2015 was an incredible year of vulnerability, growth, healing, and above all -a found peace. 

I am forever grateful for the hard things in life. They allow us to become who God wants us to be. HE has to be the one to chip away the hard, jagged exterior to reveal who HE created. Our job is to be obedient and open, not closed off and fearful. 

This year, I want to choose a word to carry me through 2016. One that is challenging, scary, and fitting. So BOLD has been placed in my lap. At first, I thought.... Whoa!? I can’t do that.... can I co that?..... I CAN do that! What a challenge that would be -to adopt a word that scares the crap out of me. But I think that is the whole point. To take on a challenge and see how it goes along into the next 365. In the last two weeks alone, it has come up repeatedly in unexpected ways!

Today, I stepped out in faith and obedience; and was baptized. Now the getting up in front of people has never bothered me. I have talked in front of crowds, etc. many times. But I am a very private person when it comes to personal things, so acting on my faith in such a public way today was a very BOLD step for me. Yay today!!!

2016 is an exciting mystery, and I have no idea what's coming ‘round the bend. I do possess confidence through Christ that it will be good no matter what.

I know the following for sure: 

GOD’S GOT ME

GOD LOVES ME

GOD WANTS ME TO BE BOLD

2 Corinthians 3:12

Africa Part 2

Better late than never...

Ten days after my last blog post, I injured the nerve in my left arm. I was able to continue working, but with an immense amount of pain. (the details of nerve pain are for another day) One of the most frustrating limitations from the injury was the inability to type on my computer. Thank GOD above that I am finally at a point that I can type for awhile without crippling pain.
I will lift praise to the great HEALER- for how HE has healed me!

All this to say that I never completed the remaining posts from my trip last summer. So here is the next entry:

The second day on the ground in Wakiso was to be spent with the girls who live at the Restoration Home. We were sent on a detour while driving to the home. We ended up at the apartments of young ladies that were currently in the transitional program with Passion Partners. They are former residents of the Restoration Home. Each young woman is a phenomenal example of how love, provision, and blessings from God Himself can change a life. Now they are employed by Passion Partners to mentor the girls at Restoration Home who are starting out much like they did.

What an honor to be invited into someone's home! We were asked to visit the apartments of the women above. While in their cozy spaces, something monumental occurred. Each young lady shared their testimony with us. Their soul piercing, gut-wrenching accounts of how Christ saved them. Individually their stories were different, but the same in that Jesus changed their entire existence. There wasn't a dry eye in the small, intimate apartment as we prayed together, shared together, and worshipped together. They were so open with their experiences that it made me search my own heart.
     (God took me half way around the world to see my own faith, or lack thereof.)

I have been blessed beyond measure throughout my life. But I can admit that I have NEVER opened my heart like that and let what God has done for me pour out. I also (hate to) admit that I don't believe I have trusted God in the massive way these girls have. They picked up that cross and FOLLOWED HIM! Right where they were. The Lord changed me in the apartment that day, and my heart will never be the same.

I was asked to lead a devotional for the girls at the Restoration home later that day. I was ready, but had been praying over what I would share; hoping that they would see GOD. I made creative handouts for the girls, to show that HE sees every one of them as special.  I realized after the apartment visit that I had only scratched the surface of what God wanted me to say. HE wanted me to go deeper. Deeper like each of the girls had just done in sharing their trials and tribulations. Deeper in my story so that they could see the ways HE has healed me, the ways in which HE delivered me. I prayed that God would protect me because what I was going to share was hard, and it would be painful for me. I prayed even harder that the people there would see HIM and not me. As the time got closer for me to speak, I felt great peace and protection from the Lord. HE knows how much we hurt, when we are scared, and most importantly HE KNOWS when we need to "go deeper" so we can see HIM.... and better minister to those around us.

So I did the small devotional. And I was more honest with myself and others than I have ever been.
What was so liberating was that many of the girls shared similar stories. Our stories of God's mercy and grace bonded us forever. How amazing that we could connect there, in that small place, in unexpected Holy ways.

We ended the day by washing the feet of these precious young girls at at the Restoration Home. If God has given you the desire to serve someone in the purest form, wash their feet. Get on your hands and knees in the dirt and humble yourself as a form of love, and wash someone's feet. It was such an honor to be a part of this beautiful experience.

I loved every minute of the beautiful, emotional place God took me that day. He showed me how to LOVE; the way HE loves. My hope is that the sweet people we served were blessed.
I sure was.

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."    
           John 13:14-15

Africa - Part 1

I am going to publish my trip in multiple entries.  There is entirely too much to make you read in one absurdly long blog post. The internet was not cooperative while we were there on the ground, so I didn't get to write in real time. However, I promised to involve you on the journey.  So here it is.... just a bit postponed.

I won't bore you with the details of travel.  (except to say that God was holding us safely in all our travels!)

We arrived in Wakiso, Uganda late at night.  There were quite a few people that met us at the airport and ushered us to the hotel.  I had a passing thought, "well, that's very nice of them to come meet us this late!". Little did I know just how precious and caring each of these people were.  Got to the hotel, said our goodbyes and went to bed. (under our mosquito net of course)

The next morning, we were to go to the Restoration Home where 42 girls live, are fed, cared for, and helped to remain in school.  On our ride over we got to see the town.  The roads are red dirt, with dust swirling like fog.  There are little markets all along the road, with street vendors all about.  People are walking constantly on the side of the busy road.  There are motorcycles and taxis with passengers zooming in and out of traffic.  The road rules here are hard to understand, it is defensive driving at its best!

I just love the way everyone seems to be moving..... 
And even the people that are stationary seem to have a purpose, or are going somewhere.  

We arrived at the Restoration Home.... and it was beautiful!  

The staff came up to us immediately to express that we were "very welcome", and they were "so very happy" to see us there. (their voices and accents sound like music. I now desperately miss those sweet voices) Hugs, hugs, and more hugs from these people we were meeting for the first time.  They said they had been praying for us and that this time would come. It was the kindest, most earnest, sincere greeting I have ever had in my life!  We were shown around the Restoration Home grounds. Included was the room where this all started, a very small room that only held a few. There were four girls initially, then the need continued to grow.  And now thankfully, there are 42 girls at the Home.  (the need continues to be great, and they learn of needy girls weekly....will you pray that we find a way to care for and serve the ones not served yet?)

As we were shown around, a couple of things shook my bearings. As we walked up, a couple of men were doing something to the side.  I didn't pay much attention until it was explained what they were doing. They were making their own bricks in order to pave the drive.  MAKING THEIR OWN BRICKS.... NOT ORDERING THEM FOR A TRUCK TO DELIVER!

This just floored me.... how resourceful! And what an accomplishment, to say that you made the bricks; and then you laid the driveway... with your own hands.  

The second sight that really rocked my world was the "new water pump".  The staff & girls used to walk quite a ways to fetch water.  Now they have a pump, and can travel just a few steps for precious water!  (this is a big deal!)

We got a tour of the current rooms in which the girls live. Each room houses six girls in bunk beds, there is also a large living/dining area. Outside there is a garden, an outdoor cooking area, offices, and an adjacent worship hall. 
The girls were at school when we arrived, so on the agenda was wrapping pads with the staff. (One of the ministries, Purity Project, donates feminine pads to young girls within the community.  Without feminine hygiene products, they cannot attend school for the week of the month they might need these products. I have to add that a nursing student from Nashville that went with Passion Partners last year held a pad drive, and nearly 8,000 pads were donated!  We took ALL of them with us!!!)
So, before they hand out the pads, they wrap them as a gift. The pride that is shown as they are preparing these small items that we completely take for granted is humbling. What a powerful way in which to serve others!

We did get to see some of the girls arriving at Restoration Home after school.  They seemed so very kind and shy.  I couldn't wait to see them open up.  

We ended the day tired, but invigorated!  I could not wait for the next day.... I was to lead a devotional with the girls.  I had spent a lot of time praying over what God wanted me to share with these girls halfway around the world. HE pressed some things on my heart, and I was just trusting they wouldn't hear me, but HIM.  

So, the next post will be the day with the Restoration Home girls.........

Two years old!!!

This Thursday, Kai & Stella turn two!  I don't know where the time has gone!  I am dedicating this post to them.  My trip to Africa starts before their birthday....so sad to miss it.  I was smitten before they were born, and have been even more every day. God knew just when to bless us with these cuties, they have brought our family such joy.  So here are just a few pictures from the last two years......
They are such little miracles!

My next post will be from Uganda!

Blessings, 

Suzanne

Another day, another blog

I am starting this blog in the anticipation of my upcoming trip to Africa.  That way I can share in real time what's going on halfway around the globe.  But first a little history...

It has been my dream and hope to go to Africa my entire life.  Since I can remember, it has been in he back of my mind.  I have always KNOWN that I would eventually go there.  My belief is that this is a God given desire that I can't explain -any other way.  So now, it is so affirming and cool to see how He has orchestrated this dream to reality.  (I will go to Uganda with Passion Partners on the 16th of July, to work with young girls and young moms.).  

So I have been preparing for this trip for months; raising funds, vaccinations, learning about this new culture.  God has been so very faithful, I raised MORE than I needed (and that is all HIM), and didn't have to fund my vaccinations (which were pricey!). I have been in prayer over all the aspects of this trip.  Praying for our team, the people praying for us, the generous givers that donated, the people we will be serving, our travel, our health, our safety, that we deliver the message that God has for the people He is sending us to love and serve. Now I have a new group to add to that list: people there that want to harm Christians.  So if you are praying for us, please keep the list above mindful.  And your prayers are what I covet most!!

We only have 1 1/2 weeks until we leave.  I am so very excited that I just can't put it into words!
I am trying to lessen the outside worldly distractions I have, and just spend time quietly in prayer and meditation in the next few days. As I get the last things together for my trip, I find myself picturing the beautiful faces we will see. My prayers for these faces are more fierce and fervent lately. I also pray that this won't be my last trip.

Yesterday on the way to work, I was absorbed in praying deeply for the people we will meet, I just felt led to pray that way.  When I got to work, I checked my email and had a surprising one at the top of the list. It was an emergency alert to travelers for the airport that we will be using in Entebbe, Uganda.  Apparently terrorists wanted to bomb it yesterday, and we were to be on high alert. (Thankfully it did not happen!)

Now, before you go all crazy with worry and tell me not to go,-- hang on.  Yes we are going to a part of the world where things are not quite as safe as we are accustomed.  Guess what- that is how a good part of the rest of the world lives.  Now, to end this post, I will share with you the verse that we read in our work devotional. (Which was the precise verse I needed at the precise moment!) (and yes, I am blessed so much to work with people that I can do Bible study and devotions together, I LOVE it!!!).   

God is there right when we need HIM......always.  
Here is the verse:

Psalm 138:7

If I walk into the thick of danger, You will preserve my life 
From the anger of my enemies.  You will extendYour hand;
Your right hand will save me.

Blessings, Suzanne