1 Timothy 4:12

For the past few days I helped out at a youth retreat for some of the international kids who participate in the local youth group, WIRED (Walking In Righteousness Every Day), here in Ouaga.

A lot of these students are missionary kids and are constantly saying ‘hellos’ and ‘good-byes.‘ This camp provided an end of the year opportunity to hang out all together before a few girls head off to Ghana, a few families return to the States, and a few students graduate. They not only got to hang out all together, but they also got messy, got dirty, played silly games, went swimming, ate, and worshiped God together.

Only having known them for a short time, I was amazed at their great faith. They were constantly seeking out God and how their lives and their futures would bring glory to Him. They weren’t afraid to ask hard questions or search for the answers.

There was one game they liked to play at the pool: Jump or Dive. A few people would start running toward the pool to jump in and and then someone else would yell out ‘Jump‘ or ‘Dive‘ (or anything that came to mind in that moment) and the people jumping in would have to try to enter the pool in that fashion. (When ‘bellyflop‘ was yelled you could tell they hadn’t thought it completely through before hitting the water).

It was quite funny to watch. It was also neat because at one point one of the kids pointed out that we had 6 continents represented in the game. Talk about cross-cultural relationships.

I’m excited for their futures and all that they will accomplish. God is at work everywhere.

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Prayer:
For all the young students I met this past week.
For my itchiness; I have a bunch of bug bites.

It rains; God reigns.

I feel a breeze. There is something about THIS wind though that catches my attention. It is cool air.

I look out the dark window, seeing nothing, but thinking: ‘looks like rain.’ It even sounds and smells like rain. Good rain. Rain that will leave me refreshed. Not hot and humid.

I sit curiously wondering if the rain will reach us here in Ouagadougou or if it will go around us in the north.

Oh. It’s coming.

It’s raining.

It is not just a few sprinkles here, a few sprinkles there. It’s not, ‘oh, I might need an umbrella or I may need some rain boots.’

It is: water. pouring. from the sky.

I am sitting at the dining room table laughing. Smiling. The rain is so powerful and scary, but also so exciting. The lights flicker on the walls. The house echos with the sounds of rain and thunder. My whole body shakes with the noise. I get goosebumps. I see lightning flash across the dark night sky.

I feel giddy, but calm. Anxious, but relieved.

I feel God.

I feel His power and majesty.

I’m in awe.

God reigns.

Bonjour!

So. I’m in Africa.

Burkina Faso.

Ouagadougou.

For the next few weeks I have the chance/privilege/opportunity to intern for a C&MA missionary family (the Wolters) here in Ouagadougou! It’s kind of awesome; it’s okay to be jealous.

For all those who have ever been on a short term mission trip somewhere and worked alongside full-time missionaries, have you ever wondered what it is like before your team arrived, or even after they left? Well, I get to see a glimpse into what it means to truly minister to the community here in Africa.

Being an intern, I get to basically do what ever is needed. When ever it is needed.

The intern program here with ENvision in Burkina Faso is relatively new. The Wolters have recently purchased two houses (one for guys/one for girls) for current and future interns working with them. Over the next week or so, I will be helping prepare the girls house so we can move in soon.

I have only been here a few days (after a lot of traveling- PRAISE God everything went smoothly) but I already love it. Some things are truly too hard to put into words. And even sometimes pictures can not seem to capture all that I see. But I see God. He is at work. And it is exciting.

Today I bought some African fabric. A tailer also came and is going to make me some skirts! Yay, patterns and colors; I have missed you.

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Prayer:

• for rest; I keep waking up at 4 in the morning
• for intentionality in seeking out ways I can help
• for ease in learning French.

Love you.

Training in Ensenada.

I’m in Mexico.

I love it here. The people. The sounds. The smells.

Back in the States I have always been super punctual and valued time. Here though, ‘ish’ time is great. I feel like it is one of the keys in being relational. It is not about rushing an event or finishing a task. It’s about people. I love it. I’m not always the best at it. But I love it.

I’m here with 28 people from all over the United States, preparing to go to 8 different countries. Kind of awesome. I am excited for my generation

Analynn. Quite possibly one of the most adorable little girls. Ever. As a group, we went to one of the local churches (that the missionaries we are staying with, are partnered with). We helped put on a VBS. There were songs, hand motions, Bible stories, candy, crafts, snacks, and games. Analynn was this tiny little girl who wouldn’t say anything. Even if you asked her what her name was. This did not stop her from hiding under the church pews from me, allowing me to help her put stickers on her craft, or dragging me around wherever she wanted to go. She even gave me a few of her goldfish. I have never considered myself a mushy-fluffy-word-using person, but this girl was precious. It was sad to say good-bye.

We then went to the ocean. Many of the people here with me have never seen the Pacific Ocean before. I told them if they looked hard enough they could see Japan.

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Prayer:

• for rest; traveling takes a lot out of everyone
• for growth

Love you.

And So The Adventure Begins..

I wake to the sound of water pounding the awning outside my window. My stomach churns. My exhausted body wanting so badly to hold on to sleep, but my mind won’t let it. Restless, I lay in bed trying to calm my frantic mind, knowing if I wait long enough my mother will come wake me up.

I leave for Africa in 5 days. I leave for training tomorrow.

I feel nauseous. I have that feeling I usually get before I go on a roller coaster for the first time. My body tense with anxiety. I’m starving. But the thought of food makes my stomach flip.

I used to think about this moment a lot. Now though, I am not sure if I ever truly believed it would actually happen. When I was young I would tell people I wanted to live in Africa when I grew up. I don’t think they believed me either.

God has been doing great and little and big things in my life. I can honestly say I have been blessed. God has given me a heart for the poor. The marginalized. The disenfranchised. The oppressed. And I could not be more excited. The opportunities in this world are endless and I can not wait to see progress. Hope. Joy.

I don’t know what my future looks like. I don’t know how God will use me this summer. I don’t know a lot of things. And yeah, the uncertainty terrifies me. But I know that God is good. And that I want to live my life to glorify Him. (In whatever capacity that may be).

So for now, I go. I say yes. I trust.

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I talked to my sister this morning. She asked if I was terrified.

(pause)

‘Yeah.’

‘You’re ready.’

I smiled.

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I witnessed a miracle today.

Everything I wanted to bring fit in my suitcase. One suitcase.

The song ‘Our God’ by Chris Tomlin is all that comes to mind. As silly as it seems, it’s the little moments like this that I live for.

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I would LOVE if you would join me on this adventure and journey, and partner with me through prayer.

I hope to update this blog often with stories of my adventures and with prayer requests.

Prayer:

• for safe travel
• for calm nerves; boldness
• for lasting relationships with team members and local people
• against spiritual warfare
• that I will constantly cling to God and trust Him

Love you.

“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” -Ephesians 6:19-20

Watch Out World.

I got my visa!

God is good.

“Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done,
and proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things;
let this be known to all the world."

Isaiah 12:4-5

Next Stop: Africa!

Well, I am now finished with school for the year. For the remainder of the month I am preparing for my internship in Burkina Faso, Africa. I leave in June and am super stoked!

I am still waiting to get my visa and am in constant need of patience.

As all the little details about trip come together in these next few weeks any and all prayer is greatly appreciated.

Love.