Namibia, Africa

In case I haven’t already told you…

I’m going to Africa in June! Late last fall, I began to have a sensitivity to going beyond my community in sharing God’s love with others. I have heard story after story (including my husband’s) of how God will open your eyes to so much as you experience Him through serving another nation, another people for the cause of His message of salvation. By early this year, Artie and I had reached our decision point for me to take the next step and traveling on my very first mission trip. I cannot express to you how confident I am in this call to go (and those of you that know me, know that I typically wait until I am fully confident). I am so convinced that this is a God-journey for me!

We will be leaving on June 1st to begin our travels to Namibia, Africa (we originally had destined to be in Botswana, but had some things come up to take us to Botwana’s western neighbor, Namibia) returning June 18th. It is a very safe and peaceful country that is impoverished and in need of help in getting their new public education up and running. The team and I will be working with village orphans and foster parents, coming along side full-time field missionaries in setting up forms of trade to help the people earn an income, lead a Vacation Bible School at the local orphanage, institute libraries at the schools, and teach young teens about abstinence through the means of God’s values. We had our first meeting today and with every bit of information they give us in our preparation, my heart grows more and more for the mission God has given me.

I do ask that you come along side me and the other team members and PRAY for us. We will have great advantage in language and in length of time to build relationships. You can pray for the people: to receive God’s message of true love thru Christ. For the team: for unity and strength as we embark on a lot of hard work and for protection. For me: for my absence from Artie (we haven’t ever been a part this long), for my strength, boldness, compassion and for my dependence on the Spirit’s work.

I will be taking my camera and will definitely share my journey when I return. In the meantime, I will keep you posted to any way you can pray for me and the team. And THANK YOU to all who have supported me in my journey through prayers and so much more! Your graciousness has astounded me! I look forward to watching God work and sharing it!

Monday Night Girls

So – I have a confession to make … I love my college girls Bible study group! It’s my most prized work right now (besides my marriage, of-course!). There is nothing that brings me more delight than to come along side these precious girls and watch them grow in God’s truth and help them practically APPLY IT TO THEIR DAILY LIVES! I absolutely love our Monday nights together. They are precious! We have such different personality traits and walks of life that we are able to learn so much from each other. We’ve been studying Beth Moore’s, “Living Beyond Yourself” Bible study which studies the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit – and this has got to be the most practical Bible study I’ve ever done. And the girls have all agreed. In dealing with the impatient, joyless, faithless, loveless (we could go on) attributes of life and self – we are humbly reminded of the Greater, that is the Holy Spirit, that lives in us and that we can live victoriously in Christ. Amen!

I keep up with the girls’ blog sites and such and one of them wrote the most precious entry …

“I have rediscovered... a lot of things. God's Love, His peace like a river, His faithfulness, Trustworthiness, Believability. He has led me, directed me, carried me so many times before... why should this time be any different? It won't be. Thank you Jesus. Amen.
I do love Mondays. And Beth Moore Bible studies...”

Is that not the most precious thing you’ve ever read? Ohhh – it just brings me tears of such joy to watch young hearts discover the love of God aimed right for them!
So, this blog entry is dedicated to you, girls! I have loved your emails and your questions and our hangouts! I will continue to pray for you as you journey in this goal Spirit-filled living. But know this … I love you and I am one of your biggest fans as you chase the Heart of God and share that with others!

Running along side you in Christ Jesus,
Lela

THIRSTY 06

THIRSTY 06 - A leadership conference at North Point in Atlanta, GA. A group of us that work in the singles ministry at DIBC went together to Atlanta to attend THIRSTY. We had an absolute blast! We laughed until our stomachs hurt and tears were coming down our cheeks. It was so much fun! But not only did we experience the fun of community, God poured into us beyond all expectation. We heard from Louie Giglio, Andy Stanley, Francis Chan (or Jacki Chan!), and others. I honestly have not been more compelled and encouraged in all my Christian life! The simple yet empowering message of God abiding in us was life altering! Praise God!

One cool thing is that I got to meet one of my inspiring music "mentors" (through listening to her music) ... Watermark's lead singer, Christy Nockels. She was awesome!

I loved every single minute of our time in Atlanta (not to mention our van rides there and back - the poor guys, they had to put up with Charlotte and I's silliness all the way there and all the way back). It was great! Thanks James for taking us!