Longing!

My mom came back from Haiti a week or two ago, and in hearing all her stories, I felt an excitement and longing to be in Africa. Seeing pictures of the poverty and hearing the conditions, many people would be like "Oh My! Somebody should help them, but that is way to dirty, I could never do that." but I feel an overwhelming desire to be there!! I have started to write the fund/awareness/prayer-raising letters, and begin to feel overwhelmed with all that has to be done. It seems like a simple task, but it has many more steps than I ever thought. Once I finally finished and printed each one with each persons name and address on it separately, I showed it to Rebecca Duffield. As a writer, She found one spelling mistake. Of course she pointed it out and I am glad she did, but  it did take lots of work to fix them all. As I fixed them, I started to think, Just when we think we are perfect, God points out that one thing we still struggle with. I am glad He does because we are always striving for perfection in his eyes. I wonder how frustrating it is for God to always have to "edit" us!

Two days ago the opportunity arose for Abby and me to meet this missionary named Ginger. She lives in Rwanda, Africa and works for Visa. She is working to create electronic banks the poor can reach for their phones, which in Africa is seen as a  necessity not a luxury. The banking system is so corrupt over there that it is difficult for the working men to use the money they make to buy things such as food and clothes. It is a very unique mission field, and the Lord is working through her in very cool ways. Anyways, meeting with her was very helpful. She gave us pointers and advice on what to take and what to use electronically. She also was so sweet and wanted us to know that she knew people in Uganda and Kenya both. Also, that Rwanda isn't far and if either of us needed anything then we would know how to contact her. she was so sweet and it made my mom feel so good about us going over there.

The Lord has shown so many ways that he will provide for us; He knows all of my needs and provides daily. Not only have I learned all about God saying that he is enough for me and that He wants all of my heart and He will make Himself a priority even if that means taking someone else out of my life, but I've learned that God will change your hearts desires. " Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 (ESV) That doesn't mean that the Lord will give you anything you want, it means that if you seek Him and long for Him, He will change your desires to match his. Then if your desires match His, is there anyway that He won't fulfill those desires? I Long to be in Africa, and I can't wait to see the Lord to provide.

AFRICA BOUND!

The Lord has opened many doors in my life recently! He has also put a burden on my heart for missions. I can't tell you how often I wonder if the Lord will bless me with the opportunity to be a full time missionary in the future. One opportunity opened up a month or two ago for me and my best friend, Annsley Rendleman, to go spend a week and a half in Uganda, Africa. It sounded like a great trip and everything seemed great. My parents were both in and thought it would all work out. The more we got involved the more things started to fall apart. We decided that the Lord really wanted us some place else. So we both decided to check into other trips and other opportunities. The Lord brought about this organization called Visiting Orphans. Through this organization we would be able to visit Katie Davis' ministry, Amazima, which was a ministry that was brought to our attention awhile ago from the book Kisses from Katie. All the doors opened and everything from there happened so fast. We both just knew that this is where the Lord wanted us to go. The hardest part for the both of us is going to be the money. Both my parents and Annsley's parents are making us pay for the trips on our own. The cost of the trip is almost $4000 each. We are having to solely rely on God to provide fundraising, donating, and ways to earn money. We are going to trust him completely. For we see in the bible over and over again. The Israelites need deliverance, food, rules, guidance and a leader, God provided didn't He. The disciples needed to feed 5,000 people and God provided through 2 loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus tells us to "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11: 9-10. We see many more times when God provides throughout scripture, and I believe that he will provide here. I can't wait for this trip and to see God work throughout this process.
In Christ.
Madison