This blessed me

Sometimes reading the ending helps to put the whole story in perspective. Matthew concludes his gospel this way

 “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”  

He said those words to the men gathered around Him on that day and He says them to us, two thousand years later. They were preceded by His life and His words to them, through many ordinary days lived alongside and in relationship with the One who was the Word, was with God, who was God...and they were forever changed. I pray that He will give us the strength to live the days that we serve Him with faithfulness, and that as we share in disciple-making we will choose to live our ordinary moments for His glory so that He will change us in the process.

With joy and anticipation, I wait on Him...

The best laid plans...

When you are planning a trip out of the country there are many things to do and then there are many things to do...From day one when I decided to consider this trip, I was in prayer, asking God if a trip to Africa was something I should be doing at this time.  We were barely settled in Alaska, I had been given a huge reduction in my work hours, our brand new grand baby had arrived...so many circumstances that looked so much like reasons NOT to go, but my heart was hearing the call from God to go.

So number one on the list of things to do, is seek God and be at peace with Him about the decision.

Number two, keep praying. Everyday, seek God about every detail. Every detail? Yep Every detail.  In May when I decided that I had a peace about going, I really stopped specifically seeking Him.  I bought my airline ticket, without much prayer. I was hoping God was in it but I wasn't diligent about communicating with Him.

It is so difficult to remind yourself to pray specifically when you know how things work, when you've done it before and you really do have the know how.  But that is just exactly what the enemy wants, your self confidence can be deceiving.  And that is exactly what I did, I ran ahead of Him and expected him to tag along.  How presumptuous! Months passed by as I kept planning and making decisions on my own.

Finally, when push came to shove and I hadn't received the needed financial support I woke up.  One day in church, a woman brought us a Word from God. She said that God was saying He had everything we needed, that we should just come to Him and ask for what we needed. I heard Him loud and clear, I hadn't asked Him for any help, I had just bounded ahead, on my own, never asking Him !!  Yeah, I had asked 'if" I should go but that was it.

So, I began step number 2, daily specific prayer. The Peace that passes understanding has been the result.

Number three, make a plan. Decide on the program, what will we do at our destination? And PRAY!

With the team, we decided on the program, and designated the assignments. Meetings are a necessary part and the team met and prayed for God to guide our planning. And trust that God will show the way and provide the answers. He did, a great plan came together!

Number 4, keep praying, and start considering the logistics; check all the lists, make sure all medicines and immunizations are up to date.  Make sure your ticket, passport, finances are in order.  Oh and did I mention, after the serious repentance for leaving God in the dust back at step number 2, I sent out more fundraising letters and grant requests.  And Wow! the funds came in and the required amount was met and exceeded! People began to express interest in the mission and I was even asked to share about the cause.

Number 5, calculate the luggage/packing.  And oh no! I went on automatic and forgot to pray.

So back to my knees again and I'll be on to step 6.... see you later.

75 days from departure! - No not really!

Yep! It's time to head back over the pond to Uganda and this time to Rwanda! 

Well then, the past 60 days have rushed by....kinda like a tornado.

Swirling, swirling, faster, harder, closer and closer everyday until.... 

Heading back to Uganda - Just the facts, ma'am ; )

In just two short weeks, I will be heading back to Africa. This trip I will be joining and assisting with a short term mission trip to Uganda & Rwanda that is being offered by Olive Branch Ministries.

The team will be visiting Zziba and the students for approximately 1 week. The mission there will be multi-faceted. 

1) Celebrate the opening of the community Medical Clinic and assist in the operations management

2) bring a VBS to the children in the community 

3) Discipleship training for the students to enable them to take the Gospel to their neighbors and friends (to multiply themselves in the Body of Christ) 

4) Baptize as many as want to publicly commit to life in Christ.

We will also be visiting Rwanda where we will be assessing the needs and assets of two communities of approximately 125 people each. We are going to Butare to meet the Kinywa Twa tribes.

This is not a solo endeavor, in Uganda we will be assisted by community members who attend the Zziba Full Gospel Church. They will cook all of the meals for us and the VBS to provide meals for the children who attend. We will stay in the boy’s dormitory at the orphanage and be served by the children who live there.  In Rwanda, our single staff member, Sylvan will be our interpreter and guide as we get an up close and person introduction to these people who are the poorest of the poor in Rwanda.

Please pray for the mission to Africa and the future developments and the people we serve.

For more information regarding supporting us or OBM financially please visit the website www.olivebranchministries.net .

Thank you for your love and support of this ministry and our heart’s cry to touch lives for the cause of Christ in Uganda and Rwanda. May God bless you abundantly as you consider our request.