Last night, I got together with Christy Elphick and Debbie Hall {two of the trip members} to plan our retreat for the widows and orphans. For those of you who have been praying for direction for us as we lead a time of teaching, reflection and rest on trusting God in all things…and give the 350 orphans (both girls and boys) attending and 150 widows rings during a ceremony to show their commitment in trusting their Father in Heaven…these rings to serve as reminders…we truly felt your prayers and His guidance. My first thoughts were to find a song that talks about how He cleanses us…makes us whole again when we’ve been hurt or abandoned…but instead–we were led to choose a song that just gives Him glory.
I’ll never forget when I lived in East Asia and one of my friends who had prayed to receive Christ knocked on my door to tell me she was being kicked out of the university and being taken away for her professing her faith in Christ. For the first time–I really struggled with my faith. God where are you??? Didn’t you call me here to lead these people to you??? Why does following you have to be so hard??? Take me back to fairyland Lord–where we can show up on Sunday…and fit in doing the Sunday thing instead of persecuted for faith in You. I was beginning to learn what it REALLY means to live the gospel. And really living the gospel looks RADICALLY different than just showing up on Sunday morning. To really follow Jesus—to really follow Him—there will always be a hefty cost…
Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Next week–we will be going to share with these precious ones–what HE says about them. How they are His beloved. How He longs to see them well…He longs to wipe away their tears…He longs to heal their hurts. Many have no earthly parents…but He is their Father in heaven. He will never leave or forsake them…He is always there.
I know He is enough to do all these things. I know I can NEVER understand how to truly minister to these children…but HE DOES. He is great enough to help them, to heal them and I even believe He is big enough to protect them. But oh how they need our prayers!!!
Part of our talk will focus on how these precious ones can go to Him for healing…how they can forgive others…and even where they can go when, God forbid, they are hurt again. We will be meeting with the Zambian staff to come up with a plan-of-action for them to be able to go to. Because–the truth of the matter is most of these will experience things in their life-time that our children will be protected from in our homes and in our care. My heart wants to shout, “COME BACK JESUS!” as I think of the reality of what many of these children will endure in their lifetimes being done against them. My heart hits my knees and I want to say, “LORD, can’t you stop it!!! Can’t you keep evil from happening to them??? Can’t you PROTECT them Lord??? Oh Come back!!!”
BUT He is enough. He is enough. Can I and do I believe…that He is really enough? Enough for them? Enough for me? Enough for my family…as I trust Him to protect them while I go?
They will be fine I am sure…but a momma’s heart–oh a momma’s heart is still what I have and it’s always so hard to leave.
We will teach them the words to How Great is Our God…and while I wish I could tell you all the reasons why we chose that song…I’m afraid the purpose of it is yet to be revealed until we are there. I know He has something to not only teach the orphans and widows–but also us about His greatness.
And honestly–I’m dreading getting on that plane and leaving my babies on Thursday. But to have the opportunity to challenge every male student there to be a light before men…to follow Jesus and His ways…to love one another and to be a godly leader in their village…is something I am honored to be able to do…even if it means leaving my babies and having a pit in my stomach as I go. I can’t forget the reality of their lives there–and how believers…we are called to visit orphans and widows in their distress and not be polluted by the world (James 1:27).
Please pray for us as we go. Pray that God would be all over our time there–and it would not be our thoughts or voices being heard, but that He would speak through us.
I want to thank each of you who have already been a part of this trip by buying a tee. The shirts are in (so if you bought one be on the lookout!); they will be shipped out tomorrow. Here is size medium on me…just if you wanted to see how they fit and what they really look like…
Isn’t it fun with a white skirt;)???
I love that Africa is made out of children’s hands and it says, “He’s got the orphan and the widow in His hands.”
I have to believe that.
I have to believe He is enough for them.
I have to believe He is enough for me.
How I want to LIVE that He is enough for me.
If you would like a t-shirt to go toward our trip–we do have some extras. I’m wearing a medium (see below) and we have these sizes and quantities left: Ladies fit M (12), L (8), XL (5) and Unisex S (11), M (4), XL (7). They are $25 each and that includes shipping. If you buy one–please comment below the SIZE you bought so I can quickly pull it for you. You can go to this link/past post to buy a shirt. If you buy one before Wednesday {Monday or Tuesday} I’ll ship it to you before we leave. We won’t be back until July 25th…so keep our team in your prayers!
Ok…here’s an upclose of the tee–don’t make fun of my mirror picture taking abilities–had to flip this in photoshop so you could read it w/out the mirror view:)…
XOXO,
Andrea
Please pray for our team of 16 and for our safety. Thank you!!! And we could NOT have done this trip without the support and love and prayers of so many of you. What a blessing it is to be on this journey of following Him together. Thank you for in many ways “going with me”. Love y’all to pieces…and can’t wait to share while we are gone!
Love,
Andrea
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