Already at work!

Our trip to Botswana is getting closer and closer. And now that I am home, it seems more real than ever. I have moved out of my room and said all of my goodbyes. Natalie and I leave January 14, 2011. We will be at home for the next 3 weeks until we leave. Nevertheless, the Lord is already at work in my life, challenging me in ways He never has before. I have been anticipating this trip and the mighty ways the Lord was going to use it in my life. I was waiting around for this "big" trip I was about to take, with the mindset of "God is GOING to do awesome things in your life". Rather than seeing that the Lord was indeed ALREADY DOING big things in my life. As usual, He reminded me just how much I underestimate Him. He has been busy using this time before the trip has even started, in ways I never would have expected.

Saying goodbye to Union and all that comes with it was harder than I had ever expected. Letting go of the things that I have been used to for almost 3 years was something I on my own did not have the strength to do. But, like always the Lord uses painful times and hurt to bring about good and growth! As a result of Him stripping me of these things I have grown to depend on and become used to, He has driven me to my knees at the foot of the cross in need of comfort and joy! And as I result, I have found comfort that I have never experienced before. I have been given peace and joy that can't be taken away. I am being shown daily that the Creator of the Universe desire's to be my everything. He is the only place that I can put my dependence, and He is in fact ALL I need. This is definitely a daily battle. I would be lying if I did not say that there are many days where I am tempted to not believe this. I feel fear and loneliness without my friends. But amidst my doubt, the Lord continues to show me His unconditional love, and reminds me that I am safe in His arms. He gently whispers that He is all that I need, and He will never leave me. He is using this time and will continue to use it to show me that He is the ultimate COMFORTER, ENCOURAGER, and FRIEND!!! He has taken these things away for this period of time, to show me more clearly who He is and what He desires to be in my life!

This will definitely be a journey, a difficult one at that. It already has been one. But it has been GREAT! And one thing I know for sure, God is so GOOD and He is at work! He is FOR me, therefore what can be against me!!

I will continue to keep everyone updated! Be in prayer as we do the last minute things, and finalize all the "small" details. Thanks!

My trip to Botswana!!

In January 2011 I will be going to Botswana, Africa. I will be serving there for around 4 months and return in May. Last January I was able to take a trip to Botswana for 2 weeks through Unions GO trips, and will be returning to do the same work.  I will be going through the IMB, working with Hands On. This is a semester long project where they send college aged students overseas to get hands on experience on the mission field. 

            While in Botswana I will be working with the students at the University of Botswana. It is a university in the city of Gaborone, where hundreds of students attend from all over the country. The missionaries I will be working with work as the campus ministers here. They go on campus daily, ministering to them and discipling those that are already Christians. They have a weekly event at a place called “the center” where students are invited to come and hangout, and then present the Gospel to them. There are a handful of students that are already believers that help with this event as well as spreading the word on campus.

            I have been given the opportunity to go over and work alongside these students to spread the Gospel at their school. I would be given the chance to take the role of a mentor for the ones that are growing their faith. I will be going on campus daily doing a number of things. Some days would consist of me discipling new believers. Other days I would simply walk around evangelizing to students on campus while prayer walking. While the students at this university would be my primary focus for the semester, I will also be traveling to surrounding villages to do ministry.

            There have been several obstacles along the way, yet I have seen the Lord faithfully triumph over every single one. Therefore I am confident that He is in the process of providing a way for me to get there. This is an awesome opportunity that the Lord alone has provided me with.

            This blog is a chance for me to update people on the trip and share what the Lord is doing during this time. I am at the point in the process where it is mostly preparation. Raising money, paper work, insurance details, etc. This will give me the chance to keep people up to date on the process as well as the trip. If you feel led to give financially that is always needed. There is a link on the page that you can go to in order to do so. Otherwise, I am asking for prayers right now; prayer in the preparation process and well as provision (which I have utter confidence will happen). Thank you all for your support and prayers. I will keep you updated!

Preparation

Acts 20:24


²⁴ However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.