Peace in facing the unknown

It's always hard to step out of your comfort zone.  And even after stepping out in faith, after a while we get comfortable again and God once again forces us to step out and trust Him.  That's where I am right now - once again being pushed out of my comfort zone.  Since I've already lived overseas, learned a new language and thrived in a culture completely different than the one I was raised in, you might think that going to Ghana is an easy thing for me.  But let me remind you that Africa is completely different from Brasil, that the tribal languages are nowhere close to Portuguese & going from a city of millions to a village of mud huts will definitely lead to culture shock!  I am very excited about this new adventure, but I will admit that there is fear mixed in with that excitement.  Ever since May, when I decided to go to Ghana, I have been trying to learn as much as I can.  But the more I learned, the more anxious I became that I was going to a place completely different than anywhere else I have been.  But God began to speak to me and to calm my anxieties.  "Since you have never traveled this way before (He) will guide you... purify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do great wonders among you." Joshua 3:4-5.  I'm going into uncharted territory, but the Lord is guiding me.  And HE is the one that's going to be doing all the work!  And then in Leviticus 20:22-24 "Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them... you must not live according to the customs of the nations."  Through this God reminded me that the most important thing as I go to Africa is not learning their customs or cultural practices, but obeying His commands.  And on top of this, me going to Africa in August is no different than waking up tomorrow morning here in Atlanta and letting God live through me!  It's all about HIM, not about me and not about the place I'm at. He has a plan and He wants to use each of us and out job is to abide in Him - He does all the rest!!  Praise God for His direction and His peace!

Preparing for Ghana

In a little over 2 months, I will be heading out to Africa to spend 4 months in Ghana volunteering at the Baptist Medical Centre.  My desire is to use this blog as a place to share my experiences and prayer requests with you.  I feel that I am not going to Ghana alone.  In addition to the Lord preparing the way ahead of me and guiding me every step of the way, I feel that God brings people alongside of me to pray for me and encourage me along the way.  My prayer is not only that you would just read this and be informed of my experience in Ghana, but that God would deepen your passion for Him and for the world as you follow along with me.  As the time draws closer for me to leave I will write more, but for now I ask for your prayers as I prepare to go and all the details that I have to work out.  Pray for the ministry that is already going on in Ghana and that God would prepare me for how He wants to use me where He is already at work.  Thank you for your prayers!!