Almost two years ago, I drove across the United States to Oklahoma City, to participate in a week long missions trip, helping to clean up after tornadoes that had caused unspeakable damage to lives of people living just outside the city. I can't fully put into words what got me to go, except that it was a God thing. And like most God things it was a total adventure. I drove 20 hours with a girl who started out as a stranger, slept on a cot with people I had never met, in a giant gymnasium. During the day I tore down drywall, drove a u-haul truck (for real!!) , hammered things, drilled things, heard stories of God's power and provision, laughed, and had a ridiculously great time.
And late at night, when the silence of the gymnasium was interrupted by only the odd cough or the echoes of a creaking cot, something else began to happen. Something that hadn't happened to me in a long time.
I began to dream again.
And I began to pray in a whole new way.
I specifically remember two books I was reading at the time. One was called "Anything" by Jennie Allen, and the other was "Kisses from Katie". Maybe not the most theological reads, but both books gave me real life stories of women living in surrender.
And so, I decided that that’s what I was gonna do.
I was done trying to set up my life to look like what I thought a Christian life should look like. No more trying to prove to God that I was deserving of the Grace that He had shown me, because the truth is, I don't deserve His grace. That is exactly what makes it amazing.
I decided I was going tell God I was up for anything, and see what dreams He brought to my heart.
And guess what? He showed up.
I became passionate. For the young girls in my youth group at church, for the broken hearted women around me, and perhaps most of all, for those women who desperately need freedom from the worst type of slavery.
He made me passionate to see women like me, women in our late twenties and early thirties to quit waiting for life to happen, and instead to begin building things that matter with the God of the universe as our helper. I began to care about using the gifts He has given us to actually DO something. I became passionate about words and stories, about being a disciple who actually made disciples.
I got excited about life.
Eventually that attitude of "anything" prayer and a heart that wants to dream has brought me here, typing these words at a dining room table in the middle of a house in Chiang Mai Thailand.
And so I come before you so thankful. Thankful that you believe in me, that you pray for me, tell your friends about the work my team and I are up to, that you are giving my doggy a home, and that you supported me financially through this time.
I am happy to announce that I am fully funded for Kingdom Journeys.
Thank you, thank you, thank- you! I really could not have travelled to Africa, Guatemala, the Philippines and Thailand to bring freedom to women and girls without your obedience.
I have just over three weeks left of living here in Thailand, and I can't wait to see how God works in the short time that we have left. I'll be sure to share....
But in the mean time, please know that those dreams that were birthed in the hot sticky sun while I was learning to tear down drywall, have come to fruition because of your faithfulness.
I tried my best to be faithful to the dreams that God gave me, and God's word says that when we are faithful with a little, He entrusts us with lots.
I am so excited to share the dreams that He is entrusting me with next. Stay tuned for more posts in the days to come !
I love you and I’m so thankful for you !!!