I believe even if. . .

What do you do when God has spoken directly to you? I bet you’re thinking, “Well that’s easy Brandon, 'you just believe it and obey!' ” I’m sure you might have heard the same saying as myself growing up: “God said it. I Believe it. And that settles it.” All these words sound good when you’re typing them or reading them. It’s easy to say when God speaks just take it as it is and believe it. But what about when you hear God directly speaking to you, it becomes specific and personal and more often than we like His word/words WILL BE CHALLENGING! 

That’s where I find myself today in the middle of a word from God with extremely challenging circumstances. You better believe when God speaks it will require all the faith that’s within you to believe. It might even cause you to take a step back and laugh, “God seriously?!”  That’s exactly what happened to Abraham and Sarah. . . 

“Then God said to Abraham, “Regarding Sarai, your wife—her name will no longer be Sarai. From now on her name will be Sarah. And I will bless her and give you a son from her! Yes, I will bless her richly, and she will become the mother of many nations. Kings of nations will be among her descendants.” Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. “How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?”

                                                              – Genesis 17: 15-17

Okay, Abraham you and I should talk because I feel like I can relate with you right about now. I’m in that same boat where it’s so easy to laugh and say, “God. Seriously!” 

Can you relate, has God ever told you something or asked you to do something that completely stretched you?  If you aren’t there yet, keep following Him and I can guarantee He will say/ask the unexpected.

So what do we do when we walk through unexpected impossibility? Honestly, I really don’t know. But I’ll tell you what I am doing and will continue to do: Worship, worshiping God through it. Choosing worship over worry, doubt, and confusion is defiantly not the easiest choice but I know that’s what my God deserves so it’s the choice I pray I will always choose. He deserves praise no matter if my mind can wrap around His supernatural plan or not. I may not know how He will work through this circumstance but this I do know:  He has called me. He has chosen me. He will not throw me away. He is always with me. He has a great plan for me. His son is at His right hand interceding on my behalf. He has filled me with His spirit. He has equipped me and has blessed me with every spiritual blessing. Therefore I will praise Him. I will praise Him in my pain. I will praise Him in my tears. I praise Him not because of my temporary situation but because who He constantly remains. 

I pray this might encourage someone that also might be walking through a difficult moment in God’s classroom.  

back in the classroom

As I sit in the New Orleans airport with so many emotions rushing through my soul I can’t help but let one emotion overtake the others. Excitement. That’s what I feel pure excitement. I’m coming alive again, I feel resurrected. I’m about to be back in my element, the puzzle piece is no longer lost but it’s back in its rightful place, the place where it belongs and its beautiful. . .    

O’ how I’ve longed to get away from it all, the distractions, the busyness, and overwhelming things of life and get back to me and God.  God spoke to Moses and said, “Come up to the mountain to the place I have shown you and I will give you instruction (the 10 commandments).” That’s what I feel like a portion of this journey to Thailand is about. “Brandon I’m calling you away from it all for a time and I want to teach you and give you some instruction.  Get away and spend some time with me.” 

 The possibilities are endless; God could direct me anywhere He can speak to me about anything I’m just ready to hear His voice.  I’m ready to spend time with him on a more intimate level again. I want to serve Him again. In some mysterious way the broken, the poor, the sick, and the lost are Christ. He said, “When you fed the hungry, gave water to the thirsty, gave clothes to the naked, visit those in prison; you did it onto me.”  How humble and mysterious our God truly is. I’m ready to be amongst them and Him again. 

In Africa I believe God asked me to “step into His classroom” I’m starting to see that Africa isn’t where it ended but only where it began. God’s classroom isn’t a season but it’s this thing we call “life”. Either we can be a good student and learn from the good teacher or we can believe with all of our foolishness and selfishness that we know more than He and learn nothing and be miserable the entire time we are in “class”. I don’t know about you but I choose the better way but not always the easiest way and that is to trust God and be a good student.

giving

I have struggled when it comes to writing blogs I never know what to say and what not to say. Often times I start typing then I start back spacing because I’m worried that I’ll be misunderstood.  I never want to come across as rude or offensive however I do want to be real and some things just need to be said. When I blog I want people to experience what missions is really about I’m talking about sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly side of it. Anyone that really knows me knows that I have a heart to travel across the world to the broken and the desolate places and bring the hope that can only be found in the Gospel. I pray that by being transparent when it comes to missions that the Holy Spirit would move on the reader’s heart and compel him/her to action. For we ALL (not a single person excluded) have a responsibility to serve in missions (whether that be locally or globally). 

A little girl filled with joy at our bible club in a public school

Today I want to talk about what God has been doing and defiantly not finished doing in my heart and when it comes to giving. I pray that I won’t be misunderstood but living in Africa with white skin seems to have its advantages and its disadvantages.  Let me explain . . .

When I first arrived to Africa I was overwhelmed with all the need that I seemed to be amerced in. Being white must mean that you’re a magnet that draws all those in need to you. People come from everywhere and anywhere to explain their situation, their need, and you can do to help them.  Like I said I was overwhelmed what can I do? I’m just a guy that raised funds to come to Africa to help people.  Exactly, I came to help people and here are a bunch of people that need help now what am I going to do to help them?  My first reaction was to help who I can with what I have then after that then the rest will have to wait until I could receive more resources.

 I’ll never forget what the Lord spoke to me one day, “Brandon you got to stop trying to be everyone’s savior. For you have limits and can let people down. Brandon I don’t have limits and I never lack. I alone can carry such a burden. Stop carrying this burden on your own and give it to me. I’ve called you here to point people to ME and to be obedient to my voice for I’m always speaking but you’re not always listening. For I am an all powerful and loving Savior trust me and obey me.” After hearing such truth I quickly had to repent I didn’t see it before but I was trying to be a savior for these people.  I was trying to meet all their needs and make everything okay for these people. I believe God wants people to rely on Him and not the “white man” for everything that they need. 

What I’ve learned to do when (not if but when) I’m approached by someone in need is to listen to God’s voice and see what He is compelling me to do in that moment. Sometimes yes he wants me to give something in the moment to the person. In other times I don’t feel compelled to give anything. Now before you label me as a horrible missionary/Christian let me explain. Although God doesn’t lead me to give anything I am to do something. In a situation like this I often will say something along these lines, “I’m sorry man but I can’t give you anything today. However I don’t know if you believe in the God of the Bible but He is a loving father who loves to give great gifts to his people. Turn to Him, believe in Him, trust in Him, and I believe he is going to take care of all your needs. Let’s pray and ask God to help you in your need.”

Having fun at bible club!

If you’ve been a Christian for any period of time you’ll know God always won’t work the same way. So things change but the most important thing is for us to always be listening to the Lord and His leading. If we can remember to do that then we can never go wrong. 

Just this morning I had a little guy approach me asking for money for food. At times I want to evaluate whether the person in need is truly going to use this money for what he/she is asking it for. But it’s not my place to evaluate the heart and the intentions of the person. It is my place to respond in a manner that is Christ like and allow God to take care of searching the heart and the motives. Also its important for Christ followers to not just respond to needs but to our Father’s leading. Christ often will compel me to actually go buy the items that the person is asking. If they are asking for food I’ll walk into KFC and purchase a meal and deliver it to the person in need. Again I believe the most important thing for Christ followers is to listen to His voice and be obedient no matter how difficult, uncomfortable, or how high the price may be we must learn to trust Him. For His ways are far beyond our own. (Trust me I not trying to preach at anyone I’m currently walking and learning how to do these things as well) 

Recently I believe the Lord has begun to mess with my heart about leaving this very computer I’m typing on with some of the missionaries in Africa. This raises a million questions in me. What will I use when I get back to the states? How will I afford to buy I new one? Will I get another before I go to Thailand? If not how will I communicate with people back in the states? There are a million questions I can ask but all I hear answering back to me is this: Trust me. Trust me. Trust me. I believe the truth behind giving is God is testing and examining our heart. And to do that often times its giving till it hurts and strikes something in our hearts. Often times giving is a sacrifice and if it isn’t I question is it really a gift at all. I know one thing I can’t out give God. If He chooses to never give back what I gave away its still okay. Because In Him I already have all I need.

what's an expat?

Growing up in South Louisiana I’ve experienced my fair share of hurricanes. I remember one particular evening after a hurricane we lost our power. Out of boredom I lit a candle and pulled out a 1,000 piece puzzle. Now, I don’t know if you’ve ever attempted to put together a 1,000 piece puzzle but I tell you the pieces are tiny and all the pieces look the same in the dim candle light. I remember getting extremely frustrated because I was confident, I was absolutely certain that a particular piece went where I was trying to put it.  It didn’t matter how I turned the puzzle piece it didn’t even matter if I flipped the piece around it just wouldn’t fit. Strange yes, but I got a feeling very soon I might be able to relate with that puzzle piece .  . .

Living on the “mission field” I’ve experienced many different things. I have a strong feeling; some would label my experiences as unpleasant and uncomfortable. But that’s not the case for me. I’ve grown to LOVE the different way of life here:

·         Crazy street side markets

·         Let’s just say I have to constantly remind myself I’m a Christian when I’m on the road overseas

o   Can only drive a few miles before hitting speed humps

o   Obnoxious pot holes

o   “Robots” (traffic lights) that never work

o   Kombi (taxi)drivers that drive all over the road

o   Very, very, very, confusing intersections

o   Cattle constantly standing/sleeping in the road

·         Getting lost just about everyday

·         Waking up in the middle of the night to a flooded house (happened quite often)

·         Living in “unsafe” areas

·         No air-conditioning (so when you open the widows every insect in Africa decides they want to come live with the you)

·         Exposed to interesting smells

·         Being white often means you’re approached for money

·         Often being misunderstood

·         Being fined for some really ridiculous things

Use your imagination and if it hasn’t happened to me directly I’m sure it has happened to some of my missionary friends.  The truth is not every day is easy, comfortable, and sure you miss the states from time to time but I wouldn’t exchange a crazy day overseas for a great day in the states for anything. I’ve grown to love serving overseas. I’ve grown to love the crazy driving and the crazy road side markets who often times have the most “interesting” venders. I’ve come to the place where I love it all. Missionary Palmer Chinchen has a word he uses to describe someone with such behavior. Here is an excerpt from his book True Religion:

“I’ve been using a word to describe the lives of people who leave their country to make home a far and place. This word describes an extraordinary life, a life of uncertainty, a life of exhilaration, a life worth living. The word is expatriate.

Expatriates live differently. Expats soak up the world in which they land. They don’t try to take home them. They absorb the smells. They soak up the uniqueness of the culture. 

Expatriates are resilient. They have resolve and learn to adapt and improvise. They expect little. They find guilty pleasure in luxuries as an air-conditioned restaurant, a hammock by the beach, an iced Coca-Cola… in a glass bottle.

The Sandals all in-clusive frequenter is not the expatriate. The get out of the tour bus and take pictures crowd is not the expatriate. The loud obnoxious guy in the hotel swimming pool is not the expatriate. Becoming the expatriate involves a new way of living, a new way of thinking, a new way of believing, a new way of dreaming. 

I’ve observed something true in practically all expats. Once they have tasted the haphazard, horn-honking, chickens everywhere, annoying venders, pungent-air, soggy-air, crazed taxi drivers, drunk policemen, disorienting, take-life-as-it-comes world away from home . . . they want more.

When expatriates return “home,” their souls shrivel. They cringe at chain anything. The suburbs and minivans and strip malls and fast food suck their spirits dry. They can’t wait to board the next plane to somewhere far away.”

When I read that excerpt from his book I thought, “Geeze, how does this guy know me? That’s exactly the way I feel!”  After experiencing all the crazy things I’ve experienced on the mission field I don’t have the attitude “get me out of here, but I want to experience more.” I found where my puzzle piece belongs and it fits perfectly, it’s a beautiful fit where it connects with its surroundings. I’m looking forward seeing what God’s purpose will be after returning “home”.  I know God has a purpose behind all that He does and He has a purpose for me returning. Who knows he could desire me to get married and come back. I mean there is a pretty incredible girl that I got my eyes on :-)

To all my friends, family, and supporters . . .

As you all may know my African journey is quickly approaching its end.  This has been the most incredible experience that God has ever brought me on.  And yet I still know that many more journeys still lie ahead. It’s just like Pastor Scott always says “The best has yet to come!” Throughout these past couple of months I’ve made some close friends with many people from all over the world. God has given me the privilege to pray for many people, bring the gospel to thousands of kids, disciple many young people, and see Him work in mighty ways.  Throughout my journey I’ve seen the scripture in Matthew 19:29 come alive. 

Matthew 19:29 (NLT)

And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters

 or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive

 a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.

God has confirmed what I already believed and what others have stated, “I belong on the mission field.”  After this confirmation I was left with a question, “Am I called to continue to serve in Africa or does God desire me to go elsewhere?”  After seeking God in prayer and fasting I believe I may come back to Africa in another season but as for now I believe there things I must learn as God leads me elsewhere. I believe God has a unique call on my life and He is preparing me to go to some tough and hard places, places that few choose to go.

I say all of the previous to say this. . . I believe God is leading me to go spend a few weeks in a nation that has been on my heart for some time now. This nation is part of the 10/40 window. The 10/40 window is an 

area:

•        Where 2/3 of the people of the world reside

•        8 of 10 of the poorest people live

•        8  of 10 of the people living here have the lowest quality of life (life expectancy, infant mortality, and literacy)

•      Its often been referred to as  “most unreached” area of the world

I believe the Lord is leading me to go to Thailand. Thailand is a nation in crisis where more than 65 million people call home. Thailand is a nation made up of more than 92% Buddhist, 5% Muslims, and only 0.1% knowing Jesus. (That’s more than 64 million people who are lost.)  As I read the previous statistics I can’t help but think of:

Romans 10:14-15 (NIV)

 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?

 And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?

And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?

It is my desire to be obedient to what the Lord is leading me to do. And that is after my African journey is completed I am to travel to Thailand and serve the Thai people to see if this is where I am to be planted permanently. I’ve always believed that a missionary going onto the field is bigger than just him. You see, God uses many coming together believing, praying, and supporting to get that person on the field. It’s impossible for us to do it alone.  I’ve heard John Piper make the following statement:

“Some go, some send, and some simply disobey.”  - John Piper

I pray that you’ll search your heart and ask the Lord what you’re part may be. I’m fund-raising all the necessary funds to spend 2-3 weeks in Thailand, which will be about $2,000. It is my prayer to be in Thailand by May and with your help this can be possible.

Thank You and God Bless,

Brandon King

brandon@childrenscup.org

 

where is the church?

Just a week prior to me coming to Zimbabwe I had issues crossing the border when I left South Africa. It was quite an ordeal. Let’s just say it was a reminder that I was not in the United States. The issue was I didn’t totally understand the border crossing process. And since I’m an “American” they give Americans 3 month visas to stay in South Africa. It’s a standard it doesn’t matter if u just want to go for a day you still will get a 3 month Visa. Well every time you enter the country you get a “transit” stamp that operates under that 3 month visa until that visa expires then you must get another 3 month visa. Well when I went to South Africa with the Salemis I told them I was going for 30 days. They never told me anything and just stamped so I assumed all was taking care of. Boy was I wrong. When I tried to leave South Africa to come back into Swaziland I was greeted with the most ANGRY African man telling me I was staying in SA illegally. I said, “I’m sorry I don’t understand I’m afraid you’re mistaken.” Well that ticked him off even more. I kept trying to ask questions to figure out what I did wrong and the man kept getting angrier and angrier. He looked at me and yelled, “You overstayed in my country and you must pay me 1,000Rand now!” Still confused of this “crime” I committed and I’m starting to think this guy just wants money just to pocket it. I said “I’m sorry sir I don’t have 1,000Rand.” (I actually did have the money but I know how this game works I’ve been in African too long) He eventually let me through but I had to pay the fine before I could enter back into the country. So when I arrived into Swaziland I took care of it and sure enough I needed to pay this ridiculous fine. No one could answer my questions until. . .  I tried to cross the border with P Mike. When I tried to come back into SA with P Mike would you believe they weren’t gonna give me a visa. They were gonna just stamp my passport and let me go into the country illegally then when I tried to leave they were gonna raise hell again. P Mike said, “Brandon they like to do this to people that don’t understand how this works to make money off of them.” Can you believe it? TIA at its finest. P Mike explained everything to me and showed me what to look for to prevent them from taking advantage of me.

P Mike told me, “You see that was just a preparation before you go through Beit Bridge. When we cross the border into Zimbabwe it could be worse.” I’m thinking he is messing with me but some of the other pastors were telling me he wasn’t.  I’m thinking, “Great this just aint ever going to end, but at least I can get some experience on how to do this.” Well once we arrived to the border I see that this border is defiantly different than the others it’s much busier and they just do so many things that don’t make any since at all but then again TIA.  Well I had to get a double entry thirty day visa to say in Zimbabwe. To get this visa I had to fill out this form and talk to the “Chief Border Officer” sounds very intimidating but again I’ve learned to play their “game”. Started to make small talk with guy and brag about how awesome I think their country is and through in as much siSwati as I can (they always love that) needless to say I became friends with the guy and it was a piece of cake. Pastor Mike said I was blessed because this day was very usual compared to his previous encounters he has had at that border. P Mike has stayed up to 24 hours at that border facing one problem after another. 

Zimbabwe has been great. We are approaching the end of our 21 day fast and I have to say I never seen a group of people that have been so on fire for God than the Zimbabweans I’m with. Every night is a night of worship and prayer. And every night I go to a different campus and witness this same fire for God. You can bearly hear the music because you hear EVERYONE either is singing praises, praying their heart out, and on their face speaking in tongues the entire church is worshiping and seeking God not just a small few. I’ve never seen such a hunger before ever before in my life it challenges me and also encourages me to see such hunger. Seeing this hunger upsets me when I think of most of the American church. Why aren’t we seeking God with such passion? These people have so little but have great faith. The truth is they might not have much in material things but they have so much other things we don’t have.  We have so much to learn from such people. 

I pray that once I return God would make a way for me to help our church witness such things. Whether that be leading teams to oversees mission trips or allowing them to serve without strings attached in the states. I’m convinced that serving oversees and serving such people keeps a church from becoming selfish, comfortable, and gives a better perspective on the things that really matters. 

 I’ve read accounts and have also seen some horrible evil that has happened in Africa. Things like: men going into communities and cutting of the breast of women so they can’t even feed their own children, men massacring a population of people because they look different , encountering a pregnant woman and wanting to kill her but afraid it might be bad luck so they decide to just cut off her ears, nose, and lips, women and children raped over and over again, children taken and forced to become killers (I read an account of a group of kids forced to bite the legs off another child and if they didn’t they would be killed) truly the list continues. What else is happening in the rest of the world this is just Africa? I have one and only one question to ask WHERE IS THE CHURCH?

 Let me quote John Scott for just a moment:

“If a house is dark when nightfall comes, there is no sense in blaming the house; that simply happens when the sun goes down. The question to ask is "where is the light?" Similarly, if meat goes bad and become inedible, there is no sense in blaming the meat; that is what happens when bacteria is left to breed. The question to ask is "Where is the salt?" Just so, if society deteriorates and its standards decline until it becomes like a dark night or a stinking fish, there is no need in blaming society; that is what happens when fallen men and women are left to themselves, and human selfishness is unchecked. The question is "Where is the Church? Why are the salt and light of Jesus Christ not permeating and changing our society?" It is sheer hypocrisy on our part to raise our eyebrows, shrug our shoulders, or wring our hands. The Lord Jesus told us to be the world's salt and light. If therefore darkness and rottenness abound, it is largely our fault and we must accept the blame.” 

Church we have a responsibility to love our neighbor and the reason there is such darkness in this world is because there is no light (we aren’t doing what we were commanded to do). I’ve never had such a burden and seen such responsibility than to be on my face in prayer. It’s my desire that the Holy Spirit will lead me and show me how I can be Jesus to such people. Church we have to be obedient and lay aside what might be easier and comfortable. Christ has commanded not asked us to care for the poor, oppressed, and to love our enemies. 

I pray that you will join me and repent for our sin of disobedience. And not only ask God how we can become salt and light in this world but be obedient to His leading no matter how hard, uncomfortable, or how much it might cost to do it. Things must change in this world and Christ desires to use His bride, his beloved to bring forth this change.  It can’t be done in mans will or might but by the Holy Spirit of God that dwells within us. 

“The message of the Gospel is perfect and has the power to change lives. The only way it can be messed up is by the deliverer.”   - Anonymous

figuring myself out

I’m trying to figure myself out.  .  . Today when I hear of adversity, pain, injustice, or anything like it I find myself running towards it. I’m attracted to those areas like bugs are attracted to light. I need to get there and bring the hope, comfort, and the love that is found in Christ. But I use to not be like this. I actually use to run the opposite way. Adversity and pain made me uncomfortable and I wanted nothing to do with it. I tried to ignore it and I even tried to deny its existence. I would turn my head and close my eyes and would walk away. I can remember watching TV commercials about the hungry African babies with the fly on their face and a man comes on asking for your money to help support the kids. Another time watching CNN and seeing all the devastation after a tsunami destroyed thousands of homes and killed many in Shri Lanka. For a moment I was saddened then after about 10 minutes I would forget it all happened. I would forget while others were fighting for their lives.  I remember hating that about myself and I wanted to do something.

There are over six and a half billion people on the planet,

which is crazy, I can’t even get my head around that kind of a figure.

But what we do is approximate humanity to the nearest half a billion

as if near enough is good enough. The truth is every single one is someone,

every single one is a life, with a hope, with real fears, everyone is unique .

-          Joel Houston

 When did such a drastic change take place in my heart?  The truth is I still can feel slightly uncomfortable but I know that it’s not about me and my comfort but it’s about Him. I believe God has placed something in my heart that pulls me towards people that are in these situations.  I believe God has called me to be a representative of His loving nature and to testify He loves them deeply and desires that they turn to Him everything they need can be found in Him. When I get discouraged and realize how unworthy I am I remember that there is a magnificent, wonderful, and loving God that lives in me. How humbling that such a mighty sovereign King would come and live inside of me and love people through me. 

I am only one

but still

I am one.

I cannot do everything

but still I can do something

and because I cannot do everything

I will not refuse to do something

that I can do.

-          Helen Keller

I remember seeing this South African man search in trash cans while I was waiting in a plush, comfortable, air conditioned car a week ago. I have to sadly confess I didn’t do anything to help this man. I regret my apathy but in that moment I began to pray under my breath: “God why did you bless me so lavishly and yet there are people in this world who seem to be so desprate? I know you see them and know of their pain, I just don’t understand. God create in me a heart that sees people the way you see them.  Help me see sin the way that you see it. Help me love people like you love people.” 

Shortly after this man disappeared into the crowd and I prayed that silent prayer a conversation started in the car about two young beautiful girls that were staying on the same compound as I. The two girls are sisters and two years ago when they were only eight and ten years old they witnessed their father die instantly after getting his throat sliced. After this horrible event occurred the older sister of these two young girls decided to lock her sisters into a room where men would come in a rape them repeatedly for many days. You see the older sister was raped before and she thought that her sisters needed to feel the pain she went though.  As I heard the story something in me began to hurt, for I knew both of these girls. A few days after hearing this horrific story of these girls we realized these two girls and most of the others on the compound didn’t own a Bible. We bought Bibles for them all and started Bible studies. Our first study was Jeremiah 29:11-14. After that study we began to see the kids reading their Bibles on their own. Molly, one of the girls that saw her father killed and was raped two years ago memorized and recited Jeremiah 29:11-14 to me. I remember thinking; this is what it’s all about. This is what will bring forth the change that is so desperately needed, Jesus and ONLY Jesus. Not good intentions, money, or even supplies. Jesus is the only one that can turn this continent and our world around. We all have a responsibility as the church to introduce people to Jesus.  

Live as Christ died yesterday,

rose this morning

and is coming back tomorrow.

-          Martin Luther 

Yesterday after returning back to Swaziland I had a great talk with a close Swazi friend and this is what he said after I told him I was leaving for Zimbabwe next week  and I wouldn’t return back to Swazi , “Brandon you have encouraged me so much since you’ve been here. You’ve always pointed me towards God but what I don’t get is you people come and do all this good and then you just leave. I don’t understand.” I told him, “I know goodbyes aren’t always easy but sometimes they’re necessary for us to do what God has called us to do. But I can tell you that I hate saying good bye and I really don’t want to go back to the states and live for long. But I want to live in another country and help people by introducing them to Jesus. I’m still praying, “God where do you want me to go?” 

I have been praying to God asking where and what’s next and I believe God has given me another step that I will need to take in faith. I will tell you all about it in time. I just don’t believe I need to come out and say it just yet. But please stay in prayer with me because I believe God could use you to help me with this next step of faith I’ll need to take. . . 

I’m still a work in progress and I don’t know when this transformation took place inside of me but I’m glad it did. I desire and believe I’m called to travel the world and love people the way Christ loved. We can’t get discouraged because the need is so great but we have to focus on individuals God has set in our path. We can’t change the world, a culture, nor even the individual but we can be faithful to what God is leading us to do. He does the transforming of the heart and flips the community right side up. All He asks of us is obedience nothing more and nothing less.