For the last 5 years I've felt God's calling on my heart to work with the orphans in Africa. It started at an Above Rubies retreat in Texas. It was my first retreat and I was so excited. Nancy Campbell, the speaker, had just returned from a trip to Liberia, a war-torn country in Africa. She showed pictures of the orphans, boys and girls of all ages. There were so many children struggling to survive, I just wanted to save them all. From that first night at the retreat I knew that I was going to Africa. I didn't know when, and I didn't know where exactly. But I knew that sometime in the near future I was going to Africa.
Well, it's been 5 years and still no Africa trip. I've waited patiently on God to provide the trip and the money. I've prayed daily that He would give me a way to go to these people, that He would show me where to go. For awhile I thought it would be Liberia, and as much as I would love to go to Liberia, I don't feel God's calling on me to go there.
One of the hardest things I've had to learn over these 5 years is that God provides in His own time. If it's His Will for me to go to Africa He's going to provide the money, the trip, the group, everything. I just need to trust Him. Last summer, my youth group took a trip to Kenya. I was so excited. I thought, "yes! This is my chance to go to Africa!" My parents and I talked about it, prayed about it; the deadline to sign up came and went. I wasn't going that year. I was disappointed. I wondered why God would show me a trip that my own church was going on and I wasn't going. My best friend was going; and I wasn't. It was very disappointing.
I prayed that God would give me a way to the children there. My heart was breaking for them and I couldn't do anything to help them. Except pray. Prayer is so important and I think that a lot of the time we tend to underestimate the power of prayer. Prayer is the only thing that reaches across oceans and touches people. I think we forget that when we pray, we're praying to the Almighty God. He can do anything! He can move mountains, He put the stars in the heavens. Why do we think that because we're not on the trip we can't do anything? Prayer is the key to a successful trip. He created the people I want to save. He wants them saved. Why is it that we think He can't provide $3000 for a missions trip to help fulfill the Great Commission? He can do it. We just have to trust Him.
After the trip last year, my best friend was on fire for Africa. I was really happy for her. I knew how that flame felt. To feel the burning desire to save someone. To love someone you've never met. It was how I'd felt for the last 4 years.
Skip ahead a few months, I've moved to Arkansas. YAY!! I love AR. It's beautiful, and it's got trees and hills. (something we seem to be lacking in TX! lol) The one thing that I was really worried about was finding a church. I had a great church in TX. I was scared I wouldn't find a church I liked here. But guess what? God provided! I love the church I go to now. The people are great. The worship is amazing. The preaching is fantastic, convicting, enlightening. I love it. It's truly a gift from God!
Through my aunt, I heard about a group going to Uganda. I knew the people in charge of the whole trip. I was excited. I prayed about it for a few weeks. My parents and I talked about it. And I signed up to go! We're going June 11th-27th. We're going to work in the slums in Uganda. We're Coordinating a VBS for the children there. But in the slums they have school during the day, so while they're at school we're doing VBS at a hospital in Kampala. We're also going to Gulu to work at an African-run orphanage. There are 18 teens and 5 adult leaders going on the trip. We've started doing fundraising. It was a little harder for me because I only knew 5 of the people going on the trip. Clarissa and Rodney. Their 2 children and my aunt. I had to meet everyone else; and they've all known each other a long time. But, if you know me, you know that making friends isn't really an issue for me. I'm pretty outgoing. lol.
I guess that's the beginning of this story. God has provided some amazing oppurtunities for fundraising. I can't wait to see how He pulls this trip together!
Oh, one other thing. I'm taking a class this spring called Perspectives. It's amazing. If you haven't taken it, I strongly suggest that you do! It will radically change you for the better. It's enlightening, it makes you think, it will turn you on to missions. It's the best class I've ever taken!! There's a different speaker every week, so you don't have the same person talking every week and each speaker is just as amazing as the last. Every week is my favorite week. I love it. It's my favorite time of the week.
I think that's all. :)
the end
In Christ~
~Katelyn
All the nations of the world will stand amazed at what the Lord will do for you.They will be embarassed at their feeble power.They will cover their mouths in silent awe, deaf to everything around them.-Micah 7:16
