AFRICA PHOTO LINK

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I'll be adding more photo links soon!!

AFRICA TRIP: WHAT I LEARNED

August 31, 2008

At our last team meeting yesterday morning, we went around and each team member shared one thing that really impacted us about the trip.

I shared about how God seems to be everywhere! He has taught me, through the YWAM staff, what it means to live in a spirit of worship. They are continually singing worship songs throughout the day - in the morning when they wake, as they are bathing their children, as they are doing laundry, when they are cooking or washing dishes, when they are doing construction (even after a long day of hard work), at night as they're about to go to bed, etc. I constantly heard music around the base - and it way always worship.

And to speak even more to their faith, these people showed me what it truly means to pray continually, as in First Thessalonians 5:16-18...Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Boy did they pray - before meals; before and after bus rides; before, during and after a long day at clinic; before bed; at all times of the day! They really do live in a spirit of dependency on God, as many of the staff do not have sponsors to cover their $50/month cost of living at the YWAM base. Still, God is faithful to them and they can speak to how He always comes through for them. Wow!

A few days ago, immediately after we had visited the Samaritan Village orphanage, some of my team members were havig a really hard time because of the experience we had there. There was one little boy who even tried to get in to the van with us, which was heartbreaking because we wanted to take all of them home. Emotionally, I was doing fine because God has given me a lot of peace about adopting an orphan someday. It has actually come up quite a bit on this trip, because one family on our team has 3 adopted kids (the Hoffers), and another family adopted a little boy from the Philippines (the Ryans). Even though I cannot rescue every orphan in the world, I continue to have hope for them. Jacinta, the wife of one of the head honchos at YWAM Arusha, was an orphan (from birth to teen years). She and her husband, John, talk about hope for orphans all of the time, and visit orphanages to specifically encourage orphan children that they matter to God.

You know that story about the little girl who was walking along the shore of thousands of beached starfish? Well, she began to throw them back into the ocean, one by one, and a man came up to criticize her: "You can't possibly save all of these starfish; why do you even bother with what you're doing?" The girl picked up a starfish and threw it into the water. "I made a difference to that starfish," she replied.

In the same way, I believe that making a difference in the life of one child without a family would make a world of difference! This whole topic also makes me think of one of my favorite quotes (my apologies for not knowing where it came from):

I AM ONLY ONE

BUT, I AM ONE

I CANNOT DO EVERYTHING

BUT, I CAN DO SOMETHING

WHAT I CAN DO

I OUGHT TO DO

AND, WHAT I OUGHT TO DO

BY GOD'S GRACE

I WILL DO.

That quote is pretty applicable to this trip, too. The reality is that there seems to be little time to make a big difference on short term missions. Still, God remains so much BIGGER than that, and we must do our part as God calls us to. Also, we must not underestimate the power of God's grace...the power that saved the Massai chief 3 weeks ago, the power that healed many people on this trip, the power that transformed so many hearts before my very eyes. The power of God's grace has also changed my life in HUGE ways, even on this trip. He has showed me what it means to walk by faith in all of the matters that concern me, as David says in Psalm 138:8, The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

That's just a glimmer of what God showed me while I was in Africa. It's the major, most important stuff, anyhow! Africa now has a huge place in my heart. I'm very open to talking more about it and answering any questions you may have! Just ask!

Upendo Sana (much love),

Mandy

AFRICA TRIP, Day 22 (LAST DAY IN TANZANIA)

August 30, 2008

Today was full of packing, making final preparations to head back to the United States, and bittersweet goodbyes. It was heartwarming to have our last team meeting this morning, with John, Jacinta, and Emmanuel to join us.

So now begins the LONG, ~36 hour journey back home! Godspeed!

AFRICA TRIP, Day 21

Friday, August 29, 2008

"People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.' And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them."

---Mark 10:13-16

Well, friends and family, it was yet another AMAZING day in Tanzania!

Here's the highlights:

• Being able to go to the Samaritan Village Orphanage and visit 24 little children. They were in the age range of a few months to 6 years old; all of them had been abandoned at the beginning of their life. A number of them are HIV+. Those little ones are precious beyond words, and SO important to our LORD. The staff who work there are absolutely amazing, too. Please pray for the children and the workers, as they are in a very sad, yet hopeful, situation.
• The opportunity to visit the local market and Massai market today. Funny how I felt uncomfortable going to these places at the beginning of my trip (as they were new to me, and quite sensory-stimulating experiences), but, when I went today I felt in-my-element. I was speaking Swahili like there's no tomorrow with the shopkeepers! Crazy how quickly a place can begin to feel like home.
• The JOYOUS celebration we had worshipping the Lord at the LOVE FEAST! It was such a special time of connecting with the YWAM staff and thanking them. They honored us in an amazing way, too. There were no shortage of tears shed tonight, from any one on our team. It was SO special! I loved praising Jesus in Swahili, and dancing before Him. It was so fun to watch a dance that all the little kids on the base had prepared for us. They are amazing! God bless the staff and their families at YWAM Arusha!

I'm sad to be leaving this place, but confident God will bring me back someday. I can hardly wait to return! I love it! At the same time, I am excited to go home and see Davey, my family in Leavenworth, my Bible study gang, my roommate Melissa, and all the friends who are awaiting my return! I can't wait to share all about my experience here, as it has been rich and phenomenal!

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:

to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

---James 1:27

AFRICA TRIP, Day 20

August 28, 2008

Today was a FANTASTIC day on Safari at the Ngorogoro Crater in the Serengeti National Park.

Today we got to see:

• Zebras
• Elephants
• Hippos
• Osctrich
• Hyenas
• Water Buffalo
• Gazelles
• Antelope
• Rhino

AND...

• 8 SIMBAS!!! ("Lions" in Swahili) We saw 4 female and 4 male lions! Wowzers!

It was so awesome! Perhaps the best part of the day, however, was driving back from the day and being dazzled by the most incredible African sunset (perhaps the most amazing sunset I have ever witnessed in my 24 years of living). What a day!

AFRICA TRIP, Day 19

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

It was an amazing “last official day” of work here!

Praises:

• Most of the men on the team stayed back and continued the ongoing, daunting task of construction on Tumaini. Today it was mixing cement and pouring it. Dave accidently fell into one of our large (6 foot deep) holes, but thankfully, he was not injured.
• The medical team completed our last successful medical clinic of the trip. But the work continues, as it will be staffed by locals long after we have left. They are open every Wednesday to serve the Massai at Engikaret. We saw 137 patients today, and treated them for various illnesses, like pneumonias, skin infections and intestinal bugs.
• Our prayer team, which partners with the medical team, prayed for every patient. Over 20 Massai men and women came to believe in Jesus and be saved today. Alleluia!
• Being able to hear Bariki’s testimony, of how he grew up Massai. One day (as a young boy), ran hard and far to find a church, where he was saved. As a result of him becoming a Christian, he decided not to follow certain practices in Massai tradition. His family tried to make him eat dung and kill him, but he explained that he was not afraid of them because he knew that God would protect him. His dad decided not to kill him, and instead, told him that he could be free to share about his faith all he wanted. Wow!

Lifting up:

• Those who are sore and tired from working construction (me! ha ha!).
• The continued fruitful work at the Engikaret clinic and school. For renewed strength of the staff who remain.
• The young girl we sent to the hospital with a probable appendicitis.

AFRICA TRIP, Day 18

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Today I am thankful for:

• Another successful day of construction on Tumaini children’s home. No injuries, yay!
• The fact that those who needed rest were able to rest today.
• A fun “Girl’s Night” tonight, with the ladies of our team and Nigh, one of the staff here. She shared her testimony with us, as she grew up Massai and eventually came to know the Lord. Now she teaches Massai preschoolers on a weekly basis.

Today I lift up:

• Steve, who has a sinus infection.
• Those with achy muscles and bones from doing construction (including me! ha ha!).
• The container situation (it has not yet arrived to the YWAM base).
• Our last days here – that we would finish strong.

AFRICA TRIP, Day 17

Monday, August 25, 2008

At the end of a very full day, I am filled with gratitude. How incredible it is to be here and be having an almost surreal experience. Still, these Massai people are very real and God loves each of them deeply! The dedication of the clinic and school today was really special. God was truly glorified in everything we did today. The Massai sang and danced for hours. The government officials of Tanzania came out and spoke, proclaiming, “Bwena Asi Fewai!” (“Praise the Lord!”) I thought it was cool that the whole ceremony was done in Swahili and Ma, and it truly was like a worship service! So many solid partnerships have been established here…between us and the Massai, the Massai and the government and the government and us. What a day!

AFRICA TRIP, Day 16

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Today I praise God for:

• The awesome opportunity to worship at the Arusha Assembly of God Calvary Temple (a city church). It was so inspiring to see people so on fire for God! And what an honor to be given the royal treatment. They let us sit up front and made us an incredible meal afterwards. It was truly humbling.
  
• The ~20 new believers, who responded to an altar call at church!
  
• The fun times we had at McMoody’s after church today. There’s nothing like Tanzanian milkshakes!
  
• Being able to have dinner at John and Jacinta’s home and hear their stories. They are so amazing!!!
  

Today I lift up:

• The people ministering to and attending the city church. Their new building project.
  
• John, Jacinta, Miracle and Faith Mukolwe.
  
• The BIG dedication day tomorrow.

AFRICA TRIP, Day 15

Saturday, August 23, 2008

TRUE FASTING

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

to loose the chains of injustice

and untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free

and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry

and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—

when you see the naked, to clothe him,

and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will break forth like the dawn,

and your healing will quickly appear;

then your righteousness will go before you,

and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;

you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

If you do away with the yoke of oppression,

with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry

and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness,

and your night will become like the noonday.
The LORD will guide you always;

he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

and will strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

like a spring whose waters never fail."

…So reads Isaiah 58:6-11, the Bible verse that I have been meditating on almost every morning of my time here in Africa. It is also the exact same passage a child (who appeared 12 years old) preached on today at Shalom Center. How powerful is that?!? I feel as though God continues to confirm that I am supposed to be here, and continues to draw my heart closer to Africa.

Praises:

• The kids and staff at Shalom Center, a home and school for orphaned street youth. I’m especially grateful for the two girls I connected with, Jasmine and Vera, as being with them renewed my passion for being here.
  
• We were able to bring loads of gifts to Shalom today…flour, rice, bananas, etc. We got to pass out cross necklaces, toothbrushes, toothpaste and candies to each individual kid. Our team also donated a large portion of money.
  

Today I lift up:

• Those at YWAM who need to be sponsored to continue their ministry.
  
• The kids and staff at Shalom Center and Engikaret.
  

AFRICA TRIP, Day 14

Friday, August 22, 2008

Pressing on Toward the Goal

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

---PHILIPPIANS 3:12-14


Praises:

• Another successful day of construction on Tumaini children’s home, and no injuries (only sore muscles and joints).
• Relationship building w/locals that happened as a result of people on our team doing construction.
• The Massai chief who just came to Jesus went to church last Sunday, and he wants to be baptized!
• We ran another successful clinic today out at Engikaret. It was a mobile clinic out at a Methodist church in the bush. So many beautiful women and children!

Lifting up:

• The possibility of showing the Jesus video in Massai land, in their native tongue, Ma.
• I feel a bit in a slump right now, as I’m super low on energy, don’t feel well, and am pretty homesick.
  

AFRICA TRIP, Day 13

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Today I am thankful for:

• A refreshing nap, which renewed my energy for awhile.
• Another successful day of construction on Tumaini.
• E-mails from home, which encourage me immensely.
• Bethany feeling better!

Lifting up:

• Those on the team who aren’t feeling well: Felix, Curtis, Pat, Shannon, me and others.
  

AFRICA TRIP, Day 12

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Today I am thankful for:

• A safe arrival back to Arusha from Nairobi this evening.
• The opportunity to spend the evening at Mama Happiness’ home, with some team members and her kiddos. It was so inspiring to hear her stories and see how the power of prayer has impacted her and others. So much to the point that her little girl, Gloria, who is now 3 or 4 years old, went from extreme sickness to being totally healed. As a baby, Gloria had severe meningitis, and then a stroke, which left her paralyzed. God has allowed her to walk again, and be a developmentally healthy little girl!
• I have so much to be thankful for – and cannot even begin to count my blessings and God-given gifts.
• Richelle is feeling better!

Today I lift up:

• The people in Kibera.
• The health of the team: Bethany and Pat in particular.
• My health, as I’m losing steam and beginning to feel pretty sick (muscle aches/weakness, cold symptoms).
• The desire to come back here with Davey next year.

AFRICA TRIP, Day 11

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

KIBERA

We praise God today for:

• The first ever AWANA club in Kibera was started today (AWANA in the states supported our day with an over $7,000 donation to buy games, medical supplies, food for the children, etc).
• Being able to see and treat over 400 patients in our clinic, set up at a school in Kibera today.
• Being able to feed 3 pieces of bread and safe water to drink to over 200 hungry and thirsty children.
• The fact that the same Muslims who adamantly opposed the building of the CTK-sponsored school actually brought there children there today, to play AWANA games and be treated at our clinic. Some of them even allowed us to pray with them.
• The prayer ministry that happened, as most of the patients we treated in clinic also received prayer for healing.
• Being able to be used by God to bring a glimmer of hope in Jesus’ Name to a pocket of Kibera.
• For the Omolos, and their heart for the Kibera community. They go to the slums on a daily basis to minister to the oppressed there. Reaching children for Christ is their vision, as the children are the future and hope.
• Hot showers and hot meals, two simple, yet profound, blessings to me today. I normally take those things for granted…but not today.

Lifting up:

• As were were only able to touch a fraction of the people in Kibera with God’s love, please pray with me for the 1.5+ million souls residing there. Pray that Christ’s mercy would pour over the hungry, thirsty, weak, broken, sick, orphaned, HIV positive, AIDS inflicted, sad, widowed, hurting, poor, mentally ill, desperate, shoeless, showerless, hopeless, traumatized, oppressed, unloved, raped, dying, vulnerable, scarred, hardened, tattered, lost, brokenhearted, abused, shunned, and trapped people living in those slums. Pray for hope, pray for healing, and pray for them to experience God’s boundless love today.
  MUCH LOVE to you (and many more stories upon my return)!
  
• The Omolo family. Tears were streaming down our faces as they shared their heart for Kibera and the ministry God has given them there. When we were saying our goodbyes, they blessed us with kind words and gifts. It was so touching. I pray that I will come back here someday.

Quahari (goodbye) for now, and ASANTE SANA (thank you very much) for all of your support. We couldn’t do this without you! Mungu aku bariki! God bless you!

AFRICA TRIP, Day 10

Monday, August 18, 2008

Today I am grateful for:

• A safe arrival to Kenya (!), after a 6 hour bus ride.
  
• Being able to meet Tom and Beatrice Omolo, and their adorable children, Shaman, Wendy, and Dom.
  
• A warm shower and the best hot meal I’ve had in Africa.
  
• Essentially going on a mini-safari today during our bus ride to Kenya…we saw giraffes, zebras, an ostrich, warthogs, baboons, and a camel, mostly all out in the wild today! Only in Africa!
  
• Being able to go to the Bomas of Kenya, a cultural center with cool singing and dancing…traditional African style.
  

Today I lift up:

• Bethany and Richelle, who aren’t feeling well. I have a feeling I’m starting to catch a cold, too.
  
• Our outreach tomorrow in Kibera.

AFRICA TRIP, Day 9

Sunday, August 17, 2008

It was a wonderful Sabbath today! We spent most of the day with believers at a Massai church.

Praises:

• Being able to meet a bishop (overseeing pastor) of 400+ churches, who has a powerful testimony. He was persecuted among his people (the Massai), so much that he was severely beaten a number of times. The final time they beat him, they left him for dead. He survived, and then all of the men who had participated in his last beating were mysteriously killed (by being hit by cars, from food poisoning, etc). Once this happened, people in the Massai village began turning to Christ. Then, the bishop’s wife and children were all tragically killed by bees. Some Massai celebrated that fact, and even threw a party. No one attended their funerals. It was heartbreaking to hear all of those things happening to one man, still, it is amazing how God has protected him and used him powerfully.
  
• Being able to worship at the Massai service, with nearly 200 men, women and children. They praised God with their whole hearts (and awesome rhythm!), they prayed fervently to God on behalf of each other, and they danced shamelessly before the LORD. Amazing! They really honored us as their guests, especially after the service when they fed us a great meal, and sodas (which are a luxury here). I loved it, and I love them!
  
• The Massai market experience.
  

Lifting up:

• Joseph, the little boy from the Massai church who fell into a corn grinder and nearly lost his hand and arm. He is currently hospitalized, as they are performing a series of reconstructive surgeries on him.
  
• The Massai people who don’t know Jesus and continue to persecute people such as the bishop we met today. May God draw them to Himself.
  
• The team and staff at YWAM Arusha.
  

AFRICA TRIP, Day 8

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Today was another good, full day!

Highlights:

• The opportunity to go to a day center up at Mt. Meru, where we got to interact with about 200 kids affected with or by HIV/AIDS.
• Being able to love on and be loved by the HIV/AIDS outreach group. They support each other and educate others on the disease. It was incredibly encouraging to be received so warmly by them, hear each of their individual stories, and be able to pray for those dear souls.
• Seeing Michelle looking and feeling lots better!
• Going to the New Vision Academy site with John, as he gave us a tour and shared his heart for the 600+ students who will hopefully attend it within a few years (pending funds and construction).
  
  Prayers for:
• Those children at Mt. Meru, those with HIV/AIDS, those who have been orphaned by losing their parents to AIDS, those who have to care for their younger siblings because they have no parents, those who are broken by life already, especially a little boy I met today named Edward. Edward appeared about 4 years old and was completely expressionless and limp when I picked him up to hold him.
• Those in the HIV/AIDS support group, both inflicted by the disease and pastors supporting those who are inflicted.
• The raising up of the New Vision academy, bringing funds to finish (about $90,000), bringing workers to build and teachers to staff it. Pray for the children who will flood the doors of the school to become men and women of God and leaders in their community.

AFRICA TRIP, Day 7

Friday, August 15, 2008

It has been another fantastic day in Tanzania!

Praises:

• For the opportunity to run a mobile clinic out at a boma that had never received medical care. Up to that point, they had only sought the witch doctor to ‘help’ them with their ailments. No team had ever come in to introduce western medicine. They had fairly complex cases, and were very receptive of our care.
• For the way God was the Ultimate Healer in these Massai people’s lives today, touching them in a profound way. As a result of our clinic today, many people received spiritual healing and about 25 came to believe in Jesus for the first time. We were also able to aid in their physical healing, of anything from treating worms, to respiratory infections, to malaria, to fungal skin infections, to thrush, to joint pain (arthritis), to eye irritation (from the sun, wind and dust here).
• Even the chairman of the school, a leader in this particular community, came to know the Lord Jesus for the first time today!
• Ginger is feeling lots better!
• For being able to watch Massai preschoolers do their Swahili school lesson this morning. Adorable! These children ran out to greet us as soon as we got there, and continued to interact with us all day through play and Bible stories. Perhaps the most touching part of the entire day was hearing them sing and dance with Bariki. They sang a song that translated Run to Jesus and He will heal you. The schoolteacher, who is a Christian, has been teaching these little ones about the Lord, which is awesome!
• For how God is touching and changing the lives of everyone on our team. Someone on our team shared, for the first time tonight, that God is calling her back to Africa in a few months to live here and do ministry. Another team member shared about a particular part of Tanzania that God is laying on his heart. Many tears were shed tonight over what God is doing here.

Tonight, I lift up:

• Michelle, who we think has malaria.
• The children, women, and men at the Boma who have no water to drink, nor water to give to their livestock, because they’re in the middle of a severe drought.
• For the new believers who came to faith today (and two days ago), to continue to walk in the faith and grow in Christ all the days of their lives.
• For the gospel to continue to spread! In Jesus’ Name!
• What my role in all of this is. I ask and wonder if God is calling me back here to Africa, and how the other areas of my life would fit into that.
• That God would continue a healing work among the Massai people group.
  

AFRICA TRIP, Day 6

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Today was a full day of construction at the base, working on the children’s home Tumaini (Swahili for “hope”). I am sore and tired, but doing very well and grateful to be here!

Prayer Requests:

• We have an outreach clinic tomorrow.
• Ginger has been fighting a sore throat for 10 days.
  
• Bob and Steve, who came without their wives and are missing them.
  
• For the container to arrive safely. It is holding lots of food and medical supplies to be used in ministry here. We were informed today that every item may be taxed. Pray that this does not happen, as it is already very expensive to send it over here on a ship.
  
• Pray for the Massai people, whose chief became a Christian yesterday. Pray that they would all turn to the one true God.
  

AFRICA TRIP, Day 5

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

“…my cup overflows.” –Psalm 23:5

How my soul was fed today! We spent the day up at the Engikaret community. This village, which is home to hundreds of Massai people, held many surprises for us today.

Here are just some of the miracles we witnessed today:

• Massai men came to our clinic to be treated by an all-female health care staff. This hasn’t happened in the past! They typically will only see male health care workers.

• We saw and treated about 100 Massai patients at the clinic today from 9am-2:30pm (working straight through lunch). Whew!

• The chief’s wife was hemorrhaging because she had just given birth and her uterus had not clamped down. We were told she was unconscious. God put Ginger and I at the Bomas, already, so that we could be at her side in seconds. As we entered the mud hut she was in, we could not see at all. It was completely dark and very smoky from the fire that they always have going inside. We used a candle and someone’s hand to guide us to the mama. We found her rousable (which is good), and her uterus was boggy (which is not good). We comforted her, had her feed the baby, and massaged her uterus until it hardened. Ruth, a midwife from Korea, joined us shortly after to give her an IV injection (in the dark!) of Methergine (a stronger drug than Pitocin) to help her stop bleeding. The baby was very healthy and absolutely beautiful. There before our eyes were two more miracles: God allowed us to save the mama’s life, and allowed the miracle of new life in the form of a tiny baby!

• The head chief of the Boma (village) came to know Jesus Christ as his personal Savior today! His grandson, Bariki, led him to the Lord!

AFRICA TRIP, Day 4

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

It was a great day!

Here are the highlights:

• Orientation to the YWAM base, which involved a tour and learning the heart of the staff who work here…John & Jacinta Mukolwe, “Papa” (Jason) & Mama Choy, and Michelle. What amazing people!
  
• A long walk down a very dusty road to the New Vision Christian school that is being built by YWAM. Hopefully within the next 2 years the school will open to it’s complete capacity, 600 children!!
  
• A trip to the supermarket “Shop Rite” and the local market, where the ladies of the team bought wrap-around skirts.
  
• Cold showers…okay, probably not a highlight, but definitely a part of daily life here. The weather is actually pretty cold here, too, surprisingly! I wear a sweatshirt and long pants most of the time.

Thank you for your love and prayers back home in Washington, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, etc! We couldn't do this without you, my beloved family and friends!

AFRICA TRIP, Day 3

Monday, August 11, 2008

WE’RE IN AFRICA!

We finally landed on Africa soil at approximately 8am this morning. The Addis Ababa airport in Ethiopia was the first place to greet us on this large continent. I feel totally excited and at ease. I have a lot of peace about being here. Now we’re flying from Ethiopia to Kenya, and then Kenya to Kilimanjaro. From Kilimanjaro, we’ll take a bus to Arusha, Tanzania – our final destination. That makes about 30 hours of travel, total!


We made it to ARUSHA! Praise the Lord!

I am incredibly blessed and grateful to be at the YWAM (Youth With A Mission) base in Arusha right now. We rolled in at about 4pm this afternoon, feeling absolutely exhausted. But getting here was a breath of fresh air, and I’m just now feeling tired again. I’ve met some really great people and am excited to grow relationships with them.

Praises:

• Safe arrival to our final destination.

The fact that I'M IN AFRICA RIGHT NOW!!!

Lifting up:

The jet-lag and adjustment to a new place and culture.

AFRICA TRIP, Day 2

Sunday, August 10, 2008

ON THE PLANE! (still!)
Ethiopian Airlines
Seattle Time: 4:45 pm
Tanzania Time: 2:45 am

Crazy how I had only met the leader of this team before arriving at SeaTac for takeoff, but immediately I felt a part of them because we are partners in the gospel. Paul said in Philippians, “I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now…” (By the way, that’s the verse Davey gave me for today…pretty applicable!) And because of such a partnership, at our last layover an African mom and her son (whom we had never met) came up to us and began to sing with us in our “church” service. It is awesome to be a part of a church that is not confined within walls, rather, within people all over the world!

Right now I’m watching a gorgeous sunrise over the Nile River!

Praises:

• We’re all healthy…so far.
• Felix’s message on the same verse I wrote in my journal yesterday!
• Being able to connect with the woman and her son in the airport

Lifting up:

• Our hearts. For God to continue to prepare us for what we will encounter in Africa.
• Continued team cohesiveness.
• To have God’s heart for the people of Africa, His eyes, His hands, and His feet.

AFRICA TRIP, Day 1

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Praise Jesus! I am writing with a thankful heart, and can hardly believe that God is sending me to Tanzania! I couldn’t be any more excited, or feel any more blessed to be with the team I’ve instantly become a part of. Today was a whirlwind, between pulling together last-minute items and packing, packing, packing! Perhaps JAM packing is a better term. Davey and Melissa spent the whole day w/me in the condo; how great it was to be in supportive company! Davey really blessed me today in the way he served me…everything from cracking down to help me buy health insurance, to surprising me with my favorite ice cream, to printing stuff at his house for me, to making me lunch, to driving me to the airport, to buying me coffee and dinner. To top it all of, he wrote me a very meaningful letter, with a Bible verse for every day attached. Wow, I am a blessed woman!

Here’s todays:

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." ---Matthew 28:18-20

The Great Commission – a charge Jesus gave to His first disciples on the mountain, and one that still rings true for His disciples today. I am thankful to be a part of that calling, and that God has allowed a dream of mine (that fits with that calling) to become a reality today – the dream to travel to Africa!

Thankfully, I was instantly able to jive with my team – a group of 17 people I had never met before! As soon as we got Shirley through security (she was thoroughly fisked), I feel like the bonding experience just took off! I started meeting people (and learned their names right away) and got to tell my story to them of how God decided to get me to Africa in HIS way and HIS time (which is best), instead of in my own way.

I’m SO excited for the adventure that awaits us!

Solitude & Ministry

Ministry in a world of ongoing change

needs to be deeply rooted in a

silent encounter with our faithful God.

-Henri Nouwen

As I am gearing up to go serve at camp and then Africa, this quote reminds me of God's faithfulness and my desperate need of Jesus to be at the center of it all. Encounter with God is at the root of all healthy ministry. So my prone-to-wander-heart clings to Him the best it knows how, knowing that will God help me with the rest (which is a LOT).

On a similar note, what an amazing community of family and friends I have been blessed with! To whoever might read this, thank you for being the embodiment of Christ to me. I am so grateful for your presence in my life!

Broken and Beautiful

...the message of the sermon I listened to at church today. Broken accurately describes the condition of my heart right now, and what comfort I find in the fact that 'The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit' (ps 34:18). In receiving the news that two of my lovely patients went home to Jesus this week, it's hard not to really feel for the families who lost them. There are a lot of emotions and questions surrounding their deaths, but thankfully, death is not the end of their story - just as we're reminded today that it wasn't the end of HIS story. As much as it hurts, praise God that these amazing women get to face Him on this Resurrection Sunday and now have eternal, leukemia-free bodies.

"The dove descending breaks the air
With flame of incandescent terror
Of which the tongues declare
The one discharge from sin and error.
The only hope, or else despair
Lies in the choice of pyre or pyre -
To be redeemed from fire by fire.

Who then devised the torment? Love.
Love is the unfamiliar Name
Behind the hands that wove
The intolerable shirt of flame
Which human power cannot remove.
We only live, only suspire
Consumed by either fire or fire."
-T.S. Eliot

"Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may. Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands? Though he slay me, yet will I hope in Him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless man would dare come before him!" -Job 13:13-16

status post college

feeling like you should have life figured out,
but realizing you've only begun
supposedly an adult,
still feeling like a child, playing make-believe
so naive, yet ever-transforming

bursting forth from the bubble of bubbles
a heart full of hope soon burdened by the realities of this world
alone, longing for freedom. knowing there must be more than this
sickness. pain. suffering. death. sin.
ah, sometimes it's too much

Jesus, are you there?
Yes, and you are carrying her.
carrying me.
Your presence so real.
why does it still have to hurt so bad?

change the world?
heh.
like a toddler I'm still stuck on the "me"s, "mine"s and "I"s
screwed up? definietly.
grace, unmerited. and so desperately needed.

insecure with a facade of confidence
responsible yet feeling reckless
what do You want me to do?
aimless. wandering. wondering.
time seemingly more abundant, yet, quickly slipping away

there is still hope.

and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God...
and hope does not disappoint us,
because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
whom he has given us.
-Rom 5:2,5

Small Enough

Oh, Great God, be small enough to hear me now.
There were times when I was crying from the dark of Daniel's den;
And I have asked you once or twice if You would part the sea again.
But tonight I do not need a fiery pillar in the sky.
Just want to know you're gonna hold me if I start to cry.
Oh great God, be small enough to hear me now.
Oh great God, be close enough to feel You now.
There have been moments when I could not face Goliath on my own.
And how could I forget we've march around our share of Jerichos.
But I will not be setting out a fleece for You tonight.
Just want to know that everything will be alright.
Oh, great God, be close enough to feel You now.
All praise and all the honor be;
To the God of ancient mysteries.
Whose every sign and wonder turn the pages of our history.
But tonight my heart is heavy,
And I cannot keep from whispering this prayer:
Are You there?
And I know You could leave writing on the wall that's just for me.
Or send wisdom while I'm sleeping, like in Solomon's sweet dreams.
But I don't need the strength of Samson or a chariot in the end...
Just Want to know that You still know how many hairs are on my head.
(Are you small enough?)
Oh, great God, be small enough to hear me now.
-Nicole Nordeman

A John 14 kind of PEACE...

The previous journal entry brings me to the amazing chapter of John 14, almost completely composed of the words of Jesus as He comforts His disciples:

”Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (v 1)

“Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do EVEN GREATER things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (v 11-14)

God wants to use us as He used Jesus!?!? Yeah, I'd say that's a tremendous responsibility - and privilege! In what God has called me to, this career called nursing, I definitely felt the weight of that this week. As Oswald said, "The goal of faithfulness is not that we will do work for God, but that He will be free to do His work through us. God calls us to His service and places tremendous responsibilities on us. He expects no complaining on our part and offers no explanation on His part. God wants to use us as He used His own Son." Wow. I am honored that God wants to use me in that way, and also extremely thankful that He won’t call us into anything, however difficult, without walking with us in it every step of the way.

“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (v 15-18)

Obedience to God is not easy! But, as the desire of my heart is to follow Christ my Lord and my example, I am being called to obedience. In light of Jesus demonstrating obedience unto to death, even death on a cross, how absurd it is for me to even think of throwing in the towel when the going gets tough! I am thankful to God for the Counselor of the Holy Spirit who never leaves me and is forever within me. He is my Sustainer, my reality check, my Light, my Strength and SO much more.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (v 27)

I can’t say that I was feeling at peace this entire week. Not when I made a major mistake on Monday, not when my Pre-ICU patient was tanking fast on me, not when my new admit from the ED was having uncontrollable pain, not when I trembled in exhaustion at night in bed, and not when I woke up in the early mornings just to burst into discouraged tears. Yet, I know God was there in every moment of it, good and tough, to offer me His peace. I was finally able to come to that again on the night of Christmas Eve, when I tardily stumbled into the Free Methodist Church in my scrubs, to find myself enraptured by a marvelous candle lighting service. “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight” was the theme. As the symbolic candles were being lit and ignited mine in the back of the sanctuary, I was able to accept over-riding peace of God, which transcends all human understanding.

a time to tear and a time to mend

It has been the most difficult week I have ever had as a RN. I won’t go into the gory details, but I will say that during my 60+ hour work week, there were myriad of hard things happening, including my making a major mistake, being with a patient teetering on the ICU, and dealing with some major patient pain control issues. If there’s ever been a time that I’ve needed the grace of God in my life (aside from the moment of salvation), it has seriously been this week.

To finish off the difficult week, I got to work on Christmas Eve and had a very redemptive day. Started off hard, I woke up with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes. It was hard for me to put my finger on exactly what I was so down about, and I think it is a combination of a lot of things, such as those aforementioned. Something else was bumming me out, too. It was the first Christmas Eve I hadn’t been able to spend with my family. Although I was SO blessed and thankful to have Christmas Day off, I knew I’d be lacking that family community in the evening. This was hard, since Christmas Eve is when we have always done church and presents and driving around to look at the lights. I knew it wasn’t that big of a deal, it should just be like any other day, but it’s NOT! It’s special, with the focus on Jesus first and also family. I was feeling okay about it a few days ago when I was only going to work an 8 hour shift and go to the Christmas Eve service at Bethany, but I ended up taking the extra 4 hours after so that another RN could be with her family. This was totally worth it to me because I wouldn’t have been able to see my family until the next day, anyways, and I was glad that she could.

Nevertheless, I was kinda bummed, but there is nothing like spending 12 hours with cancer patients that gives you a jolted and renewed perspective on things. When I walked into one patient's room for the first time that morning, he said, "Wow, you look really festive today." I was decked out in a snowflake scrub top, bright green pants and a red hoodie zip sweatshirt. Later in the day, I was able to sit and have a long conversation with this guy and his wife, hearing about his journey and faith through being diagnosed and going through remission and relapsing for the 3rd time. The 3rd time, he came into the ER for extreme pain. After tests, there was no clinical reason for the pain, they said they believe it was just God prodding him in the back to get his butt into the doctor. What a story! As I apologized about the fact that they have to spend Christmas in the hospital, he responded by saying “We know we're supposed to be here right now and we are so thankful to be here, even though its Christmas. It hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be...my biggest fears when I came in were getting mouth sores and feeling like I was going to lose 20 pounds. But, the mucositis isn't nearly as bad, I haven't had much pain at all, and the nutrition bag (TPN) has kept me from losing much weight at all. It's not your fault that we're here and that we have cancer....you're here to help us and that mean giving pills and taking vitals and doing all that you do. And we are so thankful for you and everyone one the health care team who has helped us so much.” He and his wife encouraged me so much w/words and even with talking to their fam on the phone about me. We talked about God and how they said as much as they’d love to go to church that day, they know God understands. They talked about all of their prayer warriors at church. AND, at the end of the day, I was called into their room because they wanted to give me this beautiful beaded chain and card that his wife had made for me. The card said, “Merry Christmas to an awesome person and nurse." Wow. Needless to say, my patients on Christmas Eve MADE my day. With a laugh and a twinkle in his eye, the other of my patients called me a blood-sucking, pill-pushing, people-poking nurse! I had fun joking around with him the whole day. God knew I needed to have a day like that after such an intensely difficult week.

I was glad to have some time at lunch that day to read from Oswald Chambers, who wrote something that struck a deep chord within me. He talked about living on a mountain, which is actually more like a plateau with lots of room to live and grow, where God enlarges, “…my path under me, so my feet did not slip.” (Ps 18:36) He goes on to say, “When you really see Jesus, I defy you to doubt Him. If you see Him when He says, ‘Let not your hearts be troubled…,’ I defy you to worry. It is virtually impossible to doubt when He is there. Every time you are in personal contact with Jesus, His words are real to you. ‘My peace I give to you…’ – a peace which brings an unconstrained confidence and covers you completely, from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. ‘…your life is hidden with Christ in God,’ and the peace of Jesus Christ that cannot be disturbed has been imparted to you.”

After a week where my confidence has been rocked like never before, I am SO thankful to be resting in the arms of the Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God and Everlasting Father, Who is the ever-present Immanuel, God WITH US!!!

Wonderful Counselor

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Two Sundays ago, Chris Gough preached a sermon on this verse. He pointed out how this is the only passage where Christ is referred to as “Counselor,” because all of the others in scripture refer to the Holy Spirit. He also explained how this verse shows that everything that God is – Everlasting Father, Jesus as Prince of Peace, and Holy Spirit as Wonderful Counselor – is wrapped up in this coming child and to be worshipped as Mighty God. As our Wonderful Counselor, Christ is all-present to us and has authority on what he counsels us on. All-present?!? That blows my mind! The God of all creation is willing to be with me at all times to walk with me, advise and counsel me! Not only myself, but with every last person on this planet of 6 billion, and with all who have ever lived and with all who will ever live. He has seen every tear and heard every laugh; he has been in all of the highs, lows and mundane-every-day…and he still loves us! What better Counselor do we have than One who knows and has experienced all?!?

This Christmas season holds a tremendous amount of WONDER as long as we are looking. Wonder is something that is beyond our understanding and requires humility to experience, because it is admitting that we are smaller than the One we are awed by. This is easy for a child, but, as soon as God becomes something that we “get” as adults, then we’re in trouble. Chris said the best thing we can do logically is to understand that we can’t work through everything logically. We live in a word that often has lost a sense of wonder, and has thus become shrunken.

God, on the other hand, can not be limited. Soren Kierkergard said, “If you label me, you negate me.” Oswald Chambers talks of how, “In the New Testament Jesus Christ is the Savior long before He is the pattern. Today He is being portrayed as the figurehead of a religion – a mere example. He is that, but He is infinitely more. He is salvation itself; He IS the gospel of God!” Just as we should never limit Jesus to a mere example for us to follow, we also should not limit Christmas to societal norms, or even to a series of motions that come around once a year (although they may be “good”). JESUS IS SO MUCH MORE! C.S. Lewis put it well: "Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important."

Hungry

Hungry, I come to You for I know You satisfy.
I am empty but I know Your love does not run dry.

Broken, I run to You, for Your arms are open wide.
I am weary but I know Your touch restore my life.

So I wait for You. So I wait for You.

I’m falling on my knees. Offering all of me.
Jesus, You’re all this heart is living for.

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Right now I am HUNGRY for God. Eugene Peterson would say: My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous! (Ps 119). A.W. Tozer has stated, “Thirsty hearts are those whose longings have been wakened by the touch of God within them.” My phrase? I lack.

Thank God he longs to be with us, refresh our hearts and nourish our souls! He also wants to heal our bodies and minds. There's no denying I feel broken right now and continue to realize what I broken world I live in. I'm so glad it doesn't stop there. Not only does Christ want to fill us with His love, He wants it to overflow onto others, in not only the spiritual, but in emotional and physical aspects as well. "I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me." (Matt 25:34-36, Msg.) Lord, fill me and show me how and where I can serve others with Your love. Our life's satisfaction can be found only in You.

Life is so short, so fleeting. As Pastor Richard admonished us last night, help me not to waste another day on the wrong train. When it's all over, what will we have to say about our earthly lives? Father, bring me to that new level of forgiveness, of service, of joy, of intimacy with You, of excellence. Not that I am competent in myself to claim anything for myself, but my competence comes from You. Help me to live with eyes wide open, to mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice. God, ignite in me a longing for a life in the light - one that is deeply rooted in Christ alone.

The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
-Psalm 34:10

Why is everyone hungry for more? "More, more," they say. "More, more." I have God's more-than-enough, More joy in one ordinary day.
-Psalm 4:6-7

Amen.