Travel days can always be pretty difficult, I know from past mission trips and and even today as we are traveling to Georgia, getting ready for launch. These last few days have been more annoying than good I would say and the snow is what hurts the most. The snow has only caused trouble from delay to delay….to another delay. It is annoying! We had to leave really early this morning, only to find that as we were driving a random snow drift popped up, and then we became stuck…in the middle of no where, with only a lovely sweatshirt and pants because i do not want to bring winter luggage with me on the race.
So there we are outside freezing our butt off, and i had to go back in the car because my finger tips were turning blue, it was ugly and so cold. At this point I was getting frustrated with God.
– i am cold – I feel as if I am not ready for this -my pack is too big, or maybe it is too light – I feel I did not have enough time with my family or friends.
“God I can’t do this. “- Me
“Daughter,why do you say that? Do you not see my hand in the work here. Your time is not my time, and your ways are not my ways…Beloved open your eyes and see I am here, and I am telling you ‘let go of it all and trust me.’You will get rid of things, and your plans will change, but trust me.”- God
“Why is it so hard to trust you Papa! I just feel I am getting attacked over and over again by Satan’s attack. There were things left undone, people I will miss, I feel I do not have everything though I packed repacked so many times…. and I hate the snow. Is this what it will be like the whole time?”- Me
” Daughter my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness, so the power of Christ may rest upon you.”- God
Satan loves to attack us when we are about ready to do something big for his kingdom… and what better way than to distract me from the bigger picture that this mission is not about me, it is about Him and His glory. It is about Him using this mission to show me how much I need him, and how much I need His grace and sanctification.
This trip is only the beginning, but we all can admit that it is a pretty big beginning 😉
Now after over 48 hours we finally reached our destination of Atlanta… during the time I found out the ministry I will be working with someone’s Facebook. Which in South Africa, I found out that I will be working with the orphanage in , Johannesburg, while all other six teams will be doing sport ministries in Cape Town…. So that is different :). But when we arrived at the hotel, I was welcomed by one of my squad mates, who stayed up till 1:30 in the morning to welcome us, and her hug was so warm and homely, a blessing to receive that early in the morning. Then after I went to bed, there was this overwhelming peace around me, and I felt the warmth of my heavenly Father wrap His arms around me. Something I have not felt in a long time, but I fell asleep very quickly knowing He is beside me.
The next morning I woke up early and it felt nice to take a shower, soap the body of the filth it collected the last 48 hours in a car, and went to breakfast, and first making a sight of someone I met on another team who welcomed me with a BIG hug, and as we were walking to breakfast, I saw a group of people together and heard, does anyone know where Stephie is?? With a huge delight I knew that was my squad, my family for the next 11 months. Hugs were welcomed all over, and it was a beautiful feeling.
Than I began to get more information about what my team will we doing in South Africa…
So my team will separated from the rest of the squad for the first month working with the missionary contact in charge of the orphanage in Johannesburg . Which I am not going lie I was really excited and then I found out the other ministry was the Sport ministry. Those who know me, sports is a huge part of my life, so i was a little taken back that I am not doing that ministry, but I have been blessed though with the Lord’s peace about what I am doing and how He is going to use me while I am there. Also my team knows how much i love sport ministry so they were praying for my heart about how will I receive the info, and it was a true joy when I found out that my team is the only one working with the orphanage! I get to spend a month with my team to love the motherless, to bring hope to the fatherless that there is a father that loves them and His love is more than we can ever imagine. How beautiful it will be 🙂
So I will be leaving tomorrow for South Africa, which I feel slightly drained from all the travel, but pray that the Lord is good in providing strength and help me to rest and dwell in His house. And thank you all for your support and your love I will update again after I landed and get settled in to the ministry <3
