Prepare for this...

In 8 days, I will be boarding my plane to begin my 2 day journey across the world into a forgeign land most people like to call Africa. I'M SO EXCITED!! I can't believe that it's almost a week until I start this journey I've been praying about since October!

It's amazing to see how much God has let me grow in order to prepare for this trip. Near October, I prayed about my financial support. He took care of that really quickly, and I'm so thankful to Him for giving me friends and family who love and support me in the things that I choose to be involved in. As I start to prepare physically for the trip -- packing skirts, light t-shirts, sandals, toiletries, candy for the kids, etc -- I am beginning to prepare myself mentally and spiritually for the trip also. I've been asked to teach one ladies bible class as well as some children's classes while we're at the orphanage. I'm excited about getting the chance to do this! At the same time, it's a little nerve-racking! Greg has told us that the church in Africa is still in its infant years spiritually, and I'm trying to pray and ask God what words He wants said while we're over there.

All in all, I'm ready to get there. I'm ready to play with the children. I'm ready to spend an entire week serving and learning the church there in Tanzania. I'm ready to fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Christ who I hope I will one day reunite with in Heaven. I am in love with serving through missions. This semester I've been reading through Rick Warren's, "A Purpose Driven Life." Even though it's in spanish and required for me to read in my spanish course, I've really tried to ask God what my purpose is. God has spoken to me -- through scripture, convictions, friends, family, and examples -- that my purpose is to be a counselor. Now, you're thinking, "Well, you are in school to be a therapist, are you really sure this is what God's purpose is for you?" I'd answer that with a simple and quick, "YES!" In the book by Rick Warren, I'm here on earth to serve, minister, disciple, obey God, and follow Him. God has prepared me -- since I was a child -- to be a counselor. What does that mean? It means that in whatever or wherever I am, I am a counselor. Whether I am at Camp Blue Haven serving and ministering to young girls, I am a counselor. Whether I am in Mexico working at an orphanage or the children of the church, I am a counselor. Whether I'm a children's minister at a local church in the States, I am a counselor. Whether I'm spending time with friends or talking to them on the phone, I am a counselor. That is what God has prepared me to be, and that is what, after prayers and meditation with God, I know God has called me to be. Now that I've written a section of my spanish paper in this blog...

I hope that you all will continue to keep me and the group in your prayers. Pray that we will be kept safe throughout the entire week (and even afterwards!). Pray that we will be able to be good examples to everyone we come in contact with. Pray that the group will get along with each other and we will be able to not only bless the people in Africa, but each other as well. May God bless you...