Birthday Breakfast

As a person of tradition and who doesn't like change, I felt a little sadness as my birthday approached.

For my family, birthday breakfast has always been a really big thing. No matter how busy we were, or what was going on we all stopped and as a family ate a home cooked breakfast together. The day before my birthday I thought about how sad I was I would have to wake up in an empty house.

Surprise Surprise, my sweet friend Kelsey at 9 o'clock at night decided to drive all the way here from Rocky Mount to stay the night with me, even though she had to be back to teach at the crack of dawn the next day. I didn't even have to wake up in a empty house.

The night before as we brought in the my big 22, I still kept thinking about how much I would miss birthday breakfast. It wasn't even the breakfast itself, more so time with my family.

Of course, I overslept that next morning, waking up five minutes after I should have left. I ran out the door and hurried to work, irritated the entire way. I repeatably said to myself, "not only do I not get birthday breakfast, I don't even get breakfast." Worse than that, I had to drive pass a billion coffee shops with no time to stop. If you know me even a little - you know what a big deal lack of coffee is.

Obviously irrational, I showed up to work slightly discouraged. This was until not long after, a sweet co-worker (whom I started working with only 3 days previously) showed up with a cup of Starbucks coffee for me. Not long after that, my boss showed up with donuts for everyone to celebrate my birthday!

I was showered with love the entire day. One of my friends took me to sushi (which is my favorite thing ever), gave me a really sweet gift, and then surprised me with a home massage. Probably my favorite part of the day, she even brought me a Gigi's cupcake (If you have never had one, you must ASAP).

The day had gone great, minus the monsoon and a few miner bumps, but I still didn't have my family. Somehow celebrating the day of my birth without the person who birthed me didn't seem ok!

My Mom, Dad, sister Jordan and two brothers all drove (through the monsoon) all the way to Raleigh to see me! We ate a great birthday dinner at one of my favorite places, Cracker Barrel! My brothers are hilarious and added many smiles and much laughter to the day!

Later that night my sweet friend Brooke stopped by with another Gigi's cupcake and a gift certificate for a massage (my friends know me well I guess). She sat there and selfishly listened to me rant and rave about all my current life problems and frustrations. She is such a great listener and I am so grateful for her.

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

It is embarrassing how easily I get disappointed or discouraged. This Birthday taught me such a valuable lesson. God is so good to me and I have been given so many blessings. In this crazy season of life where everything seems to be changing - I need to learn that God will NEVER stop providing for me - even if His provision looks a little different than it previously did.

I am so excited about this 22nd year of life I have been given and I am so thankful for my family and friends... and Birthday Breakfast! 

Bringing in 22 with Kelsey! (Singing a LOT of Taylor Swift of course)

Sushi Thai on Lake Boone Trail - it comes highly recommended by me! 

The coolest boys I possibly could have spent my Birthday with. 

               

"The" Letter!

(The following is my support letter. I would love to mail you one if you want a physical copy. My address is not included for security reasons, but if you contact me, I can get it to you. Thank you for reading.) 

Hello all; its Jordan Ellinwood here. I am so excited to be writing you to inform you of the new journey God is sending me on as my time as a student at North Carolina State University comes to an end.

For the past four years God has allowed me to fall in love with Africa. After two trips there, I began to feel like it was where I belonged. Serving with “A Perfect Injustice” this past summer opened my eyes to the horrible injustices that people in our world face; but even more than just acknowledging that these injustices exist, I have realized with a new clarity that God has called us to love the victims of such injustice through our service. Isaiah 1:17 says, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”

Through much prayer and confirmation, I have decided to temporarily move to Kampala, Uganda in January 2014 for seven months. There I will serve with “A Perfect Injustice,” with the goal of returning and working for the organization in the states as their international director. API’s mission is to show and teach marginalized people the love and hope of Christ and to secure for them a life off of the street. They partner with local churches and Christian non-profit organizations to demonstrate the love of Christ within a holistic model that takes care of their basic physical, educational, spiritual, social, and emotional needs.

Specifically, the organization serves orphaned street boys and women trapped in prostitution. There are over 10,000 street boys in Kampala alone, meaning they have no home, family or support whatsoever. Three days a week there are street programs where all street children are free to come and eat a hot meal, as well as be taught both the Bible and simple educational basics. Most importantly they are loved, with a love that points them to the hope can have inChrist! The organization prioritizes in both the resettling of street children with their biological families when possible and building permanent homes for the children that cannot be resettled. The organization also helps rescue women from prostitution, giving them an opportunity to participate in the “Hope House,” a place they are taught life skills and have the opportunity to save money so that at the end of the program they can start their own businesses.

In order to answer to the Lord’s calling in Uganda, I am going to need to raise a very large sum of money. I completely trust God to monetarily provide for me, though it is a large task. If you feel lead to help me monetarily, it would be greatly appreciated. If you are unable to give in that way please keep me in your prayers as I seek God’s will in Uganda. I am very excited about this experience and am so glad you will be part of it with me.

I would love to personally meet with you to discuss my ministry and your options as a supporter. One timedonations or monthly donations are options. Checks can be written to Jordan Ellinwood or Providence Baptist Church (tax deductible). Please right my name in the memo line to direct these funds. Checks can be mailed to the address above.

Love through Christ,

Jordan Ellinwood  

To follow me on this journey follow my blog at: jordanellinwood.blogspot.com

To learn more about API: visit aperfectinjustice.com

To contact me: email aperfectinjuctice4@gmail.com or call 252-562-3997 

For Seven Months, I Wait.

At the conclusion of a study in Ruth, I very clearly knew I  was to begin to study Ezra. Because I completely believe in the sovereignty of God, I think the thoughts I am about to share with you, are all ordained by Him. 

As I began to read Ezra, I read about how the prophecy given by Jeremiah was fulfilled as King Cyrus of Persia made the Proclamation that God's people were to rebuild the temple of Jerusalem in Judah. This was the command of the Lord to the King, and King Cyrus faithfully pursued the command. 

After the King made the proclamation, God began stirring the hearts of His people. They started giving Gold, silver,  and livestock. Not only were the people willing to give, they were willing to go, and many (hundreds) began to make their way to Jerusalem.  When the people arrived, they continued  to selflessly give. When there wasn't enough money to complete the work God had commanded, the people would give even more. 

This went on and on with many troubles and times of persecution in the way. For seven months, each day they burnt offerings, but the foundation still was not laid, so once again they gave. They gave money, food, drink, prayers and their time. Finally, after these long seven months, the foundation of the Lords temple was finally laid.  

When it was laid, the Priest, their vestments, Levites, and the sons of Asaph all came with trumpets and praised God giving thanks to the Lord! They shouted, "for He is good, and His steadfast love endures forever toward Israel," (Ezra 3:8) and "all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid!"  (Ezra 3:9).  

My favorite part in this portion of scripture says that they shouted so loudly with joy that the sound was heard from very far away.  

There is no coincidence that in 7 months, I leave for Uganda. In 7 months I depart, not from Persia to Jerusalem, but from North Carolina to Uganda to complete the command God clearly spoke into my life. 

Like King Cyrus, I have shared the calling of God on my life, with those around me. 

For seven months, I too will wait. I will wait for God to stir the hearts of those around me who believe in this calling from God and believe He has great work to be done in Uganda, through me. For seven months,  I too will wait. I will wait on God to speak to those around me and I will watch them faithfully and sacrificially give of themselves, with monetary gifts and prayers. 

For seven months, I will wait. At the completion of those seven months, the foundation of my ministry will be built as I move to Africa. The move will be possible because of the sacrificial giving of others.

I believe with all my heart that God will provide every cent I need for this trip to occur. On the day that happens, I too will shout with Joy, along with many other people around me. I will praise God and give Him thanks, because His steadfast love endures in my life, forever. It is my prayer that my praise is so evident, that people around me and from afar, see and hear my praise and understand the sovereignty of God because of it. 

I too may face times of trouble and tribulation during the next seven months, but what hope I have in knowing through those times of trouble, Gods work will be accomplished! 

I am so thankful for the encouragement I gained from Ezra. I am so encouraged by the faithfulness of the people of Persia. I am so comforted in the knowledge that God WILL provide. 

So now, for seven months, I wait. 

"For He is good, and His steadfast love last forever!!!" - Ezra 3:8