Wherein I Talk about Africa Again

28 Feb 2012 2 Comments

by nataliaria in Africa, College, God, Moody Bible Institute, Prayer, Sovereign, Travel, Trust

God, please show me what I’m supposed to be doing, and open my eyes to see you leading me.

It was mid-October, 2011, and Moody Bible Institute’s annual missions conference had just begun. All around me people were talking about missions opportunities, short and long term trip options, and the deep need of people the world over to hear about Jesus Christ. I wanted desperately for God to show me how I was to respond to the need and I trusted Him to show me.

Two days later, sitting in a sun-lit classroom, listening to a seasoned missionary discuss orphan care in Africa, God spoke to my heart. You can only discern so much of my will here at school, He said. He’s right, I thought. I can’t just sit and wait until God shows me exactly what He wants me to do. I need to go and do. Only when I go out and serve Him will I be able to discern what is right, what I am called to, where my heart finds peace and joy.

And God heard my prayer, and provided an opportunity to go and do in Kenya, Africa this March! From March 10th-March 22nd, fellow Moody students Anna, Delroy, and I will be partnering with Christ’s Hope International to work in Kisumu, Kenya. Christ’s Hope is an organization whose focus is to bring the hope of Christ to individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. Lord willing, we will have the opportunity to join national workers in visiting a children’s jail, spending one-on-one time with HIV/AIDS victims, and visiting one of Christ Hope’s orphan Care Points, among other ministry opportunities.

I would like to ask you to pray for my team and me as we prepare for our trip, as well as during our stay in Kenya. Please pray that God would prepare the hearts of the people we interact with, as well as prepare Anna, Delroy, and me for whatever He has for us while we’re in Kenya. Please pray also for safe travel for our team, both the four flights each way as well as travel in and around Kenya. On a more personal note, I am feeling rather apprehensive about the trip; please pray that I can trust in God’s sovereignty, and that I can be excited for our time in Kenya.

Thank you so much for your care and the part you play in my life, and for supporting me through your prayers! It means so much to me that you take the time to lift up the people of Kenya, our team, and our trip in your prayers!

~Natalia