So... I'm going to Africa tomorrow (eek!). I still have some last minute things to do (like pack) and also a couple of things to finish up for school (yay...) before I go. AHH I'm so ready to get on that plane! Thank you again to everyone who made this trip possible for me. Check back here after the 22nd to hear about our experiences!
Britni (one of the girls on our trip) made a prayer "schedule" for anyone who is interested. She posted it on facebook, so I figured I would post it here for you guys as well:
"Of all the places in the world, of all the years that have passed, and all the people we could be with, I am fully confident God has placed us all where we need to be. For the team of 6 past Blue Haven counselors, the Namwianga Mission in Zambia in March 2009 is exactly where God wants us.
The group consists of: Nathan Goodnight, Chad Baker, Leland Rose, Kathryn Warder, Micah Bayles, and myself [Britni Johnson].
We are all hoping to be ruined by our experience in Africa. (Yes, I said ruined.) I think we all see that God created us for more than 8-5 jobs and mundane routine. God created us to have life and have it to the full, and if I can speak for everyone going this Spring Break, this is one opportunity we feel God calling us to take hold of. We want to be ruined in the world’s eyes, but refined by Christ in us.
Time and time again throughout Scripture, God calls us His “chosen people”. Being chosen is not something to take lightly. It means we have a high calling to do kingdom work and to live like Christ when he walked this earth. I don’t believe we can do this alone. We need your help. ( I promise I didn't pick you at random.) Maybe this is something God is calling you to do. I’m asking that you will pray for us every day. I know it may seem overwhelming when you see all the typing and text, but please, just take it one day at a time. We don’t really know what to expect and we don’t exactly have many set plans, but I know that one of our main works at the Namwianga Mission in Zambia is to love on some kids in the orphanage and maybe do a Bible class for some secondary students. Other than that, here are a few ideas for what to pray for each day.
Wednesday, 3/11: This may seem like a little detail, but please pray that we get everything packed that we need. Pray that our hearts are prepared for the opportunities to come, even if we have the chance to minister to someone in an airport or on a plane.
Thursday, 3/12: Please pray that we have safe travel today! We have a total of 5 airports to see in the next two days, and because some of the flights are booked closely together, we could use prayers for smooth travel-getting through customs and security and no delays and everything. Pray that we can be a blessing to all we come in contact with and also pray that we can get plenty of rest while we travel.
Friday, 3/13: We have the potential of seeing Philip Camp and the Praise Choir from LCU in the Amsterdam airport when we arrive this morning. Please pray for their safety while they travel to the Ukraine and pray that we are able to see each other and be encouraged by each other half way around the world. We should be arriving in Johannesburg tonight around 10 p.m.
Saturday, 3/14: We will be arriving in Zambia today (finally). We ask that you pray for us to get through the last bit of our traveling safely and without problems or setbacks. Pray for our energy level-that we will be enthusiastic and ready to face whatever we might see at the Namwianga Mission and that we may go ahead and began forming bonds with the people we meet.
Sunday, 3/15: I love Sundays! I am so excited about worshipping in true Zambian fashion. Pray that we may put our hearts into the services and that we may encourage and be encouraged by the zeal of our brothers and sisters in this poverty-stricken country. (And pray that we can muster the food we will be eating!)
Monday, 3/16: I would like you to specifically pray for Micah today. Pray that the Lord will work on her heart today and use her in ways she needs to be spiritually stretched. Micah has such a generous heart and has already done so much to advance the Kingdom. Pray that God’s will for her in Africa is in full swing this week.
Tuesday, 3/17: Lift Leland before the Father today. Pray that he has a connection with the people he needs to minister to and pray that their hearts will be open and softened to what God has to say through Leland. Pray also that the Lord works on Leland’s heart and opens his eyes to new opportunities.
Wednesday, 3/18: Pray for Kathryn. Kathryn is such a servant and blessing to all she meets. She has a compassionate heart and I know God has specific purposes for her in Zambia this very week. Pray those purposes are fulfilled and she will have knowledge to speak when she needs to speak, hug when she needs to hug, and be able to love like Jesus loves. [Britni did not include herself on the specific group member prayer days, but please lift her up on this day. She has such faith and so much to give. Pray that she would be bold!!]
Thursday, 3/19: This is Nathan’s day. Pray that he will have the heart of a servant and be willing to step out on faith if he needs to. Nathan is so good at bringing laughter to those around him, so pray that he will be the source of smiles for those that may need it today.
Friday, 3/20: Pray for Chad. Pray that this experience has genuinely touched his heart and taken him deeper into the arms of Christ. Today might be a tough day because we are leaving the mission and heading to Livingstone. Pray for the whole group as we begin our travels once again, but this time leaving a piece of our heart with our new friends from Namwianga.
Saturday, 3/21: The plan is to get up early and see Victoria Falls today, then head to a game park to see some African wildlife. I have heard that Victoria Falls is simply breath-taking and personally, there isn’t much that speaks to my heart better than the pure wonder and amazement of creation. (Watch Planet Earth and tell me there’s no God! Not possible.) Pray that this will be a good way to finish the trip and that our flight tonight will arrive safely in Senegal.
Sunday, 3/22: Please please please PLEASE pray that even though we are not wanting to leave Africa just yet and our emotions are high from exhaustion, we need to get as much sleep as we can. This is one of the parts I am worried about the most because we are coming off an amazing week but will be so tired...and we all begin our busy college/career-filled lives as soon as we land. Pray that we don’t lose anything that touched our hearts this week. Also, please pray that we have all been drawn deeper into the heart of God and are able to love people back in the states that we need to. Pray that our priorities be more focused on Him and that we can be prepared to fight whatever Satan throws at us.
Thanks for taking the time to do this. I know it has been a blessing to us on the trip and I hope it has enriched your prayer life as well. I want to encourage you to listen to His voice…listen for the call. And GO!"
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
–Isaiah 61:1-3
