As I prepare for the semester ahead, I am reminded that I carry on the legacy of my mom, who also did mission work in Africa while in college. I look forward to our visit to Victoria Falls, a place where she visited about 25 years ago.
What can I say about God's timing in bringing me to this place at this time? In a time in which the American economy is in shambles, when we are transitioning to a new presidency, and the future is unclear, I just might get to enjoy a simpler life. I look forward to Zambia as a place where things will be put into perspective. It's where relationships matter, not just tasks and transactions. It's where I get to practice my faith in a more real way, giving of myself to the poor and being an agent of hope and restoration to a people worn down by poverty, hunger and AIDS.
1 John 4:12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us.
Hmmmm... I think I'm excited the most about building relationships with the people of Zambia. Honestly, I feel a little selfish about going over there. It seems like we're not really going to help people, but more to learn from them. I mean we want to help them, but we are definitely more focused on partnership and servanthood than anything else. We want to serve, love, and fellowship with the people there.
We humbly ask you to take our trip into your hands LORD. We love you.
1 John 3:16-18 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
p.s. The only thing that kinda sorta scares me is snakes, but I know God and G$ will protect us.
I am really looking forward to going to Zambia for several reasons. First, the only foreign country I have been to is Canada. So I have never been able to experience a large difference in cultures, and I really want to be able learn about different countries by living and working in them. Second, I can't wait to see the Nature and the land in a country that is largly untouched by other people. I keep thinking about being able to see the night sky away from the lights of the city. And the last thing is, I want to be able to experience life with God away from all of the distractions that we have in everyday life here in the United States. there are so many things that distract me that I want to be able to learn from the people of Zambia how they worship God. I hope to make friendships with the other people going on this trip with me and also with all of the people that I will meet in Zambia. I have never flown on a commercial airlines before so this will be a new experience for me and is a source of one of my main fears. I pray that God would show himself to me during this trip and that I would open up my heart and mind to listen to him
I can heardly contain my emotions as I prepare to leave tomorrow morning. God has been preparing me for Africa for almost two years. This is actually the third trip that I've attempted to Africa. God has been so faithful in fulfilling this dream of mine. I expect to see his faithfulness carried out in ways I've never imagined while we are in Zambia. I feel that God is going to transform me into more of the woman He's created me to be. I never realized how much support and love I have surrounding me until this trip. I will miss those left behind greatly, but I know that I am dancing in the center of God's will by going to Zambia. I'm feeling overwhelmed, though, with excitement, fear, happiness and sadness, all at the same time. I just can't wait until we set foot on that soil in just a few short days.
It is hard to believe it is time for us to leave. I believe with all my heart that God has asked me to go on this trip, but as time draws near to say goodbye to my family it becomes more real that sacrifice is also a part of the adventure. I will miss my husband, my best friend. I pray that God will use this time apart to teach us a higher level of dependence on God alone. I am also praying that God will grant us favor with the people of Zambia, that we can serve them exactly the way God has designed. I have a feeling that as much preparation as we have had for this trip, that we have no idea what God has in store. That is the great adventure. I can't wait.
In some ways this whole experience seems surreal. To imagine that we will be on an airplane in less than 24 hours, heading to Africa for three months is remarkable and exciting. I am particuarly excited about the students that God has directed to this venture and look forward to working and learning along side them in the coming months. We will all grow and change into different people as a result of this experience.
My greatest fear is my tendency to want to create structure and order at the expense of missing wonderful opportunities for building relationships with these students and the people of Zambia. I am also reminded, however, of what we can learn from Ephesians 3:20 (thanks to a reminder from my good friend Ron Mazellan): "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."
God is in control of this adventure. May he use us to do more than we could ever imagine!
This trip was not my idea at all. I remember the day I got a random e-mail from my advisor telling me about this incredible opportunity to go to Africa as a Student Coordinator this Spring. I didn't know what to think. I forwarded my mom the e-mail and got a call from her minutes later saying, "you have to go!" With all the ups and downs this summer and early fall, not knowing if this was going to be a reality, I trusted that God knew all along. It was wonderful hearing the news that yes, they were taking me along and allowing me to share in this wonderful adventure with all of the students. There is a great responsibility for me here, now being a staff member instead of a student, and I am so ready and excited about not only ministering to those in Africa, but also to these amazing 13 students that I get to work with. God is incredible and I thank him for taking two of my wonderful passions and mixing them together in this trip for me. I appreciate all of your prayers and encouragement. You guys at home are the brave ones for letting us travel all around the world.
Did you know there are about 300 verses in the bible regarding the poor and oppressed. I believe and others do too that this reveals that God has a true heart for the poor and so should we. From American Standards I come from a very low Social Economic background. It still isn't real to me that I have been blessed to receive a college education.So in a wierd way I know what its like to be "poor" but be so extraordinarily blessed. From my education in Social Work I know poverty in Africa is completely different and is absolute. It is so bizarre that I am recieving the opportunity to study abroad in Africa! I have never gone out of Country or flown in an airplane. Yikes! I am nervous, scared, but happy.This is a very surreal time.In a nutshell I truely hope to learn from and serve the Zambians. Your friend, Charlotte Ann Barrett ps sorry for the anonymous it was the easiest for now.
I am in the middle of a lot of feelings and thoughts…all I can think about is how this is actually happening and that I get to be apart of it.
Overall I guess I’m humbled.
The first Christian song I ever fell in love with was by DC Talk and titled “What if I stumble what if I fall” the verse ends by saying “will I make fools of us All.” That spoke right to my heart back in middle school and has resurfaced in light of my trip to Zambia. I have been dealing with feelings and fears of inadequacy. These past few weeks I ran into a couple of friends I have not seen in a long time and through them I have been reminded of how far God has taken me from a life of destruction to an opportunity rich with blessings and understanding with others in Christ.
Besides the fact it took me about 15 minutes to find the "post a comment" button on this blog, preparing for Zambia has been a relatively easy process. I am amazed by the many ways God has provided for and guided me throughout these past few months. He has blessed me in many ways, and I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to go to Zambia.
One of the biggest blessings He has bestowed upon me is the other members of the Zambia team. Although I've only been with them a few days, I already love them. They are all kind-hearted, talented, and funny. I can't wait to get to know them better.
Another blessing is the fact my suitcase is finally packed! While this might seem arbitrary, I need to inform you all that I am a terrible, terrible packer. My friends back home like to call me an "over-packer;" I prefer to use the term "over-prepared." It sounds more heroic. Either way, my friends were able to confiscate the unnecessary items that they knew I would never need and get both of my bags down to 47 lbs. :)
I am still a little nervous about saying goodbye to my family and IWU friends, and I am praying that the motion-sickness medicine works wonders. It's hard to believe I'm leaving tomorrow, but I'm excited for the adventure ahead.
Ease the pounding of my heart by quieting my mind. Steady my hurried pace. Give me, in the confusion of my day, the calmness of the everlasting hills. Break the tension of my nerves and muscles. Help me to know the magical, restoring power of sleep.
Teach me to take minute vacations by slowing down to look at a flower, a cloud, to chat with a friend, to pat a dog, to read a few lines from a good book. Remind me that the race is not always to the swift, that there is more to life than increasing speed.
Let me look upward into the branches of the towering oak and know that it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well.
Lord, slow me down. Inspire me to send my roots deep into the soil of life's enduring values that I may grow toward the stars of my great destiny.
We were so glad to see your team made it there safe and sound :) We are excited to hear how God will be using this group from IWU! Know that you are in our prayers constantly...Leah you had to know I would be one of the first to post...I check often to see if there are any updates! LOVE YOU!!
IWU Zambia team, we are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. You will be missed, but you are going to be practicing and showing God's Love in ways that we back in the states can only imagine. You are soldiers, marching out to war. You are fighting the eternal battle that we each fight within ourselves on a much broader spectrum. We pray for your safety, security, and especially for a grand impact more profound than any of us could possibly imagine. Go out and spread the Love of Christ our Savior!
Heavenly father, we pray for each and every student, faculty member, and individual playing a key role in making IWU Zambia happen. We pray that your hand will be upon each and every one of them as they live through example in the country of Zambia. Guide and direct their actions and tongues as they spread the knowledge of your Love to the corners of Your Earth. We especially pray for the people of Zambia, and that they would be open and accepting to the Great News you have to offer them. We pray that it would not be them speaking and interacting with the people, but that You would work through them as they go. With this, we ask you to give those traveling to Zambia the strength to make Your word their focus as they share You with the people of this nation. We pray that you would hold each and every person involved in this mission, and that You would keep them within the shadow of Your wing. We pray this today, in Your Almighty name.
Amen.
May God Bless and keep you through this expedition. Always remember, your friends and family back in the states are praying for you at all times!
13 comments:
As I prepare for the semester ahead, I am reminded that I carry on the legacy of my mom, who also did mission work in Africa while in college. I look forward to our visit to Victoria Falls, a place where she visited about 25 years ago.
What can I say about God's timing in bringing me to this place at this time? In a time in which the American economy is in shambles, when we are transitioning to a new presidency, and the future is unclear, I just might get to enjoy a simpler life. I look forward to Zambia as a place where things will be put into perspective. It's where relationships matter, not just tasks and transactions. It's where I get to practice my faith in a more real way, giving of myself to the poor and being an agent of hope and restoration to a people worn down by poverty, hunger and AIDS.
1 John 4:12
No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us.
So throw away the textbooks and let me love!
Hmmmm... I think I'm excited the most about building relationships with the people of Zambia. Honestly, I feel a little selfish about going over there. It seems like we're not really going to help people, but more to learn from them. I mean we want to help them, but we are definitely more focused on partnership and servanthood than anything else. We want to serve, love, and fellowship with the people there.
We humbly ask you to take our trip into your hands LORD. We love you.
1 John 3:16-18
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
p.s. The only thing that kinda sorta scares me is snakes, but I know God and G$ will protect us.
I am really looking forward to going to Zambia for several reasons. First, the only foreign country I have been to is Canada. So I have never been able to experience a large difference in cultures, and I really want to be able learn about different countries by living and working in them. Second, I can't wait to see the Nature and the land in a country that is largly untouched by other people. I keep thinking about being able to see the night sky away from the lights of the city. And the last thing is, I want to be able to experience life with God away from all of the distractions that we have in everyday life here in the United States. there are so many things that distract me that I want to be able to learn from the people of Zambia how they worship God.
I hope to make friendships with the other people going on this trip with me and also with all of the people that I will meet in Zambia.
I have never flown on a commercial airlines before so this will be a new experience for me and is a source of one of my main fears.
I pray that God would show himself to me during this trip and that I would open up my heart and mind to listen to him
I can heardly contain my emotions as I prepare to leave tomorrow morning. God has been preparing me for Africa for almost two years. This is actually the third trip that I've attempted to Africa. God has been so faithful in fulfilling this dream of mine. I expect to see his faithfulness carried out in ways I've never imagined while we are in Zambia. I feel that God is going to transform me into more of the woman He's created me to be. I never realized how much support and love I have surrounding me until this trip. I will miss those left behind greatly, but I know that I am dancing in the center of God's will by going to Zambia. I'm feeling overwhelmed, though, with excitement, fear, happiness and sadness, all at the same time. I just can't wait until we set foot on that soil in just a few short days.
It is hard to believe it is time for us to leave. I believe with all my heart that God has asked me to go on this trip, but as time draws near to say goodbye to my family it becomes more real that sacrifice is also a part of the adventure. I will miss my husband, my best friend. I pray that God will use this time apart to teach us a higher level of dependence on God alone. I am also praying that God will grant us favor with the people of Zambia, that we can serve them exactly the way God has designed. I have a feeling that as much preparation as we have had for this trip, that we have no idea what God has in store. That is the great adventure. I can't wait.
In some ways this whole experience seems surreal. To imagine that we will be on an airplane in less than 24 hours, heading to Africa for three months is remarkable and exciting. I am particuarly excited about the students that God has directed to this venture and look forward to working and learning along side them in the coming months. We will all grow and change into different people as a result of this experience.
My greatest fear is my tendency to want to create structure and order at the expense of missing wonderful opportunities for building relationships with these students and the people of Zambia. I am also reminded, however, of what we can learn from Ephesians 3:20 (thanks to a reminder from my good friend Ron Mazellan): "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."
God is in control of this adventure. May he use us to do more than we could ever imagine!
This trip was not my idea at all. I remember the day I got a random e-mail from my advisor telling me about this incredible opportunity to go to Africa as a Student Coordinator this Spring. I didn't know what to think. I forwarded my mom the e-mail and got a call from her minutes later saying, "you have to go!" With all the ups and downs this summer and early fall, not knowing if this was going to be a reality, I trusted that God knew all along. It was wonderful hearing the news that yes, they were taking me along and allowing me to share in this wonderful adventure with all of the students. There is a great responsibility for me here, now being a staff member instead of a student, and I am so ready and excited about not only ministering to those in Africa, but also to these amazing 13 students that I get to work with. God is incredible and I thank him for taking two of my wonderful passions and mixing them together in this trip for me. I appreciate all of your prayers and encouragement. You guys at home are the brave ones for letting us travel all around the world.
Did you know there are about 300 verses in the bible regarding the poor and oppressed. I believe and others do too that this reveals that God has a true heart for the poor and so should we. From American Standards I come from a very low Social Economic background. It still isn't real to me that I have been blessed to receive a college education.So in a wierd way I know what its like to be "poor" but be so extraordinarily blessed. From my education in Social Work I know poverty in Africa is completely different and is absolute. It is so bizarre that I am recieving the opportunity to study abroad in Africa! I have never gone out of Country or flown in an airplane. Yikes! I am nervous, scared, but happy.This is a very surreal time.In a nutshell I truely hope to learn from and serve the Zambians.
Your friend,
Charlotte Ann Barrett
ps sorry for the anonymous it was the easiest for now.
I am in the middle of a lot of feelings and thoughts…all I can think about is how this is actually happening and that I get to be apart of it.
Overall I guess I’m humbled.
The first Christian song I ever fell in love with was by DC Talk and titled “What if I stumble what if I fall” the verse ends by saying “will I make fools of us All.” That spoke right to my heart back in middle school and has resurfaced in light of my trip to Zambia. I have been dealing with feelings and fears of inadequacy. These past few weeks I ran into a couple of friends I have not seen in a long time and through them I have been reminded of how far God has taken me from a life of destruction to an opportunity rich with blessings and understanding with others in Christ.
In Him,
Audrey
Dear Readers:
Besides the fact it took me about 15 minutes to find the "post a comment" button on this blog, preparing for Zambia has been a relatively easy process. I am amazed by the many ways God has provided for and guided me throughout these past few months. He has blessed me in many ways, and I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to go to Zambia.
One of the biggest blessings He has bestowed upon me is the other members of the Zambia team. Although I've only been with them a few days, I already love them. They are all kind-hearted, talented, and funny. I can't wait to get to know them better.
Another blessing is the fact my suitcase is finally packed! While this might seem arbitrary, I need to inform you all that I am a terrible, terrible packer. My friends back home like to call me an "over-packer;" I prefer to use the term "over-prepared." It sounds more heroic. Either way, my friends were able to confiscate the unnecessary items that they knew I would never need and get both of my bags down to 47 lbs. :)
I am still a little nervous about saying goodbye to my family and IWU friends, and I am praying that the motion-sickness medicine works wonders. It's hard to believe I'm leaving tomorrow, but I'm excited for the adventure ahead.
Talk to you all again soon.
Love,
Lindsay
"Slow Me Down, Lord"
by Wilferd A. Peterson
Ease the pounding of my heart by quieting my mind. Steady my hurried pace. Give me, in the confusion of my day, the calmness of the everlasting hills. Break the tension of my nerves and muscles. Help me to know the magical, restoring power of sleep.
Teach me to take minute vacations by slowing down to look at a flower, a cloud, to chat with a friend, to pat a dog, to read a few lines from a good book. Remind me that the race is not always to the swift, that there is more to life than increasing speed.
Let me look upward into the branches of the towering oak and know that it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well.
Lord, slow me down. Inspire me to send my roots deep into the soil of life's enduring values that I may grow toward the stars of my great destiny.
We were so glad to see your team made it there safe and sound :) We are excited to hear how God will be using this group from IWU! Know that you are in our prayers constantly...Leah you had to know I would be one of the first to post...I check often to see if there are any updates! LOVE YOU!!
IWU Zambia team, we are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. You will be missed, but you are going to be practicing and showing God's Love in ways that we back in the states can only imagine. You are soldiers, marching out to war. You are fighting the eternal battle that we each fight within ourselves on a much broader spectrum. We pray for your safety, security, and especially for a grand impact more profound than any of us could possibly imagine. Go out and spread the Love of Christ our Savior!
Heavenly father, we pray for each and every student, faculty member, and individual playing a key role in making IWU Zambia happen. We pray that your hand will be upon each and every one of them as they live through example in the country of Zambia. Guide and direct their actions and tongues as they spread the knowledge of your Love to the corners of Your Earth. We especially pray for the people of Zambia, and that they would be open and accepting to the Great News you have to offer them. We pray that it would not be them speaking and interacting with the people, but that You would work through them as they go. With this, we ask you to give those traveling to Zambia the strength to make Your word their focus as they share You with the people of this nation. We pray that you would hold each and every person involved in this mission, and that You would keep them within the shadow of Your wing. We pray this today, in Your Almighty name.
Amen.
May God Bless and keep you through this expedition. Always remember, your friends and family back in the states are praying for you at all times!
Students of IWU
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