Praise God from Whom ALL Blessings Flow!!!

I am sitting here in tears praising the Father above!  I am fairly certain that I am going to reach (actually God is going to reach through the obedience and generous love of others) the $2,000 goal that was due to Visiting Orphans today!!!  My heart is so full and overflowing right now!  I feel as if I can take a deep breath, know that He will cover the other $1,600 that I will need, and concentrate on praying for the upcoming trip.

To top this off, I received this news while sitting in the middle of one of the most beautiful places that I have ever been - the mountains of Montana.  Aubrey and I were given the wonderful blessing of coming out here for "business" - though it doesn't really seem like business at all!  I can't believe that He is allowing me to experience this breathtaking part of His creation now and then His beloved Africa in just a few short months.  It overwhelms me.  He is so good.

So, as I celebrate, I can shout from the mountaintops (FOR REAL!)...

"I lift up my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.  Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand.  The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.  The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.  The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore."  Psalm 121, ESV

Thanks so much to all who have prayed for me and/or given financially over the last few weeks.  As I shared with a friend earlier today, it is neat to think that the prayers and giving that you have offered may very well touch the little brothers and sisters that you will spend eternity with in Heaven.  You will know them by name!!!  How beautiful is His plan...

I will post later today or tomorrow about the book that I am reading.  It was written by a girl who has spent much of her life ministering in Africa...so much to share!

In my weakness...In His strength,
Steph

Moving Along...

Well, it is for real! I received an e-mail from Visiting Orphans today that said they received my application and that things are moving along. The butterflies in my stomach haven't stopped since I read it! :) They gave me info about Uganda and Kenya and what I should expect on my trip. I can't wait to read through all of it in detail!

The e-mail also indicated that I need to have a payment (or donations) of $2,000 by April 26 - one week from today! I know that my God is capable of providing, but please pray that I will continue to have faith and peace in this area.

Below is a story that I came across in my devotions this morning. Perfect timing, Lord...as always! I thought that I would share it. Enjoy!

The Road Of Life
At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong; so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was there sort of like a picture of a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know Him.

Later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life was like a bike ride, on a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal. I don't recall when he suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since.

When I had control, it was rather boring, and predictable . . . It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew the exciting paths to take, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds -- it was all I could do to just hang on! At times it seemed like madness. He said: "Pedal!"

And by faith I did, although I worried and was anxious. "Where are you taking me?" He laughed, but no answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. When I'd say, "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand.

I didn't trust him at first to be in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it -- but He knows bike secrets. He knows how to make it bend and take sharp corners, how to jump clear high rocks, and how to shorten scary passages.

Now I'm learning to just be quiet and pedal. We go to the strangest places together. I'm beginning to enjoy the view, the challenge of the ride, as well as the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion -- Jesus Christ.

When it seems I just can't take anymore, I keep my eyes and faith on Him. He looks at me, with a big smile, and says: ". . . Keep on pedaling."

Isaiah 41:10 "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am Your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious hand."

Trusting Him and hanging on tightly,

Stephanie

First Steps

I woke up this morning and realized that today is the day. Today is when I will choose to fix my eyes on Jesus, step out of the boat, and walk on the water. You see, the Lord has been planting seeds in my heart for the millions of orphans in Africa for quite some time. My heart has been broken and overwhelmed by stories of children who are hungry, sick, and in need of simple life-giving hugs. They need the love of Jesus and the message of His Good News brought to them, and my heart is crying out to do just that! When I consider what my AMAZING Jesus poured out for me when I was lost and broken, His call to "look after orphans...in their distress" (James 1:27) seems like such a small offering for me to give - but one that He is clearly calling me to lay at His feet.


The tug at my heart has grown stronger over the last few months, but never did I think that He would ask me to go so soon. In the midst of transition and illness, I have been given the unexpected opportunity to go to Uganda and Kenya from June 26 to July 9, 2011 with my beautiful sister in Christ, Diana Perkey. She is co-leading the trip through an organization called Visiting Orphans. You can learn more about the ministry and this specific trip at http://www.visitingorphans.org/
Here is a video of Diana's first trip to Africa in March 2011:


Pure Religion: Uganda 2011 with Visiting Orphans from Jennifer Hanson on Vimeo.
Many questions have gone through my mind as Kevin and I have considered this. What will it be like for me to be away from my precious family for two weeks - especially during a time when Brody will be going to youth camp for the very first time? Will I be able to raise enough money to go in such a short amount of time? Will my health cause problems? Will my passport be ready in time? How will this affect our lives when I return? It would be easy for me to back down and say, "Not right now...maybe later," but I can't. Every part of me knows that I must step forward in blind obedience and say, "Yes, Lord! I will go. I will offer you you my five loaves and two fish to do with as you please."

As I move forward, I ask for your prayers. Please pray that I will stay healthy along with the other members of the team. Pray that hearts will be prepared to receive the love of Christ and that my heart will be prepared for what God has in store for me before, during, and after the trip. Please pray for my family. They completely see God's hand in this, but it will be difficult for me to be away for two weeks.

Also, as you can imagine, this will be a challenge for us financially. If you would like to contribute to the trip in any way, you can donate a tax-deductible gift on-line by following the steps on the top right-hand side of my blog.

If you would like to contribute but would rather not do so on-line, you can send a check (tax-deductible) to Visiting Orphans, P.O. Box 668, Nolensville, TN 37135. Please write my name and the trip date/location in the memo line.

I can't believe I'm doing this. Here we go, Lord! I'm all yours!!!

By His grace,

Stephanie