I will start off first by saying, sorry for such a long absence from my blog. I will be honest and say that I am not one of those people who posts daily on their blog. I don't have the time really. However, I would like to do a couple of meaningful posts per month, which shamefully I haven't done the past month. :(
The purpose of today's post is to tell the story of God's recent leading in my life. Many of my friends and family know of my decision, but most of them don't know the details, and since I don't have time to individually tell everyone the story, I'm just going to post it here.
For those who don't know, I am going to be going to Zimbabwe and South Africa for a month this coming August.What lead to this somewhat spontaneous decision? Well here's the story:
Most of you know that 2 years ago I went for a month to Cambodia with my Pastor's wife to be an encouragement to a missionary that our church supports. It was a completely God-orchestrated event down to the very last detail. I felt called to go, but to be quite honest I wasn't too enthusiastic about going. I was afraid to be leaving my family for the first time for such an extended period of time, not to mention leaving for a third world country. It was a huge growing experience for me, and one that I look back on with thankfulness.
What does Cambodia have to do with Zimbabwe? Well, last week Sunday my Pastor's wife was talking with my parents, so I decided to mosey over and enter the conversation. A couple minutes into the conversation Char (our Pastor's wife, who will be referred to by her name for the rest of the story) mentions that she was feeling called to go to Zimbabwe to visit a life long friend and possibly to South Africa as well. After she mentioned a few more things about her reasons to go, she looked at me and said "Do you want to come?" I kind of laughed thinking she was just teasing, but then she said "No, I'm serious, would you like to come?" I quit laughing and started thinking. I told her that I would prayerfully consider it and let her know. Later the same day, I decided to Facebook message her and ask for some more details, like dates, air fare, etc. I knew that my decision may be decided for me due to those questions. For example, I am doing a friend's hair for her wedding on August 20th, and if Char wanted to leave before then, I would automatically know that it wouldn't work for me to go.
Upon receiving her reply, I found out that the dates she had in her head wouldn't be an obstacle for me... however, upon hearing air fare costs, I made a double take. It isn't cheap flying all over the world you know. Looking at the figure she sent and my bank account made me feel some trepidation. However, I knew that if God wanted me to go, He would provide, so I didn't count Africa out of my future completely. I did know though that I needed to be really sure that He wanted me to go before I could expect Him to provide for me.
A day or so later, I received another message from Char saying that she would like to book air fare the beginning of the following week to get the best rates possible....so in short, I had a week to make my decision. I have never had to ask for God's direction in such a short time frame before, so it kind of freaked me out a little. The next few days were filled with back and forth thinking, praying, and searching The Word. It is really hard to decipher sometimes if it is "you" or God speaking. Especially when you are "thinking" about something. As I searched the Bible, a common theme seemed to come into play "Trust Me", "Wait for Me", and "Give Me everything". After a while, I realized that money was really the only thing that made me feel hesitant about going. I finally came to realize that my money, isn't really "my" money. It is His money that He has entrusted to me. It was then that I said "Okay God, take it. I will trust that You will somehow provide for me." After much prayer, searching of The Word, and talking it out with my parents, I decided that I needed to go.
So now, 2 days after making the decision to go I am still trusting, and it is starting to sink in that I am actually going to AFRICA!!!
As for what I will be doing in Zimbabwe and South Africa, I really don't know for sure. All I know is that Char is going to be speaking at quite a few conferences for Pastor's Wives, and that orphanages will be part of our trip as well. I have been told that I will get as much "Baby Time" as I want, so that excites me to no end. One of my dreams has always been to go to Africa and hold those precious orphaned babies and children. There has just always been something in me that is never satisfied with seeing those babies on TV and not be able to go and hold them, kiss them, tell them they are loved, and pray over them. God is making this possible for me, and I am so excited and thankful!!!
I covet your prayers. Please pray for safety, health, finances, and most importantly that we can be a blessing and that this trip will not be for "us" but for "Him".
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIM, and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6
May the Lord bless and keep you all,
Miss Morgan
