Why Africa?

I find myself asking the same question. Why are you sending me to Africa Lord? What can I possibly do for them? Isn’t that so like us? Doubting our abilities, when the Lord just wants to show us how He is going to use our flimsy abilities to show His powerful strength. So I’m going to write my hopes/desires for this trip and let the truth of God’s word shine through my insecurities.

To see. I want to see how God’s hand has been moving at the Hananasif orphanage center & in Tanzania. As a college ministry we have been supporting them for a little while now, but stepping foot in Tanzania is going to make it so much more real.

To feel. My heart breaks for the fatherless, sometimes even more than I wish/am ever prepared for. I sometimes find myself in tears asking God why. But He of course is the Father to the fatherless, and he constantly reminds me of how His heart longs for them even more than mine can imagine. I cannot wait to love on the children. I know at times it will be hard and my heart may break, but through that I’m ready to gain more of the Lord’s heart.

To learn. I can’t wait to see how the Lord is going to use me and the team of us going to Tanzania. God has even been teaching me lessons on trust, dependency, offense, and love through our team, and I want us to continue to grow as a family.

To have fun! I want to hear how the kids will react to my month learned Swahili and English songs. I want to play and do activities with them, and just hang out with them just like I hang out with my friends in the U.S.

To experience change. No, not that, I used to live in Miami now I live in Tampa kind of change. Actually, I perceived that I liked change, but then I thought about it … how much change have I really experienced?! Not much, I want to be put wayyy out of my comfort zone, which I know I will be. I want to be knocked down to the point that I know I only have God’s strength to carry me. I want to be used by God, and hear the movements of His Spirit, and then follow where I’m led.

I can go on and on. As the days get closer, I keep hearing my teammates voice in my head saying, “We’re going to Africa.” You know what I am going to Africa, aren’t I. Who woulda thunk it?!

Would you please support me and pray for the Hananasif Orphanage Center, the children there, our trip to Tanzania, me & my team, my funding, and that through all the plans Jesus’ name would be glorified. Thank You.

Love, Stephanie