Sunday, February 27, 2011

News and Other Happenings

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.  I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. I Corinthians 9:19, 22-23.

So what's happening with me? A great deal. Well, I am going to Kenya. I will be gone this summer for a short-term missions trip. I have seen God's faithfulness in so many things- team members, finances, and prayer partners. Earlier, I wondered which trip to take- one to French-speaking Africa or this trip to Kenya.  God showed me His direction through His provision.

God wastes nothing. When I was getting my doctorate, I received a concentration in African Studies from Northwestern University, but I have never been to the continent. Go figure! Now, I can use all that study and preparation to a blessing to Africa. Even my trip to Brazil was an important stepping stone in this venture: I relearned how to work with team members,  how to come under authority to those in leadership, how to lean on the Holy Spirit's guidance, and even how to live on the field with severe anemia and digestive issues - eating beans and rice and eggs every day.

Our ministry team of 15-20 members will evangelize from house to house (hut to hut), participating in crusades at the new church plant in a small village, nine kilometers north of Kitale, in the western Kenyan highlands, and ministering at several schools and prisons.

I step out in faith, excited to see God’s provision in allowing me to be part of His work in Kenya, Africa . Please pray for peace to continue in Kenya , our safety as the team travels to Africa , and for our days in the field.  I see this summer trip to Africa as another step in God’s unfolding plan leading me to full-time ministrt.

"For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I  have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die." Philippians 2:20

Signing off (definitely, with more to come),
M.J.

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