Africa
24 Jan 2011 2 Comments
God has called me to go to Africa this summer.
A few months ago my dear friend Rhonda asked me if I would you like to join a Missions trip to Africa this June that she would be leading ?
My first reaction NO ! My brain then immediately began ticking off the reasons I should not go.
Money ! Hello last year was the worst financial year of our family’s life ,the flood the economy….. you can’t afford to go to Africa.
Children ! What about the kids, it is a long trip who is going to take care of them. They would miss me and I them.
Comfort ! Silly as it sounds the selfish me piped up. I won’t able to sleep in my own bed, with my favorite pillows, I would become homesick, I would miss my family and I would be put in positions that made me uncomfortable physically and spiritually, a place that I had been asked to live in most of last year as a flood victim…
Rhonda saw all this running through my head she immediately extended me grace. “Just think about it pray about it and let me know if you have any questions. “
Driving home from church I had already decided, yeah I wasn’t going to go.
Then I got home and sitting in my new living room my recently restored once not to long ago devastated home and God spoke directly to my heart.
As I looked around at our newly repaired home sitting on our new sofa..I heard him whisper ,why would you let money keep you from going ? He gently reminded me I will provide, I have provided, you are sitting in and on my provision. You had all the faith in the world that I could restore your home are you willing to apply that same faith and belief that I can get you to Africa…. well there went my first excuse not to go.
The kids ? God who is going to take care of the kids ? It was too much to ask it was a long trip . Well so I thought. My husband Gerald and my Mother In-law immediately stepped up said go, go it will be great we have it covered….there went excuse number 2
I called Rhonda… informed her I had not made up my mind fully yet ,but what would going to Africa look like….her plan brought tears to my eyes ,because I did not see the opportunity in having me on the trip that she did.
She began talking about the Kibera slum we would visit . Rhonda had been a part of the clean up at our house ,she said I would be able to connect with the people there on a different level than most. Just like our family had lived in the mud during the weeks after the flood the people of the slum live full-time in the mud ….immediately my heart broke for them living in mud was miserable fortunately our family was only called to do it for a month or so even then we got a hot shower at the end of the day down the street .They were living in it full-time until further notice…tears stung my eyes for them the thought of never being able to really clean up misery.
She began talking about the hospital we would visit ,she wanted me to do art with the children there in the cancer ward…my heart broke again.
She told me about a group of women there they are a creative bunch of ladies ,who despite their circumstances have made their own cottage industry sewing making, purses, dolls and many other beautiful things to have some income . She wanted me to spend some time painting with them and sharing. Before I was truly saved 8 years ago I was not even painting ! My heart skipped a beat I heard God whisper you need to go share your gift….
Later I got an email from Rhonda…Lisa I want you to share your story of the flood with the Church . What ? She went on to explain sharing our story of devastation ,living in the mud ,finding hope and seeing God despite our circumstances would provide them a chance to connect with not only us, but God . God reminded me that he was far more concerned with using me and growing me than making me comfortable…there went excuse number 3
Here is a video of the slum and the couple we will be with that live there as full-time missionaries
So Would you pray for the team…There are a group of 12 of us going from Crosspoint I know that each of us will serve the trip in our own unique way using our own gifts and talents that God has given us . I can’t wait to see each person used in Gods plan.
pray for our families
pray for the people of Kibera
If you feel led to give ,would you…
Please email me lisa@pbjcreations.com if you would like more information on giving
Thank you for you prayers, love and support !
