Goodbye… I love you.
So I am currently getting ready to leave… ahhhhh! I am very excited and have a lot of mixed emotions. How does one prepare themselves for 9 months? I’m basically done packing except for those “final things”… I have too much stuff. I feel bad going to a poverty stricken country with 2 giant bags full of stuff. Goodness… I really can’t believe that it’s time and that tomorrow I’ll be leaving for good.
I want to thank my family- they have been so amazing through this process and there is no way I would be ready for this adventure if it was not for their physical support (like getting my computer stuff sorted *dad* helping me pack *mom* helping me shop/making me laugh *emmers*)and all of their encouragement. So thank you. And Carter and Becca thank you guys for you loving me through your letters and for you constant encouragement. I miss you guys but I’m SO excited about what God is doing though you. I love you guys more than words can express and I’m going to miss you guys more than you will know. Thank you for being so supportive and for being willing to let me go live my dream and follow God where He is taking me… I know that it’s harder than you let me know. I love you guys…
And also, I want to say thanks to all of you have have encouraged me. Stephen, Emily, Hanna, Jaymie, Ben, Donna, Guy, Molly, My grandparents, You guys downtown,Shaun, All of you Brookhill buddies, The Malat’s, My church buddies and all of my supporters…. I love you all so much and I really do wish I could tell you just how far your encouragement has gone. Mother Thresa said, “Kind words are easy to speak but their echos are truly endless.” I have experienced the kindness of your words and the echos will carry me through the duration of this challenging adventure. I love you all- thank you for letting God use you in my life.
Man, goodbyes are hard and weird. Some of you have already made me tear up… and I thought I was a rock. HA! =) I can’t believe that my prayers are being answered and that my dreams are about to be lived out. I’m reading through Acts and I this verse reminded me of this goodbye: “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Now… I’m not planning on being “bound” (hopefully) and I have no intention of dying but I am ready for whatever it is that God will call me to. So though goodbyes are heartbreaking- I can’t help but to think of the joy that will come from this experience. So…
Goodbye.
I love you.
” Here am I send me!”
Abba, though goodbyes are hard this is still my prayer. I will go where ever you send me.
May your love be in my heart, break my heart for what breaks yours, everything I am for your kingdoms cause…
Praying for you today. “May the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” Phil. 4:23 Love you!
Hello, you have no idea who I am… and that is ok. My name is Denise. I was an FYM last year to good old South Africa and I was on Team K (what what! lol… there is a little bit of pride when it comes to teams… it happens 🙂 anywho I just wanted to give you some encouragement as you embark on this epic journey that will in fact change your life. I loved my year in Africa. I came home after being gone for the o 8 1/2 months and people would ask me o how was Africa. Now that my friend is a very hard ? to answer when Africa become your life. I didn’t go home over Christmas stayed in old J-Bay Bay :D. (it is nice to tell people, “o its snowing…well i’m going to go lay out on the beach, in the sun”). OK, but beyond the superficialness of beaches, sun, tans, surfing and not going to college… God is more than freaken amazing! A year in Africa would be one thing… it is another when everyday you have teachings, worship, an encouraging team, Christians to pour out your heart to and be poured into… its what changes you more than the culture and people of Africa (whom i love with all my heart). God will show up for you, I promise… he will stretch you, he will strip all you are holding onto and he will build you back up again. He will prepare your heart to see the hard things, and you will… you will see those starving kids and intense poverty, you will see nations stroke with AIDS and perhaps the depths of crime will be revealed. Yet beyond the horrors you will see this light starting to invade those southern African countries. You will see the joy of salvation in the broken. You will know what it feels like to give a love to a kid… who might never have had it before or may ever receive it again. Trust the Father… even on the hard days. It will be hard, you will suffer, at times it is lonely, at times you may just want to go home, you will cry… but o dear daughter of the King the joy that will come when you see God at work. It is worth every tear, every goodbye, every sacrifice if just one… if just one comes to the Father. That is the pearl of great price, the treasure in the field… you have found it yourself now be bold and courageous as you go out. For the Spirit of the living God has called and ordained you for the good works he has prepared. He will be faithful and give you all the gifts you will need. I hope this is some encouragement even if it may cost a ton to read 😉 you will begin to understand the cost of internet… and o the days when it is free… you will miss that haha
God bless and know I am praying for you and your team
~dD~
(my blog if you want to know who i am deniseeckert.myadventures.org)
Psalm 34:1-11
“I will bless the LORD pat all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.”