Here we go again!!!

I know it has been quite some time since my last post but since I am OFFICIALLY going back out to do missions abroad, I figured now would be a great time to relaunch my frequent blogging. On January twenty first,  I will be making my way back to South Africa. My team of six and I will be venturing to Jeffrey’s Bay for one month and then, Lord willing, go to eSwatini for two months.  I would like to once again thank all of you who have stayed by my side through my missions and have prayed for me, financially supported me, have read my blogs and have loved me through my time away. You are all incredible and I appreciate your continuous support!

I am quite unsure at the moment what this trip will entail but what I do know is God is sovereign and always faithful. I know and am assured in the fact that Gods plan is ultimately greater then any plan or pathway I could think of or make for myself. Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” This verse simply reminds me of the treasure it is to follow the Lord. I can make all of my own plans and have dreams of what will happen over the next three months but only He truly knows and establishes where I will go. 

As of now, I am in Gainesville, Georgia gearing up and spending quality time with my team. Over the past few days we have gotten to spend time in worship, reading and studying the word, hearing encouraging messages from leaders within the Adventures in Missions organization, learning more about each other, learning more about Covid in South Africa and taking time to just rest with the Father and allow him to remind us why it is we are here and what we are doing. Though Covid can be quite the set back, I believe and trust that God is going to use us in this time to bring a lot of hope to people who, at the moment, feel pretty hopeless. I think of the amount of hopelessness there was before Covid and how so many people have stumbled into a pit that life will just never turn around. I see how Covid has affected me, so how much more is it affecting men, women and children that struggled immensely before?

I go to give the love of Jesus Christ our Savior to these people. I go to bring the gospel and show people that when you repent and believe in Christ, you have eternity with him to hold onto. Life may not get easier all at once and it will surely not be rainbows and butterfly’s. Actually Jesus says in Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate that is wide and easy leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is NARROW and the way is HARD that leads to life, and those who find it are few. What Jesus says is that choosing him can actually make life more difficult. Allow me to tell you I have found this to be true, but what I also know is true is that there is NOTHING like the love of the Father. I go to show people that His yoke is easy and his burden is light. He is trustworthy and kind and takes away pain that you have carried for years. When you rest in him when times are bad or are looking down, he gives an ultimate peace that passes all understanding. He makes hard times a little less hard and provides comfort. 

I am so excited to continue this journey with six incredible men and women and to have you all along side of me cheering me on. 1 Corinthians 15:58 says “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” This is the truth I am clinging to over the next three months. No matter what happens, I know that nothing I did was in vain simply because I did it all for God. Thanks again for sticking by my side! Blessings and love to you all <3