Two Years Later...

On July 9, 2010, I knew my life would never go back to normal. I was sitting in Texas having quiet time. I was exhausted, sad and a little bit angry. I had just come back to the US after being in South Africa for about a month. It was a stretching, amazing, powerful, and life changing month. As I sat on the floor (right underneath a map, specifically...under Africa) the Lord broke into my heart yet again. I opened my Bible and just began reading. 

1 Thessalonians 2:8 "So affectionately longing for you, we were well please to give you not only the Gospel of God, but our lives as well. Because we loved you so much"

This is what the Lord had led me to read. At that moment, I experienced joy like never before! I knew this was God telling me I would give my life to missions in Africa! I knew this was Him telling me to move to Africa to be a missionary. 

So I went home and shared. I told my family and friends about all the people I met, all the amazing Jesus stories, and how the Lord had changed my heart. Many were excited with me, many were surprised but many were also doubtful. People told me it was a phase and it would fade. They told me I was just on a high soon I would be back to normal. I insisted that the Lord had seriously changed my entire life. I no longer wanted to live the American dream with my own bakery, a husband, a few kids and a dog. I wanted more, more from Jesus. I knew my dreams, my heart and my life would never be the same. 

The next summer, I went back. This time for two months as an intern. Oh man, did Jesus show up! I saw a 3 year old paralytic walk! I saw the Lord multiply! I saw women find their worth in Jesus! I saw children experiencing the love of the Lord! I saw God move and wreck the hearts of several teenagers! I saw more of where God wanted me...in an African country with war, political unrest; a country that has lost hope and been abandoned by missionaries. 

A few months ago, I applied. I will be going to Rwanda in January to work with widows and orphans! Then, I will go to Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Sudan, Congo or Burundi to reach out to these women and children. Then, I will come back and prepare to be a real, live, working, full time missionary to Africa!

Two years later...still in love with Africa, still in love with Jesus. My heart still breaks for every African orphan and African woman. My heart still soars when I hear the word Africa. My heart still leaps for joy at the thought that I will live there someday soon. Two years later, it hasn't faded. It wasn't just a phase.