A trip I never thought I would take

I used to always say that the one place that I never wanted to see was Africa. I never wanted to travel there for pleasure or purpose. Not interested. Not even the tinest bit.

In college I had a few friends and acquaintances that really got on an Africa bandwagon. They read a lot, prayed about it and flew across the ocean. I still wasn't interested and kind of went in the opposite direction of what I simply saw as a "popular mission destination." I don't feel bad about that. I do wish that I had been a better encourager to those people in my life, but at that time, Africa was not written on my heart. God was still at work in my life and He knew what I did not know. Africa would come in time, and I would pray with a longing to be placed there.

Now here I sit, 13 days away from boarding a plane that will take me to...Africa. I will leave my husband and daughter behind for 10 days while I travel to this giant continent full of people who are just like me - broken and in need of Jesus daily. I am sitting on the edge of my seat, waiting anxiously to hold hands of children, smile and hug women and pour my energy into building a home for a foster family.

I hope that I can update this blog as I travel and meet new faces. As I reflect on what God has done and is already doing in my life and in the lives of others that I walk alongside.

Thanks for reading!

Open our hearts,
To see the things
That make Your heart cry,
To be the church
The You would desire.
Light to be seen.

Break down our pride,
And all the walls
We've built up inside,
Our earthly crowns
And all our desires,
We lay at Your feet.

So let hope rise,
And darkness tremble
In Your holy light,
And every eye will see
Jesus, our God,
Great and mighty to be praised.

God of all days,
Glorious in all of Your ways.
Your majesty, the wonder and grace,
In the light of Your name.

With everything,
With everything,
We will shout for your glory.

With everything,
With everything,
We will shout forth your praise.

Our hearts will cry
Be glorified,
Be lifted high,
Above all names.
For You our King,
With everything,
We will shout forth your praise