Two Weeks Until I Leave

So I have joined the blogging world. I've been hesitant to do this because so many of my friends who blog are great with words and are constantly sharing their wisdom. To be honest, I thought who would want to read what I think or about my ideas. However, I want to share my experiences in Sierra Leone this summer with whoever wants to read about it. I will update as much as possible, which will be minimal since I will hardly have electricity, let alone internet. I have been told I will have internet the first night and last night and if I need to go to the capital city of Freetown or Europe for medical reasons (I am praying that wont happen). My intention when I return is to update things God teaches me throughout the summer and how He works in the lives of the people I will be working with.

I am two weeks away from leaving for Sierra Leone to work with churches, schools, and orphanages in Mokanji for 6 weeks. I have gone on mission trips before so the idea of being in a country completely different from my own doesn't scare me, in fact I am very excited about it! God has used previous missions trips to mold my heart for Him. He has broken my heart for His creation, His people. He has brought people to himself and allowed me to be a part of it.

However, all of the trips I've participated in have been with teams. I have always gone with a group of other believers. I never thought much about it, but there is a great amount of security with going overseas with a team. That is not so this time. I will be going to Sierra Leone by myself. I will be meeting and staying with missionaries once I arrive, but as far as preparing and scheduling, it's just me. This sounds silly, but that didn't really sink in until a couple of weeks ago. All of a sudden I was terrified and overwhelmed just thinking about it. God is so good though and has taught me how completely inadequate I am. He has blessed me with a whole new level of dependence on Him. I've been thinking about and clinging to Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" and Matthew 19:26, "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'” Because Jesus, my Lord, is with me I can breathe. I can have confidence in what I am doing, knowing that Jesus is with me every step of the way. The fact is that I am not brave. I am not courageous. I am simply following Jesus and putting all confidence in Him. He has never let me down, and I know He will come through for me this summer. I can't wait to witness how He changes the people in Mokanji with His love.