Facebook fast and Swazi bound!

Hello everyone!

Today is Day 1 of the Facebook fast for Lent.  I do recognize that I could have done a Facebook fast earlier in the year which would have resulted in me not being as addicted to Facebook as I am now, but alas, I could never do it…how pitiful! I found myself having A LOT more free time, which was quickly filled up with homework and filling out applications.  I found myself thinking, "this no Facebook thing is gonna be awesome for my studies…I am going to get so ahead on my work!"  Well, that is true, however God quickly reminded me of why I was doing this fast in the first place.  I am taking out the false idols in my life in order to restore God to His rightful place in my life…at the center.  

The thing that took up most of my time today, however, was something that resulted from a 15 minute phone conversation from Atlanta, GA.   In fact, this "thing" has been taking up all of my time for the past 7 days.  It was all I could think about and dream about at night.  I applied for a missions trip to Swaziland with Adventures In Missions' college-age trip.  Last Wednesday I had a phone interview that lasted about an hour.  I was really nervous but as soon as my interviewer opened in prayer, a peace flooded over me and I could answer honestly and talk about my testimony.  Afterwards, she told me that it would be about 7 days until I would hear back about whether or not I could go on the trip.  

Waiting those 7 days, I could do nothing but worry, then surrender to God, worry, then surrender to God over and over again!  The reason why I was so scared was because as I would pray, I felt God telling me to walk through the doors He opens for me.  I strongly viewed the upcoming result of my interview either an open or closed door.  I desperately wanted to go on the trip, but I wanted it to be God's will…not mine.  

Today I was emailed in the late afternoon that they had gotten my phone number wrong! I immediately called and left a message on the answering machine, and at the end I said, "I hope you can call back soon so we can talk because I am dying to know! Okay thanks bye."  He called right back, seriously about 10 seconds later and told me that Passport would love to have me on their Swazi team!  I screamed…out loud.  I am positive that my whole hall heard me.  After composing myself, but still shaking, I visited all my friends' rooms, freaking out about the news! Even thinking about it causes a massive grin to take over my face! It is surreal…I am going to be in Swaziland…for 2 months….doing what God wants me to do and completely depending on Him.  Knowing that this trip is completely in God's hands gives me such a deep peace, especially about finances.  It literally looks impossible, and I can feel satan's attacks, but God WILL provide and He will do it for His Glory.

God has really placed in me an intense hunger to read His Word to know Him, not just know about Him.  Reading for 2 hours a day and just soaking in the love of Christ has been incredible.  I said a prayer about Swazi, thanking God for opening that door and praying that God would give me a complete peace about the finances.  I asked God to give me a verse to literally hang onto as I prepare for Swazi…I opened up to this verse in Luke 4:43 of Jesus proclaiming, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent. And He kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea."  

I actually gasped when I read that verse.  I was reminded once again that my purpose here on earth is to preach the good news of the kingdom of God to everyone, everywhere, but specifically to Swazis.  This trip excites me to no end, partially because I am finally REALLY stepping out of my comfort zone…and I know for a fact that God is calling me to do that.  I am going to constantly feel uncomfortable, inadequate, and unqualified…which is the beauty of the sovereignty of God.  I don't think it is a coincidence that right after Jesus proclaims His purpose, He calls the first disciples. In Ezra 7:28 it says, "Because the hand of the LORD my God was on me, I took courage."  This is my mantra in addition with Philippians 4:6--"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  Not my will, but yours O Lord!

Bottom Line: God is SO GOOD and He created the universe…so why can't I trust Him with my life?  By worrying I am saying that I can take care of myself better than God can take care of me…isn't that ridiculous? Praise be to God that He is all-powerful and Holy!