From this very spot, I am trustfully and longingly staring at a very crusty Emmanuel. Before you begin to think I am blatantly scorning my Love, I most certainly am not. I am merely admiring something the Lord is using in my life today.
Around Christmas, John-Mark and I wanted to design and create something that represented the purpose behind Christ’s coming. We also wanted something that would remind us of His promises and His truths. We thought about it and decided upon Emmanuel: God with us.
Throughout our seriously every-day-surrendered year, this Emmanuel design has evolved from a lustrous focal point of our room to a lackluster state of crusty. From dust storms to everyday life next to the Sahara belt, this old thing has lost it’s appeal… at least based off of appearance.
Regardless of how much tape has fallen off and how much beautiful African sand it has collected, I still love the sweet reminder of the main thing the Lord has been teaching me this year: He is here and He is faithful.
I listened to a Piper sermon about being a woman in submission. It’s easy to submit to the Lord, authorities, etc. when we have our hope firmly established in the Lord and we have a steady peace that comes from trusting Him in all situations. I desire to not be shaken by anything because of the powerful fruit of confidence that fully trusting Christ produces. I desire to always stand firm and cry-out during times of hardship, “Lord, this is hard, but I trust you are in control. You are good.” I choose daily to fight for Him because He is worth the fight. He’s worth it not just because He’s fighting for me, but because He alone is worthy of my life and worship. So for today, I will continue to pray for stronger faith than yesterday’s.
As I’m sitting in my living room with LB nearby, I’m singing a trustful Hallelujah. I’m gazing at that promise encrusted upon my wall. I’m gazing at the truths that regardless of where I’m at in the world, He is with me. He’s not shocked by headlines of what’s happening in the world. He’s not shocked by what headlines are in yours. And as a friend described in her blog as “running towards the sound of guns“, He too is running towards us. And I look up. I am reminded by a crusty, half-fallen-off sparkly wire that God is with us. And He is faithful.
“Then two wonders happened at the same moment. One was that the voice was suddenly joined by other voices; more voices than you could possibly count. They were in harmony with it, but far higher up the scale: cold, tingling, silvery voices. The second wonder was that the blackness overhead, all at once, was blazing with stars. They didn’t come out gently one by one, as they do on a summer evening. One moment there had been nothing but darkness; next moment a thousand, thousand points of light leaped out – single stars, constellations, and planets, brighter and bigger than any in our world. There were no clouds. The new stars and the new voices began at exactly the same time. If you had seen and heard it, as Digory did, you would have felt quite certain that it was the stars themselves which were singing, and that it was the First Voice, the deep one, which had made them appear and made them sing.” ― C.S. Lewis (Roman Sakhno /Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The Lord is faithful.
I have learned so much about God’s uncompromising and constant character the past two weeks. Just to sum up what I’ve learned: God is good regardless of my sin, other people’s sins, and circumstances. God is with me. Bad days do not disprove God’s love for me. God loves to redeem, restore, and make things new.
Those are some pretty good truths to rely on considering the day Katie and I had. Today was really sweet and really sad at the same time. Last week my friend “JaJa’s” grandma passed away. I asked her if there was anything we could do for her. She asked if I would go to the funeral ceremony to “carry the body.” I was a little concerned, but for those of you who know me, you know the love I have for “JaJa”. So Katie and I went this morning to be a support for her and to love her. The Lord really helped me out because I tend to get really nervous/awkward at funerals. I don’t know what questions to ask or what I should say. There was the ever-present language gap between me and most of the family, so I hope they still saw that I was wanting to be there for JaJa. Oh, and I wasn’t asked to carry the body. Phew! Close one.
It was hard because I love “JaJa” and I hate to see her and her family hurting. There, of course, was sadness that came from seeing the distress, devastation, and lack of hope that was there for the family. Family members were sobbing uncontrollably, shaking, and singing songs to Allah begging to let the grandmother into Paradise. The pain that they were feeling-of losing someone they loved so much-was so thick you could touch it. I couldn’t help but feel a little of what they were feeling; I wanted to take that pain from them. For this family that is predominately Muslim, there is no assurance of salvation. There is no promise that after they die, they won’t be in Hell. There is no escaping their sins. All I could think about was this is the way every funeral is going to be like for this family, for their village, and for this country if no one reaches them with the message of salvation through Christ.
And all of that is really challenging for me. I have to battle against my mind and my heart because I want to doubt God and His plans. I think, “Is this what it’s going to be like for “JaJa’s” children? Are they going to be pleading with Allah to let her into Paradise too?” I act as if I have more love for her then the God who formed her has. But then I remember the truths that I’ve been learning. God is good. God cares for “JaJa” and her family. He is with them. He is the only redeemer and the only One who can restore us to Himself. Seeing the devastation of sin, and the eternal effects of it, didn’t cause my heart to become angry at the Lord today. It caused my heart to press into Him and to desire to go out to the people who need Him with the hope that they are all longing for. God desires to bring His lost home.
And so today I was encouraged to be thinking about this eternal home. I am excited to die and be in Heaven. I know that sounds weird and depressing, but we’re promised an eternity with a loving God and no more sin-heartache, tears, anger. We get to worship and sing praises to the God who loves us more than anyone we’ve ever met could. We are in total bliss with brothers and sisters from every tribe, tongue, and nation worshipping the same God. I’ll be speaking Wolof fluently with Jesus. I’ll have the best French accent while singing praise songs to my King! I’ll get to eat Yassa Poulet out of the same plate as Jesus. I’ll get to worship God on the tops of mountains that I couldn’t climb in this body! I’ll get to sing songs with old friends and one’s that I don’t yet know. I’ll rest in His presence, goodness, love and beauty for an eternity.
I was gently reminded that this is not the end. Until I get to the end, I will continue to long for something greater than what the World has to offer. For those who believe in Christ, we’re promised an eternity with Him not based off of anything we could ever do but because He died in our place. I fully believe I am bound for the kingdom, and I would love Senegalese, Americans, Saudi Arabians, Indians, Brazilians and for you to come with me.
Please pray with me for “JaJa’s” family and for the gospel of eternal hope to go forth in this nation.
Isaiah 43:1-7
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel; “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east and from the west I will gather you. I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
Many of you who might be reading this blog might not even be considering doing a Short-Term Internship (STINT) with the organization I work for. Even if you aren’t, please bear with me and read this post. I think we could all use a little encouragement in setting a fire in our hearts for evangelism and also lighting a fire under our feet to move us into action in going forth to all nations with the hope of our Lord.
This past week we had our annual mid-year conference in Nerja, Spain. Let me just show you a picture of the scenery so that you can get a glimpse of how refreshing this past week was:
Nice, huh?
At this conference, over 200 STINTers from all over the world gathered to debrief hard things, be encouraged by staff, encourage other teams by what God is doing within their ministry, and come into Christian community. I was so encouraged to hear about amazing things God is doing in countries I had never even heard of before STINT. How faithful is He?! This week I was encouraged by many other teams that are working in locations like ours, that God is beginning a movement in Senegal. That’s what we are there for: to develop a fully student led evangelistic ministry on our college campus.
What God has been doing in Senegal: We’ve seen weekly evangelism with students initiating and sharing the gospel, many for the first time. One of our students, Israel, has a new nickname: Soul Winner. Literally every time he shares the gospel, someone gets saved. Our student meetings (much like Thursday nights for you UTC/Lee people) is almost 100% student led. Last week, one of our students, Kante, led the message on humility! And Israel and Stanislass led worship. Amazing things are happening in this country that is known for being super hard to the gospel. 95% of the people in my country do not know Christ. They do not have forgiveness of sins. They do not have assurance of salvation or hope. But, God is faithful. We’re beginning to see steps towards a movement of around 10 students taking the gospel out to a campus of 65,000. Slowly but surely! or in Wolof, Ndanka danka moy jappo golly ci ney (Little by little we will catch the monkey in the forest). I mean totally applicable in your context, right….
Really, what I’m wanting to say is that we are praying for you.
Whoever you are, wherever you are, you are being prayed for by hundreds of STINTers and international staff from all over the world. There are people in the regional offices who are praying for you. There are people who don’t know Christ in countries I can’t even name who are crying out to God for people to share with them who Jesus is. You are being prayed for.
The last session at our conference was taught by a man who had lived in an unnamed country for 12 years. He had this to say (paraphrase of course):
Building a movement in a foreign land takes blood, sweat, tears, energy, and sacrifice. If you don’t believe me, look at Jesus’ ministry. Right now there are 8,000 unreached people groups. Unreached doesn’t mean your neighbor who has never been to church. Unreached is where people do not have access to hearing about God for whatever reason (living conditions, government control, etc). People who will not have access to information about Christ unless people are sent.
Here’s the great news: movements are launching in places where there have never been Christian movements before. Think Senegal. God uses college students in most of the significant movements worldwide. Revivals that lead to missions starts a lot of the time with college students. I think you guys are the most daring. Way to go! You are unique. There’s only 1 out of every 50,000 college students that would STINT. I wish there were more, but as of right now, that’s it.
And the last thing he mentioned:
“We need you. If you don’t do it, who will? There aren’t 1000s of people lining up to do this… We want to invite you into that, but the Lord has to lead you.”
I love that so much. Again, I wish that there were 1000s of people lining up to follow Christ to the end of the world, to share the gospel, to build up believers, and to send them out with the same mission. That isn’t the case. But I don’t believe it’s due to people being selfish. I think it’s because no one has ever presented the opportunity to go to the nations. Maybe you’ve never been encouraged to pursue that. Maybe you wouldn’t know how to. Please, talk to me about STINT. If you’re in college and there are Cru staff at your campus, talk to them about possibilities of STINTing.
I want to let you know that I am not perfect. I am not holier than anyone else because I’m a STINTer. I’ve been redeemed with the same blood you have. When God looks at you, He sees the same Christ that He sees in me. There’s no difference. So, if you’re thinking, “I’m not good enough…” or whatever those phrases in your head are, you’re right. You’re not good enough. But Christ is. And good news, Christ is in you. He’s the only one who can change hearts and bring His lost home. He wants to use you to do that.
So, here’s a few questions I would love for you to process through:
Where am I in regards to my relationship with Christ? Am I living daily by the Spirit? Am I experiencing His grace daily? Am I spending time reading His word and allowing Him to guide me in my daily life?
Am I willing to lay all things down at the feet of Jesus and follow Him wherever he leads (even if that’s to Omaha)? If not, what are those things? This can be hopes, dreams, hurts, etc. If I had a nickel for every time the Lord convicted me of this one….
What are some of my giftings that the Lord has specifically given me to further His kingdom? What are things I really enjoy doing? Is there anything that you notice that the Lord has given you that is specifically unique in regards to relationships with people outside of the church (i.e.: ability to make friends with strangers on a train)? If you don’t know, ask a friend!
And the last question, in ten years what would you like to be able to say you’ve accomplished in your life?
Again and again, like this man said, I want the Lord’s plans for your life. I don’t want you to feel pressured to serve internationally overseas if that’s not where the Lord is leading you. I want you to follow Him faithfully wherever that is. If it’s to Starbucks every morning, a daycare, to India, wherever! I want to follow Him and I want you to also. I do want to let you know that I had to be challenged to go on STINT otherwise I never would have considered it. So, I want to let you know I’m challenging you to go to the nations because I am so thankful someone challenged me.
My heart is for you to walk in obedience and sometimes that obedience is staying until He says go. So, just know that we (people scattered all over the world) are praying for you. You who are reading this, I’m praying right now that the Lord would give you clarity on what is next for you. I love you and let me know how else I can be praying or if you have any other questions.
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful, grace-filled, southern belle named Laura Beth. She grew up in a small, fanciful town in North Carolina with a family that highly valued cultivating her relationship with Christ. Throughout college LB sought to deepen and enhance her relationship with Christ. She became involved with a college ministry at Peace College called Cru. In the summer of 2011, the Lord led her to go on a stateside mission trip, also known as summer project, to Santa Cruz, California. It was that summer that her heart began to break for people all across the world who were hungry to know and experience God’s love. Senegal specifically was laid upon her heart.
Now meet Tyler. Tyler is a very lovable man of God. He grew up in North Carolina with parents who loved the Lord as well. After his sophomore year of college, Tyler really began pursuing a relationship with Christ and began growing in his faith. Tyler was involved in the Cru movement at North Carolina State University (go Wolfpack!). He actually led a bible study with our team leader, Ryan. He was involved with Cru’s intermural outreach that emphasized building bridges with students that were less likely to attend a Cru meeting without a personal invite. If I could briefly describe Tyler’s character it would be that he is someone who cares deeply about being intentional with everyone and loves people well.
How They Met
Well, let’s just be honest. This is the part that we all want to know about. Was it love at first sight? Did you say anything stupid? After you met, did you walk around with stars in your eyes for days?
This is LB’s version:
” The Friday night of Cru’s Fall Retreat, I was sitting with my small group and I heard this voice in the group beside me say “I’ll close us in prayer.” Taken away by his heart for the Lord and how cute he was, I began talking to my friend, Kaitlin, about who he was. It wasn’t until Saturday night, as I was filling up cups of ice with a staff member, that this young man came through the line, grabbed a cup and said, ‘thank you.’ With butterflies in my stomach I responded with an awkward, ‘You’re welcome.’ Little did I know that a few moments later I would lock eyes with the man that would later become my husband.
As I was finishing up my job, I noticed he was looking at me from across the room. When I was finished, I started talking to Aaron Adams about playing the game Signs. Tyler decided to join in on the conversation and smoothly looked at me and said, “Hi, I’m Tyler.” We spent the evening laughing, giggling, and playing Signs. At the end of the night I pulled a Cinderella and said, “I’ll see you tomorrow at the meeting,” when really I was leaving the retreat before then! You gotta keep the mystery, you know.
After spending a whole week of his life without me, he decided that was too long! (Totally a joke!) I received a Facebook message asking for my phone number. And then he asked me out for dinner and dancing on our first date on November 18, 2011! Throughout our relationship, I still had a burden for the people of Senegal and I knew the Lord was calling me to invest a year of my life here, proclaiming his name in a nation that is over 95% Muslim. Even though I’d fallen head over heels in love with Tyler, the Lord is worth following and He is trustworthy in regards to all aspects of my life.
Over my senior year, I continued to pray for the Lord’s will in our relationship. I knew that if this was the Lord’s will for us to head in the direction of marriage, as was me coming to Senegal, this would only strengthen our relationship and provide clarity. It was not easy, as our relationship with the Lord can be, but He calls us to love and trust Him. So, in October, I fully surrendered to the Lord’s plans and let go of mine. I got on an airplane headed to Senegal, without Tyler.
Much to my surprise, Tyler actually eventually did end up in Senegal with me (even if it was only for a week and three months late). Here’s a video that highlights the most recent progression in our relationship. Please enjoy these wonderful photos that Mary took for our Save The Dates. “
Gives a new meaning to shine bright like a diamond
I would love to say I was bored at work and created this, but we’re totally busy and this is one of the creations that came from said busyness. I’ll write a blog updating you on what’s happened within our ministry and why we’re doing Pamoja in Senegal and not in Ngeria, but here’s what I have so far. It says, “Your power to give a compassionate witness about Jesus to unbelievers will grow in direct proportion to how precious Jesus is to you.”
Hello to all! We have safely arrived in Senegal and are all doing so well. We are still working on getting fully settled into our apartments and getting adjusted to the humid, hot heat. Although we only experienced two weeks of fall in the United States, I’m missing chunky sweaters, boots and lattés already. Fortunately, our boss Pascal makes us Starbucks coffee before every training session. It will never be too hot for Starbucks.
Thank you to all of those who have been praying for our team’s safety and adjustment here. I feel like the new STINTers are adjusting wonderfully! They are full of questions, eager to learn and are so flexible and willing to try new things. It’s been very encouraging seeing them step out in faith and try new things everyday. We might still be in the honeymoon phase, so I would love for you to come alongside of us and pray against intense culture shock. I know it’s going to hit all of us in different ways, but I pray that our team would find hope and security in the culture of heaven and not in our native culture. Would you be praying for wisdom for the returning STINTers on how to help the first-year STINTers adjust? We can’t make Senegal easy for them, but we would love to walk through the ups and downs of cross-cultural living with them. So, please be praying for that.
Ministry Wise:
This past week our team went through ministry training with Pascal. It was so informative and refreshing to cast vision for what this year will look like and how to accomplish our goals. Pascal is really great at helping us learn culture and what does and doesn’t work here. We’re so thankful for him!
Today we did language learning with Pascal. I love learning French; note: my college French professors would probably argue with that statement. Je ne suis pas un maître de français…
Lastly, us girls hosted a welcome back party with some of our friends from last year. I think around 15 girls came. We’re excited for what the Lord will do in these women’s lives this year and how He’ll use our new team!
At the airport headed to Senegal!
My friends, Awa, Awa, Awa and Awa. My Senegalese name happens to also be Awa.
One of my favorite things I’m learning is how to be quiet and still before God and allow Him to be Lord in my life.
Coming back to America was a lot more difficult than I had anticipated in some ways and a lot easier in others. I miss the warm African sun on my unusually pale skin. I miss hearing Wolof, even if it does sound like people are incredibly angry all the time. I miss being on campus around college students who are so vivacious and eager to learn; students who have been hardened by their difficult lives but still know that there is something more than this. I miss my friends like DiaDia, Koudu, Monique, Alice, Yvonne, Rebecca, Ida, Awa and Pacifique. I miss walking through life with my STINT team and being spurred on to chase after God with my whole heart everyday. I miss seeing people’s need for Jesus; it’s so easy to mask that need in America.
I love that God has me in this quiet place of rest for now while I am learning to wrestle through my heart that still longs for Africa. I am learning that this (America, family, friends) is my ministry right now. The God I followed to Africa is the God I want to follow wherever-even if that is all over America in 50 days. I listened to a sermon the other day by a pastor named Jeff Parrish. He said in parallel to our lives, “You learn how to trust [God]. I have watched Jesus put these disciples in situations to teach them to trust him…” Amen. I said, can I get an amen? I fully expect you to get up out of your seat and let out a firm, “Amen.” It’ll feel good. Do it.
I am learning to be still, be quiet and allow God to be the Lord of my life. I am so thankful and excited about being a part of what God is doing in Senegal. I love that He has led me to return to Senegal and be His hands and His feet. With that being said, I don’t want to neglect who He has called me to be on a daily basis and to be a part of building His kingdom here and now. Wherever ‘here’ happens to be that day…
Here’s what I’m thankful for right now: Jesus. Friends. Family. Truth. Access To The Word And The Body. Air-Conditioning. Encouragement. Support. Clean Water. Sunshine. The English Language. Panera. Clean Bed Sheets. A Mattress. My Phone. My Resurrected Computer. Clear Communication. Grace. Sweet Tea. Lemonade. Constant Electricity (sorry Senegal). Microwaves. Lattés. Old People. Target.
I’m so sorry for taking an unexpected and prolonged vacation from blogging. Truly, truly I say to you, I have missed you. Here’s what’s been on our agendas as of late:
Our Summer Project team of 19 students and four staff members arrived about three weeks ago. We’ve been insanely busy partnering with them. It’s been such an encouragement to see them out on campus everyday sharing their faith. I love having them here!
Initiative Evangelism: every Thursday we have been blessed to have anywhere from 2-5 students come sharing their faith with us on campus. Last Thursday, I met with a girl named Alice. One of the guys that comes sharing with us brought her. Alice and I went for a walk around campus and then sat and talked about salvation, Jesus, and grace. At the end of our meeting, Alice prayed to receive Christ!
It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday. Boyz 2 Men anyone? Us STINTers are currenly trying to wrap up this ministry year by sharing the gospel with key contacts and beginning to say goodbye to people, places and things. I know I’m coming back next year, but it has been incredibly difficult to say goodbye. I know, I know. I’m coming back in two months, but I’m saying goodbye to what this year has been and who I’ve spent it with. My team has become my family. They are some of my closest friends, and 5/8ths of them aren’t coming back next year. Read on for a seriously embarassing cry story:
Yesterday we had to say goodbye to Malika Monkeys (a ministry near Dakar). As I walked out of the front door, I felt my eyes start to overflow with tears. You know how everyone has different types of cries, but also every person has multiple kinds of cries? Okay, well, it was one of those high-pitched wimpery cries you get when you’re shocked that you’re crying, but you are slightly okay with it so you just let it go regardless of how it sounds. Of course about three minutes after said meltdown occured, I thought the sound of my cry was hilarious, so I started laughing harder than I was crying, which let me tell you was a beautiful sight. So glad about six summer project people were able to witness that… not.
All in all, the past few weeks have been amazingly challenging. I feel so revived around our Summer Project team. They are America’s future leaders, and it’s so beautiful to see them lay down their rights, pick up their crosses and follow Christ wherever He leads. I’m digging that. I’ve loved, even in this short amount of time, seeing them grow in various ways. I love seeing them trust Christ, choose joy, and push through the hard times by seeking Christ. It’s been so refreshing, encouraging and a true delight to have them with us.
The past few weeks have been challenging because we’re in the midst of transition. I genuinely just learned last week that this whole “transition stuff” never stops. It is hard, and it hurts. Saying good-bye isn’t easy nor is it fun. But, I am trusting that God is who He says He is and that He will remain constant in my life. God has good plans for me, they just happen to be layed out over 643,234 transitional phases. Luckily, His plans aren’t up to me. I just have to press into Him in the midst of what appears to be a foreign land bewildered by chaos and trust His leading. He is the good shepherd afterall!
And that’s where I’m at.
“Thus says the LORD: ‘The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.’” (Jeremiah 31:2-3 ESV)
I spent a good bit of my morning reading, praying and worshiping on the roof. It was wonderful; thanks for asking. I need those days when I spend about two hours in the word, prayer, and just hanging out with God. I tend to be the type of person who gets entirely too overwhelmed with my infinitely long to-do list; which, unfortunately results in me independently trying to do things for God without connecting with Him on a deep level and including Him in my plans for the day. Erps…
This morning was so good. I read a bit in Malachi 3:6-7 and Psalms and was just reminded of the nearness of God and His faithfulness to us. It’s bittersweet seeing His faithfulness. It’s amazing how good and constant He is with us, but it really stinks seeing how I fall short in that area daily. I was reminded this morning that He is the God of love, grace, and mercy. I can come to Him with my hands full of my lingering responsibilities, things I’m trying to maintain control of, family concerns, etc. and lay it all down at His feet. He delights in that! And then I can just sit and be real with Him, and then He wants to walk through everything with me. What beautiful surrender.
So to end, I’m still (as always) learning. I feel like I learn the same lessons over and over again, just different situations in which to apply them. Okay lesson learned today: I’m not created to be independent; that’s my sin showing. Sorry Kelly Clarkson, I won’t be singing Miss Independent with you in my car, full blast with the windows rolled down anymore.
Lesson #2: God is faithful, good and trustworthy. Therefore we can bring everything to Him and lay it down at His feet knowing that His plans, ideas, and guidance are much better than ours ever could be. It’s scary. I know, I’m the most stubborn, headstrong person I know. A few months ago, I was genuinely convinced I knew everything about everything and my ideas were always best and right (ask my STINT team. Lord bless them). Turns out, omnipotent is not a word that defines me. Who would have thought?
So final thoughts, God has encouraged me this morning by showing He is good. He is worthy of all praise and worthy of worship:
My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast!
I will sing and make melody!
8 Awake, my glory!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn!
9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
10 For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,
“
