Answered prayers!

Thank you so much for your prayers over "The Journey Deepens" weekend retreat. I could not possibly put into words how amazing it truly was. I feel so encouraged, inspired, challenged, and renewed in the Lord. I made new precious friends who I hope will be a part of my life for a long time to come. It was incredible to be surrounded by people seeking hard after God's heart and sharing a passion to see His name made great among all people in the world. We were able to pray for each other, spur each other on, and pray together for all the unreached and hurting people around the world. We spent powerful time worshipping the Lord and being humbled in His presence. In addition to all that, we were given quiet, alone time with the Lord to just be silent and process what He was showing us and allowing Him to speak new things into our lives. The final activity was quite difficult, but extremely powerful for me. We were told to write down on a small piece of paper things that were holding us back and things we needed to sacrifice to the Lord. We were given a nail and told to hammer those papers in the shape of a cross on an old wooden door. What a freeing, symbolic, and powerful experience this was. I walked away feeling lighter and experiencing such freedom!

Thank you so much for your prayers this weekend. I ask now for your prayers for God to continue the work He began in my life this weekend and to keep me strong in Him, knowing I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me! I am praying for dilligence and faithfulness in fulfilling the commitments and goals I made this weekend, and I am praying for all my new friends who are still unsure of exactly where God is calling them, but continue to have a strong desire to serve Him in missions. I so appreciate your partnership in prayer...so much more than you know!

Weekend prayer request

This weekend (October 25-27) I will be attending "The Journey Deepens," a weekend retreat/conference in Atlanta for those preparing to be missionaries. There will be about forty of us there this weekend who are seeking God's preparation before entering into full-time missions. We will meet in large group and will also divide into smaller groups that are led by a missionary mentor, someone who has already served in missions and can offer invaluable advice and encouragement, as well as answering any questions we may have.

As I prepare to go, I would love to ask for your partnership in the following things:

- Pray for the prospective missionaries coming to connect with the Lord, experienced missionaries, and each other
- Pray for clear minds, open hearts, and physical health and endurance of each participant
- Pray for safe travel for all involved
- Pray for wisdom, grace, and patience for the speakers and staff
- Ask the Lord of the Harvest to send forth workers into His harvest fields

I can't wait to post some amazing praise reports of what God did within me during the weekend. Thank you in advance for your much-appreciated prayers!

Here is a link to a short video showing clips from past retreats:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwwEgs13-SU
Here is the website if you are interested in learning more about the weekend: www.thejourneydeepens.com

October 17th Update

Wow, my friends. God is just overwhelming me with His love and provision right now. He absolutely never ceases to amaze me. I feel my heart just overflowing and can't seem to offer up enough "thank-yous"!
I had such a wonderful time in Maryland and D.C. last week. I was amazed with all the beautiful trees and such great history! I was also tremendously blessed during my time on the airplanes. I met a couple of very interesting women, one who was a Christian from India who shared with me how God is moving powerfully there, and another who is actively involved with missions at her church and has adult children who are pursuing or are already living lives of serving God as missionaries overseas. I enjoyed both conversations so much and feel a renewed excitement to experience just a little of what Jesus is doing in another part of the world.
I found out more about what my duties will be as a boarding mom while in Botswana. I will be in charge of sixteen girls, all between the ages of 14 and 17, and will basically be in charge of making sure they make their beds, keep up with their studies, get to bed on time, etc. I see it as an incredible privilege to have the opportunity to build relationships with young ladies of this age, and I pray that He is able to use me in a powerful way to love on them and disciple them in the Lord.

God is teaching me so much about Himself and I just love my time in His Word. It seems that every time I open it, He has a new gem to show me. I feel His Presence with me so strongly right now. Thank you for your prayers, as I know so much of my joy and strength is coming through them. I hope and pray that you, also, are experiencing the incredible love of Christ that He so generously offers to each of us.


Here is a link to all of the latest updates from Love Botswana Outreach Mission: http://www.lovebotswana.org/fieldnews/currentfieldnews.html#4

October 9th Update

I have just returned from a wonderful vacation with my mom to South Carolina and Georgia to visit my brother and see that beautiful part of the country. I loved it! There is such amazing history there! I am now on my way to Maryland to visit more family and experience more history! I'm so thankful for this time the Lord has provided for me to travel and spend a bit more time with family before leaving.


Time continues to tick away, doesn't it? I have enjoyed this transition time and see how needed it really is. Like so many of us here in America, I have long been caught up in the "rat race" of life and its face-paced schedule. Things in Botswana are just not like that. I feel like God is providing these few months for me to slow down, appreciate each moment, and just enjoy His Presence, which will also help prepare me for the lifestyle shift when I move to Botswana. My life these days is mostly filled with Bible study, reading spiritual books, spending time with friends or in church, or just being still before the Lord. What a difference from where I was a few months ago! I pray to continue to be molded and prepared for the amazing life of service He has prepared for me in Africa.



Thank you for your prayers. God has been answering! My prayer today is that I would be a sponge, soaking up everything God has to show me. Also, that I would be recklessly abandoned to Him and the leading of the Holy Spirit. My I decrease as He increases in my life. (John 3:30)