My bags are packed, my passport is waiting to be stamped, and peace and excitement is in my heart. I am about to embark on this adventure with God. I have no idea what these next three months will hold, but I know God has big plans!
Some people tell me not to go to South Sudan because it is too dangerous. This is true, there are dangers, but aren’t there dangers everyday no matter where we live? Our lives are in the hands of a sovereign God, our days are numbered already, and His will is the best place to be. This is where God has called me, who am I to disobey or ignore the call of God. These things are so easy to forget when we live lives with such security and comfort (although false). However, the past month and a half as God has prepped me for this, He has taught me that He is my comfort and he is my security. This is the meaning of His shepherds rod and staff. My world as I know it is about to end as I land on that dirt strip and step into another world (trust me Africa is a different place), I am traveling alone on this trip, and I, more than ever, have had to learn to trust God to protect me and give me grace. Yes, I was scared at first. I was nervous because I know this next season will be very difficult. Not only will pioneering, teaching, serving, living in tents/mud huts 10 miles out of town be hard, but we have already faced SO MANY spiritual attacks in our mind and circumstances. There is also the aspect of going into a “war zone” (technically the war has ended but there is still so much violence and crisis’s happening). There is so much potential for something to go wrong. But God has taught me to surrender my life into His hands, to trust Him for protection, food, shelter and my everything. I don’t need to worry about the worst case scenario or worry about tomorrow because he cares for me. He has spoken promises to me of eternal kingdom rewards if I walk by faith in obedience to his call, and he has reminded me of his power that He has given me. God has given me so much peace and confidence to go to South Sudan. I know it will be very challenging, but what is life without dependence on God?
I am very excited to be going to South Sudan. I know that where there is opportunity with God, there is opposition from the enemy. But Praise God! My God is bigger and the captives will be set free, minds renewed, and lives transformed. I am excited to see all that God is going to do and I am so blessed to be called by God to be apart of it.
*Note: I am not confident I will have reliable/constant internet considering we don't have electricity or running water and are a 10 mile walk from town. I will do my very best to keep updates and communication with the outside world going so that you lovely people know how things are going and know how to pray and praise God.
PRAYER NEEDS:
- Saturday night, our YWAM community became homeless. We originally were going to rent 3 small houses for staff and students to sleep as well as have classes. The land lord has changed his mind about us staying there and we have been forced to find a new place to stay. We have now moved to a location (sort of a village) 10 miles out of town (walking). We will now be staying in small tents or mud huts. To give you a better idea, we have no electricity and the nearest source of water is a 10 min walk away to the pond. Pray for grace in this location and guidance if we are suppose to stay here the 3 months or try and find another place in town.
- Please pray for travel mercies for me as I travel alone. I have attained peace from God and have surrendered my worries. But I still prefer to be safe and have smooth travels. (I have a 13 hour overnight layover in Kenya where I plan to leave the airport and sleep at a hotel. I will meet Emily and Chris in the capitol of S. Sudan to get my 6th flight to Wau. Travel will take 5-6 days.)
- On March 1st, I found out that I will be teaching the day after I arrive in Wau, South Sudan for 3 days. Sense I have been busy with packing type things and visiting my sister who just returned from Nepal (haven’t seen her for over 1 year) I have not had adequate time to prepare as much as I would like. Pray God would speak through me even though I do not know what I am going to say. Pray that I will not be jet lagged as I teach and that I will find some time to prepare and I could be productive when I do prepare.
- Pray for grace and unity in our staff. We are 9 people from different backgrounds cultures and countries trying to work together as one body. Pray that we can learn how to serve each other, Christ would be our head, and we could make wise decisions.
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