Living Dead :)

In January of this year, I began to pray a lot about what's next. I always thought that I would move to South America and open an orphanage and help people. Nice idea, but God had other plans. I began to work my way through a devotion book called The Live/Dead Journal. Live/Dead is an organization that plants churches in East Africa. They send missionaries there as school teachers, business men, etc. God began to put working with Live/Dead in Kenya on my heart and He hasn't relented yet. 

I am now officially a Missionary Associate with the Assemblies of God :D Over this next year (and as soon as possible), I will be working, paying off school loans and raising money so that I can spend 2 years with the Somali refugees in Kenya. I will be working as a Teachers Assistant in a primary school with the possibility of teaching English to women- 2 things that I love to do!

There were a lot of things that God had to do in my heart before I agreed to go. I was overcome with a lot of fear in the beginning. What if something happened to my family while I was away? What if there was political unrest between the Somali's and Kenyan's and I got hurt, attacked, scarred, disabled, etc.? There are things that I love about living in America, certain freedoms I enjoy. There are things I want for my future that will have to be on hold while I'm away. Even silly things like trading tank tops and shorts for long skirts and shirts with sleeves caused me to hesitate. However, I considered the cost, I counted it... and God's worth it. The people of Kenya are worth it.

 If I have but one candle to burn, I'd rather burn it out in land filled with darkness than a land flooded with light.- John Keith Falconer

So I'm going to learn their language, become friends with them, eat their delicious food, have tea, hold babies, teach, assist, love, share and relate with them. I'm going to find ways to represent Jesus-well.

On that note, I am in serious need of financial support. I am looking for monthly partners to support me so that all might know God's love!  If you would like to donate either monthly or a one-time gift, please go to giving.ag.org and type in my account #2957769.

For more information on what Live/Dead is about, check out this link:

http://eastafrica.live-dead.org/about-us/

What Do We Stand For?

Back in February of last year, a group named Fun came out with a song, Some Nights. It’s catchy and upbeat yet the lyrics haunt me:

…O Lord, I’m still not sure what I stand for oh What do I stand for? What do I stand for? Most nights I don’t know anymore…
 …I found a martyr in my bed tonight She stops my bones from wondering Just who I am, who I am, who I am Oh, who am I?

True to Fun’s style, they manage to sum up this generations approach to life- a casual, nonchalant stance on the fact that, actually, we have no stance at all. Well, that’s not fair. We do have stances; after all we have strong views for or against pro-life, gay marriage, gun control, etc. Many of us will do our homework on which presidential candidate to vote for, however, we have a casual and nonchalant stance toward God. THE most important decision that will shape how we live this life and what will happen after we die and most of us have no thoughts. We may have questions, but hardly will look for answers. Does He exist? Who is He? Is He near or far? Did He make us and forget us? Is Jesus really God’s Son? What about Buddha and Muhammad? Is there only one right way to heaven or will we all get there?

Having trouble answering those questions? You’re not alone! Many of us wrestle with them, even those raised in Christian homes. I struggled with the idea that God was involved in my life and that He loved me no matter what. I felt distant from Him. It took 5 years of pushing God away to realize how unsatisfied I was without Him. I had many friends but felt alone, a job that helped people but felt unfulfilled, and a constant desire for wanting to be more. More of what, I had no idea, but surely there was something more. Enter Jesus.

In a second He changed everything. He showed me what He thought of me, gave me purpose and my reason for living… living well, and loves me like crazy. They say that a man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument. Well that’s me. You can tell me what you think about God if you’d like, tell me He’s mean, unjust and pull out the Bible to prove it, but I’m not interested. I’ve experienced Him. I know the difference He’s made in me and those around me. There was a man that loved me enough to die for me. My stand is for Him, always. My identity is found in Him, forever.

So, since we are clearly not a lazy generation, with all the social injustices and equal rights that we fight for, I encourage you to do something for yourself. Search out what you stand for, or most importantly WHO you stand for. Know why you believe it on a deep and personal level. Let it change who you are and how you operate. Make it a priority. I recommend Jesus, who “came so we can have life and have it to the fullest.” –John 10:10. He's my greatest adventure.

Oh your cross, it changes everything ~There my world begins again with you~ Oh your cross, it's where my hope restarts~ a second chance is Heaven's heart

- Rend Collective Experiment, Second Chances

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6RNJ6HDTpU