Encouragement

I am overwhelmed with the reactions of people who hear about my heart for missions, and my upcoming opportunity to work with Redeemer House Orphanage. All warm my heart, and fill my soul with joy. Most reactions are filled with squeals of joy, tears, and enormous hugs. I hold them deep in my heart, and I am blessed.
When I first was wrestling with the idea of applying for this position, I took a day trip to my home church in Powell Butte, Oregon. I did not share with many about what I was praying about because I didn't want to make a great big scene, and then not follow through. I hope that church will be behind me through whatever missions I do, but something in me told me to wait to share with everyone. I did share with some, and when I did, each one was ecstatic for me! Each one encouraged me to pursue this route, because if God wants me there He will open the door, and if He doesn't then He will close it, but let Him do it. Their words of encouragement blessed me more than they will know. Many of these people knew me since the sixth grade. They have seen where I came from, and who I have become through Christ. I do not think a group of people know me better than this church. Hearing them say I need to do this, and that I will be good for the part, encouraged me to stand boldly for this position as I sent off the application.
As I share God's movement with my friends and family, I see how much He has blessed me with such an amazing support group. I could never ask for a better family. Through all of my last minute decisions (which are numerous and grand!), they step up to the occasion to help me obtain whatever crazy thing I decide I need to do. When I decided to go to Boise Bible College, and applied at the very last minute, they were there to help me with all I needed. I did not intend for this next mission in my life to be so last minute, but it looks more and more last minute every day. They have been there for me with excitement, prayer, and love. I am blessed with my family, and thank God I am so loved. I have received an incredibly large amount of people in my life that may not be family, but sure do feel like family. These people have blessed me more than anyone. Not because I do not appreciate the love of my family, or my churches, but because idealistically, these people do not need to care so much about me. My family is SUPPOSE to love me, and support me. My church family is SUPPOSE to encourage me in the love of Christ. I know that this world is a broken place, and I am blessed to have these functioning in my life. I do not take that fact for granted. However, my close friends, my BBC professors, my dear ones, they were never created for such support, but they do it anyways. They push me to become all God created me to be. They pray earnestly for me. I am even encouraged by my friends who are not apart of my core group. Like all my friends at Dutch Brothers (Yes. I have friends that make me coffee. That is how we met. They are awesome... and make really good coffee), and guests I have befriended at my work.  Those people I see on a daily basis have gained excitement over my  journey. They celebrate with me, and share my joy. These people have warmed my heart. They have become closer to me as we share this experience together. I praise God He brought them to my life.
I shared with the people of Franklin Community Church. This is a church I try to attend every Sunday. I have attended for about a year and a half. However, it is not the church I serve in. That would be New Heart (we shall get there). The people have made an impact in my life, but I do not think I realized the relationships I had truly built with these people until I shared the news about applying for Redeemer House. Shock and joy filled the sanctuary that Sunday. After the service, I received hugs galore! Their reaction surprised me. Not that I thought they would be unresponsive, but they truly celebrated with me. People I rarely talk to came up to me, and expressed their joy and even said they would probably cry my last service there. God showed me those relationships, and I have been blessed.
Even my coworkers are a huge encouragement to me! It may be a bit of odd encouragement, but still a blessing! For the most part, they are excited. Not like my friends, but they like hearing about the process... or maybe it is just me being too excited. Megan always calls me rude when I talk about leaving. When she says that, Derrick will usually say, "Dude! She is going to AFRICA, not on a vacation! She will be living way worse than we are!!" Even though this statement points out how hard life is in Africa, my heart smiles. I am reminded of how much my Savior gave for me. I am humbled to be able to give up this comfortable American lifestyle in order to serve The One who gave it all. Paula tried to talk me out of it. Once again, it may seem like a weird encouragement, but her arguments were exactly why I want to go. She said it is dangerous, and stupid for myself. It reminded that I am not here for myself. I am turning my own desires down to bring the love of Christ to the children of Uganda. Blessed.
My precious church New Heart has been a huge part of my life the past three years. I have grown to love this church more than I ever thought I could love a group of people! They teach me about Christ everyday. When I shared my testimony about applying and interviewing for this position, joy filled their faces, and I know they will be apart of this journey. However, the biggest encouragement from anyone at this point came from Mama Pupendo (I guessed at the spelling of her name...). She came to me after a prayer service, asking me to bring a letter to her husband. He is currently living in Uganda. She said she would give me the address, if I would promise to give it to him. She grasped my hand with an intensity I have never experience, and spoke with a glimmer of hope as I made this promise. Now, I have no clue how this will happen. But I serve a great God, and if He called me to Uganda only to bring hope to one woman I know now, then I must obey. I pray now that God will make this happen. I was so moved by that glimmer of hope in her eyes when I continually reminded her I would bring him the letter.
These are the people I have been encouraged by! They will forever be in my heart, and I pray that God will bring them the same blessing.