Hey friends :)
I'm in Rwanda right now, and I love it.
The people are loving and beautiful. The kids are adorable. They scream "MZUNGU!" and clap their hands when they see us. Mzungu means white person haha!
The food is amazing. God has blessed us with a wonderful home to live in for the month, and added 2 members to our team from the Exposure program. I've been entrusted with being their host, and having one-on-one meetings with them weekly. Not too hard to do, since there are 7 of us total :)
I'm pushing through the Old Testament, learning so much as I go. I just finished Ezekiel and Daniel, and now I'm in Ezra. The journey of chronological reading that I started at the end of January is already about to move into the New Testament. I'm so excited!!
God has been opening doors and affirming the directions He's given me. Please keep praying for open doors and for God to keep growing me.
It's safe to say I'm no longer the person I was when this trip launched.
"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His." Daniel 2:20
Love,
H.
ps... this blog is incredibly dry. For the fun remarks, you might want to check my twitter. :) @heyheyhelena
Monday, July 9, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Time For Africa
If I had a dollar for how many times I've heard the song "waka waka" in the last week, I'd have many dollars.
Shakira has managed to make a catchy song about an entire continent.
Hint to other artists, there are 6 more continents that need catchy songs.
Preparing for Africa really opened my eyes to how crazy my life is.
Living out God's will for me doesn't mean I won't struggle.
It doesn't mean I'll have riches on earth.
It doesn't mean I'll be socially acceptable.
It doesn't mean I'll always know what's coming next.
God makes very specific promises.
He did not promise me a smooth ride, or a comfortable lifestyle.
He didn't promise me money, or a socially acceptable 5-year plan.
So here I am, standing out quite a bit. What's my job? I'm a missionary.
What am I about to do? Go to Africa.
I know "what I'm doing" until December, then it's a sweet blur of options.
Scary.
I've been off the narrow path before, super scary.
But God made me a promise, and He commanded me to do something very specific.
He said I AM WITH YOU! Then He said DO NOT FEAR.
I think if the Maker of heaven and earth told me not to fear, I truly don't have to fear.
What is attractive and acceptable to the world isn't what is attractive to God and to God's people!!!
I never want to try to blend in with a perishing culture.
Is my amazing, loving Father in heaven going to let me miss out on His plan for me, even as I cry out to Him every single day? Not a chance :)
He's preparing my ministry, the places I'm going, and my husband.
He's broken me out of my preconceived notions of white picket fences. This world is not my home.
So I'm off to Africa, leaning on the Lord day by day. I have no idea what all is going on tomorrow, but one thing I do know: my God is Sovereign, and He is for me.
Shakira has managed to make a catchy song about an entire continent.
Hint to other artists, there are 6 more continents that need catchy songs.
Preparing for Africa really opened my eyes to how crazy my life is.
Living out God's will for me doesn't mean I won't struggle.
It doesn't mean I'll have riches on earth.
It doesn't mean I'll be socially acceptable.
It doesn't mean I'll always know what's coming next.
God makes very specific promises.
He did not promise me a smooth ride, or a comfortable lifestyle.
He didn't promise me money, or a socially acceptable 5-year plan.
So here I am, standing out quite a bit. What's my job? I'm a missionary.
What am I about to do? Go to Africa.
I know "what I'm doing" until December, then it's a sweet blur of options.
Scary.
I've been off the narrow path before, super scary.
But God made me a promise, and He commanded me to do something very specific.
He said I AM WITH YOU! Then He said DO NOT FEAR.
I think if the Maker of heaven and earth told me not to fear, I truly don't have to fear.
What is attractive and acceptable to the world isn't what is attractive to God and to God's people!!!
I never want to try to blend in with a perishing culture.
Is my amazing, loving Father in heaven going to let me miss out on His plan for me, even as I cry out to Him every single day? Not a chance :)
He's preparing my ministry, the places I'm going, and my husband.
He's broken me out of my preconceived notions of white picket fences. This world is not my home.
So I'm off to Africa, leaning on the Lord day by day. I have no idea what all is going on tomorrow, but one thing I do know: my God is Sovereign, and He is for me.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Whoa hello there
I'm not saying that I forgot about this blog, but I can't say I remembered it.
Oops. Sorry bloggy.
I'm in Malaysia now, and we're plunging into our last week of ministry.
It's been a wild month, full of adventure and surprises hahahaha
Teaching really cute, smart children, and doing home visits, delivering food to people, praying with people, sharing my testimony to any and all people, sharing the gospel in 5 minutes or less, and laying bricks and leveling land, and preaching.
But this isn't my World Race blog, so I don't really want to talk about the race here.
There is more going on outside of... well... my current life here. This is my personal blog.
God's been laying on my heart what to do after the race, and that's exciting!!!
Going to grad school or seminary.
God's been confirming the vision for women's ministry that He's put on my heart.
I've also been learning that I need to have singleness of heart and action.
God's thrown me some curve balls, trying to test my faith and my trust. I'd like to hope I passed, but it wasn't the easiest. Thank you to all the people that prayed for me and listened to me. You guys are amazing.
Many many answered prayers at home! Praise God :) Antonio (my brother) is in Brazil right now with my family, and it's amazing. I'm so happy for him, and I've been praying that he catches a good break this summer. Big answered prayer.
Okay, gotta go! Just wanted to post a quick little thing :)
Be praying for me please! I love you guys so much, I'll try to write again before I go to Africa on the 28th.
God bless
Oops. Sorry bloggy.
I'm in Malaysia now, and we're plunging into our last week of ministry.
It's been a wild month, full of adventure and surprises hahahaha
Teaching really cute, smart children, and doing home visits, delivering food to people, praying with people, sharing my testimony to any and all people, sharing the gospel in 5 minutes or less, and laying bricks and leveling land, and preaching.
But this isn't my World Race blog, so I don't really want to talk about the race here.
There is more going on outside of... well... my current life here. This is my personal blog.
God's been laying on my heart what to do after the race, and that's exciting!!!
Going to grad school or seminary.
God's been confirming the vision for women's ministry that He's put on my heart.
I've also been learning that I need to have singleness of heart and action.
God's thrown me some curve balls, trying to test my faith and my trust. I'd like to hope I passed, but it wasn't the easiest. Thank you to all the people that prayed for me and listened to me. You guys are amazing.
Many many answered prayers at home! Praise God :) Antonio (my brother) is in Brazil right now with my family, and it's amazing. I'm so happy for him, and I've been praying that he catches a good break this summer. Big answered prayer.
Okay, gotta go! Just wanted to post a quick little thing :)
Be praying for me please! I love you guys so much, I'll try to write again before I go to Africa on the 28th.
God bless
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)