Can I take a moment to brag on my God please?

It amazes me how intricate God’s plan for my life is. It amazes me to think of how every little detail fits together, how different things would be if I had changed just one minor detail. It amazes me how God works in our lives. Three years ago when I signed up for my debate class (which I still don’t know why I took), God knew He would preparing my heart for these coming six months. He knew that I would be terrified of my teacher, and thus work extra hard. He knew that I’d randomly choose to study the Sudan, igniting my heart for Africa. He knew that this would lead me on a search for what I could do to help the Darfur crisis, which would lead to me applying for my youth group Africa trip, which would lead to me going, which would lead to my heart being broken for these people, which would lead to fervent praying and mad shoe collecting, which would lead to a phone call, which would lead to more fervent praying, which would lead to an accepted application, which would lead to more fervent praying, which would lead to some major support raising, which would lead to an amazing response, which would lead to more fervent praying, which would lead to returning to Africa in just a few short days. It amazes me that God had all of this planned out, that He’s had it planned out since long before I was born. It amazes me that He knows exactly how I’m going to spend every day of the six months that I’ve over there, even though I still don’t really have a clue. It amazes me all of the prayers that He’s answered yes to, to having people over there that are excited to have me join them and that I partially know, to having a single woman around my age with me who understands my perspective. It amazes me how God answers prayers that I’ve never spoken, like sending one of my best friends since what seems like birth over to South Africa during the same time I’ll be there (true, we’ll be a good 14 hour drive away from each other, but it’s still a lot closer than if she were here). It amazes me to think of how one little detail could have changed all of that. What would have happened if I had decided not to go to Africa during my senior year, that my sickness was simply too much to travel with? I certainly wouldn’t have the same passion for the people, certainly wouldn’t be willing to give up my comfortable, predictable plan for my life. I would have thought twice about going to Haiti when I got so sick. Yup, my God is amazing! He’s plan is greater than I could ever imagine! And it extends so much further than Africa. I see how He’s given me different experiences to prepare me for future events. It amazes me how He provides for my every need, how He has never called me to something that He hasn’t first equipped me for. Though I by no means feel ready for Africa, I trust that God has prepared me and that He will provide for all of my needs while I am there. He always has. Yup, my God is amazing!

Let us Pray

Hey everyone,
Please pray that I stay healthy over the last few weeks that I'm home. Before every missions trip that I've gone on, I've gotten sick (and each time is worse than the last). Please pray that I stay healthy as I prepare to leave and while I'm serving in South Africa.
Thanks! God bless!

Have a wonderful Christmas!

My God is so big, so strong, and so mighty; there's NOTHING my God cannot do!

For NOTHING is impossible with God. Luke 1:37

God continues to blow me away with His outstanding provision!

Prior to Thanksgiving, I still had 7 grand to raise for my trip. Frankly, this number was a wee bit intimidating. But nothing is impossible with my God! As always, He has provided my every need. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, I found out that Vox had overbudgeted my trip by one thousand. On Thanksgiving, my brother and sister-in-law, newlyweds with not much cash to spare, donated a thousand dollars to my journey; they told me that they really believed in what I was doing and felt that God wanted them to support me in this way. Wow! What an incredible blessing! Later that weekend, my mother agreed to pay for my ticket, taking care of about another two thousand. Whoa! When I returned for my last week of classes, my section surprised me with a check for $108, the total of their loose change that they had gathered throughout the semester. Oh buddy! But there's more! As I opened my journal later that week, I was surprised to find a blue envelope that simply said "Sharon" and contained a drawing of Africa along with another $100. Praise the Lord! Still there's more! This past week, a dear friend of mine asked if I would be willing to share a bit about Africa in my old youth group (more on this below). After she finished interviewing me, she asked the youth group if they would donate any spare cash to help me with my funds. However, her youth pastor got up and told the students that they would donate every cent that they had with them. They ended up raising $256.23, and told me another $100 was on its way. These are high school students! Wow! In a matter of a few weeks, God provided over $4,000 for my journey to South Africa! Praise the Lord!!!! This combined with $1,000 I've saved from working this semester has taken me from needing $7,000 to only needed about $1,500. That's HUGE! My God is so big, so strong, and so mighty; there's NOTHING my God cannot do! Thank You, Jesus, for Your incredible provision!

But finances are just one aspect of these shinanigines.
I am absolutely blown away by how supportive people are. Daily, I have people approach me and tell me that they are praying for me and are excited to see how God is going to use this experience to both impact kiddos in South Africa as well as grow me. Wow! I'm so excited to see what God is going to teach me. I'm so grateful that He chose to use me for such a task as this. My God is amazing!

Wednesday night
... was incredible! I couldn't believe the excitement and enthusiasm the youth group had for me. Their response was more than I could ever imagine! As I shared what God had been doing in my life over the past few years to prepare me for this journey, shouts and amens filled the air. I couldn't agree more with 1 Timothy 4:12; it doesn't matter that these kids are young; they have a heart for Jesus like no other! After the service, I stood in the back to talk with whoever wanted to talk. It was so cool! A Freshman boy came up to me and told that he's been feeling God's call for him to do missions, and me sharing tonight confirmed that. Wow! What an honor! Two leaders in the youth group, Leah and Justin, shared story after story with me about how God provided for them both before and during different missions trips that they've participated in. Their words were oh so encouraging! The night really confirmed this whole going to Africa thing that I'm doing. It was absolutely incredible! Plus, the night got me really excited to share what God has been doing in my life. Sure, I've shared about Africa with friends and family, but never in a group like this. It was exhilarating! There's no adrenaline rush like sharing all of the amazing things God is doing in your life. I can't wait until I have the opportunity to do it again.

Praise God praise God Praise God!
For His incredible provision both financially and of people. For His incredible faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23). For Him chosing me for such a task as this. For the ways that He's grown me already. For His incredible plan for my life. For His love that fills me to the point that it can't help but overflow into the lives of those around me. For His guidance. For His grace and forgiveness. For having my plane ticket purchased.

Let us pray
Please continue praying as I figure out last minute details before I leave on the 9th of January. Pray as I transition from school into my journey in Africa. Pray that God equips me with the skills that I need to perform the tasks He has laid before me. Pray as I say goodbye to loved ones here in the States. Pray that I have a willing spirit. Pray that I learn to trust God over myself (Prov 3:5-6). Pray that I stay healthy (I've gotten sick right before every missions trip that I've gone on; I'd love for this trip to break that pattern). Pray that I'm able to build relationships in South Africa. Pray that I'm able to impact the kids and adults that I'll be working with. Pray that I have a teachable spirit. Pray that in all that I do, I bring glory to God.

To God be the glory, now and forever!

Search me

Psalm 139:23
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Psalm 143:8-10

Psalm 143:8-10

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, oh LORD, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will for you are my God!; may your spirit lead me on level ground.

Peace

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 29:11

The LORD gives strength to his people;
the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Psalm 4:7-8

You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.

I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

People amaze me!

People amaze me! I'm so excited about how many people are supporting my journey to Africa through prayer, funds, time, emotional support, pop cans. Tehe. A particular group of people that have especially been supportive lately is my section. These women are truly incredible. They bring such joy to my life! They've listened to my stories, committed to praying, constantly offer support, and have been helping me raise funds. This morning, a group of them gave 2 hours to help me collect pop cans to raise funds. It was so sweet! I was amazed at the generosity of some of the people that we interacted with. With a smile and without a moment's hesitation, they would hand over bags of pop cans. I even had several people mention that they'd pray for me. Wow! Complete strangers praying me through. It was fun meeting people who had friends who are also serving in South Africa (and I have to admit that I found it quite amusing that they all asked me if I knew their friend who was over there). Wow! Our God is so big!
Another friend who's been a HUGE source of encouragement is my good friend, Amy. Whenever I see her, she reminds me that God is in control and that He is taking care of everything. These reminders are a great source of encouragement. She's even taught me a little saying to think about whenever I start freaking out about funds or whatever: Little by little, inch by inch. By the yard it's hard, by the inch what a cinch!
Thank you so much for your support and especially your prayers, my friends. Thanks for letting God use you on my behalf and on behalf of South Africa. You are amazing!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

GOD IS AMAZING!

I'm reminded of this truth daily. I'm so excited at all He is doing in my life. He keeps throwing opportunities in my face to share about Africa and the passion that He's given me. Next week, there's the GO (Global Opportunities) week at my school. I'm so excited! I get to be a representative of Vox and share their mission. Then Tuesday night after the conference, I get to share how God has created a passion for Africa in my heart and what He's doing with that passion. I'm so excited! Please pray as I prepare for the coming week. Pray that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel (Eph 6:19) and am able to share the great works of God. Our God is amazing!

Whoa! Four months? How'd that happen?

Slowly it's hitting me that just four short months from now I'll be half way across the world. Whoa! It's definitely evoked an array of emotion: excitement, anxiety, fear, apprehension, anticipation, hope, concern, yearning, zest, overwhelmed, the list goes on. I realize how much I still need to do to be ready, and let me tell you, it's a lot. I was reading a South African newspaper yesterday, and I scared me a bit. It seemed every headline dealt with murder, rape, and political scandal. I looked up from my computer and prayed, "God, why are you sending me here again?". Then I saw information about orphans and brokenness and remembered why. God's sending me to love one those who may have never known love, who have lost hope. He's given me a compassionate heart that I may show His character to the forgotten. I was really struggling with fear yesterday, doubting God's ability to protect me. But then God filled me with His incredible peace at Evensong (a campus wide praise service at CU) while we were singing "You Never Let Go" by Matt Redman.

"And I will fear no evil,
For my God is with me.
And if my God is with me,
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear? "

As these words left my mouth, I was reminded of all of the times (and trust me, there's a TON) that God has protected me and provided for me. He's never let me go. As the song says, if my God is with me, whom then shall I fear? God casts out all fear. A saying that my mom has posted on our fridge at home kept going through my mind: The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you. God’s peace, a peace that surpasses all

understanding, simply overwhelmed me. It’s amazing! Learning to trust God is a constant struggle. I don’t claim to be an expert, but I pray that God leads me more and more each day. He has proven Himself over and over again! I’m learning to surrender my plans and my understanding to His. His plans are so much more than mine could ever be. Look what He’s already done! Like a said, the whole trust thing is still a process; there are still times that I worry about the details of South Africa. Please pray that I learn to trust God entirely. Pray that I seek His will in all that I do, that somehow my feeble acts bring glory to Him.

Please also pray for this transition period. Not only is it hitting me that I’m going, but it’s hitting me that going means leaving. This semester has been so different than the last two. I can honestly

say that I LOVE it here. I love the amazing community that I have here; I know that I’m surrounded by people who love me and are here for me. It amazes me the relationships that

God’s provided me. He’s strengthened relationships from last year and given me some awe

some new relationships. In a nutshell, I don’t want to leave! It’s hitting me that I may never see some o

f these people again come January, like my roomie and my RA. I love them dearly. It’s hitting me how my relationships are going to change with me being gone for a semester. Even those who will return to CU in the fall will change with me being gone for six months. I’m trying to enjoy the time I have without dwelling on leaving, but it’s in the back of my mind. I’m praying to God that the incredible relationships He’s given me will last despite my absence. I’m also struggling to find balance between

planning for South Africa and living life now. I’m here at CU this semester for a reason. I want my focus to be here, but I know that I also must prepare my heart for January. Please pray for wisdom in these matters.

Pray also as I wait for the rest of my support to come. I hate to admit this, but my financial support worries me. I’m trying to trust God, to rely on Him to provide, to believe wholeheartedly that nothing is impossible with Him. Please pray that I can have this faith and that God will continue to provide for me. I’m also praying for more spiritual support. This is HUGE! I’m hoping to find 200 people who will commit to praying for me weekly, as well as 15 people who will pray for me daily. The spiritual battle is raging, my friends. Please join me in the fight.

Cool news! I’ve been planning to lead a CU spring break trip to South Africa and recently met with the man in charge of planning student missions trips. He has an incredible vision for missions! Rather than sending a random team here and there, he wants to establish a partnership with local organizations that are also involved in local churches. He said that Vox is a perfect candidate. Thus, he wants to start a Vox chapter on campus, expand the prayer team from last year, have Vox represented at the missions’ conference starting September 29, and have me as a CU representative, meaning giving the entire campus opportunity to pray for me and stay updated on all God is doing in South Africa. Wow! What an answer to prayer! God is so good! Pray for the development of all these things.

Prayer requests:

Learning to trust God

Spiritual maturity

Transitions

Health and safety

Friendships

Discerning God’s plan

Finances

Prayer support

The Journey Has Begun

Hey all!

Thanks again for all of your prayers and support. I can't wait to see how God is going to use me in South Africa in just a few short months. I wanted to give you a quick update. First of all, I am amazed by how many people have committed to praying for me! That is awesome! I hope that this group grows daily. I am also excited that God has already provided about half of my funding. As of right now, Vox is planning on having me serve with their generationvox, Vox United's child sponsorship program (check out voxunited.org for more details). Please continue to pray for me as I prepare for this journey. Please pray as I prepare spiritually. I know that the devil hates what I'm doing and will try to stop it. Pray that I am able to stand my ground against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Pray that I find those both on the field and at home who will lift me up and support me. Pray that I am able to prepare myself mentally, emotionally, and physically. Please pray for peace for my family while I'm in South Africa. Lastly, please pray that God will provide the rest of the finances for this journey. None of this would be possible without Him. To God be the glory, now and forever!
God bless,
Sharon