As I finished packing my bags two hours before my flight was about to leave that would send me into Africa I was anxious and nervous for the journey ahead. Many of you know I had just studied abroad in Jordan; but I was not near as nervous as embarking on this journey. The question is why? I think deep down I knew this would be a time of growth and breaking down walls that was crucial to my future. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was supposed to be on this trip. It was a hard decision and I gave up being in my best friend’s wedding to be here which was super hard; because with moving around so much she was the only close friend I’ve kept in touch with through all the ups and downs and moves of life. Also, I was fighting my logic the normal thing to do after college is to go get a job that pays money to pay off loans. I was not excited about trying to fundraise money to go be a missionary in Africa while finishing up a jam packed last semester of college. However, no matter how much I thought about all the roadblocks I could not shake that Zambia with this program and group of people is where I needed to be this summer. God was drawing me to this place and confirmed it to me through His word and other individuals that this training is going vital in preparation for the future which I may not even fully understand now. Besides this I really wanted to consecrate and set myself apart to the Lord and seek His heart and will; because ultimately being in His will is the only thing that will make me happy and fulfilled. Deep down I always knew the American Dream would not satisfy me anyway. I really needed to purpose a time just to the Lord that is the bigger heart behind these three months is seeking Him out and to go deeper in Him. I do not want to be wandering aimlessly through life, but be about my Father’s business purposely.

I am glad I decided to come to AMT, this three month journey has just begun. Upon landing in Africa with all of my team we were greeted by our team leaders at the airport. We loaded everything into this huge 4×4 truck that the top had seating on. It reminded me of a safari vehicle. The top part was open for the air to freely flow through. From there we drove an hour into the Rapid 14 Mission Base we would be staying at after stopping for groceries. We headed back bumpy dirt roads, ducking branches until we finally arrived at the base. The base we are living at is really nice. We each have a tent that we share with a roommate. We are blessed to have newly remodeled bathrooms and showers on base which is a huge blessing. We have breakfast, lunch, and dinner together as a community. During the day we have classes and assigned work around the base. This place is home to missionary families and expedition teams embark from here into the bush to bring the gospel of Jesus to unreached areas. There are 25 individuals going through the same program as me in which we will be taking hands on classes that prepare us to be effective missionaries of the gospel to unreached areas from survival classes to mechanics. Also, we will be doing three expeditions into the bush to bring the gospel doing house to house evangelism and services at night time. Our first expedition is this Monday. I would appreciate the prayers for our team and for the people we are being sent to for God to move mightily. We are going to Bambewa (may have spelled that wrong) which is composed of 31 villages, home to over 10,000 people. The organization I am with recently was able to fix a well and provide this area with clean, sweet water. Prior to this there had not been clean water there for over 12 years. This is a huge blessing. The purpose of our team going there is to be an army breaking down strongholds and bringing freedom to establish the kingdom of Jesus. We will be there for a week bringing the simple message of the gospel. After we leave, sector managers ensure that the work there continues as they disciple the people and establish ways for the people to grow in their faith like Bible Studies. Overland Missions really is doing a powerful work here in Africa and I am privileged to be a part of it during this time. Today we worked on packing up the 4×4 with all the necessary materials. Monday at 3:30am we start the 12-14 hour journey into the bush accompanied by a truck and a car that as we go will cut down tree branches and things blocking the path of the 4×4 with chainsaws. We are clearing the way and taking the narrow path to bring the gospel to an unreached area to a people whom the Lord is wanting to pour out His love on. Prayers are appreciated for God to do a work far exceeded anything our minds could conceive. Pray for salvation, healing, and deliverance.

I truly believe that God is going to pour out His glory in these last days like never before in the most unexpected ways. He is raising up an army to proclaim His name to the nations. The verse that stuck in my heart for this trip was John 1:23, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the paths of Adonai.” That is our purpose to be a bold, voice crying out in the wilderness proclaiming the name of the Lord for the time is now. We are not called to be cold and complacent, but to proclaim the name of the Lord for at the name of Jesus every knee must bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. The time of salvation is now. “For the earth will be filled with knowing the glory of Adonai, as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14). “This Good News of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:13). Jesus told us before he ascended into heaven, “Go into all the world and proclaim the Good News to every creature. He who believes and is immersed shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak new languages; they will handle snakes; and if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well. Then the Lord Yeshua, after He had spoken to them was taken into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and proclaimed everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that follow” (Mark 16:15-20). The disciples took this commission seriously and we are called to do the same. The Lord continues to raise up an army of end-time warriors who are not afraid to face their fears and go into the unknown and uncomfortable to make His name known. This army is composed of the most unlikely people the rejects of the church, the misfits, the unqualified, and least expected; but God uses our weaknesses and imperfections to show His strength and glory among the nations. For it comes down to the heart of a woman or man not the outward appearance. Those who are truly seeking out the face of God and crying out for hope in the desperation. These He raises up as His lights in the darkness. God continues to use the unlikely to make His name great. This is the case many times in the Bible God used Rahab who was a prostitute to hide Joshua’s spies to help bring about a victory for the Israelites (Joshua 2). She went on to be in the linage of Jesus (Matthew 1:5). Peter who denied Jesus and had some issues with speaking before thinking was used mightily. He was filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost stood up and being empowered by the Holy Spirit preached a message proclaiming, “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: And it shall be in the last days that I will pour out my Ruach (Spirit) on all flesh. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams…And it shall be that anyone who calls on the name of Adonai shall be saved” (Acts 2). Over 3,000 people were added to the church that day. Jesus can take anyone and set anyone apart to be used for His glory. Just as in the days of Acts God longs to pour out His Spirit in this day. I am excited for this time as God continues to pour out His Spirit over the nations to bring salvation like never before. Whatever may come in the future even in the midst of all out darkness I believe the Lord’s light will shine brighter than ever before with a greater move than ever before. No matter what tragedies may lie ahead, The Lord is there to move and bring healing and salvation, breathing life into the dry bones to raise up an army of end time warriors. This means you reading this 😉

Anyway, Love you all! Hopefully, in the next 2-3 weeks I will write another update sharing testimonies and stories from our expedition into the bush. I believe it will be a time of growth and that God is going to do an awesome work. Pray for us to be bold and be led by the Holy Spirit to make Jesus’ name known to these beautiful Zambian people. Your prayers are so powerful and mean so much to me so truly from the bottom of my heart Thank You for the prayers and support. Until next time, sending much love from Africa