Wednesday, June 12, 2013

2 Days Until Africa

I haven't been on here in months-- this was a crazy semester. However, I have had a lot of people ask me if I was going to blog about and from Kenya. Well... my old computer went Ker-plunk a few months ago so that is not going to be happening this trip. However, I am going to write before, and journal while I am there, and write what I went through and experienced and blog about it when I get back.

It's crazy. This will be my 4th mission trip (twice back to Africa). And even though I have been to different places and continents... it always starts out the same. Hard. Hard spiritually, mentally, physically.... hard. And if you think about it, this makes perfect sense because we were told of this. In James it says..."you.WILL.face.trials.....of.MANY.kinds!!" You see, I am going to do the Lord's work. I am going to be an ambassador for the Lord. I was asked "Who shall I send? And who will go for US?" And I replied, "Here I am Lord, send me!!" (Isaiah 6:8) And so to Satan... I am a threat. I am walking on his territory. I am bothering him. I am boldly going to these precious people that he has tried to claim and am telling them that witchcraft, and idol worship and child sacrifice is not how you gain God's love. I am showing them that all you have to do is, "Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved."(Romans 10:9) And it's simple and easy and attractive... and honestly, that pisses Satan off (sorry mom). I will say it this way... it frustrates him to his core. He hates God and he hates his followers (me)... so when I am going out there speaking truth and declaring the GOOD NEWS... he wants to trip me up. Whether that is get me sick.... whether that is put a distraction in my mind.... whether that is make me nervous.... or put doubts in me. He is going to try the best he can to make this trip as unsuccessful and meaningless as possible.

However.... apparently Satan forgot who I serve. Because I DO NOT serve a little man made idol that I can control. You see, I DO NOT serve a God who gets easily tripped up and confused. I DO NOT serve a God who loses faith or boldness and cowers when confronted with difficulty. I just don't. I serve a God who is BIGGER. I serve a God that is STRONGER. I serve a God who is STEADFAST. I serve a God that is MORE POWERFUL, MORE INTELLIGENT, and BOLDER. And most importantly, I serve a God who is VICTORIOUS. My God has already won. And that REALLY angers Satan.

I have not even began packing my clothes yet.... I have washed a lot so that is a step. haha But more importantly than making sure that all my stuff is prepared and ready (and I understand that is pretty important)... I want to make sure that my heart is prepared and ready. More importantly than making sure that I have clothes to be dressed in that are appropriate for Africa.....I want to make sure that I am dressed in my armor. That I am fully covered in my belt of truth, my breastplate of righteousness, my shield of faith, my helmet of salvation, my sword of the Spirit and that my feet are fitted with readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:10-18) I am excited to be going back to this place that holds my heart. But more importantly than that.... I am excited to spread the good news.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." -Luke 4:18-19  Selah.