Less than five months...

That's right, less than five months till I leave for Africa again. even though that's almost half a year away, it doesn't feel all that far away. I feel like I still have so much to do and to prepare for, and not to much time to do it.

For anyone not in the know I'm returning to Africa for a total of three months next year. I will be attending Overland Missions Advanced Missions Training course (AMT), and will be living on base in Zambia, Africa. The program runs through May, June and July.

To be honest at the end of my trip earlier this year I didn't want to leave Africa. I felt more comfortable there than I had in the states over the past few years, and I would have rather stayed. But I believe that the timing was and is for me to return in 2012, so that's what I'm doing.

I've been accepted for the program, and am currently working towards raising the $500 deposit to save my spot in the class. I've already raised a bit over $100, leaving around $350. After the deposit I begin on raising the money for the entire trip, which will run me around $11,000. That includes the cost of the program, flying round trip, and living there for three months. As well as not working here in the states. I know, it seems like a lot. To me its the most money I've ever had to believe for in my life. But I'm positive that I'm suppose to return to Africa next year, and am positive that God will provide, just like He did for my last trip in August.

So as of now I'm having to do something that I haven't really done before, which is sit down and meet with various couples and people individually and speak to them about my trip, whats on my heart, and ask for financial support. I've just begun this process, and it's been a bit interesting, simply because it's way outside of my comfort zone. So far though things have gone well, and I'm totally expecting a good response.

Money aside I honestly can not wait for this trip. For a while I felt as if I was sort of coasting, and not really "doing" anything with my life, or making any sort of headway. Now all of a sudden I have a clear goal, something that I feel strongly that I'm suppose to do, and it feels awesome. I know that I know that returning to Africa is the next step, just like the previous step was for me to go on the expedition that I went on in August. Sort of like stepping stones across a creek, I'm moving forward. I can't wait to see what God has for me next, both for the beginning of next year and AMT 2012, as well as after that, and into 2013.

Back to normal life...but not really

Ok, hmmm, what to say.

I’ve finally returned to normal life, or I guess you could say I have since I’m back in the grind of going to work. But I don’t feel like I’ve returned to normal life. I don’t feel like anythings normal here anymore.

I’ve just returned from doing missions work and ministry in the African bush for close to three weeks. I left at the very end of July and flew back into the states on Tuesday of this week.

If I were to describe everything that’s happened in the past few weeks in one word, it would be “awesome”. If I had to describe it in two words it would be “life changing”. I couldn’t have ever imagined or expected how much my life would change just from the time I spent overseas on this trip. I mean I figured things would be different, I just didn’t realize how different.

For real.

First of all I saw some pretty epic things. God moved in some awesome ways, and was with us every step of the way. As a collective group we led over 200 people in the salvation prayer. Amazing. On top of that we had a crazy ton amount of people get healed and delivered from various sicknesses and pains and problems. Like I said, God was with us every step of the way.

The first village that we went to the people had been waiting for two days to hear us speak when we arrived. Two days. And were not talking about them stepping out of their door and walking across the street to hear us speak. Nor are we talking about them getting in their car and driving down the road a few miles to hear us speak. Were talking they walked crazy far distances and WAITED two days for us to speak. That’s intense. That’s like some straight up old testament stuff right there. I could never imagine that people would be that hungry to hear the word (ok maybe I could, but having grown up in America you don’t see that sort of attitude all that often).

We would walk up to huts to minister God’s word, and people would be so happy to hear what we had to say. If they weren’t saved, they would listen to us anyways, and ask us questions. If they were saved, they would be so happy just for us to share a few scriptures with them.

Not a huge sermon. Not some views or thoughts we had. Just a few scriptures from the word of God. We don’t think about just how available the Bible is to us as Americans (I mean I have the Bible app on my iPhone) but we have it pretty well off, let me tell you. A lot of Christians over there can’t read the Bible, not because they don’t want to, but because they don’t have one.

What else? Oh yea, normal life. I spent the time over there walking around the bush, visiting huts and the people that lived in them. Sleeping on the ground in a sleeping bag, and not doing laundry or taking a shower all that often. Not quite how I’ve ever lived in the past. And yet, I miss it. For real, completely and honestly, I miss it. I felt more comfortable there and doing what I did while I was over there than I’ve felt in probably the last two years here in the states. The moment I landed in South Africa I felt home. The moment I arrived at the base camp in Zambia I really felt home.

Flying back was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I mean I didn’t have much of a choice, seeing as how I didn’t have the money to stay or the means to not leave, but it was still hard. Sitting in the airport in Johannesburg one of my fellow team mates asked me what I was going to do when I got back to the states, and I had no answer. Honestly, I really didn’t know what to say. Up until that point I had thought about how it might be nice to see these people again, or go to this restaurant, or visit some random place. But at that point a lot of those things seemed to drop into the background and not matter as much. What seemed to really matter was how I felt so at home in Africa, felt so at home walking around and doing ministry, so at home doing what I had been doing.

So yea, like I said, coming home was one of the hardest things to do ever. I’m already thinking about how to get back, and when. The organization that I went with (Overland Missions) does a three month Advanced Missions Training program twice a year, and the first one next year is in May. So at this point my eyes are set in that direction. The program lasts a total of three months, but if at all possible I’m going to aim for staying an extra two months and helping out in any way possible.

On top of that I’m hoping to be able to go on our Spanish church’s next missions trip, depending on when that is next year. And then to any other places that the Lord will give me the clearance to go to.

Because really at this point, I figure why not? I’ve spent the past two years not doing really anything. Now let me clarify what that means before people freak out. I mean, I have done things, and they haven’t all been bad things. I’ve had a job that I’ve done well and that I’ve been successful at. I’ve worked in my church and helped with our youth ministry, and I certainly don’t discredit or cast that down as insignificant. But many times I felt as if I was just going through the motions. Just working away each week, paying the same bills over and over, and not really going forward at all.

I know how crazy that probably sounds. I mean, it sounds crazy as I’m TYPING IT. But its so completely true, and I’m amazed that it took me this long just to see it. It’s like I’ve been hiding in a cave for years, and all of a sudden I’ve found an exit and have stepped out, and been hit with this insane light. That’s about the best way I can describe it. And now that I’m looking out over the landscape in front of me, and can see everything out in the distance, I’m looking back at the cave and wondering why I stayed in it for so long.

Once again that’s not to discredit everything from the past few years. Working in our youth ministry has been one of the best things I’ve ever done. The relationships that I made and the people I met, as well as all the experience that I received was life changing and much needed in my life. But after this trip its just like ok, time for the next step.

I can’t really say if I’m planning on doing missions work full time or not. Honestly, I don’t think I could just spit out an answer to that right now. Maybe because I’ve still not even had the chance to fully reflect and digest everything that’s happened to me in the past few weeks. Though I guess from what I’ve just poured out and typed that option definitely seems to be there. What I do know is right now, currently, I want to go back out on the missions field like no tomorrow. I want to go back to Africa like pronto, and then to other places that I’ve never been. I want to step out into the world and just hit it full force, and witness to those people that might only get that one chance to hear the gospel. Not saying that I don’t want to reach people in America, because I do. But I have such a pull for global missions at this point, and after this trip, that its not even funny. And next year, in Africa, is one of the first steps. I’m confident of that.

As far as what my current plans for the next few months, and my long term plans for late into next year are, I have no idea. I mean I have a lot to think about, were to keep working and were to live come the beginning of next year, how to get to were I really feel the Lord directing me, and how to pay for it. What to do during those months in between, and then what to do way past that. There are so many thoughts and ideas and questions hitting my brain that its insane. But the one thing I do know is God has a plan.

I’m completely confident at this point that God has a specific purpose for my life.

It’s taken me a while to get to that realization. That might sound strange to you, but it’s definitely been a journey. I moved to Florida in 2006, three months after I felt the pull to go to a local seminary school out of a church. I knew a total of maybe four or five people, and had no idea what to expect. And from that move I’ve come so much farther than I would have ever expected. To the point of ending up on the other side of the world, preaching to people in Africa. And it was exactly were I needed to be at the exact right time. I was suppose to be in Africa these past few weeks, I knew that for a fact before I left, but now that fact is so real to me, in a way I can’t even describe.

I’m frankly amazed that, regardless of my mistakes or the ways that I’ve missed it, God has stayed with me and led me every step of the way. Even when I was trying to go my own way, and trying to do my own thing, He was still there, every step of the way, coaching me to head in a certain direction. He knew exactly what I needed, and when. He knew exactly what it would take for me to realize and accept certain things, and exactly how to get me there. And though the process has taken a while, probably longer that it should have due to my own stubborn self, I feel like I’m sort of getting the hang of this whole “God has a plan” thing.

In Ephesians 1 it says “Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love….for we had been foreordained (chosen and appointed beforehand) in accordance with His purpose….”

God basically has and has had a plan for my life from the beginning. I’ve always agreed with that per say, and have even preached it before, but I don’t think I ever quite had the understanding of it up until the end of this trip. The fact that when I was still living in Boone North Carolina, going absolutely no were, God had already planned on me being in Africa ministering to several hundred people years and years later, BLOWS MY MIND. It’s an insane thought to comprehend, that He already had it all planned out, all the connections I would need to get there, all the people I would have to meet, and all the relationships I would have to build. But He didn’t miss a beat, and set everything up perfectly.

I guess I sort of derailed there, from describing my trip, but I needed to get that all out. Africa was great, it was exactly what I needed. Not only did God use me to minister to and preach his word, and to effect peoples lives, but He used those same people, and the countries I visited, to minister to and effect me. I don’t know if I could go back to normal life if I wanted to. Which I don’t. I’m ready to step out and seize the day. To take this life and start doing whatever it is God has planned and is planning for me. Because I’m confident that whatever it is and whatever it entails, it’s loads better than what I could come up with.

So bring it on God. I’m ready.

Update: June 24th

So just in case you were wondering about my current progress for my trip, here we go.

As of now my airfare has been paid for and purchased. This is a pretty huge deal actually, considering out of all the expenses for my trip, it was the largest. The cost of the plain ticket, including the flight legs to Johannesburg, Africa, was a total of $2,255.10. So having that taken care of is very relieving.

Also I have most of my $1,478 for the trip cost's taken care of. Only a few hundred dollars left there, which is also very exciting. As soon as that's taken care of then all I will have left is the costs of missing work, paying rent while I'm gone, ect. Which I'm continuing to believe will be covered and taken care of.

As far as the actual trip itinerary goes, I haven't gotten a copy of it, but pretty much I will be flying out on July 29th, and will be landing in Johannesburg on the 30th of July. I'll be returning on the 15th of August, but wont actually land in the states until sometime the following day on the 16th.

That means including the days I fly there and back my trip will end up lasting a total of 19 days. Pretty intense I must admit. But I'm oh so ready for it, and definitely ready to be headed over there.

As far as finances go please everyone continue to agree with me that the rest of the money will come in on time. I still would like to have it all taken care of by the very beginning of July to be honest, and think that its totally possible. I need around $900 more of just straight out cash, to cover my own personal expenses.

Thanks again to anyone who reads this at all or who cares. I appreciate the continued financial support, as well as everyone's prayers. This trip is going to be life changing for both me and everyone that we reach, and I can't wait for it.

Update

Ok, update time. Not really a huge update, but definitely pretty cool stuff to me none the less.

I received another $200 in donations from people for my trip, which is awesome. That leaves only like $1,345 to raise by the first of next month. Yea I know, not a lot of days between now and then, but I'm trusting and believing God that all the money will come in.

Second of all, a couple donated a head lamp to me, for use on my trip. This is actually something that I was going to have to buy, so it's definitely a HUGE blessing that they just donated one to me. Now I don't have to worry about that part of things to purchase.

Yea, that's about it. But still exciting I think. Oh yea also, if anyone is planning on sending me a check, make sure to leave the memo section of the check blank. My name can't be anywhere on the check otherwise you won't get a tax deduction on the donation!

Tribulations and Stuff

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope mketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

This passage from Roman's 5 sort of jumped out at me, and I figured I would share it. Tribulation here basically means pressure, which was sort of interesting to me. I suppose that must mean that we're going to have pressure, or tribulations, at times in our lives, and that it's perfectly normal that it happens.

The key is that we glory in those tribulations, instead of getting down in a rut and letting the pressures of life and situations overwhelm us. Something I'm having to learn more about and work on for sure. The Amplified version says..

"Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patience and unswerving endurance..."

This was definitely something that I needed to read. Just today I was feeling the temptation to worry about my trip, about finances, about how everything was going to work. I know I know, I just posted something along these lines the other day. But it's a process I guess, and I'm having to learn to walk it out.

The point is instead of getting down and out, I just need to worship and praise God for the victory ahead of time. It says to exult and triumph in my troubles, not sit around and complain and worry about them. Easier said than done I guess, but it's completely possible. The Bible says the result of glorying in tribulation is that it works patience, which causes us to have fortitude and to persevere, which develops the maturity of our character, which in turn produces hope.

But it all comes back to the beginning, which involves us worshiping Him during times of trouble.

Oh and just an update for everyone, another person contacted me about supporting me financially yesterday. Which was pretty awesome, and came at like just the right time. God's for real going to make all this come together, and it's going to be amazing.

Sunday

So got the chance to hand letter's out about my upcoming trip to a few people at church today. Definitely exciting stuff, and just reinforces in my mind that God is going to take care of things.

I mean it's amazing how calm I'm becoming, even with deadlines and time frames that I have to keep to. Any time I start to get a bit concerned or worry starts to try to creep in, I've decided to just start worshiping God and thanking Him that its done and paid for. At first, to be honest, that was pretty hard. But its starting to become not only easier, but to be a somewhat normal response concerning my trip.

I mean to be honest, worrying about money or how things are going to work out or happen won't change the situation at all. That's for real one thing I'm learning through this process. I'm reminded of what it says in Mathew..

"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?"

What's all that mean? Well basically, don't worry. It's not going to do any good. God can handle things, so just trust Him. It goes on further to say "seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.". Which is something I think we all can work on. And is for real something I'm learning to work on. Trusting Him, seeking Him, and believing that He'll take care of the rest.

Getting Started

Three months and fourteen days. That's all the time that stands between myself and going to Africa. Intense.

I don't quite know how to start off this blog. Or even who might decide to read it or keep up with it. I just figured I would keep people updated on the whole process of my trip, and all the details involved. I guess partly because I wanted to keep a record of everything that happens, and the process that I go through.

I honestly can't explain the excitement that I've been experiencing since I decided to go on this trip. It's crazy, I mean really. I've always enjoyed traveling, though I've never traveled internationally. I've enjoyed flying. I always get like this insane strange enjoyment when I get on a plane and travel somewhere, even if it's only a two hour flight. And all of a sudden I'm aiming to travel to Africa.

I don't know what to expect when I get over there. Actually I take that back, I do know what to expect. Well, at least somewhat. I expect to minister God's word to people that may not have ever heard His word before, and see awesome results. Which is huge step for me in a way, because I never pictured being able to have the resources or time to travel over seas to do something like that.

Wait back up, back to traveling. Ever since I've made the choice to go for this trip I've been wanting to travel like a million times then ever before. And not just Africa. I want to go other places. I just want to step out and do it, and for the first time, I really see that as a total possibility. I really don't think anything can hold me back, and am confident that God can make everything work out. I'm having to trust Him completely for this trip, in every area.

Oh yea, back to expectations. I expect my life, along with the lives of the people I travel with, and the people that I minister to, to be completely changed. In a good way that is. I expect to come back different that when I left, and expect God to move and work through me and around me. It's going to be awesome.

Since I'm updating people I figure I should cover every aspect, and that includes the financial side. Let me just say first and foremost that I'm expecting God to move here. I'm believing people will donate towards my trip, and help make this possible. I don't want people to feel pressure from me, or to feel like I'm begging, I just want them to listen to God and if he directs them to give, then give. Regardless of what happens God is going to make this happen, and He's going to provide. I'm trusting Him.

I currently have to raise around $5,500 total, give or take a bit. The airfare will be about $2,200, and the trip itself costs $1,450. I've also included money for the time missed from work, the shots that I'm going to be receiving (which come to about $600) as well as the costs of getting a passport, visas, ect. That being said I have already raised around $600, between money I've saved and donations. That brings be to about $4,900 left.

I do have deadlines though, the first being my airfare which is due on May 1st. That's in exactly two weeks. Honestly I'm not worried at all about that, I know for a fact that I'm suppose to be in Africa in August, and I know God will make a way. But for anyone out there that wants to know my current schedule, there it is. My other two deadlines are June 1st and July 1st, though I'm believing for all the money to be in and the trip totally be paid for by the end of June.

In advance I want to say thanks for anyone that keeps up with this blog. Thanks to anyone that donates, thanks to anyone that keeps me up in prayer. This trip is going to be awesome, and I can't wait.