Egypt Change

A couple of weeks ago I was told that the Egypt trip was canceled. As some of you can imagine I was extremely disappointed. I spent five days trying to figure out what happened and why. I didn't feel the same way that everyone else felt. People had dropped out because they didn't feel right about it. I'm not exactly sure what that meant for each individual, but I knew that I didn't feel the same way. How could God allow others to feel that way about going to Egypt and I just didn't?

I spent the last couple of weeks praying about what I should do and where I should go if at all. I had raised over $1000 and the number continued to rise and I didn't think I should tell people yet because I knew I would probably go somewhere else, but where? I wanted to make sure that I wasn't going on a mission trip to fulfill some desire I have within myself or to see the world and have another place to brag about being. I needed to know for myself that I was going because I was not only being obedient to the Lord I was doing what he has asked me to do.

When the funds continued to come in and I was reaffirmed by several friends that they would still support me no matter where I would go it helped me realize that it really was about doing the Lord's work. Yes, I want to see the world and experience new places. However I believe this desire helps in being willing to go anywhere the Lord calls me to go. I am not sure the destination, but I do know there will be a place.

There are a few possibilities for this summer. The one that stands out the most is the Dominican Republic. I really don't have many details to share right now, but I do know that the trip will be in June and we will be working with youth.

More details will come as the Lord leads me to the new destination. Keep you posted!!

Go, Serve, Give, and Share Egypt 2012

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you..." Matthew 28:19-20

I have an opportunity to go on a mission trip to Egypt this coming June. My team will be mostly people from a singles group that I am a part of called, Kairos; which is a subgroup from Grace Church of Eden Prairie, MN. I am extremely excited about it for several reasons. Friendships, serving, giving, and sharing.

My former Bible study leader is serving in Egypt for an organization called Healing Grace. I am one of her supporters and I would love nothing more than to serve right along side of her and see first hand what she is doing on a daily basis.

The team will have an opportunity to bring food to various homes in villages that surround Cairo. We will sit and talk with them about life and their faith in Jesus. Not all people we will sit with will know who Jesus is, but it will be our mission to share the love Jesus has for each one of us. We will pray for their needs. And we will encourage them in their faith journey and/or spur them on to fight the good fight.

We will also travel to Upper Egypt where we will visit some churches. There we will conduct vacation bible schools, preform the Lifehouse skit, play games, and sing songs. Last year when I went to India, I was the human in the Lifehouse skit. I really enjoyed playing that role. It was very powerful and many people understood the love Jesus has for us after seeing the skit. I am hoping to play another part in the skit again this year.

Our main focus is to share the love of Jesus with the people in Egypt. Many people are fearful of us going into a country that is so violent and seemingly unstable, but there is no fear in Christ. He is our protector and we will not be put in situations that will cause us harm. This country is under some changes politically and these changes could make Egypt a "closed" country. Now is the time for us to go.

Why me? Well, I am a big believer in building relationships and sharing Jesus with my life by being an example of Jesus. I also believe that we are called to use our time we have for the glory and honor of God. With that being said. I am available. I am willing. God makes me able to do his mighty works whatever they may be. I don't mind traveling (in fact I love it!) and being in situations that might be uncomfortable. I know not all people are able to go because of their life situations. I will go until I am unable. Because I am a teacher I have lots of time to devote to mission trips like these. I told God that if I was going to have time off that I wanted to use it for His glory and purposes. I fulfilled that commitment last year by going to India.

India was life changing for me. I knew I needed to go, my heart was open to whatever God had in store, and I came back ready to serve him even more. I made a decision that as far as it depends on me I will go on at least one mission trip a year.

So I will (as far as it depends on me) GO to Egypt, I will SERVE the people of Egypt, I will GIVE to the needy spiritually and physically, and I will SHARE the love of Jesus Christ!