Yesterday, at our first team meeting of 2012, I was informed by the team leader that we officially have 40 days and 40 nights before we depart for Swaziland. WHAT?!?! 40 days and nights. Oh. My. Goodness.
Sometimes, I think about it and wonder, "is this REALLY happening? Am I REALLY going to Africa?" And then I remember: "Oh yeah...God IS Faithful...and he likes to prove it."
That's really what Swaziland is about for me. It's about God showing me just how faithful he is to bring me through anything in order to fulfill his promises. Now, there are a few things that I know without a shadow of a doubt that God has promised he would do for me. But going to Africa was never one of them. Sure, it has been on my heart for years and years, but it was never something that I KNEW God was saying "Jackie, you're going to do this". Until May.
Each and every moment I've spent getting ready for Swaziland has been another moment for me to realize how incredibly loving and faithful God is. It's another moment for me to recognize His hand of blessing on my life and how amazing it is when I decide to give everything and be led, rather than trying to lead blindly. Each obstacle to going has been just another obstacle that He's held me tightly and bounded over to arrive at this place where I am truly in awe of the wonderful, wonderful love of Jesus.
At first, I thought "oh, they're going in the middle of the school year". But then I checked the dates: It's during my spring break. The next issue was "how could I ever raise $3,000? I don't know that many people who are financially able to help." And I won't lie, this one was hard. I called a good friend after the initial interest meeting in May, and she told me that she would find a way to commit to supporting me each month from June through February. I was floored. The amount she had pledged was enough to lower the total significantly, but I still worried about being able to find friends and family willing to give the rest. In fact, I had received a call from my team leader wondering if I would get the money necessary in by the deadlines set for us (read about that here). Within three days of that phone call, God came through and more than made up the difference between where we were asked to be and where I was.
I was fully funded approximately a month before our final due date for funds...which is completely amazing...everyone I talk to about the experience is totally in awe at how quickly and faithfully the funds to go arrived. All I can do is smile and remember God's faithfulness.
Look for more posts in the coming weeks about the Faithfulness of God and how it relates to Africa. I won't make any promises, but I'm going to try to post more often between now and when the team leaves.
