Oops. I Forgot To Tell Ya: I Am Leaving the U S of A tomorrow.

A moment ago, I realized I forgot a really important detail. I don't have a suitcase. After two trips to Africa and back and a handful around the states, mine is toast. Maybe this wouldn't really matter - except I leave the country TOMORROW.

Then, I realized I forgot something even more important than the absence of a suitcase. I forgot to tell almost all of my family and friends that I was even going.

.................

Tomorrow morning at 5am, I will be arriving at RDU airport to depart for Toronto, Canada to serve with Trinity Life Church. It will be a similar experience to the one you read about last March (and still can read about).

I am going to leave you with no details of the trip except for I am going - and I need your prayers!!!! Pray that God speak through me (and our team) as we minister to the people of Toronto. Pray that God's love shine straight through us. Pray for traveling mercies. Pray for our unity as a team. Pray for energy - emotionally, physically and spiritually. Also, you might want to pray for my mouth to stay shut or for my team to have patience with me - because I REALLY hate cold, and tend to complain a lot about it. Or better yet - - you could just pray for warm weather (this is a joke) (kind of).

One thing I learned from day one of my last trip to Toronto, is that I desperately needed the Lord to work through me - because works without Him were of no use. Trusting He WILL do big things this next week through my life!

So thankful for the many people in my life who are faithful to pray for me. Know that my life reflects your prayers.

I will blog as much as possible while I am there, from the basement of my hostel! : )

All my love,

J
xoxo

SO EXCITED to rekindle my love for Tim Hortons and maple flavored EVERYTHING. 

100 days.

100 days. That is all. In 100 days I will board a plane to Uganda.

That number seems so small, and tomorrows 99 even smaller. As the numbers decrease my need for dependence on God increases. I am so excited to be living in the Lords will, but that doesn't mean it is easy. 

When I talk about Africa, I talk about all the amazing opportunities I will have and all the awesome ways I will get to serve. I talk about the little boys that have a big part of my heart and the fact I am so excited to show them love. 

I don't talk about how much it terrifies me to be away from those I love here in the States, or the pain I feel when I make a list of all the events I will not get to be present at. 

I talk about the great amount of money God has provided for me through generous people, but I don't talk about the humility it has taken me to ask support, and the great amount of pride in my life that I have become aware of during this process. I talk about how thankful I am for the great response to my ministry, but don't talk about the great amount of doubt I have in my heart that I have to daily fight - in believing God will provide for me, every cent. 

The list goes on. The truth is, though I would like to think my decision to pack up and move to Africa makes me brave, I have never felt so weak. 

I am scared of what happens in 100 days - yet so so excited to let God lead me through this journey. My weakness is just another reminder that this journey is not about me. I can do nothing beneficial for not a single person in Uganda - but God can through me! 

Please be in pray for me the next 100 days. Specifically: 

• 100% of completed support raising and for my confidence in God that He will provide. 
• I am in need of things for ministry such as a laptop. Money is one of the hardest things to trust the Lord with - but I am praying that He will provide. Join me. 
• Spiritual preparation - that I know Him better, to be able to teach about Him better. 
• My wacked out emotions - that I be comforted by the Lord. 

I am so thankful for the amazing amount of support, prayers, and love I have been shown. I am so excited for you to be part of this journey with me. 

Much love, 

J

xoxo

P.S.  Happy Independence Day, Uganda! : ) 

"You will not all be present at your 5th year reunion."

Andrew Sanders
November 20, 1990 - September 29, 2013

Mr. Wayne P. James has always been famous for giving a annual speech to his students. His words have always been, "you will not all be present at your 5th year reunion."

When I heard these words as a freshman in high school, I couldn't grasp the idea, and most definitely did not receive his speech as reality.

This was until January 7th of my senior year when my sweet friend Katie's life was nearly ripped away from her. That night in the ICU waiting room, I collapsed in the arms of my father and asked, "everything is going to be ok, isn't it?" His answer nearly took the breath away from me. He responded, "I don't know." I knew at this point that my dad did not have all the answers - but he pointed me to a Heavenly Father who did.

I really believe that in this moment, I chose to have a personal relationship with God. Maybe in this moment, it was because I knew He was the only one who could save her. Maybe it was from the fear of death. Maybe it was my desire to have security in knowing I would one day go to heaven. Regardless, since that day, God has proven himself to me relentlessly, as I have continued to fail him time and time again.

One of the many ways I fail him is not living intentionally daily. Since January 7th, the knowledge that life is short and we truly do not know when our last breath will be, seems to slip my mind. Many days, I live as if there is much more time to decide to live "right." This was until the summer after my freshman year of college when I got the heart stopping phone call that our dear friend Dajuan had been shot to death.

I was asked to speak at his memorial service representing the class of 2009, and very hesitantly agreed.  I don't think many people heard a word I said that service, because the only sound anyone heard was the heart-wrenching cry of his mother. As I stood in front of a room full of young people listening to this noise, I once again remembered that life was short - and we never knew its end - none of us are guaranteed tomorrow.

Since that day, several years later, I once again forget that I am not invincible.

This was until this past Monday morning at 5 a.m. when the world seemed to stop for a moment, with the news that our dear friend Andrew Sanders had very suddenly passed away.

It would be so easy to question why God look him so soon. It would be easy for some of us to question if there was even a God or why He allowed this to happen.

OR it could make us question who we are living our lives for, and if we are living our lives well. It could make us question, what will happen when we die?

Does Andrews death make me wonder "why"? Yes, absolutely. Does it make me question God? No, not for a second. I can't give all the answers and I can't promise you that it will even sound logical to you. But I can promise this: because of my relationship with God, my life has purpose. Because of my relationship with God, I have joy - even when life is hard. Because of my relationship with God, I am guaranteed eternity with Him, and all of those who too love Him. I am so thankful I am promised eternity - but I don't love Him for a ticket to heaven, I love Him for the sacrifice He made for me (and you).

I am heartbroken over Andrews death. I would do anything to hug him one last time, but no amount of tears will bring him back. I pray that Andrews passing bring about great change and good things. I pray this event makes each one of us pause for a moment and think about the relationship we have or don't have with our creator.

We don't really have an option to not believe Mr. James wise words. We now know they in fact are true. We will not all be at our fifth year reunion. We may not even be here tomorrow - so don't wait. Choose a life of purpose today.

All out of love for you and the Gospel,

Jordan
xoxo