I just got done chatting with a girl that’s all the way in Zambia. Part of me hates the distraction that internet can be in our lives, but the other part loves how much smaller it can make our world. Leah is in her sixth month on the World Race and it has been quite the challenge along the way. In route to Zambia, she was hit with a sickness that had all the signs and symptoms of malaria. Through the prayers of her team and family back home, thankfully the sickness has past. Malaria has attacked big time within the teams in Africa, so we’re continuing to pray for the health of all the teams out there.
As we talked, I could just see the growth that has been happening in her. When you see Leah, you wouldn’t see a poster child for world traveling or living in the slums and bushes of the world, but she’s doing it. Not only that, but God is continuing to call her out and up to lead the people around her. The times that I’ve followed and read her blogs, I have been challenged and touched by her words and God speaking through her. Today, I wanted to share her most recent Christmas blog with you all because perspectives can be totally different in Africa and that can bring a nice balance.
As always with missions, Leah and her team continue to need support both through finances and prayers. As much as I need the support as well, I know God will provide, so my prayer is to just throw as many options out there and hope you’ll jump on board with someone. Sure, cost of living is high in America, but it’s incredible to see the blessings God can provide as you steward your money well. It’s almost Christmas week, and I pray God continues to support you and your family and provides you with ways to extend that to others.
To go to Leah’s blog, click here, but I will also copy her most recent blog below…
Merry Christmas Everyone!!!
I want to share one of my favorite Christmas songs since I was a child, with you. I’m sure you all know it…a classic by Amy Grant (or that’s who I prefer to sing it) called:
Grown Up Christmas List:
Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you
With childhood fantasies
Well, I’m all grown-up now
And still need help somehow.(can you still help somehow)
I’m not a child
But my heart still can dream
So here’s my lifelong wish
My grown-up Christmas list
Not for myself
But for a world in need
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list
As children we believed
The grandest sight to see
Was something lovely
Wrapped beneath our tree
Well heaven surely knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal
A hurting human soul
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list
What is this illusion called the innocence of youth?
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth
(There’d be)
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, oh
This is my grown-up Christmas list
To some extent this is my grown-up Christmas list this year. I never knew as a child I would still love this song to this day. But I probably love it more now than I did then.
I have seen all of these things in the past 5 and a half months and God has asked me to step up and do something about them. To love the people that He loves, to pray for His people, heal His nations, and bring new life through Him to a world that is lifeless.
This is my prayer this season of celebrating Christ’s birth and I would love if back home you started praying for the same things. God wants His Kingdom to come to EARTH…that’s why He sent His SON to earth after all. He wanted to give us the opportunity to share in everlasting LIFE with Him. I am guilty of not doing something about all of these things for so long. Of ignoring the hurt that my brothers and sisters live in day in and day out. But I will not go back to that now or when I return home.
My prayer is that this CHRISTmas you step up and join me to bring the KINGDOM of Heaven to Earth. To love people with the arms, hands and feet of Jesus. To Bring the gift of Jesus to the nations and to Praise our God for His good and perfect gifts this Christmas.
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you
With childhood fantasies
Well, I’m all grown-up now
And still need help somehow.(can you still help somehow)
I’m not a child
But my heart still can dream
So here’s my lifelong wish
My grown-up Christmas list
Not for myself
But for a world in need
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list
As children we believed
The grandest sight to see
Was something lovely
Wrapped beneath our tree
Well heaven surely knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal
A hurting human soul
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list
What is this illusion called the innocence of youth?
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth
(There’d be)
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, oh
This is my grown-up Christmas list
To some extent this is my grown-up Christmas list this year. I never knew as a child I would still love this song to this day. But I probably love it more now than I did then.
I have seen all of these things in the past 5 and a half months and God has asked me to step up and do something about them. To love the people that He loves, to pray for His people, heal His nations, and bring new life through Him to a world that is lifeless.
This is my prayer this season of celebrating Christ’s birth and I would love if back home you started praying for the same things. God wants His Kingdom to come to EARTH…that’s why He sent His SON to earth after all. He wanted to give us the opportunity to share in everlasting LIFE with Him. I am guilty of not doing something about all of these things for so long. Of ignoring the hurt that my brothers and sisters live in day in and day out. But I will not go back to that now or when I return home.
My prayer is that this CHRISTmas you step up and join me to bring the KINGDOM of Heaven to Earth. To love people with the arms, hands and feet of Jesus. To Bring the gift of Jesus to the nations and to Praise our God for His good and perfect gifts this Christmas.
I still need $1500 to stay on the race.
MY FINAL deadline for support is January 4th or I will get sent home….Please rally with me to keep me on this amazing journey with the Lord.
I am confident that God wants me here and He will provide, so thank you in advance for your support, care, and concern!
I wouldn’t be here without such a solid support system back home, financially and prayerfully!! You all know who you are! I just want to say thank you for allowing me this experience and thank you for the lives YOU are changing because of it!
May God richly bless this season of your lives and the next! Thank you again…I love you and Merry Christmas!
