Living Out of a Ziploc Bag

Some of you know me.  Others may not.  If you listen to G.L.A.M.’s  Podcast then you’ve heard my voice!  My mom and I had the awesome opportunity to be part of a G.L.A.M. podcast a few months back.  And now I have the awesome privilege of guest blogging.

When I was thinking about what I would write I was overwhelmed with thoughts of my future.  My husband and I are getting ready to move to AFRICA.  Yes, all the way to Africa!  Neither of us ever dreamed of something SO BIG happening to US!  We are so very excited about what God has in store for us there.  A large team will be meeting us for two weeks from our church and we will serve alongside them ministering to the people of Mwanza, Tanzania.  After their time with us we head straight to language school for 4 months then we return to begin our ministry on our land in the village of Isamilo.  Our non-profit (that Brian and I will be working for) is focused on reaching the street boys of Mwanza.  You can check out our website here and see what we are all about.  I hope you’ll pray about how to get involved and make a difference in the life of a child.

Anza Imani became a dream of mine a few years back.  It is a vision that I believe the Lord laid on my heart for such a time as this.  But even beyond just this time the Lord has had His strong hand over my life since I was just a small child.

G.L.A.M. is all about mentoring, leading others to a lasting relationship with Christ.  Discipleship.  I know without a doubt in my mind that if it weren’t for a few key people in my life I would not be where I am today.  But I believe the Lord does it that way on purpose.  Of course my parents were so instrumental in every life decision.  I am my father’s daughter and my mother’s twin in a lot of ways.  My Dad and I think so much alike.  My brother got my Mom’s way of thinking.  But my Mom and I share such a special bond.  My parents were travelling to Africa long before I got to go.  And it’s from their leadership and mentoring that I was able to see Africa for the first time and absolutely fall in love with the people there.

God has also brought so many friends in my path.  But two in particular really stand out.

First there was Ashmill.  Ashmill and I have known each other since middle school.  She was one of my first friends after a big move to Louisville, KY from my hometown of Clanton, AL.  We have not always lived in the same city, but our friendship has remained through it all.  Ashmill and I got to travel to Africa together in January 2011.  It is an experience that I will not soon forget.  She keeps my head on straight sometimes and I can always count on her for a good laugh.  Most of the time we’re laughing at me.

Then when we came back to Pelham, AL, after I joined FBC Pelham I met Mer.  Mer and I became friends not necessarily by choice.  We were put into a chaperone’s room during a church ski trip.  We didn’t know each other and definitely weren’t sure how the weekend was going to turn out.  I knew after the first night of laughs and unforgettable memories we were gonna make it.  Now all friendships come with their difficulties and we’ve had our share, but ours is a friendship that will stand the test of time I do believe.  Mer has always pushed me to excellence and she was such a huge part of Anza Imani’s beginning.  My first trip to Africa without the parentals was actually with Mer.  We ventured off in December of 2009 to spend several weeks at a girls home in Tanzania called JBFC.  You can see all about them here.  We ran around Paris for 8 hours unsupervised.  AND we still made it home alive. Quite in the accomplishment in our books.

These ladies in my life have all taught me to DREAM BIG.  Never put God in a box.  Live like there’s no tomorrow.  And love unconditionally.  They hold me accountable and are always there for me no matter what.  Do you have people like that in your life?  Are you that person to someone else?  Don’t ever lose those friends…that family.  Christ calls us to never forsake the gathering together of believers.  Spend time with those around you that hold you up.  Let someone else hold you accountable.  We all have room to grow.

Who knows…maybe if you just let go, and let God rule…He’ll send you to Africa.

And when He calls you somewhere great for His glory…don’t be afraid.

When He calls, He equips. 

For His Glory and His Renown,