Guess what. I’m not in Africa any more.

Take off has occurred, and I am somewhere over the Mediterranean Sea.  I have just left the airspace over Africa.

Honestly, I wasn’t prepared for this- leaving, that is.  Dawn kept asking me how I was doing over the last couple of days as we prepared to start our journey home, and my answer was always, “Fine. I am excited about whatever God has next for me.”

I am not fine.  I don’t understand it, but I have just left behind part of my heart and I am very sad.  I have waited 30 years to come to this place as a missionary, and now after 3 short weeks I must leave it behind.  Isn’t it just land, dirt, dessert…and souls…

Oh, the sweet people.  I feel like I have just been torn away from part of my family.  Pastors Peter and Carol, my new brother and sister, and the sweet intercessor ladies Mary, Esther, Jane, and Elizabeth saw us off at the airport.  They have prayed for me for three years, long before I ever met them, and I know they are praying for me now.  Elizabeth wrapped her shawl around me before I walked through security at the airport sending me home with Africa wrapped around me and what feels like her mantle of prayer.  Oh!  I love you, girls, and Peter, too!!  I’ll be back soon.  How awesome is God to allow us to meet part of our spiritual relatives that live a world away?  Tell me.  How much must He love me to introduce me to these wonderful believers? These people who love Him, and want more than anything, and I mean MORE than anything, to see lost souls saved and believers to love God more.  Thank you, Jesus!  You are so great!  You are so great to me!



Me and Pastor Carol

Oh, the sweet children.  I can’t stop thinking about those precious babies that live in the Mathare Junction.  “How are you?  How are you?” (Imagine hearing this in sing-song fashion, sounding like little Asian children.  Hilarious!)  It’s still ringing in my ears.  I see their hungry eyes and their curious smiles.  I feel their grasping touch, their longing for love and attention.  And I can see the precious little ones at the orphanage.  They make my heart happy.  They have been plucked from a desperate situation and are now being cared for and are learning about the love of Jesus with a bright and hopeful future.  God has BIG plans for that generation, BIG plans! His love reaches all the way to them, and He has made a way for them to know Him. I’ll be back soon, little children! 

Children at the orphanage

Praying with the children at the orphange

Dawn with children in Mathare slum

Amanda with children in Mathare slum

Oh, African church- sweet, seasoned worshippers and new believers.  I had such a wonderful time worshipping and ministering with you!  These are a hungry and believing people.  They worship fervently, pray fervently, and serve fervently.  They persevere through trials, and they are mighty warriors in spiritual battles.  Thank you for welcoming me into the fray with you, for allowing me to fight side by side with you.  I’ll be back!  But until then, I will be fighting with you from over the seas with my prayer and worship.

Women from Pastor Carol's church worshipping at the crusade

A wise woman once told me not to put my heart where it doesn’t belong.  So, I evaluate now if it was wise to take my heart, so vulnerable and tender, to a place like Africa.  A place so in need of Christ, a place where believers are so hungry to please God, a place with so much hurt, a place in need of so much love.  And I have found, and fully believe that God brought my heart here long before I arrived.  Isaiah 49:1-2, 5-6   Listen to me, distant nations, you people who live far away!  Before I was born, the Lord chose me and appointed me to be his servant.  He made my words as sharp as a sword.  With His own hand He protected me.  He made me like an arrow, sharp and ready for use.  Before I was born, the Lord appointed me: he made me his servant to bring back his people, to bring back the scattered people of Israel.  The Lord gives me honor: He is the source of my strength.  The Lord said to me, “I have a greater task for you, my servant.  Not only will you restore to greatness the people of Israel who have survived, but I will also make you a light to the nations- so that all the world may be saved.”  I am holding tight to this scripture, and as I meditate on it, I see more and more of God’s plan for me unfolding, and the view from here is amazing!

Oh, Africa, I miss you so much already!

Sweet family in America, I need your grace.  I don’t fully understand all this that I am feeling, and I am still waiting on God to reveal the next part of His plan.  I do know that I need you- I need you to hold me up and support me as I seek God and as I process all of these emotions and feelings.  You have helped to bring me to this place, you have helped to form who I am.  I draw strength from you, and courage from you, I draw resources and power from you.  I need you.  I love you!  My love for Africa and my desire to walk into my destiny in no way diminishes my love for you.  I love you!

These next few days will be nice.  I don’t go back to work until Monday, and I hope to send time downloading my thoughts and emotions.  I hope to be able to post some more specifics for you on how we distributed the resources that you all contributed for the trip- the monetary gifts as well as the toiletry and children’s items you gave.  One thing is for sure, mine and Dawn’s load is MUCH lighter on our journey home than it was on our way to Africa!  We took 300 pounds of lotion, soap, deodorant, coloring books, crayons, flip flops, hand sanitizer, clothes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and candy.  All of this filled 6 duffle bags (50 pounds each)!!!  And we are returning with only a few souvenirs and gifts, our bibles, computers, cameras and a few personal items.  Everything else stayed behind to bless Pastor Carol and her church. 

I went to Africa to be a blessing.  I went to deposit the message God gave me into the lives of those I met in Africa.  I went to encourage and equip the African church.  I am returning blessed beyond measure, my heart overflowing.  I am returning enriched and my life forever changed.  I am returning stronger and more aware than ever before of the gifts deposited in me by God.

I praise you and thank you, Oh God, for all You have done and all You are going to do!  I praise and thank you, Oh God, for You are awesome and worthy to be praised!  I praise you and thank you, Oh God, for Your grace can not be measured, Your faithfulness is abounding eternally, and Your love is all I will ever need.  I love You!  I love YOU!  I love You (most!)

Ice Cream in the fridge, Paper out the window, Dirt in the road

The African culture is quite a bit different than the American culture.  I know… understatement of the century.  But, it’s true. 

So, ice cream in the fridge… Pastor Carol asked me what food I was missing most from home, and I told her ice cream.  So, that evening as we were traveling home from the church, she stopped and bought Dawn and me little individual servings of ice cream.  She set them out on the table before dinner so they would warm up by the time we wanted to eat them.  Hillarious!  Then today for lunch, Mary set two more out for us to eat.  When I opened mine it was completely melted, and I said, “Whew!  This needs to go back in the freezer.”  Dawn looked at me with a deadpan face and said, “It came out of the fridge.”  LOL!  It makes me laugh!

Paper out the window… I’m not sure why, but everyone throws their trash on the ground here.  While we were in Mathare doing the crusades, Dawn and I gave out lots of candy…and I mean tons of it!  The kids and adults alike really enjoy sweets.  And every one of them tear into the candy with their teeth, then proceed to throw the wrapper onto the ground.  Dawn and I laughed when we noticed “Keep Kiambu Clean” receptacles in town the other day.  I believe the bins were completely empty.  Ha!  Well, today, Pastor Peter came to drive Dawn and I to the church, and on the way we offered him a piece of candy.  He tore into the candy with his teeth, and out the window went the paper.  Dawn and I couldn’t help ourselves but to laugh.

Dirt on the road… It may sound a bit common place; we are staying on a dirt road.  But, when I say dirt on the road, I mean DIRT on the road.  Someone had come and dumped a huge pile of dirt on our very narrow road.  What were they thinking??  Pastor Peter had to get out of the car and move some big rocks so he could maneuver over a low place in the pile of dirt just to get us onto the main road.  All I can say is, “I am in Africa”.

There are other things, too, like driving on the sidewalk, or in any lane of your choice, tripling prices when you see a white girl coming into your shop, and buying milk in a plastic bag.  I’m sure there is more, but that’s all I can think of now.

Oh, I know, wearing loose cloth around your waist and calling it a skirt.  Jeri, you thought I dressed “eclectically” before I came to Africa…you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!  Get ready, girl!

Dawn brought an amazing word tonight on praise as a weapon of warfare.  She had another message prepared to preach, but God had her change it only moments before she spoke.  And she was an amazing vessel!  God is so proud of her, and so am I!  Wow!  What an amazing woman of God!

Only a few more days left…See everyone soon!

Do fish ever die?

Well, yesterday and today were awesome days.  Maybe it’s because we drank Nescafe- Kenyan instant coffee.  The advertising slogan says, “A great day starts with Nescafe!”  Ok, well, maybe it was Jesus.  I love HIM!



Yesterday, if you are checking the schedule I sent to you, was supposed to be a free day.  But, a slight change of plans put us visiting the Lucy’s orphanage yesterday (Monday).  Oh my goodness!  Those babies are so sweet- I’m pretty sure I left a piece of my heart there.  It is a peaceful refuge for 65 children whose parents were murdered during the Kenyan elections a few years ago.  Some of the children literally saw their parents being massacred by other tribes, and they were left homeless and defenseless.  Lucy, our new Kenyan friend, felt God’s call to start this orphanage to care for and teach these children.  The children live in the compound- eat, sleep, play- and, they attend school there.  When we arrived on the grounds, we stepped into their classrooms, we then invited them out into the play yard to sing for us and pray with us.  Dawn and I gave out the goodie bags that had toothbrush/toothpaste, candy, and crayons.  The little bags had been decorated by the children at Abba’s House.  We got some good video to share with you all- get ready because your heart is going to melt when you see it.



Tea fields



There is no running water other than the rain water they collect and there is no electricity.  They cook on open fires and have to purchase water for washing their clothes. They farm some food items and raise a cow for milk.

The children are so precious- smiling, laughing, singing, and anxious to receive visitors. They were so very welcoming, and a little amazed at the muzungus (white people).  I’m pretty sure I left a piece of my heart there.  Maybe God will allow me to go back one day…Lynnann, this could be it.  Eeeeeekkkkk!!!

And today…WOW! Dawn and I were treated to a day of sight seeing in Kenya.  Oh, I almost forgot, yesterday on the way to the orphanage we got to see the Great Rift Valley!  I had no idea we were so close.  So, we gazed down and over the valley, huge mountains surround the valley.  They said that thousands of years ago volcanoes erupted on either side of the valley and the space in the middle collapsed, thus creating the great rift.  That sight was really amazing. 



Great Rift Valley



Great Rift Valley

Ok, back to today.  Dawn and I got to pick tea and coffee, we saw a macadamia nut tree, banana tree, yams, peanut plants, cabbages, an avocado tree- and all of this was a Pastor Carol’s mom’s farm.  We met and had lunch with Pastor Carol’s mom and dad, and we explored their farm and neighborhood.  We drank coffee with fresh milk from the cow and enjoyed fresh fruit along with our wonderful meal.



picking tea...



We also visited a very large reservoir, called the Nairobi dam.  It catches water from 3 rivers and distributes the water all over Nairobi.  The gentleman talking to us about the dam told us that there is no fishing or boats allowed in the dam.  However, there are fish in the water there, and they use them as a way to keep tabs on the condition of the water.  He said that whenever they see a dead fish, they take it to a laboratory and have it tested to see why it dies.  Then he said, this is a good indicator because fish never die.  Hmmmmmm. Interesting. J

Then, as we were heading back to Nairobi, Pastor Carol and Peter asked me what else I would like to see while I was in Kenya.  I said that I would like to see the animals, and I wondered if they had waterfalls.  They looked at each other and laughed, and in about 10 minutes we drove past a small waterfall, and I was very impressed especially since I had just mentioned wanted to see a waterfall.  Then, in about 30 minutes we arrived at a place called Fourteen Falls.  Yep, the Pastors took Dawn and me to a river that at one point has 14 waterfalls.  It looked like a mini-Niagara Falls.  Isn’t that just like God?  I’m not even sure why I said I wanted to see waterfalls- I guess it’s like Pastor Carol says, “It’s God, it’s just God.”  Oh, and Alicia, there were boys who we paid to jump off the top of the falls and dive into the water!  Dawn was afraid they would hurt themselves, but, alas, the boys climbed out of the water unharmed. Aaahhh! Sweet relief.

Fourteen Falls

We also got to see huge, VERY huge pineapple fields, even some fields that still had the fruit ready to harvest.  One of the fields we saw was owned by Del Monte.

And now we have made it back home to Pastor Carol’s house.  Resting.  I feel like I am on retreat, and I will come back home more rested than when I left.  Tonight I will study and prepare my message for Wednesday and Friday nights. Dawn and I also will be preparing for the appreciation party we are giving on Saturday.  We are hosting all of the people who have helped take care of us during our stay and who served in the crusades.  There are people who have stayed at Pastor Carol’s house to cook for us, people who drive us around, people who interpret for us, there are all of the singers and preachers who came to serve at the crusade, and so many more.  I think there will be about 50 people at our party.  We are going to serve goat meat stew, piloul (spiced rice), chipati (flat bread), sodas, and the crowning glory- a cake.  Apparently, Kenyans love cake and serving it will really show mine and Dawn’s appreciation to these wonderful people.

God is so good!  His promises are sure, and His gifts are immeasurable.  I am so blessed to have come to Kenya, and I am excited about where God will lead me next.  This is a springboard for so much more, and I am ready!

I’m sure there is more to tell, so, I will be back later. 

Love you all!  Thank you for all the prayers which have been a sweet fragrance of protection for me and Dawn.  Your reward will be great!

Children of Mathare

Shine Up!

Through God we win every victory! He is our strong tower, mighty to save! He hears our prayers and answers abundantly!

I know that I have just posted 3 blogs in a row, and you didn’t know about what was going on yesterday until today, but I believe God called on the intercessors from around the world, and especially those of you who have purposed to pray for me and Dawn, and He came through for us!

He is shining brightly in Africa! He is shining brightly through me!

The atmosphere in the Mathare Junction was charged by the Holy Spirit, and the river of His presence was flowing. The sound system worked perfectly, the worship flowed, and God used me as a vessel to bring the message of hope and love through salvation. 16 people came to be saved, and many others came to be healed of their diseases.

Through the testimonies of those who came, we figured out why the opposition was so heavy yesterday. One little girl who couldn’t have been more than 8 years old came to be prayed for because she had thought about committing suicide that day. We prayed for her, and I believe victoriously broke away the bondage and hopelessness she was feeling. Then another man came to be saved. He prayed the sinners prayer, then Dawn began to pray for him to break away the bondages he was under. This man had tears streaming down his face with his hands raised high. Pastor Peter took him aside to counsel him, and he learned that this man is a gangster who has killed countless people. He came because he wanted to turn his life around. Amazing! Then there was a lady who had come to town to abort the baby she is carring. She was staying with a friend, and that friend encouraged her to come to the crusade before she made the decision to abort the baby. She came to let us pray for her, and she gave her heart to Christ. Bwana asifiwe!!

Praise the Lord! He is mighty in battle! He defeats all of our foes! He is our banner, our fortress, our solid rock! He never leaves us alone! He never forsakes us!

Pray for Dawn. She is preaching tomorrow night. We want to win some more! Then I will preach again on Friday night and Sunday morning.

Big things!

ps-Anna and Jewel- God heard your prayers, and I have shined up! Thank you for praying for me! I love you so much! Call Hayden and RJ on skype, and blow them kisses from Mayah!

We are either Winning or We are Winning- Pastor Carol Mundero

Great spiritual warfare last night in the crusade at Mathare Junction- Tonight as the crusade (Tuesday night) the battle was raging! The devil is scared, he is fighting against us. We did battle, and God is victorious.
Psalm 44:4-8 You are my king and my God; you give victory to your people and by your power we defeat our enemies. I do not trust in my bow or in my sword to save me; but you have saved us from our enemies and defeated those who hate us. We will always praise you and give thanks to you forever.
By God’s power alone He will break the powers of darkness and cast them into their own pit. He turns back the enemy and confuses their plans. He blows them away like straw in the wind as the angel of the Lord pursues them. They will be caught in their own trap and fall to their destruction. (Psalm 35:4-8)
Pastor Carol said to us this morning during prayer that we are either winning or winning! She also says, “We are mad with the devil! And we are doing battle against him!” There is no option except to win. He is our victory. Jesus has already paid the price, the story has been written, and we know the Author. He loves us so much!
Pray, dear saints, pray! Call forth victory! Declare that God alone is our victory, He wins all of our battles, He brings the fire, the wind, and the rain! He is all we need and He defeats all of our foes! He is strong and mighty in battle. He alone is the sharp sword! He alone is the destroying fire! He alone goes before us into battle.
Once He has cleared the path and created a wide open space, I will use my words which He has made as sharp as a sword. I am an arrow, sharp and ready for use. (Isaiah 49:2) As we were praying in the church this morning, God gave Dawn a vision of the stage where we are conducting the crusade in the slum. She saw the space being cleared of all the evil, and a wide open space was created. She saw a lion in the center of the open space, and the area was surrounded with horses mounted by warriors. The enemy is being pushed back farther and father away as we pray. What’s cool is that Dawn, Jane (one of our new friends) and I walked and prayed around the crusade ground last night- and that is the space Dawn saw in her vision. We are the hands and feet of God. We declare that we take all the land where our feet tread. The enemy has no place in our territory.
The Mathare Junction, the slum, has a heavy stronghold by the enemy in the areas of witchcraft, adultery, anger, strife, hatred, fear, despair, depression, confusion, hopelessness, and drunkenness. Pray against these things specifically. Also, pray for the children; they are so very hungry for love and affection. They cling to Dawn and me, fight for our attention, seek our attention, and our touch.
Through all of the battle and the fighting, 10 souls were saved last night! Bwana asifiwe! Praise the Lord! And the night before we rescued 17 souls! More Lord! Bring in the more! Call them in from the north and the south and the east and the west! More souls! More victory! Total victory!
Nakupenda sana, Jesu (I love you so much, Jesus)! You are my rock and my fortress, my savior and redeemer, my joy and my peace. I will not walk in defeat but in the light of your victory. I praise you, holy God. I give you my life and my all.
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Joy is the Echo of God’s Life in Us

So much to write and share with you…get comfy, because this is going to be a long one!
I am finally feeling myself again- I got sick as I was beginning my journey, a sinus infection, I think- and was feeling very poorly!! Fever, sore throat, aches- the whole nine yards. But now I am well. I am so thankful that I brought antibiotics with me! God is so good and always provides. Dawn has NO idea how thankful she should be that I was less mobile and energetic as I usually am for these first few days! Pastor Carol arranged for us to not have any engagements for the first two days, so we were here at her house resting, studying, and preparing for the weeks ahead. Had I not been ill, I would have been coming out of my skin ready to go see Africa! But, as God would have it, I was glad to be stationary for a while as I recovered.

But now I am back to my old self and loving it! Africa is wonderful! The people here in Kenya are so loving, kind, and giving! They always greet you with a smile, with hugs, and handshakes. They honor us in so many ways. They always want to carry our bags and serve us water or something to eat they want to learn our names, and the list goes on.

Oh, yea, mF- a bumble bee pencil topper, hahahaha…you’ll see it soon! (eJ!)

God is so great and so amazing! I will give you a quick summary of our activity since Sunday- hopefully you are following along on the itinerary I sent to you…because I know you are praying for us and wondering about all the wonderful things God is doing here. Don’t you wish YOU were here!!

Saturday (9/4)- Dawn and I attended the Daughters of Destiny meeting at Pastor Carol’s (PC) church. This is a ministry where the women’s purpose is to find the destiny that God has for them, and for them to live it out to the glory of God. The literal meaning of the Kenyan name of the ministry means to put prayers in a basket- so, they are putting the prayers for their family, and their nation, and their church in the “basket” and watching over them with courage like Miriam watched over Moses in the basket in the Nile. These women are mighty warriors for God! It was at this meeting that Dawn and I distributed some of the toiletries that we brought as gifts.

Sunday (9/5)- Today we were at church ALL DAY. We arrived at 8:30a and enjoyed an hour of prayer with the congregation. After that the service started and we worshipped for about an hour, then Dawn brought a beautiful message from Psalm 19 about how the Lord speaks to us from all of creation. (She was amazing!!) Then we worshipped for another hour, and I brought a message from 2 Chronicles 7 about abiding in the presence of the Lord- in the dazzling light of His presence. I talked about worship- how important it is and how necessary it is. Then, as God would have it, we kicked off a worship extravaganza that lasted until 7:30p. What a day!

Monday (9/6)- This is the DAY the LORD has MADE!! Oh, what a day! This is what I have been waiting for!! Today, Dawn and I awoke early to go to prayer with PC and Peter (PC’s husband- who is also a pastor at the church). Their congregation meets at the church Monday-Friday at 6am to pray for an hour. Peter drove us about 20-25 minutes to the church, then after prayer, he returned us home. WOW! What a sacrifice of time and energy- just the drive! And he and PC do this every day of the week! Prayer was great. When we arrived back home, Dawn and I were able to fellowship together as the rest of the family was taking care of some family business. We rested and studied and enjoyed each other’s company for a while. Then, we prepared ourselves to go to the first night of the crusade at the Mathare (math-are-ee) junction- the second largest slum in Nairobi.

So, you may be thinking “slum” and “crusade”…how does this go together…how does this work…Well, I tell you, it works because God is here and He is calling the Kenyans to His heart! These people are hungry for God! They are a praying people who care for one another, and God is honoring their prayers. In case you haven’t noticed, this is where my heart is. I was kinda’ excited about being here, but after today, as Dawn reminded me, hope never disappoints. Wow! I’m in love!

We entered the slum from the main street, and we began to walk down a dirt path lined with thousands of people, shacks, booths of goods being sold, open fire pits cooking food, people washing their clothes in wash pans, and did I mention lots of people! People everywhere! All of a sudden we here tiny, high pitch voices calling out “how are you?”, “how are you?”, “how are you?”. Dawn and I looked around, and children were everywhere- on balcony’s of the buildings, in the streets beside us, across the ditch- looking at us with huge smiles, waving their hands…”how are you?”, they kept asking. So, we began to wave and greet them, and answer “fine”. Then they would laugh, and wave, and when we asked them “how are you?” they would quickly respond “fine!” Oh my goodness! So precious! We moved on into the open area where we would be leading the crusade, and children continued to flock around Dawn and me. For most of the worship service I had at least 5 children clinging to each arm. They all wanted to hold my hands, so I stuck out each finger and they would latch on. And if they couldn’t get a finger, they held my arm or backed up against me to lean on me. (sigh…) I think I will bring an armload of them back with me!

We enjoyed wonderful worship and got to greet the people. And I must say, Dawn has found her place! She was AMAZING! She had just a few moments to greet the people, and she came alive with fire flowing from her mouth! I know she will be saying, “It was God!” pointing all the glory back to Him! He used her mightily, and I can’t wait to see what happens when she speaks Thursday night. You do realize that she did not come to speak, but only to serve me as my armor bearer. But, she preached Sunday morning, and led the children’s Sunday school class, she is preaching Thursday, and again at the revival service next week. What a woman of God!
So, a couple of “God-things”. God told me as I was preparing to come to Kenya that I would share with the people about His love- His love that brings salvation, peace, freedom, provision, destiny, healing, and joy. Well, tonight, every speaker that got up onto the podium spoke about God’s love, calling out to the people about His great love and how He is calling them. Also, God told both Dawn and me that we would be working with or ministering to children. Well, we met lots of them tonight in Mathare, and we will also be visiting an orphanage with 65 children next week. Tonight we gave out those fun little rubber shape bracelets (I’m sure they have a real name, but I don’t know what it is). Actually, it was the bracelets that John Roberts gave me to bring over here- the zoo animal shaped ones. Someone be sure to tell him that lots of little kids in Africa are wearing the bracelets he gave! And they were so proud of them.

I am really looking forward to the rest of the week. Pray that the fire and anointing of God will fall in Mathare. Pray that He heals the sick and that the hungry find food and most of all that souls answer the call to come home! We have been told that 14 were saved tonight, and this is only the beginning! So much more to come!
Did I mention that God is going to do, and now has already begun to do BIG THINGS!! And that I love HIM! Oh, how I love HIM!
Don’t forget to check out Dawn’s blog. http://www.hearthenationscalling.blogspot.com/
And, there is so much more to tell you, but that will have to come another day.
Love you all!

Schedule

Hello, hello, hello!! We made it to Pastor Carol's house on Thursday. Hooray! We rested well and have rested more today. Thank goodness. I continued to run a fever through last night, but I don't think I have had one today. I think I had a sinus infection. Probably my fault.....I quit taking my allergy drops a couple of weeks ago. I ran out of them and didn't have time to go get them filled. Ooopsie! And being so tired from preparing for the trip and working so many hours as of late. Thank you, Jesus, for the Cipro. I've taken it for 5 days, and I may continue it for another day. I haven't quite kicked it all yet. I still feel kind of weak by the end of the day. Pray for me!!


Our busy schedule starts tomorrow. Here is our schedule:

9/4 (in the morning) Daughters of Destiny meeting (I will be singing)
9/5 (Sunday at Pastor Carol's church) Dawn will preach in the 1st service and then teach the children's Sunday School class, and I will be preaching in the 2nd service
9/6 Crusade in the Mathare slums begin- visiting pastor
9/7 Crusade- visiting pastor
9/8 (morning) minister to widow's/orphans
9/8 (evening) Crusade- Amanda preaching
9/9- Crusade- Dawn preaching
9/10- Crusade- either me or visiting preacher from Tanzania
9/11- Crusade- Lucy (who runs the orphanage) preaching
9/12- (Sunday) Amanda will preach in 1st service then maybe teach children's Sunday School, Audie Martin preach 2nd service

9/13- Site Seeing

9/14 Visit the Orphanage and minister to the children
9/15- Revival at Bethlehem House of Bread (Pastor Carol's church)- Amanda preaching
9/16- Revivial- Dawn preaching
9/17- Revival- Amanda preaching

9/18- Free day, may get to go to a game park

9/19- (Sunday) Amanda preaching 1st service then teaching children's Sunday School, Lucy preaching 2nd service


Whew! I am tired just typing all of this!! Ha! I am very excited and know that God is about to fulfill all of His promises about this trip- healing, salvation, revival. It's all coming.

Already God is answering prayers and fulfulling His promises.

Pastor Carol and Peter are awesome! So sweet, and kind. Dawn and I are being treated like queens. She and her house help are excellent cooks. We are always eating!! Fresh fruit, tea and coffee, snacks. Eeeekk! We feel very loved.

Nakapenda sana!

I'm leaving on a jet plane....

Ok. So pull out a world map.  Go ahead, I'll wait.  Put your pencil on Chattanooga, TN, Alberta, Canada, and New South Wales, Australia.  If you plot that out, what country falls at the end of that triangle.  If you do it right, it's Kenya ,Africa.

This past spring I went to a Captivating women's retreat (Staci Eldredge) and I met two amazing women of God.  Well, a LOT more than 2, but 2 of them happened to be from abroad.  Beth from New South Wales and Tricia from Alberta.  We connected there in Frazier, Colorado.  We worshipped together and prayed together and laughed together.  And God told me that our relationship was significant.  He has called me to the nations, and my first assignment is Kenya, the place on the map where plotted points from Chattanooga, Alberta, and New South Wales come together.  Tricia and Beth, where to next together?

God is so cool!

And so, I'm leaving on a jet plane, actually several of them, but I do know when I'll be back again.  Just a few short weeks, mama. 

You, my friends, supporters, fellow worshippers, mF, BFF, and all the rest- I love you, each of you in my own special way because of how special you are to me!  Help me finish well by keeping me prayer covered!

Big things!  Very BIG things!

I love HIM!

Africa eve

Dear Jesus,

Thank you that I am going! Here I am on the eve of my departure from the states, waiting for the moment to arrive that I will plant my feet on Africa soil.

I love you, Lord.  And I am so excited that you picked me.  You have planned and executed every moment- you are perfect in all your ways.

Take me. Use me. Mold me. Form me. Pour forth from me.

Amen

On my way...8/30/10

Today has been an awesome day! 

Sunday School with my ladies- I love you!!  We worshiped together, and prayed together.  And God spoke through me to one of my fellow missionaries who is about to embark on her own amazing journey.  So, yet another confirmation of God's intent and power to use me as a mouth piece to share His words.

The church at Abba's House was amazing!!!  Worship was beautiful and excellent, then during ministry time, Pastor Ron prayed for the Guatemala team then for me and Dawn.  He looked at me and said, "Well, Amanda, come on up here and let's get it done.  Now is the time." He prayed for me, I was slain in the spirit, and powerful, refreshing joy washed over me.  Then my dear friends Becky and Jil and my courageous armor bearer Dawn came and prayed over me.  Amazing!! 

I love HIM!!

At home I finished packing and sending out the blog address to all you beautiful people, and now I am in Owensboro, KY for the night.  I will meet the team tomorrow, then one more night in the states before I head to the other continent.

I can hardly believe it.  In a couple of nights my feet will touch the earth of another continent- something I only dared dream about.  Something I didn't think possible.  And now God is sending me.  He has assigned angels to be with me as I share the greatest story on earth, as I share His love with the nations.  He is sending me to the nations.  I take His words, His hands, His love, His resources.  I take me!

Much love to you all!

Good night.

I'm ready to fly...

Well, church was awesome!  So much prayer time, support, joy, full of the Holy Spirit!  I love my church!!

And, I just talked to Lynnann, my sweet friend who moved to Guatamala this summer. 

God is good, and I am ready to fly!

Itinerary

This is the itinerary that Pastor Carol provided for me:

Sept 4th Sept Ladies meeting ( Daughters of Destiny)

Sept 6th to 11th Open Air Crusades in Mathare slums
Sept 13th & 14th Rest & site seeing
Sept 15th to 17th In-door Revival meetings

Hopefully, I will be filling in the gaps for you soon!!

Beginning to begin

Testing. Testing.  One, two, three... (whispers) Is this mic on?

Oh, yes.  Well.  Here we go.

For all of you doubters out there, I have finally begun my blog.  I hope to be able to keep this updated while I am in Africa so you can follow me around.  I want you to be able to rejoice with me, pray with me, sing with me, comfort me, and worship with me. 

I am already behind.  God has done so much to prepare me for this adventure, and I want to journal it all.  All in good time.

Mom is here with me now- and we are practically finished packing.  All (well, almost all) of the supplies we received from our friends and supporters are in huge duffel bags filled to the 50 pound limit.  Last count is 6 bags. Glory to God! The people of Nairobi, Kenya are going to be so very blessed and are going to see and feel and hear the love of God.

I beg you to pray for me.  Pray for me to have open eyes, open heart, open ears.  Pray for my safety and my health.  Pray for Dawn and Pastor Carol.  Pray for the people to hear the greatest story ever told.

I love you all!  (especially you, mF)

more to come...