A Machine Gun, Monkey-in-the-middle, and Austrian filled Christmas Eve

In case you are jumping in late... I am blogging my journal entries from Africa. It starts with "Africa in a Nutshell" followed by the first journal entry on December 16th! I would love for you to read along. If you are, then please let me know by following me (its easy to do... just click "join site")!



December 24th, 2011


Happy Christmas Eve! Today truly has been amazing. We were expecting a bridal party sleepover at our place tonight so we got up early to clean the area up and prepared small gifts for the girls.


Once we finished breakfast we headed to town to run a few errands to prepare for the conference. At the Church, I met a sweet girl named Cecilla Davis and reunited with two boys from earlier in the week. Cecilla was reserved and I very much wanted to be intentenal with her. She was writing on a chalk board in the basement of the church, so i asked her if she knew what tic-tac-toe was. She responded "No," so I asked her if she wanted me to teach her. She once again responded, "no," and I was super discouraged. A while later after attempting to form a relationship with this little girl, I asked them all if they knew what monkey-in-the-middle was. They did not verbally answer, but their body language did... they jumped up, and we then enjoyed a good game of of monkey in the middle!


We made a million stops today, but my favorite - a place we could use the Internet at for a few minutes... time has never gone by sooo fast!


Through our many stops, it was great seeing Dennis and Vania invest in the community and share Christ love and Christmas cheer. They have such big hearts! Our friend Yessa came along with us... it was so great spending time with her because she had been really sick the last week, and everyone was beginning to worry.


During our morning travels we saw some of the after-effects of the riots which were slightly scary... worse than that, was the UN men with machine guns and tanks lined through out the town. it made me slightly...lets be real...REALLY nervous!


When finally getting back to the compound we quickly ate lunch and headed out again..this time to Bohnestown!


To get there we took another safari ride through ht the jungle - even driving through water! I really enjoyed that part! I LOVE driving through villages and seeing all the children waving! It will be sad to get home where "white women" are not interesting!


When reaching Bohnestown we toured a school of CRCA(Christian Revival Church Association- the organization I was working with!) and the foudnation of the new school space being built. We met a bunch of new friends that I can not wait to see again o nthe 26th! Their school that they loved made me thankful for ECCPS school systems!


When we left we took with us - rabbits on top of the car, and four men, and about 5 LIVE chickens in bags in the back of the car with us!


Coming back to the compound we learned today was our friend, Thomas's Birthday, so we gave him a small gift. Not sure if it brought him joy, but it brought me much joy to give it to him.


We then cooked dinner for our guest coming in tonight from Lofa. They are very successful young men from Austria who have dedicated nine months of their live to the Lord, by serving in Liberia. Their testimonies are amazing and their stories hilarious. I am really looking forward to spending time with them in the next week.


God is truly doing great things in my life and those lifes around me. I am praying he works through me ... looking forward to a santa, chocolate, and tradition free Christmas tomorrow! Christ is the [only] reason for the season!!


-Luke 2:11

Playing monkey-in-the-middle, in the basement!

part of our jungle ride...

Fetching water....like I said...pants are optional!

The friends we met in Bohnestown! I love them sooo much! (Sarah didn't make it to the picture)

Their classroom, that they are very thankful for!

The BEAUTIFUL view from the school! God's beauty amazes me!

The new project.... it will be the first ever cafeteria...the kids will finally recieve meals!

Thomas wearing his shirt we gave him for his birthday!

Police Encounter #2

December 23, 2011

Seven days into the adventure and I am ready for a hot shower, air-conditioner, and well...to be really honest....America.

Tonight  I was able to talk to my dad for a short bit and he asked, "is it what you expected?"... There is no way I could have predicted this, though I do love it here. I very much wanted to ask my dad to pray for my safety and peace in Liberia but did not want to frighten him.

After going to the church this morning to get things to prepare for the conference, we decided to stop at the shop on the left side of the road to buy some wood carvings. We parked on the right side, Vania placed Lucas on her back, and we prepared to cross Liberia's crazy street. This in itself would be a risk.

We got to the half way mark alive (there is no turn lane) and waited for traffic to stop. People definitely were turning their heads at the sight of three white women and a baby. One truck stopped for us to pass, and so the car beside him did also... the car behind did NOT and smashed full force into the back of the truck - directly in front of us (as in a few feet), while we were in the middle of the highway in the worse traffic I have ever seen. Have you ever seen a wreck, where a car was completely compacted, yet did not sway left or right in any way? This would not make since to happen right? Well....by the grace of God it did happen...and I am alive.... I did not even get ran over! : )

People then began shouting everywhere - we finished crossing the street and attempted to aid the shaken women who stumbled out of the car, with blood running down one women's head. Thank God, no one was too badly injured.

Many people blamed us for being a distraction. Apparently we should have known this would happen... I mean we were white. duh. Though I guess us white women did in fact cause this wreck...it was not our fault. I have to admit .... when the police can... I was terrified. I imagined myself in some sketchy police office again... the police man was kind and forgave us.

The interesting part is that the same truck crashed into was the same truck that kindly toad the car away. Apparently Liberians always solve their differences quickly.

Not everyone solves their problems with peace though... back to the reason I wanted to ask my dad to pray for protection...

We had somewhere to be at 5pm so we began to leave the compound around 4:30, when we got a call not to be on the road - to stay at home. We did not know why but later we learned this...

A few weeks ago the government hired students to clean up  the city and do other odd and end jobs for two weeks. They were each said to receive $100 usd at the end of it. Because of the lack of technology, names of those hired were not properly recorded and people who did not work were claiming to have worked, and receiving money...also the government only paid half of what they said they were going to pay.

This may not seem like a huge deal - but here it is - $100 usd is more than most people make in a whole month!

This scenario caused a HUGE riot. People were blowing up cars, catching a ton of buses on fire, throwing stones, blocking the streets with trees they were chopping down..... Dennis  was on the street and had to escape to a back road. Tomorrow night the entire town has a 6pm curfew.

I am praising God for my safety! Though it is a little frightening, God said to "fear not" so that's what I will do! I am blessed with His peace tonight, and am praying these riots end asap!

"The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. " -Proverbs 29:25

That certain time things are "suppose" to happen!

For young adult women... the hardest thing to entrust God with is relationships. There is a certain time you are "suppose" to meet the boy of your dreams, a certain time you are "suppose" to fall in love, a certain time you are "suppose" to be engaged, and a certain time you are "suppose" to be married. I cannot figure out who exactly decided when all these things were suppose to happen... but whoever they are... YOU ARE WRONG AND I HATE YOU!!! (disclaimer: i do not actually hate anyone)

I am not saying this to teach you a lesson, or explain how to fix a problem. I am simply publicly announcing my own struggles in hopes it encourages someone else.

Two things are for certain. One, I know without a doubt that when God decides to place the man of my dreams in my life, He will also give me complete and total clarification that he is "the one." Two, I am certain that I wish this moment of clarification has already happened....it certainly has not!

That "suppose" to happen time is slowly slipping away, and I am faced with two options.
1. I throw a pity party for myself. I cry about how lonely I am, am jealous of all my friends who are dating, engaged, married, and having babies. I decide that God's timing is not working out and I can handle it by myself.

2. I realize that the "suppose" time is not decided by me, by Hollywood, by my friends, or my family. It is decided by someone much bigger than all these things. I trust that Gods time is perfect... mine is not.

I chose option two. Is this easy? No. Do I always do it? No. For the majority of days I can honestly say that I truly trust God with this area of my life. I truly am content in Him, and Him alone. But... some days I honestly have a hard time trusting God, because I want things my way. (how selfish right?) I want to be using all my wedding pins on pintrest to actually plan a wedding. I want to buy Alfred Angelo style 1816 wedding dress instead of selling it to customers at Louisas Bridal. I want to wear a square cut diamond ring on my left hand, instead of seeing it on everyone else's. I want to love someone who loves the Lord more than me...

God clearly says in scripture that singleness is a blessing. It was brought to my attention in a sermon...single does not just mean never being married. Being single means you simply are not married at any given moment. So, if God has not blessed me with marriage yet...He has blessed me with singleness. I need to embrace that blessing. How?

1. While I do not have distractions of a husband.... I should spend time with my precious Savior with no distractions.
2.Pray that God continue to grow my future husband into the man I know he will be.
3. Enjoy my great friendships I have been blessed with.
4. LOVE my pink, lime green, and zebra room while I can. (i would never be ok with marrying someone who approved of this room decor.)
5. Trust. Trust me? no. Trust God? absolutely.

I would venture out to say, this is not just a struggle of young adult women... but also young adult men.

So... you are not the only one struggling... I am too! : ) I am down for talking to any of you single folks who need a little encouraging. God is sovereign over our lives... I pray you remember that!

My Dad is such a great example of what a Godly man should be.
Thankful for his influence in my life!


(If you read my blogs...please become a "follower." It is motivation for me to keep writing!)

A WORKING MOM!

December 22, 2011

Today was much more relaxed than the others. We made decorations for the honeymoon suite, for Ma-Mi's wedding Sunday.

They will be staying in the house behind where we are staying. It is so amazing to me that this is luxurious to them - yet I am staying in a similar room and find it as a sacrifice.

We also wrapped presents for Vania today. She is giving the men who work in the compound toothbrushes and knives - getting a wrapped present will be unusual to them. We also decorated her home. We hung bows over the doors and paper snowflakes on the windows, while listening to Christmas music. It was a lot of fun, minus the ridiculous amount of sweet pouring down my body.

Vania truly amazes me! She has helped me respect missionaries in such a greater way. She has completely converted to this culture, never complaining. The people here love her! She also goes full force on the mission field, doing everything with her six month old strapped to her back... never letting him slow her down .She does it all without hot water, electricity, microwaves, dive-thrus, washing machines...the list goes one. She give a new name to the "working women."

The best part of today is all the new friends we meet. Amanda, Ezekiel, and many more. I feel like we are beginning to build relationship's which is the main reason we are here.

God is truly blessing our time here. Praying He makes me bold and continues to put people in my path.

A EMPTY PLATE AND FULL STOMACH

In case you are jumping in late... I am blogging my journal entries from Africa. It starts with "Africa in a Nutshell" followed by the first journal entry on December 16th! I would love for you to read along. If you are, then please let me know by following me!     

December 22, 2011

I wanted to Record a story Dennis told us at dinner the other night....

At the time he left for college at Sandford University in the United States, Liberia was in the midst of the war. As I said before, this place was completely misplaced and still till this day is trying to rebuild itself. The war began with the rebels fighting the government; people killing their own people.

While Dennis was here for the war he saw people dropping like flies from starvation. The reason there is not many animals is because they ate them all. During this time, very young children walked around with guns-ready to kill, though they did not know why.

He specifically remembers right before he went to the states his friend being stuck in a swamp for a week, surrounded by gun fire. When he finally got out he found Dennis.

This man then took one sip of water and fell to the ground...dead....

When Dennis arrived to the states his aunt picked him up from the airport and took him somewhere to eat. He watched as she paid ten dollars for each of them, then he followed her to a bar of food. She would place a item of food on her plate, and he would follow, except where she put one...he put two. When he finally sat down his plate was overflowing, and people were staring. He ate the food with thanksgiving until his stomach was completely full and his plate completely empty.

He looked up, and his aunt said, "do you want more?" Dennis then responded,"no - I saw you pay ten for my meal....and I ate it." She explained he could eat as much as he wanted - they were at a buffet.

Tears began streaming down his face. He had just left a place where he watched his closest friend and so many others die from the lack of food, and here he was, offered a endless supply.

This puts things in perspective. It should make us thankful for what we have - it should also make us prayerful for those who go without. The thought of having so much while so many people have so little should also place tears in our eyes.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." -Philippians 4:6      

Gyrating....its not just a American thing!

In case you are jumping in late... I am blogging my journal entries from Africa. It starts with "Africa in a Nutshell"  followed by the first journal entry on December 16th! I would love for you to read along. If you are, then please let me know by following me!


December 21, 2011


I woke up today to the sounds of men singing praises to God! What a sweet sound. We began working again around 6:30. And yes...that is am not pm. This go around I got a little adventurous. I painted windows and stood on broken ledges and hand-made ladders - enjoying every second. A young boy from the village followed me around everywhere I went just as he did the day before. He did not respond much when I spoke to him, but I truly enjoyed his company and help. Vania told him, "do you know Jesus loves you plenty?" He smiled very big and nodded yes. I hope this sweet little boy truly realizes how loved he is.


When finished we loaded in the cruiser for our LONG ride back to town... all 9 of us, a dog, and all our supplies. I have never felt so claustrophobic, and as it was not bad enough we got caught in a bad traffic jam around the fourth hour. It was SO hot and my body hurt so bad. i enjoyed talking to the other men, but had rather have been doing it elsewhere.


When we finally got back to town we unloaded and re-loaded to attend a wedding rehearsal. There we met a ton of friendly people including two cute boys who were fascinated by our cameras.


The next part may be my favorite part of the day...we attended a graduation party. Guess what? Beer smells the same all around the word, and the people still gyrate in Africa. Though a bit frightening, it was a great experience. It was strange to know that Africa and America share similar cultural struggles.  The people were so kind, even the drunk men trying to dance with us.


On the way back to the compound we once again got in a jam - hours long of sitting completely still. There are no traffic laws in Africa, causing a lot of problems. Because it was hot, my window was down and I fell asleep...until I heard people screaming, "White women sleeping." I still can not really understand why me sleeping was so interesting.


The last two days have been very emotionally and physically draining. Praising God for getting me through it, and praying He fulfills my purpose here!!



^"God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging."


-Psalms 46:1-3

My sweet friend holding the paint for me!

Ginger on our crazy ride

Finished product

A SILVER LINING

December 20, 2011

So Animal Kingdoms Safari ride always has seemed a little exaggerated...not the case... Today I took the bumpiest ride of my life which latest about 5 hours to a village called Pim Pam in Robertsport, Liberia. On the way there, we went through about 4 counties, some of which seemed to have only one little hut. There were a ton of cows, but the skinniest I have ever seen.

When we arrived we went straight to work and painted a house that will be used for the living space of a evangelist and for Church services. "House" is not what Americans would picture, though this "house" is nicer than most.

While driving around I saw poverty like you would not believe. Some children were screaming "white women" and some, I think were blowing kisses.

What is strange about his poor poor place, is that it is at the same time the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Gods beauty can not be tampered with...proof He is truly amazing. it was like a silver lining to this impoverished place... Today I put my feet in the same ocean that I do every summer in the Outer Banks, this time I was just on the other side of that ocean. This water was so warm and the beach so clean and undeveloped. The entire beach only had about twenty people on it.

After our drive around Robertsport, we went straight back to work, and sweat rolled down me in this African heat and my body began to look more like red than white from the ridiculous amounts of paint that some how ended up on me instead of the house. More than once men said to us, "you work like a African," which I took as a BIG compliment.

A lady from the village named Ma-Mi and her baby son came up the hill we were on to help. She worked real hard and cooked for us - I felt awful I was not able to get much down. I would imagine Ma-Mi weighed only about 85 or 90 pounds. hard to know if it was from the lack of food or the large amounts of labor she does on a daily basis, as a single mom.

You would not believe the work these people did. They cut down trees...with a blade! From the tree we gathered palm nuts and golden plums. Both of these I thoroughly enjoyed.

When we were going to bed (about 7pm because the sun went down and there are no lights) we set up a mosquito net on the cement floor, leaving the boarded windows open for air, until our friend Emmanuel came in and said, "shut the windows so the..." About this time the biggest spider in the world crawled in scaring us all. I would imagine it was about 6 inches long and 6 inches wide (not including its legs). We chased it around until it was dead. My mom would have cried!

Speaking of my mom, today was hard for me because she had surgery and I have worried a lot, hating every second that I was not with her. Trusting God He has it under control, and thanking Him for giving me peace.

This is a Scripture that I saw painted on a building today, which was extremely encouraging. I am believing that God will take away my worry and fear... I assure you He is doing that for me!

"I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart." -Matthew 11:23

..."Educating without Jesus is just creating a really smart devel."

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December 19,2011

America has obviously placed its hand in Liberia in many areas - but the education system is not one of them.

Today we woke up and explored some then headed to "Jungle Farm" in the country were two schools gathered for a Christmas party. Many oth community children and some parents came as well. The cement buildings had three classrooms which looked more like prison cells. Each room only contained a chalkboard. Outside was a tent made from bamboo where about 150 students sat.

Though it was difficult to tell, the children's ages seemed to range from about 3-15.. Surrounding these children all in uniforms were many other small children in very tattered clothes. To attend a public school in Liberia it only cost $35 a year, yet many people still cannot afford it.....these children are the ones in tattered clothes, looking upon the more privilege, wishing they too could go to school.

The children played games, performed songs, heard speakers, an there favorite - ate. We prepared plastic bags with Orange flavored water and popcorn cooked outside over a fire. Through hours of sitting still in Africa's scorching heat these children - even the 3 year old - behaved perfectly.This is probably because they are forced to take care for themselves at a very young age.

We also feed them a full meal consisting of rice and foreign looking chicken and sauce, which for most of them would be the only meal they received today. They all patiently waited until they received theirs. 

The children not in school gathered around with the saddest, hungriest eyes. When we were served out meals they begged for it. Here...no one hesitates to ask you for what they want. I had to ignore dozens of people today which breaks my heart.

When me and Kelsey decided to give our food to one of the boys, the rest flocked. They shared, the youngest boy even spooning rice and placing it in others mouths. It was a huge wake up call to see six boys sharing one bowl of rice.

One of the speakers said this while addressing the school..."Educating without Jesus is just creating a really smart devel." He told them this generation was not going to view God like all the past, but instead have a personal relationship with Him. It is the only way the future will be fixed... AMEN!

While interacting with the children I thought, "What language are they speaking?" and the looks on their face seemed to be asking the same things. Come to find out they just speak Liberian-English and we speak hick-English. Really the same things. Though they obviously did not understand our speech they did understand one thing.... we were white!

They stared at us for a majority of the time. I would smile back at them and returning would be a huge grin on their faces. Such a sweet way of communicating. I said "hello" to one boy who was about two and he burst out into tears...the other children laughed. He had never seen a white person before.

One girl I am pretty certain asked me to preach. Though I did not it was so sweet to know we loved the same Jesus. They also replied Merry Christmas when I spoke Merry Christmas to them. it means so much coming from someone with no tree, no presents, and no santa!

Going back, we stopped at a market to get dinner. Either because we were white or because we were in a land cruiser, people flocked us - begging. One man said, "If there is a God why do you not give to me?" .... that was hard to hear - Liberia is a hurting place.

The effects of the war which fairly recently ended is still evident. School systems suffer because most teachers wereklled during war, so they had to re-start the system. There are not really anymore exotic animals because they were all eaten during war.

All together today blew me away for more reasons than I can explain. Community really matter here - I have not seen seem a person alone yet. There are no such things schedules here - they all do whatever, as the day goes by. They are HARD WORKERS! At 8am a young boy was cutting the grass (with a blade) while another boy was making mud bricks from holes he had dug. Electricity is a huge luxury and not very common. Going to the bathroom means walking to the field or finding a bush. Trash cans do not exist - neither do left overs. Women's neck muscles are strong - and their heads sources of transportation.

I have been writing for a hour but still have so much to say...Gods blessed me and made me grateful today. Here is one scripture spoken to m today by Vania, that sums everything up...

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." Ephesians 3:20

Police Encounter #1

December 18th, 2011


I can't even figure out what to say right now, the last 12 hours has been insane! We landed in Monrovia and quickly felt like we were in Africa!


I began ripping off clothes as fast as I could - it is soo hot. Its not often you experience snow and 90degree weather in the same seven hours. We then waited in a long "visitor" line to make our way through customes and into the country. Many people were intreged and asked us why we were there. One lady thought our passports were pink and was completely fascinated (It was just the cover).


When getting to the booth (finally) I handed her my passport, yellow fever card, and customs form.All the things know needed to enter Liberia. Then I heard these scary, stomach turning, body shaking words: "where is your visa?" Someone - tons of people - had forgotten to tell us we needed one. By law this would mean we needed to quickly be deported.


We were then taken into a small office with a military man and a few others and were then questioned up and down. As things were not complicated enough, they took Kelsey and left me... in a empty office - by myself..... there was NOOO way God directed my path to Africa for me to get deported in the first ten minutes... I knew He would provide a way out.


After a while I heard Kelseys voice from a distance and it never sounded so heavenly. They had found Dennis, the director of CRCA and brought him in for questioning. Eventually the deal was made we could each pay $100 and be let through. PRAISE THE LORD!


Exiting the airport was culture shock! Traffic is crazy and there certainly are not rules.There were people walking down the street with baskets on their heads, many very young children wondering by themselves, the houses are little huts with either one light bulb handing or no light at all.There are night clubs everywhere but not how you would picture them


We then went to dinner...and ate Chinese food. Apparently a lot of Chinese people have been migrating to West Africa... go figure! I could go on forever but my body feels like its shutting itself down... I just want to sleep. So I am now in bed under a mosquito net wit a ton of African teenage boys outsite my window... I am gonna try to get some rest.... Is this real life???

Wake Up Calls

December 18, 2011

Sitting at breakfast [whatever day that was...I'm so confused] I said, "you know what would make this trip perfect?...if "the Help" came on the plane television." Well...God honored my wishes or either the flight attendant was in Cracker Barrel because I have now watched "The Help" three times.

I am pretty sure everyone on this plane wonders why we are here, manly because we are the only Americans...and white people at that on this flight.The man beside me asks a lot of questions. The man informant of us is literally laying on Kelsey, his seat is so leaned back(six hours of this, I remind you).

We had dinner on this flight...WAKE UP CALL!!! Don't think either of us ate more than three bites. Sad part is, it is gourmet compared to the world we are about to enter into. They don't give us ice unless we ask and even then its one cube. The block of cheese was very much aged. The salad dressing (vinegar and mustard) was sooo bad, we gaged. The "chicken":, welll....it looks like chicken guts. The water comes in a cool jello looking container which has entertained me. For snack we first had what seemed like communion crackers and then realllyyy yummy ice cream. While we prayed for our meals we had to assume God knew our hearts because we were laughing out of control.

How ironic is it htat we are dreading the food that will be provided for us the next two weeks, while parts of Africa are currently going through the largest famine ever. I take everything about my life for granted.

We are now about twenty minutes from landing. My wake up call soon begins. Praying Gods quickly adjust me and prepares my heart in a mighty way.  should probably be praying our hick accents don't scare everyone too bad.

BELGIUM waffles but no Starbucks

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December 18th, 2011


I am now sitting in Belgium not knowing what day or time it is. We have crossed into a different time zone, and boy it is confusing me. Our previous flight felt like eternity, but we were surprised with some tasty meals. We aren't allowed to enter the main part of the airport which is breaking my heart, because Starbucks is literally right on the other side of the gate. I had even researched to make sure there was one here about six months ago.


Just from the small area we are in there is a lot of cultural differences.

1. the coke vending machine has a picture of a boy peeing coke on it
2. apple is spelled appel
3. its snowing
4. there are vending machines with waffles in them
5. I can't figure out how to flush the toilet
6. everyone is speaking french
7. diet coke is now coke light
8. coke is served by tab...along with the beer
9. I can't figure out Euros... I thought I just spent 6 bucks on chocolate milk - I actually spent 12! holy cow!

Next stop is Monrovia!!!!!!!! is this real life?? Gos is soooo good - I am still completely in awe that this is happening. I am constantly thinking of all those who financially supported me to make this possible!

Being BOLD

December 17, 2011


Off I went! After a great breakfast at Cracker Barrel with the Ellinwoods and Murrays, the departure began. Me and Kelsey are expert packers and some how managed to pack four suite cases, all meeting the weight limit exactly. We previously discussed how we would transport the resources we had collected to bring and decided on just sucking it up and pay for extra luggage. At bag check-in we were greatly blessed and the attendant decided to charge us.....nothing. Yes...this really happened...I still can't believe it.


I'll openly admit that I cried when telling my previous family goodbye. Christmas without them will not be easy.


Out flight to New York was fast and painless. When arriving we took our time moseying around and enjoying our last chance of American food. We then decided to walk to our terminal (early) and when arriving found out the gate had changed to the opposite side of the airport. When I say opposite I mean as far to one end as you can go and as far to the other side as you can possibly go. Soo.... me and Kelsey worked off our dinner from a good run and enjoyed a few laughs.


Now I am on a plane to Belgium being entertained by Tim Tebow book "Through My Eyes" (Im gonna marry that boy one day).

So many people have encouraged me with kind words tonight, and its a wonderful feeling knowing I am prayed for. My favorite was a simple comment from a dear friends of mine...she said, "be bold." Romans 1:16 says,
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God fore salvation to everyone who believes..."

I'm really excited to be BOLD!!!

Pre-Africa struggles

December 16, 2011


Its the night before the plane leaves and crazy mixed emotions are going through my head! I am already home sick and I haven't even left.


The thought of missing watching my brothers open presents on Christmas morning is enough to make me nausea's. The bags of granola bars in my suite case just does not seem nearly as appetizing as the cheesecake factory cheesecake that was just delivered to my house. I am not exactly looking forward to using the bathroom in a bucket or behind a bush or living in 110 degree weather.


Regardless, I am excited about doing the Lords will. I do know that through HIM I can make a difference in Liberia, and am praying I help add some names to the Lords book of life. A great Video shared by a great friend reaffirmed to me what a huge impact two weeks in Africa can have.
Also that this is just the beginning of Gods calling. We ARE ALL being called.


So here I go... that girl is boarding the plane..for two Weeks in Africa.


Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"-Isaiah 6:8

My brother, Trent the night before I left getting desert for the 5th time. We had "fake" Christmas...so much fun!

Africa in a nutshell with much more to come

On my two days of traveling back to America I had a LOT of time to think. Sometimes my thinking turned to tears, sometimes to laughter, and most often to confusion. The one thing I thought about the most is, "what will I tell people when they ask me "How was Africa?""

I knew this question would come a lot, and I wasn't and still do not know adequate words to answer this question.... at least not without talking for 5 hours (that's how long it took to tell my parents only a portion of it). So this blog is to somehow summarize for you my trip. I will be blogging my journal entries from my time there, one a day. I would love for you to read along and try to live my African life with me! .....

Most people thought I would come back from Africa, ready to move there. Many people even pleaded with me to come back, as they thought I would want to stay there forever once there. More people than not of those closest to me assume I will live in another country one day, and most likely one day soon.

I hope I don't disappoint you, but I didn't come back to share the words, "I want to move to Africa." I did however come back with thoughts that may be even better than that. God hasn't laid it on my heart to move to Africa, nor any other country. My trip was though a HUGE wake up call to what God may possibly call me to one day including all its struggles, uncomfortableness, and fears. With the realization of a possible call to discomfort in my future, I can tell you with all honestly that I am willing to go, and would even love to.

God may not call me to missions in Africa, or even out of North Carolina, but He HAS called me to be a missionary, along with you (be scared). We each are called to that... and I pray I am carrying that job out in my daily life...I don't have to go to Africa to do that.

All this said, I do now have a great love for Liberia, and I definitely left a piece of my heart there. I WILL one day go back, and hope it happens in the very near future. The friends I met there are dear to my heart, and I miss them more than words can say.

People said I would be in culture shock when I got there, but that's not really the case. I was in culture shock when I got back to America. Living the life of a Liberian for two weeks has made be very aware of how blessed I am, materialistically. Living this life in America truly makes me sick when thinking of the abundance I have when so many people have nothing. I don't think that as Americans we should live in guilt because it, but we should not be apathetic. We need to realize the needs of others and pray for ability to help fix them.

Spiritually, I am both strengthened and struggling. I have had two weeks to focus on my Sovereign Lord without any distraction (no tv, radio, computer.... electricity). I also am torn. I torn with the idea of the many needs of those who are so far from me, and torn in what my place is in helping... i want to fix it. I want to take away the poverty. I want to provide clean driving water. I want to pay for children to go to school.  I am also struggling with the MANYYY convictions laid on my heart and am praying for strength to change my heart where change is needed.

For the next two weeks I will share will you my experience. My trips(plural) to the police station, the riots, the heat, and the many great opportunities I had. Here are some highlights:

• Interesting food
• Operation Christmas Child
• Causing Car wrecks
• School parties and celebrations
• lots of children
• painting and fixing
• friends
• laughter and tears
• the strangeness in being white
• ......the list goes on............