It's Been A Year... Now What?

What a crazy year! I never would have guessed that my year back in America would be crazier than my year in Africa, but alas, God moved mountains and worked through many situations that reveal what His will is in my life. Yet the biggest question I am asked, "When are you going back to Africa?" Well, I may finally have answers to that question.

At the end of October, I traveled to Richmond Virginia to attend the International Conference on Missions (ICOM). My intention was networking, and network I did! If you have never been to ICOM, it is an experience you must try if you are even slightly interested in what God is doing around the world. Speakers from all around the world come and share about their ministry. Workshops are set up for different ministry strategies or on mission topics. My favorite aspect of ICOM are the booths of ministries from all around the globe. I love wandering for hours, meeting different missionaries and hearing their stories. I am always encouraged. This year, I spent most of my time in the exhibit hall, talking to ministries. 

As I wandered the booths, I came to Africa Inland Mission(AIM), a ministry I am somewhat familiar with through my friend Laurie in Uganda. I struck up a conversation with the man at the booth named Brian. I explained that I lived in Uganda, and could not wait to go back. "What exactly do you want to do?" Always a dreaded question.

"Exactly is a big word," I replied, "I want to work with kids. I have a big heart for orphan prevention and keeping children in their families." We talked briefly about an possible opportunity through AIM, and I filled out a card requesting more information. I had a friend with me, and Brian began to speak with her about missions. She asked what he did in Africa, and he said, "We [his wife and him] taught in the public schools. We would invite our students over after school for study sessions and Bible studies, and it opened up the doors for us to be invited into their homes." They continued to talk about his experience, and I could not help but listen in. "Well Mary," Brian then returned to me, "Is there anything else you want me to look into for you?"

"Well, I am actually a preschool teacher. So the teaching thing you were talking about is completely up my alley! I love teaching!" This jump started an hour long conversation, which led to Brian sending me the AIM pre application. I walked away feeling so confident that God brought me to ICOM for such a connection. I even went back to spend more time at the booth the next day, where I met more people, and grew in appreciation for this ministry. I went home feeling confident, and grew in excitement as I spoke to loved ones of such an opportunity.

After the pre application, I spoke with a representative. We spoke of my heart for children. I explained to him how God placed "you are not a victim of your circumstances" on my heart, and how I long for children to understand this truth, as they grasp the love of God for them. He asked me when I saw myself in Africa. Was tomorrow an appropriate answer? "Ideally, I would love to be there in a year or so," I said, "but I don't know how realistic that is."

"That is a totally feasible goal for us to work with." And my heart leaped for joy. As we continued our conversation, he told me of a number of opportunities, but one stuck out more than the rest. A team was headed out in January 2017 to the Karamojong people in Uganda. This is a people group I heard about when I was fourteen, and felt connected to from that moment on. I knew a few Karamojong while in Uganda. They are an unreached people with less than 2% accepting Christ as their Savior. They are the lowest of the low in Uganda culture, and some think they are not worth sharing the gospel with, which breaks my heart as I long to reach them. As it turned out, the team leaders, who are currently living among the Karajogong, but were home on furlough, which meant I had the opportunity to talk with them.

I asked them what opportunities were for children's ministry, after all, that is really all I care about for personal interest. "It is pretty much wide open. Whatever you would want to do, there is opportunity for and we could make work," which led to a mini brain storming session. "You know what you could do," he said, "you should work along the local churches and start children's ministries where you could disciple kids every day. That will then draw the parents in and plug them into the already existing adult ministries!"

"You have no idea how that resonates with my heart, and how much I wish I could just do that right now!" We talked a bit longer, and then the conversation ended, but my heart exploded with possibilities.

So now what? Well, I am still in the realm of possibilities. I am filling out my application. Does this mean I will work in the Karamoja area, starting children's ministries? I don't know. But God is working. I would love to work in Karamoja, but I believe God has the perfect place for me, where my talents and passions are used to best glorify God. But my life is in a forward motion, and God is moving. I look forward to the ride I am about to embark.

Please join me in prayer, and I look forward to updating you soon.