Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. (Genesis 28:15)
Hi friends!!
Yes, the title is correct! I am, Lord willing, headed back to Africa!! I am so excited to share about this opportunity with all of you who faithfully supported me the first time around and for those of you who are just now following along. Before I share about this upcoming season, I am going to share a little about what has been happening in my life since leaving the field!
As most of you know, I was emergency evacuated from the Kingdom of Eswatini in March of 2020 due to the pandemic. This was shocking to me and my team. I was angry and hurt, frustrated and confused, and every single feeling in between. I went from living a life of constant community with days full of serving and adventure to being quarantined and into days of feeling helpless and hopeless, with no end in sight. This launched me into devout Bible reading and prayer as I began seeking the Lord’s guidance.
After finding quarantine hobbies, lots of walks outside, and wrestling with the Lord all of my “what if…” and “why not…” I began to prepare for the next season of my life. I stepped out in faith and moved to Kentucky to begin working towards a degree in secondary English education at Asbury University. While I was moving to a new place with no one I knew, I was trusting that the same God who provided in Africa would provide in Wilmore. And wow, did He ever. Like always, the Lord exceeded far beyond every one of my expectations. There is no doubt in my mind that Asbury is exactly where I am supposed to be.
I would never have ended up there without being sent home from the field and my time in quaratine during 2020. It’s funny how so often when it feels like everything around me is seemingly loss, the Lord is working to breathe fresh life into the dust.
Now as I sit here at home (Johnstown, Ohio for those who don’t know) halfway through my time at Asbury and two years out from my first time heading overseas, I am so excited to share that I am returning to Africa!!
Lord willing, on Tuesday I will fly out of Ohio, meet with my teammates at the Atlanta airport then we will fly out together to Johannesburg in the evening. There, for the next two months we will seek to care for the people of South Africa and connect them to Christ. I will living outside of the city with a ministry called Impact Africa. Here is their website if you’re looking for more information on all that they do in their ministry points: https://www.impactafrica.org/ . I was here serving during the first month of my race and the Lord gave me a heart and desire to return to deepen that. While I have served at this ministry before, I know that it will be different. Different is not bad, it is just different (that is what I continue to tell myself). I am excited for the Lord to usher in newness and fresh oil in this place I already love so dearly.
I am so excited to see all that the Lord has planned as I step into a season of resurrection and for the Lord to once again provide above and beyond anything that I can ask. As I prepare my heart, mind, body, and suitcases (it’s going to be COLD in South Africa so pray all my sweaters fit!!!!!!) I have a few prayer points I ask you would take time to pray for!
Prayer Points:
- my team & I’s COVID test to come back negative in time for our flights
- our luggage and us to get safely to SA
- adjustment to time and weather, bodies staying strong and well
- unity on our team, rebuking any fears from the enemy, lies to be silenced!
- we would be expectant and give Jesus our “yes” in every situation!
I hope and will do my best to share more blog posts as I get settled into my home for the summer. If you would like to chat feel free to message me on Facebook or Whatsapp. I am so grateful for each of you investing time, money, prayers, and love into me and the calling the Lord has placed on my life. May His be the kingdom, the power, and the dominion forever and ever!!! Amen!
My sweet granddaughter , May God place His loving arms around you and keep you safe . Praying He will bless your ministry there in a special way. A part of my heart will go with you. Know you are deeply loved and are always in my prayers.. All my love, Mamaw ????????
My parents and I are praying daily for you and your team. So proud of you!!
Praying with you as you take on the work of our Lord. You give me faith in your generation as you carry forth Christ as a beacon of light and of hope. I know your family is so proud of you.