Where In the World Am I Going?

Yes it is true!
This fall I am heading out once again, only this time I am going a bit farther...about 10 hours more by plane, to INDIA!!

I will be leaving sometime in the beginning of September, staying for six months, and working with the organization, Freedom Firm (FF).

FF seeks to eliminate child prostitution in India by rescuing minor girls, providing effective rehabilitation, and prosecuting the perpetrators of sex trafficking.

While in India my job will be to be friends with the girls in the aftercare program, love them, model Jesus, and help them with their bead making business.

I am extremely excited and extremely nervous, and even though I have feelings of, "What the heck am I doing?", I am confident in Jesus' guidance. I have been trusting and waiting, and this is where God has lead me. No insecurities or fears are going to stop me from doing what my Lord has so clearly called me to do. I have never realized how important confirmation from God could be until now. Until my flesh and human mind have tried to tell me this is too extreme, too different, too unpleasing to my parents. I thank my Father in Heaven for overcoming my flesh and mind, for overcoming this world and the things that are in it.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
John 16:33

I thank you for your love for me, oh Lord. I love you and will try with my heart, soul, mind, and strength to do so more each day.

Hakuna Matata

Who Am I?

This post is almost an argument against why to go without Bible training. Why to pick up, leave everything & everyone you know, love, and are accustomed to, and go to the ends of the earth for our dear Savior. When reading this I ask you to remember that this is not for everyone, as I will state, this is more specific to myself, and maybe a select few, rather than the wide range of missionaries out there. And even as I say this is more directed to myself, that does not mean my decision is made, this is what is going to happen, it's just, God is making me think, and that is always a good thing.

[Why go, without Bible training?]

While I do believe Bible training is good & would help a person in not only their future missions, but also in their walk with Christ, I have to ask myself some questions directed at me specifically because I have felt a tug on my heart about this subject. Who am I to gain more knowledge of the God I already know and have a relationship with, so that I can have a better understanding of His Word? Who am I to put my level of knowledge and achievement above those perishing without the hope of eternal life, those living in vein, or even more specifically to my calling, those trapped living in slavery? Who am I to say to the child sex slaves and soldiers, "Just hold on, in a couple of years, I will have an understanding of the Bible that will blow you away! You will literally want to thank me for making you wait 3-5 years while you are hurting, being tortured, broken, and looked down upon as either garbage or someone else's property? And really, our understanding of the Bible is something that, I believe, will never cease to grow, so why should I focus and dwell on just how much I know of God's Word, when there is always more knowledge and insight to obtain? And, who am I, to be living this self filled life until I am "fully prepared" to "go into all the world," as my Lord has commanded me to (Mark 16:15)? And seriously, what does fully prepared even mean? Am I really ever going to be "fully prepared"? Then what am I waiting for? Did He not say, "Go"? I believe that was His word. Not, "Wait, let the children suffer a bit longer while you sit in an air conditioned classroom, sipping coffee, and studying my Word so you may offer them a bit more. Then, and only then, is your time to go." No, but I also believe the word, "go," to hold a different time, place, and people group for everyone. I believe that for some it means, "Go to Bible school, then to said location." And others, "Go. Become a doctor, and then to the slums of the earth to help the least of these." And quite possibly, for myself, "Go. Go now, to the dying, suffering, sinning world, who is perishing without the hope of one day meeting their Creator, and without the love that only I can give to a broken child."

I also believe Christ to the be greatest teacher of all. So why then must I spend time and money being taught by people of the earth? Why can I not trust in my Savior to teach me all I will ever need to know? Now, I am not putting teachers down, for perhaps this is God's will for their life; their mission work. And for those who do go to school before leaving to a new mission field, these teachers are much needed and appreciated. But remember, I am asking these questions not of other Christians, but of myself due to the tug on my heart that I believe was placed there by God. So again, why can I not trust in my Savior to teach me all I will ever need to know? Why must I rely on Bible schools and discipleship trainings to help me gain a level of understanding in which would "best" help me to be Jesus to the world? I believe that if I give and devote myself to Him like I should, putting in time, effort, and heart, He can teach the same, or even more to me than any Bible school ever could.

Ultimately, I believe that God has a plan for each one of us, for each one of His children. And I believe each of our paths to be different. If we all did the same thing, all followed the same road, it would be then, that the work of missions, might start to tremble, and maybe fall. For how can I go, if the missionary made to send me, has left due to following his or her own plans and desires? And how can the sender do his or her own job, when the missionary meant to go, because of comfort, has instead decided to stay? I believe God to have a specific plan for all of us...senders, goers, doctors, teachers, and everyone in between. Psalm 139:16 says, "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." And I also believe that whatever the calling in our lives, in my life specifically, is one the would be a mistake not to answer, no matter the cost, what we must give up, or leave behind. If in fact, God is calling me to go, and to allow Him to be my only teacher, then I must obey Him.

I believe, I would be a fool not to.

Ring, Ring, Ring...

"Hello?"

"Hi Sarah."

"Hi, Dad! How are you?"

"I am great, but a little saddened at the same time. That's why I'm calling."

"Well, what's up? Tell me."

"Remember on June 24, 2006, when you claimed your life not as your own, but as Mine?"

"Oh yes, when I decided to give my all to You. I remember."

"Yup, that would be it. Anyways, this isn't a special call I am making just to you, I am actually calling all of your brothers and sisters as well, sort of as a reminder. You say you remember, but you keep living that ordinary life, and to be honest, that kind of hurts me. Why do you say one thing, say you are giving up this world, this life, but still go on as nothing has changed at all? Or maybe you listen to more Christian music, tithe every once and a while, but really, what are you doing for Me that is sacrificial? I love you, and your siblings as well. I want the best for you, I want to see you truly LIVING life, but to do that you must die. You must die to self everyday. Not living for yourself, but for Me, to serve Me and My people. Think of your older sisters, Gladys Aylwards, Amy Carmichael, Jackie Pullengers, Sabina Wurmbrand, Elisabeth Elliot, & don't forget your brothers, Hudson Taylor, Richard Wurmbrand, Jim Elliot...they did great things for me, not holding back. And with doing so, do you think they hated life, had a terrible one, not ever pleased or satisfied? Not at all! They were the few who truly LIVED. They were the few who found their life by dying to self. I just wish that you would take your promise made to Me as seriously as your brothers and sisters did."

"Uhh...wow. I, I'm really sorry. I...I don't even know what to say..."

"Don't say anything. Act. Go. Do. LIVE. And remember, this isn't a special call I am giving to just you...it is a call I am giving to all my children. It is a call for those who will hopefully, one day, recognize and obey the sacred call that I have placed upon those who claim to know Me.

And if for you, it's not today that you will die for Me, as once I have died for you, then I'll call again tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that. You can count on it.

I love you, Sarah.

Goodbye."

"Bye, Dad."

Kenya Dig It?

This past fall (Sep.-Dec.) I spent my time in Kenya serving God and His people. =)
Let me give you a glimpse into our week...

Monday: This is my class I taught with my friend Megan. We would do lots of memory verses, Bible scavenger hunts, and writing. They are the best!

Tuesday: Our team would travel an hour in bus to a tribal village where we would walk from boma (hut) to boma doing house visits (talking about Jesus, praying, encouraging, etc.)

Wednesday: There was a hospital in Kijabe (the town we stayed) and we would visit the patients to encourage and pray with them. The last month I was able to work in their Dental Clinic. They had me doing so much hands on stuff it was crazy...not an experience that I would get in the US. This is my leader, Angie, she was nice enough to let me clean her teeth! =)

Thursday: This was our day off with every other week being communication day. On that day we would travel to Nairobi to email family & friends. On the non-communication days we would hang out with the locals.

Friday: Walking an hour through the woods in skirts and flip-flops to Old Kijabe Town was our Friday. Once we arrived we would teach at more schools or do more house visits. The kids there don't have as much hair so they LOVE to pet white people (and I love to be pet). =)

Saturday: Either doing house visits in Kijabe, or going down to the Great Rift Valley where we would visit IDP Camps (Internally Displaced People). These people have been living in tents for the past 2 years, most of them with no jobs. Our team was able to bring them food, encouragement for the adults, and fun & games for the kids.

Kibera Slum: Our last week in Kenya we visited Kibera; Africa's second largest slum. It was so crazy the amount of people living there. Very eye opening for our group.

Baby Orphanage: Our last week we also visited a baby orphanage where our duty was to strictly love the kids! What an amazing job description.

Going to Kenya was such an incredible experience that I will never forget! From that trip I have changed a couple different things about my thinking, my relationship with Christ, and more. It's a change I truly love and thank God for as well. I also KNOW that I not only want to be a missionary overseas, but that that is what God made me for. It's the best feeling ever. =) I will be posting some of my journal entries from Kenya as I go (I journaled everyday!). Until next time...

Hakuna Matata