On September 8th I headed out to ATL to launch. Launch is basically a few days or a weekend to prepare our minds and hearts for this trip. We also get more extensive training from training camp in July.
Right before launch I had to decide to buy a book to take with me. I was set on King Solomons Mines walking into Barnes and Noble. After I found it, another book on the shelf across the aisle was calling my name. I never heard of it but this book is called The Alchemist. This book is about a shepherd boy going on an adventure to find lost treasure. The next day one of my coaches called me to check up and pray over me. During his prayer, time and time again he called me shepherd boy. On the Sunday before launch, our pastor Doug kept saying shepherd in his sermon. At launch we sang one of Bethel’s newest songs, “Reckless Love“. Part of the chorus says this:
“Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine”
These lyrics describe Luke 15 in the parable of the lost sheep.
After we sang this song, we had a guest speaker say over and over again, shepherd boy in his speech.
What does this mean? Is it just a coincidence? I thought God was our great shepherd and we are the sheep. How can I be a shepherd boy? Or is God trying to tell me something?
Then we started our journey to Swaziland.
We traveled over 10,000 miles in just 3 days. We have been to 3 countries in just one day. 72 hours later, we arrived in Swaziland on Thursday night and everyone was astonished by this country beauty. Friday morning we woke up to a bunch of children outside heading to school. We were able to hang out with them during lunch and after school. We have a beautiful mountain side view along with a school at our location. Swaziland has had a drought ever since early last year. The day after we arrived, we prayed for rain, and then it storms for the next 2 nights. I have to say, dust storms are not fun.
We are currently having spiritual warfare for example, terrifying dream, very fearful feelings, and bad thoughts that are not ours. Please pray for us as we continue on this journey.
For the next 2 weeks we will be going to care points around Swaziland to teach and minister to over 200 kids. These care points are set up by Adventures In Missions. Its basically a school but they also give them the only meal they will get for the day.
The leaders at each care point are called Shepherds. YES! I did say Shepherds! They take care and disciple each kid to raise them up in Gods kingdom. So I began to do some searching…
In 1st Peter 5:2-11 it says:
“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the unfolding crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober minds; be watchful. Your advisory the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and amen.”
If you are a lost sheep then just know that there is a great shepherd searching for you. Once you find him, He will rejoice and throw you a party just like the father had in the parable of the prodigal son.
I have the privilege to help out with our current ministry but I need your help! I have a lot of gifted teammates on my squad that can draw and paint amazing designs. It is truly astonishing! We need to raise $1750 in just 3 days to buy paint for our ministry. We will paint for our host and for a school. Bright colors and different shades brings joy and happiness to kids all around the world. Art brings a different perspective and can be very powerful. Please help us out to do Gods work by helping us raise money to buy paint for our next ministry. I have witnessed so many of my teammates growing in their faith already.
If you feel led to give
Please go to my Facebook page and click on the link I shared.
I will not be able to send a link on here because wifi is insanely scarce here.
