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.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
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!
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!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
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!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
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!
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!
Friday, February 29, 2008
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!!
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!!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
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!
Monday, February 4, 2008
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!
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!
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