From Concept to Reality

Hello all!

I want to start keeping everyone informed as progress towards going to Africa is quickly advancing! My main purpose behind keeping this blog is to allow you to partner with me in prayer on this incredible journey I have set before me! And I plan to be completely vulnerable in my thoughts and attitudes regarding the trip so that you can join me in prayer and may know specifically what you can pray for as the departure date quickly approaches.

So here's a short summary to catch you up to date:

I first felt God's call on my life to go to Africa as a senior in high school, and now, 4 years later, I am finally answering that call! Plans started last summer as I sent a very generic "help me" email to the International Mission Board where they got me in touch with the right people. It was a slow process at first, but once a few steps started being made, things have really taken off!

"Going to Africa" always seemed like a cool concept... And now, as this concept becomes more and more of a reality, the pure, sheer excitement I once had is now beginning to intertwine with nervousness when I think of the details this trip entails such as:

stepping onto that airplane alone
entering into a completely different culture alone
dealing with hardships alone
... being alone

So today, here's where you can begin joining me in prayer. As the date of my departure approaches (June 30), I am beginning to deal more and more with feelings of loneliness and fear of stepping outside of my comfort zone. I keep trying to put things back into perspective. I know this life is not about me, and I know God has never called his followers to live a life of comfort. And I have even just started reading John Piper's "Let the Nations Be Glad," which, since Sunday, has really helped to re-spark that genuine 100% excitement!

I'll wrap up this post by sharing a few points from the book that have helped in bringing me back to this excitement:

MISSIONS BEGINS AND ENDS IN WORSHIP -worship is the FUEL of missions and it is the GOAL of missions.
Goal: The goal of missions is the gladness of the peoples in the greatness of God. "The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! (Psalm 97:1).
Fuel: Missionaries will never call out, "Let the nations be glad!" who cannot say from the heart "I rejoice in the Lord... I will be glad and exult in you, I will sing praise to your name, O Most High" (Psalm 104:34; 9:2).

ZEAL for the glory of God motivates world missions.

Please pray that the Lord would push away and crush my feelings and fear of loneliness as He replaces it with ZEAL and excitement for ultimately spreading His glory!!