Life's Detours

As I was falling alseep last night, I was contemplating the changes in my life. What brought this on? Well, I'm selling my bass clarinet and last night I was cleaning it to get it ready for ebay. As I was holding the instrument, I kinda got sentimental. It felt like yesterday that I was putting together the instrument to go practice my scales and music for college. In fact, it's been almost 4 years of which my bass clarinet has been in a closet. The whole thing got me to think about this journey called life that I've been on. God's plan for my life has always been for me to preach the Gospel in the remote areas of Africa. Did His plan include a bachelors degree in music education? Maybe not. perhaps it was one of those detours we take without sometimes realizing it. You know those. The ones where we make decisions without consulting God. The cool thing to know is that in the end we still get to our destination. Perhaps we took the longer route. Sometimes a detour can actually be a harder drive then the original. Maybe there ends up being more traffic, or the road itself is full of pot holes. Lots of things can happen. But you can trust that in the end, you are where God has planned, as long as you keep your eyes on Him, trusting with all your heart and walk in faith.

Happy Thanksgiving

I know it's been awhile since I've updated but I wanted to take some time this evening to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. I pray that each of you were able to celebrate with family and friends and take time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for. I am thankful for so much, the list is endless. For God, family, friends, co-workers, and especially my amazing support team. I'm also thankful for this specific thanksgiving as my younger brother has flown down to florida to join my sister and me for the holiday. It's been a great holiday and I look forward to continue the holiday weekend with wonderful sibling time. Blessings to each of you. I'll be updating more often from now on.

Trekking Around the USA

I've been back in the USA for 2 weeks now and I would love to say that I'm done with airplanes for awhile (especially after that crazy delayed flight in Atlanta) but it wouldn't be true. Currently I'm in Florida at the Overland Missions offices preparing for 15 weeks of support raising. In order to return overseas, I have to be fully funded by January 15th. It's a lot of work but God's favor is upon my life, as is yours. On Oct 8th (tomorrow), I'm heading to Chicago. I have a cousin who is getting married on Saturday and then I'll be meeting with friends and contacts to share about the ministry. Although I do have to jump back to Florida for a 2 day training seminar for support raising. From Chicago, I have no clue where I'm going or even when. No limits, no boundaries! :)

Looking forward to seeing all my Chicago family and friends!

Goodbye Africa, Hello Ireland

So tonight is my last night in Zambia for the year. I cannot believe how fast this last month has gone! I'm still sad about leaving so early. Most of you know that I usually leave at the end of November/December but this year is much earlier. Why? Mainly, support raising. I am focusing and believing God to be fully funded in January. After that I'll be in the UK for 6 weeks to train volunteer to run our new remote office and then back in Zambia in March. 2010 is going to be a busy but fruitful year!

On my way home I'm going to be visiting a friend in Ireland for a few days. I've never been there before and it was free to extend my layover in the UK. I'm excited for the chance to relax, unwind, and enjoy the beauty that the Lord has created.

I'll be back in the USA as of Sept 22nd. Please feel free to give my cell phone a call, the number is still the same. Blessings!

Made it home!

Sorry I didn't update this sooner but I made it back to Zambia safe and sound. I had 10 days on the island of Zanzibar and spent those days visiting friends that I hadn't seen in 3 years, helped build a chicken coop, and reassessed how our expeditions are running on the island. God is doing a mighty work there and I'm so excited to see what God is going to do through the believers.

The base is quiet at the moment. There are about 20 of us now on the base, but soon the september amt class will be arriving. Expeditions are pretty much done for the year, except for one team in Malawi in November. It's a pretty cool team as it's in partnership with Joyce Meyer Ministries, who is holding a conference in Blantyre. Unfortunately I won't be there to help run it as I am leaving africa on september 15th. That's right, 3 weeks. Am I excited? No. Why am I leaving? It's time I finally focus on my support raising and get fully funded in order to do the work I'm called to do. I know that many think that this is the worst year to support raise because of the economy. However, my God is greater then the economy! I have no choice to be back here in March and in order to be back I must be fully funded. Let's believe together that God is going to provide miraculously. :)

Look for my august update this week!

The Spice Islands of Africa

Off the coast of Tanzania are the Spice Islands of Africa, associated with the Spice Islands in Indonesia. They are made up of 3 islands, Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia. They were once ruled by Arab sultans who ran the spice trade in this area. Spice trade is still a main source of income for the local people, as well as tourism. The islands are predominately Muslim, and only about 1% being Christian.

I share this with you all as I prepare to travel to Zanzibar on Monday. I was there for 3 weeks in 2006 and have been invited back to stay with the pastor and his family that Overland Missions works with. I will be traveling with Kelly, one of the AMT graduates, and our plan is currently in God's hands. We have an invitation to preach at one of the churches on the island, but other then that we'll see what God has in store.

I'll try and update while in Zanzibar and keep you all posted on what God is doing. Please pray for us as we embark on 54+ hours of travel (one way).

African Lullaby

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to go to the Chobe Game Reserve in Botswana for an overnight safari with the AMT students. Who wouldn't want to go sleep with lions?! Yes, I am that crazy. :)

We spent the day driving through the park and seeing tons of elephants, giraffe, cape buffalo, zebra, kudu, and impala. No signs of lions though but we pressed on in hopes of even a glimpse of them. The evening came so we headed to our campsite, which was in the heart of the game park. When we arrived at our spot, we noticed that we'd be having some company duringthe night. In front of us were hundreds of elephants. As you looked farther down the road, you could see hundreds of cape buffalo heading towards us also. The sunset was beautiful and as we settled down for dinner around the campfire, we were surrounded by the noises of Africa. The crunch of the elephants and buffalo as they passed us by were our evening lullaby as we went to sleep.

The next morning we headed out early still in hopes of seeing lions. We were told about the area that they claimed as their territory and went there in hopes that they were around. About 30 meters away from our campsite we saw their tracks from their travels during the night. Most likely hunting the animals or getting water from the river. Unfortunately, that's all we saw of them on this trip. Maybe next time we'll have better luck. It was an awesome experience though and once I won't soon forget.