Updated website!

I've updated my website with new photos, Overland promo videos, news, projects, and more. Please check it out!

Budgeting Conclusion: I Rely on God

Today I decided it would be budgeting day. My expenses have changed since coming to the states, with car insurance, and cell phone added so it seemed appropriate. I also am getting ready to start focusing on raising funds for 2009. So I sat in front of our staff budgeting worksheet going through all the categories and typing in how much I thought I would need for ministry. Then went back and deleted about half, seperating the needs from wants. For instance, I'd love to have year round health insurance or even a retirement plan... but I don't need it. Well, maybe some of you think I need it. I've been fine so far. Praise God! :) What was my final conclusion for my afternoon of budgeting? I rely on God. I know that I'll always have enough. Sure, some days may be a bit tighter then others but I'll never be without. I will ve faithful to God, keep serving HIm with my life, and be a good steward of my finances and I know He will provide for me day after day forever.

I know that with the economic crisis in america, many people have taken looks at their own budgets and the numbers don't add up. Take heart, friends. My numbers never add up but yet here I am. God provides! Need more encouragement? Go to the Word. Whenever you're frustrated, stressed, or feeling anything other then joy, always go to the Word. You wouldn't believe what great therapy God provides through His word. Psalm 37:4-5 is a great one to meditate on: "Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."

Florida: Hello Sunshine!

I know it's been awhile since I've updated but the time has flow by since being home. It's been great visiting with my family & friends in Chicago and in Pittsburgh. My only complaint is the cold weather, but who can blame me when I've come from the hot African sun. I did make it to florida now and am back in Merritt Island/Cocoa Beach area working in the Overland Missions offices. Right now we're preparing for our 2008 Conference which runs from Dec 28th-31st. It's such an amazing time when past alumni, friends, family, and newcomers gather together to worship and receive from the Word through wonderful, anointed speakers. If you'd like more information, please check out our website. http://www.overlandmissions.com.

I am going to hopefully be updating this blog at least once a week over the next few months, and carrying into my return to Africa. March is coming up fast and pretty soon I'll be back in the bush of Southern Africa!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, I've made it home safe and sound. I'm writing you form the living room of my parents house in the suburbs of Chicago. It's great being home and with family, although I miss Zambia already. I think I began missing it even before boarding the plane. :) It's comforting to know that I'll be back to my African home in the middle of March. Until then I will be working at the Overland Missions office in Florida, traveling around the USA recruiting for expeditions and AMT, and raising up my 2009 budget. I look forward to seeing all of you during this time home.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I hope that you all have wonderful time with friends and family. Happy Thanksgiving!

Baptisms in the Mighty Zambezi!

Last Friday was an amazing day. At 6:30 am the AMT students, Dan, and I found ourselves climbing down the Batoka Gorge. This is not a climb I normally enjoy. It's steep, rocky, and hard. Your legs feel like jello by the time you reach the bottom and you still have to climb back up! However, my motivation wasn't for the exercise but for the fact that Dan and I were going to baptize two of the AMT students in the Zambezi. This was my first time doing baptisms and I felt very honored and blessed that Wezi and Liz wanted Dan and I to do it. Here are some of the photos of the event:

Here is Wezi being baptized. He is a local Zambian who was given a scholarship for the AMT course.







This is Liz. She is 23 years old, from Texas. Not only was it the day she got baptized, but it was also her birthday! I found the biggest challenges was trying to stay on the rocks as you submerged them. You can see me falling off the rock in this shot.



We laid hands on Liz to be filled with the Holy Spirit, as per her request. What an awesome step of faith!








The morning was finished with communion and then some praise and worship. It's amazing to hear the worship echo throughout the gorge.

Elections for all!

Elections seem to be consuming my life lately. Zambia just had their presidential elections after the death of their president, Levy Mwanawasa. Things went relatively smoothly, with only one riot in Livingstone. The results were announced yesterday with Rupiah Banda, the vice-president, elected as the new president. Today everyone's attention seems focused on america, even zambians are interested to see the results of the election. Most of them are in favor of Obama but just based on his race. I can only imagine what america must be like at the moment but from the look of everyone's facebook status' many are voting. All I can say is that the Lord is in control and whatever happens, happens. We will deal with what comes and need to continue in prayer for the leaders of every country. God bless the world!

Hello, Cobra!

Well I know it's been awhile. Yes, I am alive! Many things have been happening of which I will recap in various blogs throughout the week. However, today's blog is more of a message.


So yesterday we returned from 5 days in the bush doing ministry. Being overly exhausted, I settled in my tent to watch Matrix 3. As the hours passed, my weary body could not fall asleep. Deciding to take a midnight shower, I walked to our bathroom block (without my glasses on or contacts in) and found myself in the presence of a Mozambique Spiting Cobra. However, I didn't know until it was too late. No worries, he only decided to spit on my arm and then I ran away before anything else could happen. I woke up one of the guys and we searched but to no avail. The bugger is still lurking in the bush.

I lay in bed, wide awake and began thinking about this snake. The first question that came to mind was "why me?" I hate snakes. Not so much the snake but the snake bite. Didn't think about snake bites much until I was trained in medical courses... thank you, education! However I began to think, in my overtired state, about how this experience relates to life in general. Let's take a look.

How many times do we find ourselves walking along in life, thinking everything is going great when a snake suddenly rears it's ugly head? If you're not careful, you can be completely caught off guard. If you're not prepared, you won't even see the snake before it's too late. This "snake" can come in many forms in our lives, and like all snakes, it will try to through us off our paths. We need to be conscious of the snakes in our lives and come in authority over them. How? By meditating and focusing on the Word of God. The light of the Lord reveals all snakes in our lives and once they are revealed, they can be eliminated. What snakes are in your life? It's time to take authority over them and slice off their head with a machete.... well, that's how we do it in Africa! :)

(Note: The photo of the cobra is not the one that spit on me)

New Photos Posted!

I've just posted new photos from the last month or so. You can find them in the media section of my website. Enjoy! :)

Lions, Cheetahs, and Crocs... Oh My!

Over the weekend, Dan (my co-leader) and I took the AMT students on a field trip for the day. Africa definitely has some cool ideas for field trips. We wanted the students to understand more about the wildlife and safety measures to look out for here in the bush. The way to accomplish this... throw them into the lions den. Well in this case, Cheetah and Croc den. However, we did see lions, which was amazing.

Our first stop of the Lion park in Mukuni that has just opened. Our guide took us to the lions, where we got a close up view, but seperated by a chain link fence. We also got to view their newest additions to the park, the Caracal cats. The coolest part was when the team was allowed into the Cheetah cage. There's something intimidating when you step into the home of a potientally vicious animal. However, when they start lick you and purring, it's amazing that they are justa large cat... only with paws, nails, and teeth that can tear you to shreds! Cool and scary at the same time.

We traveled from the lion park and entered the world of crocodiles. We were able to see a feeding, as well as learn about how crocs attack, warning signs, etc. The croc farm also has a cool indigenous snake exhibit where we were able to view many snakes (mostly venomous) that are from the area. Many we have living on our base, some I've even had close encounters with.


It was a great day and the students were able to put their knowledge to use that evening with an encounter with a spitting cobra found outside of our toliets here in the base. Gotta love Africa!

Swimming on the Edge

I have these reality check moments where I have to remind myself that "Yes, you live in africa. Yes, you do ministry in rural villages. Yes, you are literally swimming on the edge of the 7th natural wonder of the world." You read this right, friends. Last week Dan (director of AMT) and I took our new amt students to the Victoria Falls. I go almost every month so it's lost some of it's excitement (but not beauty). However, this time of year it the coolest time to go because you can literally walk across the top of the falls. The water drops so low that there are just trickles going over the edge of the gorge. The coolest part is that you can find these pools with waterfalls, which are directly on the edge of the gorge. They make some of the best swimming pools in the world! Here are some photos of our adventure. If you don't know what AMT is, please feel free to read about it here: http://www.overlandmissions.com/AMT/.

Sitting on the edge of the falls

Our team on the edge of the falls












Looking down from the top of the falls.











Swimming at the top of the falls, right on the edge.

AMT has begun!

The students have arrived and orientation is underway. It's always awesome when new people arrive on the base. You can see the potential in them because of their hearts. There's the usual insecurity and nervousness about being so far from home, but you know that as soon as they get past it they will leave here a completely different person. I love seeing the change in people from when they first arrive to when they leave. Not only seeing the change, but being a part of them. My prayer for these next 3 months is that the Lord will impart to me His words and knowledge that I may share them with these young people who are stepping out in faith to serve God. Please pray for these students and I will continue to update you all.

Note: AMT is our Advanced Missions Training course held for 3 months here on the base in Zambia. I will be one of the instructors for this course in September until the end of November.

New Photos Posted

Hi all,

I've just updated the photo section on my website. My next newsletter will be going out soon. If you currently don't receive them, please sign up on the home page of my website.

http://www.laurainmissions.com

Blessings,
Laura

My friend, Todd Mitchell

I think one of the hardest sacrifices as a missionary is being so far apart from friends and family, especially during hard times. It's times like these that remind you just how far from home you truly are.

On Tuesday, a friend of mine passed away. Todd has always been on my list of the cool people I've met. It's not just because he's one of the best drummers I've ever met, but also because of his character. I haven't seen Todd and his family since I left for the missions field, but would sometimes randomly get an email from him checking to make sure I'm still doing okay. You see I first met Todd, his wife Paula, and their boys when I was in college. I had just started playing clarinet on the worship team, and Todd was one of the drummers. It was awesome getting to know him and the team, especially since it was my first time ever being a part of a church , much less on the worship team. Todd and Jason used to tease me a lot about hiding behind my music stand. When our new worship pastor, Mike, came to our church, my role as instrumental turned to vocal. I battled with confidence to sing and there was Todd, encouraging me every step of the way. I still hear his encouraging words everytime I lead worship with our teams here in Africa. They continue to encourage me daily.

Then came the day I told him and Paula that I was going to move to africa and be a full time ministry. I was nervous telling my friends because I was getting mixed reactions from different people in my life. Todd and Paula were so excited about the change God was making in my life. Their friendship means so much to me. Even though Todd is no longer on earth with us, he is where we all long to be... in the physical presence of our Lord. I have to agree with my friends that I bet Jesus is getting some sweet drum set lessons. ;-)

Some Food for Thought...

So my co-leader, Stephen, and I were having a discussion awhile back. Here in Africa, you'll find many beliefs. Many of the people in the rural villages turn to witch doctors for any ind of ailment. When you ask them about what they believe, they will say that they are Christians, but instead of turning first to God for healing, they turn to the witch doctor. It's easy for us to tell them not to turn to their traditional beliefs, but let's look at it from a different perspective. How is it any different then when we first turn to medicines instead of God? How many times do we get headaches and automatically take some pain reliever for it? I can't count the number of times I have. More of us do it then we'd like to admit. It's not very different then those who turn to witch doctors. Yes, the traditional medical practices can actually be more harmful then the ailment, but let's continue to focus on our faith. God is more then capable of healing us, my friends! He's a better healer then any type of medicine or doctor. So this challenge is for you and for me, next time you're feeling any pain or illness, turn first to God. Jesus promises in John 14 that anything we ask in His name, He will do it. When have you ever known God to break a promise? I haven't.

6 days of wow!

What do you get when you have 6 days of ministry in rural villages? Amazing ministry! God is awesome!! :) All I can really do is sit here, grin, and try to take it all in. We met men and women who are hungry for the word of God, 10 people gave their lives to Christ, demons were cast out, one boy's blind eye was healed, many were healed from back, leg, and head pains... so much as happened that I cannot even type about it all.
I want to encourage you as you read about the miracles that God is doing here in Africa. You have the same opportunities to witness those in your life also, without having to travel thousands of miles to do so. What is preventing you from laying hands on the sick? God promises that if we lay our hands on the sick, they will be healed! Do not doubt, trust in God and take that step of faith. God will honor it, I promise! :)

My New Neighbors

So the kingdom that I live in is called the Mukuni Kingdom. The chief is a great friend of Overland, and even gave us the land that we've built our base on. So Chief Mukuni has a lodge near his village, not too far from us. When I was driving down the road with my team, we saw the latest additions to his lodge. He has brought in two lions, which take daily walks down the road. No, this isn't a joke. They are training the lions to be used to people and cars so that tourists can come and walk with the lions. I don't know about you, but I think I'll stay in the car! ;-)

Meet you at the cross...

I was so prepared to write to you all about the awesome minstry we've been doing here in Africa, but as I started listening to my ipod, a song came on and suddenly tears came rolling down my face. I just want to share this moment with all of you.

"Oh Lord You’ve searched me
You know my way
Even when I fail You
I know You love me

Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There’s no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now

You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me

You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done

And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me"
~Hillsong

When was the last time you bowed your knee at the cross? When was the last time you searched God? His word? Realized how much He loves you? Been aware of His presence? Jesus gave it all for you! He left His place with the Father so that you can be restored as a new creation! Jesus is equal with God, humbled Himself, became man, and a servant of all. Try to grasp that one! How amazing is that?! I urge you with all that I have to bow your knee at the cross, spend time in His presence. Feel His love... know His love. I guarantee that you will never be the same.

New Photos Posted!

I've updated the photo section of my website with some photos from this year. I'll be updating every so often with more photos so you all can see what we're up to here in Zambia. Please check it out: www.laurainmissions.com.

Google Earth is from God! :)

This post is a bit overdue, but God has kept me busy doing amazing things. I feel this renewal in my spirit as I focus my sights on the rural villages in southern zambia. I have two teams that I am planning ministry for. One is my all womens team in June, and then my three week team in July. They're practically back to back, which means all my prep is to be done now. I am so excited that it consumes my every thought. My co-leader in training and I spent last evening searching for village on Google Earth. If the Apostle Paul saw the technology we have today to reach the unreached people of the world, he would weep with joy! I can find the very homes in the villages on Google Earth, get GPS coordinates for them, and find my way to their very door. How amazing in our God to provide these tools for us to use? It's awesome! It takes the limits off.

Quick Update

Hi all,
I'm sure you're wondering what has been keeping me away from blogging for almost a month. Tons! I traveled to Malawi for a friend's wedding and then flew to Joberg to buy a motorcycle to help with transportation for doing ministry. I'm finally back in Zambia, and have spent the whole day working on my bike (changing tires, adjusting suspension, etc). I will post photos of the wedding and of the bike as soon as I can. :)
Blessings,
Laura

Take the Plunge

I took the plunge. Literally. I bungee jumped off the Victoria Falls bridge and fell for 111 meters. Well I was pushed more then jumped but the experience calls for some reflection. How many times in our lives does God require us to take the plunge? How many times in one day? Sometimes we do it voluntarily, but sometimes we need that extra push. We don’t always know what will happen, and often it feels like there’s no rope tied around our legs to hold us. However, we know that as long as we follow God, He will guide and protect us in all situations. Hebrews 13:5 promises that Jesus will neither leave us nor forsake us. That is your bungee cord- take the plunge!

The Cold Cometh

I'm sitting here in our office on the base wrapped in my cool "Silly Boys, Trucks Are For Girls" sweatshirt (Thanks, Bethany!). It's getting cold at night here in Zambia, but nothing a nice hot cup of tea can't solve. That and fuzzy socks. :)
You may have been wondering where I've been lately, since I haven't updated. My team from the UK has come and gone, and I miss them like crazy. What an awesome group! They were totally focused on God and ready for whatever came at them. We went to the villages in the southern province of Zambia. We saw two boys healed from scoliosis (their spines straightened before our eyes!! Praise God!!!!), people accept Christ, believers encouraged by the Word, and even more people healed. God was moving in these places and in each place seeds were planted. The foundation has been laid for further work in new villages, and relationships established with village leaders who are already asking when we are returning. God is faithful and I know that as we continue to work in these areas, we will see many wonderful things unfold. :)
The team is back home now and my co-leader and I are just wrapping up final details. On Wednesday I will be traveling to Malawi for a friend's wedding, and then on to Johannesburg. In South Africa, I will be looking to purchase a motorcycle. The money was given to me by my aunt who passed away in January. Before she died, she told my mom that she wanted to help me buy a vehicle for Africa. Please pray that we find success in this shopping adventure for motorcycles, and favor with the officials when importing them into Zambia. I apologize in advance for the slow blogging, but I do not know when I will be able to be online once I start traveling. I will be checking email, so please feel free to email me. I love you all!

5 days and counting...

My first team arrives in 5 days. I am very excited! Yesterday my co-leader, Patrick, and I went with two of our local pastor friends to set up ministry. We normally call this recon, as it usually includes traveling to new areas. This trip included exactly that. We went back to visit areas we had sent teams last year, and made a plan to bring the team there to follow up on ministry with the new church that has been planted, and the new believers. We then traveled for about an hour to a new area, called Libala. We met with the headmaster of the primary school and discussed our ministry plan, finding out about the surrounding areas. He is meeting with all of the headmen, who are the village leaders, on Friday and will be notifying them of our program and the arrival of the team. It's always exciting to come out of a new area knowing that you'll soon be back with two trucks and a team ready to preach the Gospel. I cannot wait to go back. I'll remember to take some photos during the expedition and post them here for all of you to enjoy. Please pray for the safe arrival of the team, open doors for ministry, and safe travel.

The Calm Before the Storm

It's the end of March, and I've only been in Zambia for 8 days, yet it seems like I never left. The only reminder is the new clothes I brought with me that are yet to be stained with diesel and truck grease. :) Our first team is due to arrive on April 6th, so my co-leader, Patrick, and I are busy preparing for their arrival. This means repairing the trucks, shopping for supplies, sorting all of our gear that was stored away while we were gone, etc. It's a bit hectic but I love this life.
Everything is going great on the base. The grass and trees are still green, but rains have finally stopped, or at least taken a break for a time. The second floor loft in our main center is nearly complete, just need to finish the stairs. It looks amazing and will be a great place to read, watch movies, and relax. The team that was in working on it did a great job!

My monthly newsletter should be going out this week. If you have yet to subscribe to it, please do so on my website: www.laurainmissions.com. God bless!

Chillin in Lusaka

After many days and hours of driving, sleeping in elephant territory, driving potholed roads, and suffering from a sinus cold, Patrick and I have arrived in Zambia, our home away from home. Actually, lately to me Zambia has felt more like home then anywhere else in the world (Sorry, Mom!). We stopped at the base long enolugh to drop our bags in our tents, shower, and grab a bite to eat. We hit the road going to Lusaka and drove another 7 hours before making camp in a campground just south of the city. As you can tell, sleep is limited! I love being back and am ready to start prepping for the expeditions. We should be returning to Livingstone on Thursday, with a working internet modem. From there I will post photos and update more often. Thanks for all of your prayers and support!

Vanilla lattes in South Africa

Hello!
I've made it!!! :) The flight was long but I am now sitting in East London, sipping on my final vanilla latte as I head out to meet with some friends before returning to the bush of Zambia. I don't have much time here on the internet, but wanted to thank all of you for your prayers and support! I'll update again soon. Blessings!

My nomadic life continues...

I've just returned from two weeks in the Windy City. It was a great time being home with family, friends, and working on support raising. Unfortunately there's never enough time to do everything and see everyone, but I did have a blast with those I did visit with.
Now that I am back home in florida, I have about a week and a half left until I leave for Africa... let the countdown begin! :) Once the weekend is over, my life will be a crazy time of shopping, packing, finishing office projects, planning for africa missions, spending time with friends, and much more. I'm tired just thinking about it!
While I was home, I spent some time with friends that I used to see every single day. Two of them I lived with for four years during college, they are two of my best friends and we've been through a lot together. We met for lunch while I was home and gave each other a recap on what our lives have been like. As I was driving home, it kinda hit me what I truly miss when I am away from home. I miss being an active part in the lives of my family and friends. Instead of hearing recaps of lives, I was a part of their life. It's weird now to not be involved as much. However, it's a sacrifice that comes along with my job. I would not give up my life for anything though. I absolutely love what I do and could not imagine doing anything else. It's okay to miss family and friends, but email and Skype calls help to keep in touch. :) God bless the inventor of Skype!!

New skill added to the list!

Well my weekend has been packed full of fun! I am officially now a licensed motorcyclist. :) I just completed my motorcycle basic rider course and passed with flying colors. Praise God! I absolutely love riding motorcycles. It's a lot of fun and there's so much you can do. I would love, at some point in my life, to ride across both American and Africa on a bike. Heck, maybe even Asia while I'm at it. ;-) I'm excited to say that I will hopefully be purchasing a bike when I arrive in Africa next month. Next month?! I cannot believe how fast time is going. I am leaving for africa on March 11th and will be gone for almost 9 months. This year is going to be amazing! Please keep praying for me as I continue preparing and raising the needed support for ministry. God is awesome!

Life!

Life! Something I have been thinking about a lot lately. It's something so precious that people fight for it, yearn for it, and even die so that others may have it. Many work hard to gain the life they dream of. It's also true that the life that many dream of is not the life that they yearn for. The yearning deep within that they try to fill, but only God can fill. Jesus says in John 10:10 that "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." In Christ there is life. True, pure life. Nothing can every compare to it. It is a precious, priceless jewel that pales to nothing. It is something that is beyond words.

The reason why I have been thinking about life of late is that my aunt passed away last Monday. I was close to her while I was growing up and will always wished I called more and made more time to spend with her. She didn't come to the Lord until the end. However, even if it was just a short time here on earth, she is experiencing true life. Our life in Christ is eternal. Eternal life doesn't start at death, friends, but the moment that we are reborn in Christ! How many do you know that don't yet know what a life in Christ is? What is holding you back from telling them? The worst thing that will happen is they say they're not interested. Share life with everyone you know and meet.

God Bless!

A Long Overdue Update

Hey all!

Sorry for the delay in updating. I should be back on schedule now. Life has been crazy and I have so much to share. The conference was amazing as usual, as well as our staff retreat. We just returned from our cruise to the Bahamas which served as our staff retreat. Sometimes I feel like I need a vacation from the vacation! However I came back completely focused on the year ahead and ready to get working.

This is the plans thus far for 2008: My coleader Patrick and I are leaving for Africa around March 11th (about a month earlier then I had planned but very cool). We will be picking up one of our new trucks in Johannesburg and driving it to the base in Zambia. Once we reach "home" we will jump into one of the smaller vehicles and recon for the upcoming expeditions. Our first team arrives the first week of April and is looking to be around 40 people. What an awesome way to start out the year! Patrick and I are also in charge of all of the Africa expeditions, which includes training new leaders, assigning leaders, making sure all tasks are completed, etc. In September, I will be helping to colead our Advanced Mission Training school which is held on our base in Zambia. My eta for returning to the states is in December. It's a ton of work but my excitement cannot be contained, much like how our God cannot be contained. I know that we are going to see God move is awesome ways... no words will ever be able to describe it.

Until I leave I will be focusing on prepping for the teams, and mainly my personal support raising. I need to have a $500/month increase in my support in order to do the ministry needed this year. If the Lord is placing it on your heart to join my team, and/or to share this ministry with others, please go to www.laurainmissions.com and also, tell a friend! :)

Having a support team to me is much more then having the finances available to continue working in the nations. It's working with a team of people to accomplish the work that the Lord has called each and everyone of us to do: "go therefore into all the nations..." That call of the Great Commission is for all of us no matter what role you may play in it. Each of us have a different role but it's all for the same purpose!

Okay enough preaching for tonight, I'll save it for tomorrow when I share at Westside Baptist Church in Titusville, FL. Have a great weekend everyone, and I promise to update more often. BTW- if you're wondering about the lack of updating for my website, I'm still working on getting the right software to work on my new mac but it should be updated sometime this week. Please keep checking for updates here and on the webpage! God Bless

Happy New Year!

Hello all! Sorry about the lack of updates but as soon as I landed here in Florida, I've hit the ground running. We have finished our december missions conference which went great. I'm hoping to eventually get some photos up on my website from it as soon as my new macbook arrives in the mail. Not having a laptop has made me realize how dependent I am on it. All of my work is done on it, but it arrives in one day which is great! :)
I hope that you all had a great New Years. We celebrated at my boss's condo on the beach. It was a great evening of food, relaxation, and fellowship.
For the next couple months, I will be setting up speaking engagements and working on support raising. If anyone has an open door for me to share about the work God is doing in the nations, please contact me and we can set that up!
Have a blessed day!