With a Little Help from my Friends

this one goes out to my champion team of supporters. woop! woop! thank you all for your love and support and for getting me that much closer to my goal! I'M ALMOST THERE!!! i only need $700 more pledged monthly, and i can book a flight! trusting God for the rest, and i appreciate your prayers in that. i'm excited to be leaving for training soon and ready to be in Sudan. it's so close, i can almost feel the heat! (ok, maybe it's just the florida sunshine)

Starts With Goodbye

goodbye is never easy. it usually comes with tears and sadness, always sneaking up and seeming premature in its timing. yesterday, i officially said my goodbyes to birmingham. it was 11 years ago that i was saying goodbye to my family as i began a new stage of life at samford university. and now, all packed up and driving away from a place i called home, the reality of the big changes ahead seems to hit at it’s fullest.

july ended with a difficult goodbye as i closed a chapter at hand in hand. not many people can say they love their job as much as i do. God had indeed blessed my time there, as i was privileged to work with an amazing staff and know such loving families.

my next goodbye is a group of women that have served as my birmingham mommas for many years now. what a privilege to know these ladies and learn from their wisdom and knowledge of the word. being the baby of the group, they all played their part in leading me, teaching me, and praying for me. oh, how i treasure our time together and thank God for their friendship!

saying goodbye to bham is especially difficult when it means leaving my dear friends and sisters in Christ. it was an instant and mutual “crush” that began 5 years ago when we met in a brook hills small group. as individuals and as a group, they have poured so much into my life. they have prayed with me, cried with me, encouraged me, and challenged me. God has shown me a beautiful picture of community in this group of girls, and i can’t seem to find the words to express my deep felt love and gratefulness for their friendship. instead of goodbye, we manage a “see ya later!” somehow tricking our minds only for a moment.

the goodbyes continued as my roommates crammed a week full of games and dancing. there is never a dull moment around our house, and the laughs continued as we practiced our best “thriller” moves in our living room. i will miss our bike rides, marshmallows roasting, snow days, power outages, road trips, scrabble games, and garage sale hunts. i am more than thankful for how they have loved me and always seem to give so unselfishly, without expecting anything in return.

 

in the throws of goodbyes, i find myself wanting to wrap up the memories in words of gratitude and remember whens. but, the grief chokes me and instead i replace the words with a squeeze and knowing nod that somehow says enough.

 

it is overwhelming to look back and reflect on all the blessings God has provided and all the details that so perfectly explain his faithfulness. its when i think on these things that i know with confidence that God still has great things ahead and he will be faithful to complete them in me. what a comfort to know i have such a support team praying for me as i start this next chapter. much love to birmingham. we had a good run!

New Sudan

as expected, south sudan has officially voted to secede from the north. while southerners celebrate their new found independence, much uncertainty still lies ahead. please continue to keep the people of sudan in your prayers. also pray for the world harvest sudan team, as they continue to raise support, recruit new team members, minister in various settings, and travel to visit friends and family.

the massos have posted a short video about world harvest sudan. whmsudan.blogspot.com

Referendum

the referendum for south sudan began today, so far seeming successful as thousands show up to place their vote. please keep the people of sudan in your prayers this week and the crucial weeks and months that follow.

"God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish." psalm 9:18

Called. Humbled. Responsible.

"and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. for those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. and those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." romans 8:28-30

i recently attended A&O (assessment & orientation) with world harvest in philadelphia. despite the long days and chilling temperatures, it proved to be a great week. i am happy to report that i've officially been approved to return to south sudan for a 2-year term beginning next fall! i'm excited to return to a team i love and be a part of what God is doing among the sudanese.
the Lord really used my week in philly to confirm his call on my life and renew an excitement in me to walk in obedience to that call. what a blessing to spend time with the WHM staff and hear their personal stories and testimonies of God's faithfulness in their lives. i am so thankful for all the time, prayer, and encouragement they poured into us. at the end of the week, world harvest invited a pastor to give a short sermon for the new appointees. the topic...humility. how appropriate! the Lord seems to always know when i need a good reminder of my self-righteousness tendencies. what a great message for a group of newly appointed missionaries. lest we forget, God has called us to salvation. while we were still sinners, God sent his Son to satisfy the wrath we deserve so we may be called his sons. we offer nothing, yet God gives us everything. how can this not compel us to humility? and yet, i seem to need constant reminders.
david platt's message this morning was from romans 9. a good one to download. he read verses of God choosing us, adopting us as sons. a good reminder that it is not about us, what we bring to the table. it's all about God, the one who calls. in his unfathomable mercy, God called us to be his people. and with this great privilege comes great responsibility. so many times, i fail. Lord, help me live a life worthy of the calling.

Thoughts

what i love about south sudan

community
sitting and sharing
no one is rushed
time with people is treasured

warmth, hospitality
contagious laughter
generous hearts

simplicity
biking, waving
greeting familiar faces
children run,
screaming "how are you?"

the people
their smiles, their love
their friendship

body of believers
everyone singing, swaying
drums beating, women dancing

perseverance through hardship
hope for the future
"God is greater" they say

faith lived out
woven into their lives
refreshing

full of joy
full of hope

my heart is happy
God is good
His faithfulness has no end

I Hate Goodbyes

generally speaking, i hate goodbyes. but when this team throws a goodbye party, i wish it would never end. the night kicked off with a fabulous soundtrack crafted by phil. the table was the picture of fall with fresh-cut flowers from the garden (orange, yellow, and red), bowls of sweet treats, even a carved pumpkin. scott was busy slaving over a deliciously smelling dinner and baking an array of desserts.
the night continued to get better and better, with one surprise after another. it was nothing less than a hit, complete with a whitney houston performance (courtesy of kim, bethany, and christine), a slideshow, clever poems, karaoke with kitchen utensils, and yes, a dance party. do they know me or what?! i felt so loved. what great friends God has blessed me with in this season. i am sad to leave them.