African Muzungu

Well the Lord seems to love stretching my faith...I figure I'd better learn to enjoy it. With my personality, I tend to LOVE fun in everything I do. Even if something in and of itself isn't the most enjoyable, I'm usually able to find some way to bring fun into that too. So if the Lord intends on making this a life-long habit (as I've heard He's prone to do...) I figure I'd just better find a way to bring fun into this too. It'll make it so much more enjoyable along the way... and plus, if I'm having fun, it's easier to have faith too! Ok, bunny trail aside, here's why the whole thing came up: I've been praying for a car for months now, and apparently the Lord just doesn't think I need it quite as badly as I think I do. I've been looking at several I found on craigslist and they just keep falling through. I thought for sure I had found one that looked GREAT! The guy selling it was saving it for me until I got back from my trip to Atl...

I just finished up my 2 week missionary training today. I have to say I am so sorry to leave these wonderful people. If anyone is looking for a mission board, check into Biblical Ministries Worldwide! (They will be very proud of me for joining their recruiting effort! :)) I have learned so much these past two weeks... things about me, and things about what to expect in my ministry. Funny moment from this week: One morning I got all ready to go. I showered, dressed, had breakfast, and had gathered all my gear. I stood at the door all ready to go, and very proud of myself for the hustle I had made in getting ready. Suddenly a strange feeling washed over me... I was forgetting something. I went through my checklist. Key. Check. Laptop. Check. Notebook. Check. Minty-fresh gum. Check. Suddenly I realized... My SHOES!!!! I couldn't well go traipsing around Atlanta without my shoes! Feeling foolish, I hurriedly grabbed my flip flops and ran out the door. All the missionaries got a hearty ...

Why did the monkey help the fish by taking it out of the water? Sounds like the first line of a joke, doesn't it?? It's actually a study question from a cultural adaptability story. I'll share the story here, but in the mean time, if anyone can think of a good punch line, share it under the comments section!!! The Monkey and the Fish: A typhoon had temporarily stranded a monkey on an island. In a secure, protected place, while waiting for the raging waters to recede, he spotted a fish swimming against the current. It seemed obvious to the monkey that the fish was struggling and in need of assistance. Being of kind heart,the monkey resolved to help the fish. A tree precariously dangled over the very spot where the fish seemed to be struggling. At considerable risk to himself. the monkey moved far out on a limb, reached down and snatched the fish from the threatening waters. Immediately scurrying back to the safety of his shelter, he carefully laid the fish on dry ground. For...

I just flew into Atlanta today for a missionary training school with Biblical Ministries Worldwide. Long story short, I was unable to attend Tentmakers' training because of my finals week at school, so instead I'm getting schooled by BMW. It's a two week program, and it definitely promises to be intense. The sessions range from prayer in ministry to fund-raising, to inter-cultural communication. I'm staying in a guest house of the mission with 2 couples and another gal my age. It's interesting how much more I evaluate what I say and do when I'm living with strangers. It's definitely humbling and convicting. How I long to reflect Christ in EVERYTHING I do and say, and not just be careful because I'm with people I don't know. Quick prayer request: I'm trying to buy a car to get around for deputation. I've been praying about this for months and I MIGHT have found one. It's a 1994 Camry that I could get for $1600. Please pray for wisdom on wh...

Wow! What a week! The past 9 days have definitely been the craziest I've had since leaving school! Recap: Drove for 2 days out to Kalamazoo, MI for the Independent Fundamental Churches of America convention. The purpose was not only to be refreshed by the preaching and teaching of God's Word, but also to make contacts and network with pastors who might allow me to come speak at their church about my upcoming mission in Uganda. Just before we arrived in MI, we received word that a dear, godly man in our church had died. We made plans to leave a day earlier than we had planned to get back to the Springs in time for the funeral. The conference was wonderful, albeit a bit draining. On Thursday my pastor, Jeff, his wife Nancy, and my two friends Catherine and Eric and I all drove through the night to arrive at 6:30 in the morning in the Springs. The family had been so good as to ask me to accompany for one of the granddaughters who was singing an arrangement of His Eye is on the Sp...

Tonight Robert Alderman spoke for the general session here at the conference. He was speaking on the need for greater personal involvement of the churches in their missionaries' lives. He challenged the current deputation system that we have where missionaries travel all over the country asking all different churches (most of whom don't have anyone they know at all) for money to support their ministry. In this system the personal knowledge of the churches and the missionaries is almost impossible. In addition to the ministry suffering, and a lack of accountability, the simple time and cost efficiency is positively impossible. Not only do the missionaries have to travel around initially, but then they must report back to all of those churches spread across America every 4-5 years to give a 40 min presentation that people may or may not remember and get involved in. The strain on the budget is not nearly as important as the strain on the missionaries and their families. Instead, ...

Just wanted to encourage you all to check out the Tentmakers Bible Mission website: tentmakersbiblemission.org... also, if you search for Uganda project under their missions projects you'll find my biography and mission.