Yarn, Cameras, and Faith

2 days, 18 hours and 10 minutes; how long until I complete my junior year here at UCSD! But who’s counting? Amidst the craziness of finals another time, I am realizing once again it is only through God’s strength that I will make it through to next Tuesday!

Sooo…I am taking a study break to share with you some of what my team is trying to gather (supplies) before we leave. : ) There are several teams we are gathering supplies for; the team that I will be spending afternoons with will be serving and growing with the young women in a widow’s home. We will be helping with anything they need; from their production of fabric and craft goods to sell for income, to helping run the process of selling their goods, building relationships with them, and everything in between that only God knows right now! One of my team members, Karin, will also be serving on this team, so between the two of us we have 100 pounds of space available to bring over supplies, and we are hopeful and trusting that God is going to provide more than enough to fill that space! Bringing over supplies for the various teams as well as COTN’s ministry is an amazing opportunity we have since we are traveling there and it will be easier to bring supplies with each team member than it would be to ship things. I am including below the list of supplies that we are hoping to gather before our departure date; we would love and appreciate either new or used items that you feel led to share!

Along with our individual ministry teams that we each are a part of; the four of us girls from Flood Church have felt a tug on our hearts to reach out in love and serve the young teenage girls of Malawi. It is our desire to spend time in weekly bible study and hangout nights with the Malawian teenage girls during the summer, after they are finished with school. We felt God place this passion on our hearts as a team for this age group of girls; an age group that needs love in Malawi just as much as they do here in the states. Unfortunately, many times this age group is looked over due to the fact that younger children and babies receive much more attention from visiting groups and are generally “easier” to connect with. We realize that although these girls may be seemingly closed off, uncomfortable, and shy initially, they still deserve and desire to be loved fully through Christ! Our desire is that they would feel empowered, appreciated, valued, and cherished for the treasures and individuals that they are in Christ! We are planning and creating ideas for these weekly “girl’s nights” and are gathering supplies and materials for these nights as well. I am SO excited to see how God is going to use this time to build relationships over the summer that will change and transform the hearts of these precious teenage girls, as well as our own! I am including a list of supplies for this special project as well below.

Each and every single item we bring over is yet another way that God is going to use us to love on the people of Malawi, and change the future for a country. COTN is very focused on providing supplies and support that do not simply keep Malawians “alive today” but encourage long term benefits of self sufficiency and growth for the country in the future. This vision for Malawi of not just today and tomorrow, but for 10, 20, and 30 years from now is part of what encouraged and inspired me about this summer. I love that COTN is allowing God to use them to not only affect and help Malawi today, but to truly transform a nation and future generations for HIM! Thank you again for joining me on this journey; I pray that today you remember the ways that He has transformed your life and be encouraged in the lives that He is transforming around the world!!!

Supply Lists:

*Widow’s Home:

• Yarn (in sets of 4 balls of same color, or singles of multicolor)
• Knitting Needles
• Crocheting Needles
• Knitting/Crocheting Pattern Books
• Sewing Machine Needles and Thread (size details TBA)
• Stationary/Paper for Making Price Tags
• Black or Cream Colored Cotton Lining
• Zippers (small and medium sizes)
• Elastic Materials for Skirts
• Patterns (easy to follow)
• Anything else you feel led to share with these women! : )
• More TBA…

*Girl’s Nights:

• Polaroid Cameras and Film
• Frames (simple craft frames that can be decorated)
• Manicure and Pedicure Sets: nail polish, remover, files, stickers, decorations, lotions, etc.
• Snack Items: any simple (add water) type desserts and snacks to make
• Blank Journals (to decorate, colorful patterns, etc.)
• Scrapbooking/Stamping Materials (anything colorful to decorate frames, journals, make collages, stickers, ribbons, stamps and stamp pads, scissors, glue, paper, markers, pencils, pens, etc.)
• Anything else you feel led to share with these young girls! : )
• More TBA…

Take My Hand

How is it that in 26 days I will be walking onto a plane at LAX, beginning a journey and summer that I know will challenge and mold me more into the person God has made me to be, in ways I can’t even imagine? It seems like just a moment ago that I was praying through whether to even apply or to try and follow my plans to serve in New York this summer; and now, here I am, two weeks away from finishing my first year at UCSD, my third year of college, and 26 days away from boarding a plane to Africa! On some level, I know that it is not going to become completely real for me until I am in that seat; all the planning, packing, and pre-travel worries aside, and on my way to a new place that will look and feel like nothing I have ever experienced before. My prayer right now is for God to continue to prepare my heart, in ways that only He knows I need right now.

I have already been so blessed and lifted up by the support and words of encouragement from so many, and for that, I am truly thankful. It is SO amazing to see how God is working through the hearts of others in my life, to support and remind me that this is truly where He desires me and my heart this summer!

Tikulandirani-Welcome!

Greetings from sunny San Diego!
Since I did not mention it before, with the beginning of this blog, my hope is that it will be a place for you to hear about what is God is doing in my life, preparation for this summer, in country updates, as well as continued updates as I return to the states. I will post specific prayer requests as I prepare, and I hope that this blog will keep you up to date even just a little bit. : ) Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support already! Have a blessed day in Him!

Overwhelmed by Grace

“I do not at all understand the mystery of Grace - only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.”
– Anne Lamott

I am utterly overwhelmed by my God's grace and mercy tonight. It has slowly been becoming more and more real to me what I am doing this summer. The more I think about it, the more I realize how unworthy and blessed I am to be able to experience God's hand working in new and extraordinary ways this summer.

As I was recently discussing with some fellow students from Flood; throughout life, we usually don't know what or when those challenging, stretching, life changing moments or events will be. So how do you prepare for something when you already know it will change, shape, and forever alter your life and the way you view the world? I know that I can't; at least not on my own. J It is the very One who is placing me in Malawi, Africa this summer of 2008; that will be my Rock, my source of strength, and my Redeemer! I am praying that through this week, my fears and doubts might fade, and instead I overflow with His peace and joy, as I seek complete reliance in who God is in my life and His unfailing love!

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my Light, my Strength, my Song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest
drought and storm

What heights of love,
what depths of peace
When fears are stilled,
when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
In Christ alone

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