What I Expect



My best friend. :)



And me. :)



"The world is a dangerous place, but not because of those who do evil, but because of those who see evil and do nothing."

I can officially start blogging about my trip to Africa! I'm SO excited. Excited isn't even a grand enough word for it! Also, my friend Sara will be going with me! If you're reading this, I ask that you lift BOTH of us up in prayer, it's going to be one heck of a year!

I think my main point this morning as I'm typing is that I've heard a lot about "growing where you're planted." Which is great! What I mean is, the main thought/facial expresssion I've received when I say something like, "I'm going to Africa!" is either, "Why?" or "There's plenty to be done right here in the US." Both GREAT thoughts, and I look forward to answering more just like that. :) Here's one answer I've given and wanted to share:

I believe in the power of story-telling. Yes, story-telling. Like parents do for their children late at night, or the storyline of a movie. I believe in the power of relaying a message with visuals, with "characters." Jesus did too. He used COUNTLESS parables throughout the New Testament to enlighten the men of His day. Those "stories" stuck with them to the point where the "hidden truth" among them was a daily lesson to be learned. 

Now, I'm a STRONG missionary for the area of Midwest City, Oklahoma, USA. My heart breaks DAILY for the people I interact with and the choices that come before me each week. But who's to say I should've do both, if I can? Some would say what "dent" can you make in the orphan crisis in two short weeks, what are you possibly expecting to "get out of this." And that's where the shock comes in:

 I'm expecting EVERYTHING out of this. Before you say, "HOW SELFISH!" Hear me out:

Jim Elliot (an amazing man of God, google him if you want!) used to say something like, "The world has yet to see what God can do to a man, through a man, and for a man, who's completely sold out to Him." (Insert your name.)

I think it's a Tenth Avenue North song, but the lyric goes, "At first I was afraid, but not because of fear. I was afraid because the Holy of holies was inviting me near. " The God of ALL creation has invited me on a spiritual journey and He promised He'd never leave me. That's all I need to know. And guess what? Two of us agree! (see the promise of Matthew 18:19)

What do I expect to "get out of this trip," then? Everything. I expect to never be the same, I expect to leave a piece of myself there, (emotionally and physically, ha!) I expect to change the lives of the people around me while I'm there. And more than that, I expect to get a story or two. Or two hundred. :) A story that when I come back to my mission field of MDUB, people can't help but hear it and be changed. FOREVER. I'm living proof that a "story" about what God is doing in the lives of His people is all it takes to change someone. ANYONE.



TFS & JAS

I'm praying for a new story for my own life, and for yours. And I'm so thankful to the One who's writing mine daily.

"...he who has ears let him listen..." -Jesus.

REDEEMED, JAS. :)

P.S. Happy Birthday to Jimmie Tribble. The godliest man I know, and have ever known. He was CRUCIAL to my salvation, and for that, I'm forever grateful. LOVE HIM!