The Crazy Adventures of an American Mzungu

I love that God has called me to be a missionary. At 26, I have more stories of “this one time (enter crazy thing that should never happen – i.e. monkey stealing my shoe)” than most will have in their entire life. God has allowed me to live in constant adventure (whether overseas or “home”) and I love it! I am so blessed by the experiences I get to have, the memories I get to cherish, and the vast amount of friends I get to call mine. If there were ever a downside to mission work, it is the constant farewells. I feel as though I am always saying good bye to someone – whether I am leaving or they get to go on the adventure, someone is always going. I love knowing people all over the world, and I mean ALL OVER! As I type these words, I can name it least one person on each continent (minus Antarctica because that is just nuts). Many are doing ministry, and I get to cheer them on from afar, just as they cheer me on. Some are working in another aspect – teaching English, human

This is my dear friend Belinda. Oh, how I wish I could stick her in my suitcase, but I was told children were not luggage (even if I had good reason). She is so sassy, and filled with all kinds of energy. She loves cowboy boots and headbands. We go together like like tacos and Tuesdays! Belinda attends the children's church program I have taught in Boise. I get the pleasure of loving her once a week, and teaching her about Jesus. As much as I have tried pouring Christ into her, I doubt she will ever know how much more she actually taught me! God used this sweet babe of mine on several occasions to teach me. Funny faces are always acceptable! I remember shortly after my first delay in departure, I threw a royal fit before my Heavenly Father!  Oh, I yelled at Him! I just couldn't understand how I could pour my heart and soul into fundraising, just to miss my deadline. At church one evening, we sang a song that said, "I don't mind waiting on You, Lord"

This picture has quickly become a favorite of mine. I laugh hysterically every time I look at it -- the rather pathetic part was it was taken about 24 hours ago, and I have spent most my time since then laughing at it! Honestly, I can't tell you what was going through my mind, and what I'm sure then spewed out of my mouth a split second after it was taken. I'm sure I was being smart, as I was swimming in a sea of sweaty kids that continued to kiss my cheek, ruffle my hair, and I don't know all (nor do I want to know with all that germ transference). But something happened to trigger my classic sassy look to who knows which kid that surrounded me. This picture pretty much captures my life. Whenever anyone says, "a picture is worth a thousand words," I generally respond, "yeah, but the guy who said that used words to say it..." (did I mention I'm sassy?). But here is this picture -- summing up my life, better than any words I could ever write, i

I joined a huddle of friends in time to hear the words, "she didn't make it," followed by gasps, tears, questions, and heart break. As I quickly catch up to what is happening, my heart shatters along with everyone else. A dear woman (one which impacted all that gathered) was in a car accident. She didn't make it. Can this be real? Death brings such a flood of emotions. A sudden death, as with my friend, starts with denial. "No! This can't be. There has to be a mistake, and any minute, my phone will go off with a text asking me to babysit. And this sinking feeling of my heart will pass with a sigh of relief!" Then when all the doubts have been stomped out and reality sets in, memories, questions, and hurt flood the heart. This is where I stand at this very moment. Maybe I should not write in such a raw state. But this is where I heal. Maybe a blog shouldn't be for healing, yet here we are.  My friend has two sweet boys. They mean the world to me.

Boise has been my mission field for the past two and a half years. God gave me several tasks within this mission, one being my job. I have been given families to love on, and coworkers to share my heart for Jesus. Being a secular environment, I am not suppose to start conversations with the children and families I work with about Jesus. Although the entire staff knows I am a Christian, and that I am not quiet about it, and many families know I am a missionary, which has led to "religious conversations". Never have I considered this a challenge. So much of this mission is about love, not "preaching". I have seen such a beautiful impact Christ has made in my time there. A question will arise about the Bible -- ah, we need to grab the Bible nerd (a self given name, that I totally enjoy)! A kid says something cute about Jesus, "You need to tell Miss Mary when she gets here!" A crisis occurs, "We have been looking for you. They need your prayers."

I slipped into a sanctuary I once sat regularly as the service began -- the same way it started for years, and my heart smiled. We began to sing a song I have known by heart most of my life, and the same question that usually floats through my head once again came to me as we sang the words, "It is for freedom You've set us free." Isn't there a better way to word this? I know this song by Darrell Evans is based on Galatians 5:1, "It is for freedom Christ has set you free," but isn't it a little redundant? I understand the point, and I love this song, so I let the moment pass, because as Christians we are not called to be nitpicky. Yet, it is for freedom we are set free! So often we associate freedom with being freed from the power of sin in our lives, which is true. Without grace, we are bound by our sins, which separate us from God. 1 Peter 2:9-10 says, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own posse

Partnership development. Support raising. Fundraising. Three terms with the same basic definition, as they also define my life since August. From my point of view, every day brings a number of separate feelings, sometimes at one time. Fear of the unknown, worry funds will not come together in time (again), joy for being called to such an amazing opportunity, and awe of all my Savior has done for me. I find myself often going through these emotions in a matter of seconds.  In January, I needed all my outgoing costs covered, as well as enough people committed to monthly donations to cover my monthly expenses. I fell short in both areas. Fear and worry began to dominate my feelings. I began to doubt if I were truly following God's will, or if I chose to follow this path to the Karimojong for me, not for Him.  This past week, God spoke directly to my fears and worries. I received two large financial gifts from people I never met. These people do not know me, but they see the importa

I stood with my church family, as we sang praises to our King. Yet, I struggled through the song. My heart was troubled as I thought of the song I blared through my speakers on my way to church. As I jammed, the words resonated deeply with my attitude for the past few weeks. The chorus simply says, "you wait so long" (over and over). Oh, how I feel I have waited so long for a promise from God to become a reality -- the promise that He will use me as a full time missionary. Now, I am so close to fulfilling this reality, I feel I could reach out and touch it. But I still have this giant, named Finances, blocking my way. My financial deadline is a number of days away, and I feel he is too great to overcome.  Listening to a song about the frustrations of waiting, my heart felt an odd sense of comfort. But with my family, we sang a song completely opposite of the song that brought me comfort. I could not bring myself to sing the words, "I don't mind waiting on you, Lord&