I am pleased to announce that I am ready to hit the skies. It was 6 months ago today that I got an email from my family in Ethiopia sharing their interest in me joining their work with The Forsaken Children. It blows my mind to think that 6 months and 1 day ago I had NO earthly idea of where God would send me. What is even harder to believe is how quickly God got the ball rolling when He was ready to show me His plan. My story (here) can give you a deeper look into how things came about, but here is the super short version: I have spent 6 solid years desiring to go to Africa--2 1/2 of those years I had my "perfect Hannah plan". God called me to give up that plan just about a year ago leaving me clueless as to where He might send me. It was this time in my life when I was called to unconditionally put my trust in Him, which included faith in His timing, His location, and His plan! God did not let me down. From July until December 25th I was handed a blank canvas that was my opportunity to exibit trust without borders. A trust that was not conditional on a plan, not dependent on an opportunity I could connect to, and not wavering because of a lack of both.
Friends, it was 6 months ago today that God blessed me with the most amazing opportunity for service. It seems only fitting that on the same day 6 months later I get the final items necessary for me to leave--my Visa and finances.
What an affirming reminder of the amazing power and faithfulness of our God! I had no idea what all went in to leaving the country when this journey to Ethiopia began (which is probably a good thing, finding out once piece at a time worked for me). I am here to share with you that my God is so much bigger than the long list of details, He is so much in control of each and every item that had to come together.
What a joy it is to be able to post that I am READY TO GO! I have my passport, plane ticket, shots, training, and as of this week I have my visa and have reached the $14,000 mark. The only thing keeping me away from my dream come true of serving in Africa is the date on the calendar.
What a journey it has been--but to know that my all of my legal needs are met brings such joy. Likewise, I find joy in knowing that he has given me all I need financially to meet my basic needs while on the field, but I cannot wait to see how far above and beyond He goes in order for me to do all that He has in store for me and His children.
I am sitting here with butterflies in my stomach. What a blessing these past few months have been, watching God lead my fragile heart to depths that we have never plunged to before. God called me to trust Him with things far beyond what I could handle on my own. Just looking back on how much my relationship with my Heavenly Father has been strengthned through this process overwhelmes me. Taking it a step further, looking at how far God and I have come in the planning process, I cannot even fathom how much my time on the field will deepen and strengthen my connection with God. Wow: that is all I can say. Just... WOW! We serve an amazing God, it is as simple and yet as complex as that.
I have 41 days until I take off. That is 41 more days for God to blow me away with how He provides. We're talking 41 days for God to prepare me emotionally and spiritually to head off while simultaneously forming the depths of who I am to further His kingdom in a rural village in Ethiopia.
God's timing is amazing--sometimes early but never late. To think, 6 months ago today this journey literally just began for me, and now, 6 months to the day later I have reached my fundraising goal and received the last of the necessary paperwork items. I have been blessed!
Take a moment to praise God with me today for these blessings. Now, think about how He has been at work in your life over the past 6 months, and praise Him for the journey.
