all was 2008. I worked as a counselor at Pine Cove Christian Camps in Tyler, Texas at the Timbers. Pine Cove is divided into different "camps" within the big CAMP based on age/grade. The Timbers is comprised of upcoming 8th and 9th graders. Total I was there 8 weeks, 2 weeks for training (I worked as a lifeguard! haha!!) and 6 weeks for camp. This summer, God completely and radically changed me at my very core!!! Being used by Him daily, WOW! We played, worshipped and worked ALL day EVERYday, even on the "off" days. It was a 24 hour "job." It was exhausting, but I was never tired. Physically... yes! But my God is stronger and He supplied every once of energy I needed for each day. I got up each morning and spent an hour with Him. I rested in Him. With no distraction, only His kingdom work to do each day! Tiring and Refreshing at the same time. I had some incredible God moments each day. I meet some amazing people who are pictured below, but the most amazing thing was to see God change the lives of my campers. To worship with my girls. To hear and see their hearts. And to still talk to them today. What blessings these girls were! I worked at the lake as the lifeguard. God used that too! I could talk about Pine Cove for hours and how God used that land in Tyler, Texas to rock lives, but for know I will rest in Him for He is good and He completes what He starts in every camper's life.

We aren't allowed to put campers' photos on-line so here are some of the most wonderful people I've ever met, other Pine Cove workers.

Last year was crazy. I had already signed to go to Pine Cove in September! Mistake! Anna was going on her wishes and desires and didn't stop to ask God... oops! But he caught me. In December of 2008 I started feeling God stirring in my heart to a different camp and to go on a mission trip... a camp and trip focused on the Deaf. So... I started looking. I e-mailed people and searched on different websites. Things fell through, but I told myself that I was going to keep going until God said STOP really big and loud! So... finally, I was hired at the Illinois Lions Camp for the Deaf and Blind AND God found me a mission trip to Kisii, Kenya to minister to Deaf orphans at Lance's Deaf Orphans.   I was pumped. There's so much to say.

First, the camp. This was not a Christian camp, so I didn't know what to expect. I was TERRIFIED when the plane landed in Chicago. I really contemplated not getting off. Satan attacked me from start to finish at the camp because God was using me. AHA! The camp was not Pine Cove. There were no worship services, Bible studies, or prayerful considerations when making decisions. There were 17 staff, 2 leaders, and one mission: to make the kids enjoy the summer! I liked the mission. I loved the kids. But I missed my work being saturated with Jesus and Jesus only. My heart was constantly reminded of Psalm 63; it starts with "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water."  Camp felt dry, but my God was big. I still saw Him move and touch my campers lives and my life. I had campers from the ages of 9-91!! Yes, 91! The first week I had 3 Deaf/Blind campers!! INCREDIBLE!! Again, I could talk for days about this camp, but know that God gets the glory for it all!

This was my God-send, Heather. My Christian AMAZING sister who battled Satan with me all summer! I love her!

And last but not least, AFRICA!! My heart longs for it. I miss the sulfur smells, the softball sized holes for bathrooms, running out of gas 3 times, and throwing up because of bad butter! I miss it all, but it doesn't compare to the yearning in my heart to return to the orphans. Me and 3 of my best friends went to Africa. The storyof getting there will have to wait for another day. We ministered at Lance's Deaf Orphans, an orphanage in Kisii, Kenya.  There are 45 Deaf orphans there, ranging in age from 3-18. They are the MOST beautiful children you could imagine. They lived at the orphange, went to school there, ate there, played there, and worshipped there. There were two bedrooms (rooms with a few cots), one for boys and one for girls. It broke my heart to see true poverty and to live in such ignorance and wealth!! FRUSTRATING! But I will have to write a whole blog about Africa. I just ache for my orphans today. Some are sick right now. Pray. Pray. Pray. But, in my heart I know their smiles are there. They are joyful. They are loving (for the most part. haha.). I miss them. Here are a few of their wonderful faces:

 

Dinah

Our Team!

I am Satisfied!

Walk a Mile in Our fLiP-fLoPs

Just got back from the amazing beach with my wonderful momma. We went for a LONG weekend to rest, relax, rest some more, read some books, and EAT YUMMY SEAFOOD. And we did just that! It was wonderful. The weather was perfect - sun, no clouds, breezy, and warm. Conversations were great. The food was SUPERB - especially The BackPorch's Lobster stuffed Mahi-Mahi!!  Best I've ever eaten! But the best part was just time with my mom. It doesn't happen often.

On Saturday morning, Jacob called after pulling an all-nighter to cook Boston Butts for a youth group fund-raiser.  He said he didn't have anything to do all day, I jokingly suggested he drive down to the beach for the day and night. HE AGREED! haha! So, on 3 hours sleep, he drove down! So, my two favorite people in the world were with me at my favorite PLACE in the world!! It was wonderful. Just what  I needed. I have rested and relaxed, now I am refreshed and re-newed for the rest of the summer which is shaping up to be pretty busy.  We have Youth VBS, Youth trip to WorldChangers, a Interpreting Conference I am in charge of, family time, time with friends, beach retreat with the girls' Bible study; all on top of interpreting summer classes in Montgomery, work, and MARRIAGE TIME which is my favorite! I'm excited for what God has in store for us on the first summer in 3 years we have stayed in Alabama! WOW! I know God is the same here as He is in Kenya so I'm excited to follow Him radically and see where he takes us!!!   

HaPpY mOtHeR's DaY

My mommy and me.

my mom. so much to say about my mom. she is my best friend. my biggest fan. my support at every moment in my life. she is my example of a God-fearing woman. she is my rold model. she is my personal weather lady. she is my personal security - always making me call when i get there. she is my personal shopper - even when I tell her to stop. she is a great singer, at least i thought so when i was an infant. she makes me laugh when i don't want to. she cries with me and for me when needed. she is my counselor. she is my advisor. she is always willing to go out of her way for anyone. she has the biggest servant's heart i have ever seen. she is my dinner date (i love when this happens).

she now has a new son, jacob, and she has been the best mother to him as well. she has accepted him and loved him just as i have.

There are so many stories i have in my heart about my mom. One story that came to mind happened a long while back. i was about 10ish.  It was recital day. If you have never experienced a dance recital dance - it's INSANE!! The dancer is crazy, nervous, ansy, moody, etc. and the mom is so frantic and worried she forgot something the entire time. So, this particular recital I was to be on of the gingerbread man from the Hansel and Gretal story. The costume was a white tutu and leotard, tights, ballet shoes, and this Gingerbread man hat/head/creation. My performance was in the evening, but they had a recital of the same dances/costumes for the morning as well.  As me and my mom tend to do, we arrived early, before the other dancers had finished and cleared out.  We unloaded all the costumes, make-up, teachers' presents, and whatever we brought.  We set it in the dressing room with happened to be the morning's gingerbread men dressing room, too.  We went out of the room to find our family who were coming and reserve their seats in the audience. When we came back to the room... my precious gingerbread costume was... GONE! We think someone must have picked it up when leaving thinking that it was their outfit. It wasn't, it was mine. I was devasted and hysterical. I was going to look CRAZY on stage without the gingerbread man head. Everyone was going to know that I didn't have my costume and I didn't belong! But, my amazing mom came to the rescue. Her and my teacher went searching the whole building at Samford University for a substitute costume. She found an all white costume that would do.  That's not all and that's not what helped. She then told me that I wouldn't look weird, I would look like the Gingerbread Princess. She told me that I would be special, not crazy.  She reassured me, made me laughed, and cheered me on the stage. I danced as the Gingerbread Princess. I smiled. I loved it.

That is just one of the countless stories of my mom and her love for me. I love you mom! You are wonderful.

I also love my new mommy and family. Here are pictures of the wonderful "moms" in my life:

Happy Mother's Day

ReViVaL!!

So, this past week has been "Revival" at our church. We had a total of 5 services that we called "Revival." A guest speaker, Nathan Carroll, and worship leader, Seth Dunnington, came in for the week to bring God's word to our church.  Tuesday was very special to Jacob and my heart because it was 'Youth Night.'  It was a different feel for the night, very different from our church's traditional, straight-from-the-hymnal kinda services. Jacob's band, Oculus Dei lead worship for the night.  The name Oculus Dei is Latin for "the eyes of God." Their mission statement is to see the world and all people through God's perspective and not their own.  It is comprised of 5 guys shown below:

OCULUS DEI

Seth Dunnington (lead singer), Jarrod Skinner (lead guitarist ~ AWESOME!!), Evan Kohen (acoustic guitar and back-up vocals), Drew Whitehead (drummer), and Jacob Morgan (bass and acoustic guitar)

So, there's the band. Now, the night itself... Jacob and I had been praying for the Revival as a whole since the pastor had planned it, but we had especially been praying for Tuesday night, Youth Night. We had been telling the youth to invite, to come, and to bring. AND THEY DID!!! God was amazing and truly blessed our hearts through our youth. They invited, they talked, they came, and they brought lots of people. Normally, on a Wednesday night for youth services we average about 30-35ish. But this week, this Tuesday, there were 55 youth listening to the gospel of Jesus Christ!!! AMAZING!!! Now, understand that it is NOT ABOUT THE NUMBERS, but it is so awesome to have 55 youth being blasted with the gospel of Truth. That's what we were so excited about.  The Word of Jesus Christ was being proclaimed to 55 youth in this lost world! How humbling!

Our church has never had a 'Youth' service before. They had never experienced corporate worship like that, and WOW! did the youth show the church that it was appreciated! First of all, the youth sat in the front center of the sanctuary (usually they sit in the balcony and have ADD problems).  This was such a beautiful picture of what the church should look like: the younger generation being surrounded, supported, protected, and taught by the older generation. I loved it! *On a side note* Before the service started, the pastor mentioned that if you were sitting in the front and didn't really enjoy loud, really loud music that they might want to scoot back a bit (he said this b/c Oculus Dei is a contemporary Christian band... loud, passionate, and crazy!). After he said this, ALL the old people in the church moved to the very back!! hahah!!! It made me giggle a bit! But, they stayed, that counts for something. Okay, back to the point. I was sitting in the very front, with all the youth sitting behind me. And during worship, I heard the sweetest, mot wonderful sound I have heard in a long time - THE YOUTH WORSHIPPING LOUDLY AND WITH ABANDONMENT! I loved it. I soaked it all up. It was great. Such a blessing and a special love from God to us that night.

After worship, we had a pizza dinner for the youth. Obviously, our faith is small and we didn't expect that many youth to come out... WE RAN OUT OF PIZZA! What an awesome problem! :) I just want to share a few pictures of the youth and the work of God that night!

The whole group!

OUR GOD IS GREATER!

Prayers For My Husband

My wonderful sister-in-law let me steal her Bible Study group leader's idea, and it has blessed me so much.  It is a monthly prayer plan for a wife to pray over her husband. The numbers correspond with the date of the month (DAY 1 = May 1), and you repeat it each month. It is awesome to pray over your husband each morning, have scripture to pray over him, and see the answers of your prayers in his life.

This is my book. You can make it as crafty or as "plain" as you want.  Here are the things you pray over him with the scripture:

1. Thanks for his salvation (Isaiah 61:10)
2. He would have a passion for God (Psalm 42:1-2)
3. How would flee from temptation (Luke 22:40)
4. He would have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16)
5. His thought life would be held captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
6. He would love God fiercly (Mark 12:30)
7. He would love you passionately (Ephesians 5:25)
8. He would act with wisdom (James 1:5)
9. His priorities would be in order (Matthew 6:33)
10. He would have faith through tough trails (James 1:2-3)
11. Peace would rule his heart (Isaiah 26:3)
12. God would protect him (Psalm 41:2)
13. A healthy body would be important to him (1 Corinthians 3:16)
14. He would give God his fears (Psalm 34:4)
15. He would be a man of integrity in all areas (Psalm 41:12)
16. He would live to please God (Colossians 1:9-12)
17. He would have a humble heart (Philippians 2:3)
18. He would have a grateful spirit (Ephesians 5:20)
19. He would have a Christ-like concern for others (Proverbs 27:17)
20. He would be content in his work and do it well (Colossians 3:17)
21. He would have close Godly friends (Proverbs 27:17)
22. He would have a heart of compassion (Colossians 3:12-13)
23. He would have a Christ-like attitude (Philippians 2:5)
24. He would be a man of prayer (Philippians 4:6-7)
25. You marriage would be protected and strong (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
26. His walk with Christ would be authentic (Ephesians 4:1-2)
27. He would have a stong, growing faith (Galatians 2:20)
28. He would have a pure heart and mind (Psalm 51:10)
29. He would live an obedient life (John 14:15)
30. He would bear much fruit (Galatians 5:22-23)
31. He would pursue righteousness (1 Timothy 6:11)

BE BLESSED!