Wait...This Isn't About Me?
I have known the whole summer that this is about me getting to Germany so that I can share the Gospel. However, as I have progressed this summer I have found an issue with the first sentence in this blog. The issues are within the words me and I. In my past, I have struggled with control. I have been a follower of Christ since I was 17 but have failed often in full devotion to God's mission. I have had steps of faith that still left for some room for me to have some control. So the question is...were they actually steps of faith if I could control the outcomes? I find myself in a place this... Read moreEducation
18 preschool teachers were able to attend a training a few weeks ago to learn how to teach the many children who come to their preschools each morning. The teachers are now equipped to teach the children things appropiate to their age level, prepare lesson plans, and interact with the children in ways that will encourage learning. Preschool is very important to these children and the village and country as a whole because the children who attend preschool go further in their education here. There is a big difference between the children who attend preschool and those who don't, so all of the... Read more
No More Prerequisites, Bring On The Good Stuff
Philippians 4:9 “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” This summer has been the hardest summer of my life and as I am reminded often. It is supposed to be the hardest of my life. I wouldn’t have it any other way. It isn’t the hardest just because of Ministry Partner Development but because of many other factors that have made their way into my summer. They weren’t bad factors at all. In fact, I am very thankful for every circumstance to cross my path this summer. One thing I can strongly admit is that... Read more
Coming to Fruition
I am sitting in this really hip coffee shop in downtown Chattanooga paralyzed by all of the things that I should be doing, and all I can think about is taking a nap or laying by the pool. I am about to be in my 6th week of support raising and honestly, I’m exhausted. But in the midst of making phone calls and meetings and thank you letters, there is a distinct word that has consistently been floating through my head; fruition. According to webster, this is defined as a point at which something is realized or accomplished. I don’t know if I happened to see this word and now it is... Read moreFamily
I have had family in town lately, my sister about a month ago and some of my other family is here for the next few weeks. It has been fun to show them around Malawi and also show them a bit into what work is being done here. It blows everyones mind that my sister is younger than me, she is taller than I and that is what they can base age on sometimes. I would say that the coolest part of them being here though is seeing how they aren't just my family here, they are everyones family. In Malawi, maybe even Africa in general, family is a broad tearm. Everyone is always a brother or sister or... Read more
Can I See Your License and Registration?
You would assume that a blog about a mission to Germany would be all exciting and joyful. However, I want to switch it up a little bit. I believe as brothers and sisters in Christ we should be transparent. if all we did was hide the bad and shine the good how would we ever be actually unified and ultimately grow together? So with this blog I want to be completely transparent and I believe there can be joy found in it. So stick with me...If you have decided to keep reading this blog in spite of the opening paragraph I want to share about some rough edges of my journey. However, it also shows... Read more
I'll Take a Number 7, Please
On your mark, get set, go!! The summer has officially begun. For most this means bathing suits and tan lines but for goers this means computer work and phone calls. Now that makes it sound like an incredibly boring summer but I assure you that is misleading. Yes, this summer will be hard work but it will be a summer of celebration. I returned from training in Minnesota after almost missing my flight back home. It proved to say this summer is going to be interesting. I got home and spent about a day to rest and reflect over training. As soon as Monday 8 am came around it was off to the races... Read more
GoWeek
So it is officially, official. I am moving to the United Kingdom for two years to do mission work! I have known for months that this was my plan upon graduation, but for the longest time I have been pushing off the fact that I was moving, trying to focus on graduating college and living in the moment. Pulling all-nighters trumped the nerve wrecking thoughts of moving. Now that I am here at GoWeek training, it is all becoming very really. Two whole years of sharing the Gospel, building relationships, traveling and growing in my faith. Two whole years of living in another country and another... Read more
Roller Coaster Ride
As I sit here writing this first blog of many for the next couple of years I reflect on where this journey has already taken me. I haven't even started developing ministry partners yet or bought my plane ticket to Germany but the only way I can describe my emotions and trust is that it has been a roller coaster ride. I question, why do people hop onto roller coasters? Not because it is scary or it costs money. They hop on because of the reward and excitment in flying up and down. I have jumped on this roller coaster placing my hope in the truth that this journey will be rewarding and exciting... Read more