Stepping Out

Stepping Out-

We have an opportunity to go into another part of the world and simply be. We are not going to save, or build or provide a service. We are going to connect, to lean in and love. This fall we are preparing our family to travel half way across the world to visit and share with group of people who struggle to find themselves worthy of love. They are the poor in spirit because they do not see themselves worthy of God and certainly not Jesus. They are a forsaken people who have cut the rope between themselves and their creator. They are destitute.  They are needy. They are hungry. We are going willing. Willing to say here I am Lord- use me, shape me and change me in the process.

We will go with only our stories of WHO Jesus is and what He has done in our lives. We go prepared with our testimonies and wait for God to give us opportunities to share who he is with those who desperately need him. In this process we learn some language to connect and to say, "I care" and "I'm trying." To say, You are worth the effort. For them to recognize that God Himself loves them and has sent them someone to say the words.

This trip is what some would call a vision trip. Going and asking the Lord to make it clear whether he wants to use our family full time in Africa. We have the desire to connect with those he has called us to take His truth to. You may say that that sounds super spiritual, but in reality it's just being willing to love and accept others and be present with them where they are at. And in the midst knowing God will show up- He will give you opportunities to share who he is and what He has done. We are looking at this as an invitation for an adventure with the Lord. We know it will be hard. We know there will be challenges, and know we will hurt one another in the process-and then forgive. In this we have an opportunity to grow.

Jeff has been three times and I (Mandy) have been twice, but for the boys it will be their first time. We will have an opportunity to take them to meet and share with the same people group we have come to love. This will give us a chance to see how the Lord wants to use us as a family in Africa. For this, I am excited. I believe the Lord will use this time to grow us all.

It's a privilege to go. To be the hands and feet. To face the challenge to walk with the Lord because there will be moments where we ask "why did I come" or "Why did the Lord send me?" -even in moments like these there is opportunity. It's an opportunity to remember how God has led us and is leading us. That he is with us even in the uncertainty and shock of change. We are stepping forward into this.

Will you pray for us? Will you follow our family through this adventure and be apart of it with us. We need others to walk with us through all of this, to be our support and care for the process we are walking into. If you would like to be involved in this adventure- follow this blog and drop me a note. We would love to involve you with info and prayer requests as we step out.