Hi, guys.
I'm not terribly good at this sort of thing, so let the rambling begin. A couple months ago, I had the privilege of worshiping with a man named Matt Papa at UGA's BCM. He shared testimony about the work of an organization called One Life, and he told our group about the incredible work God is doing as his servants build an orphanage in India. Immediately, I felt a tug on my heart to look into One Life. I am very fortunate to be graduating this December--a semester early--and before that night I really didn't have any plans for my semester off before returning to nursing school. This was a serious command from God, and I knew immediately I should be using this opportunity to serve him.
So, right off the bat, I emailed the project coordinator about going to India, really without a second thought. But I was heartbroken to find out 2 weeks later that the missionaries couldn't take anyone for several months. I felt sure that that's what I was supposed to be doing, but it occured to me that I really hadn't prayed about it at all. I was so busy trying to figure out how I could serve God that I forgot to let God tell me how I should best serve him. So after a lot of prayer, God gave me this opportunity to travel to Durban, South Africa, even though as a single female the project coordinator was originally unsure that I'd fit the description of the average volunteer for the project. But the Lord opened a door, and I was in a state to walk through it, so I leaped.
I applied to the International Missions Board as a solo volunteer and was accepted, and I am now spending January in a neighborhood in South Africa--a neighborhood in which 1/3 of the people have HIV/AIDS, and 60% of the residents are under age 25. It is a high crime neighborhood, and many of the youth have fallen under the influence of gangs and no longer attend schools. Kids younger than I am are the heads of their households there. I have been given an incredible opportunity to bring glory of God, and I am so, so thrilled. I will primarily be filling open positions in the school, and after school I will spend time getting to know people living out in the streets and sharing the Gospel with the community. I am trusting that the Lord will use me in ways I can't yet anticipate.
At the moment, I need support--and I truly believe that prayer is the most powerful thing I could ask of you guys. Nothing and no one can do as much as the Lord, and I ask that over the next couple months you would just pray--for Durban, for the hearts and souls of the people there, for me, and most of all pray that He will become greater and I will become less. I value your prayers and encouragement more than you can imagine. I ask also that you would pray that God makes a way for me. I need to raise about $1400, and because I have taken only volunteer jobs over the past couple years, I don't have a lot of personal resources. That being said, if you hear of a way to make some money here and there, I would so, so greatly appreciate you passing it along. I believe that the Lord will take care of it, and I am just promising him that I'll be obedient.
Thank you so much for your prayers.
I love you guys, and if any of you have thoughts or suggestions, I would love for you to share them.
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