Saturday, June 15, 2013

An answer to prayers

Last Sunday I shared at my church about going to Albania. There were other international missionaries sharing also and we were saying goodbye to a family who is moving to another state to follow God's call. Our pastor shared about how we are all part of the body of Christ and it was a really neat service.

I think the idea of how the body of Christ works is something that the Lord wanted to sink in for me -- later in the week, I got this email from a friend who is a missionary working in an orphanage in Uganda: 

"I'm so excited about your opportunity to reach out ... The kids and I have been praying for one people group or country every week and Albania was our first country. The kids still pray for Albania often. By the way, I told the kids about you going to Albania and they were really excited. They want to see pictures and updates. The first thing they said was, 'God answered our prayers! He sent a missionary.' I thought you should know the amazing way that God orchestrates our world: you going to Albania is an answer to Ugandan children's prayers!"

My going to Albania is an answer to Ugandan children's prayers.

I'm just going to let that sink in for a second.

When I read it, I almost cried. It draws me to worship. How good is our God!

I really am part of the body of Christ - in a way that I've never really thought about, though I've been there all along... each of us who is in Christ is that connected -- and it's not something we have to DO. We are called to abide and obey. And in us doing that, the Lord may be answering the prayers of someone we may never meet.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Onward to Albania

The countdown is on... I'm leaving for Albania in less than 25 days.
So much to do! The prayer letters are on their way out -- bit by bit, as I'm getting addresses. (Send me yours if you want one!) I'm sorting through my things. It's hard to know what to keep and what to toss.... what to pack and what to leave. I'll be gone three months... I already know my backpack is going to be crammed with an assortment of odds and ends. And probably more books than is reasonable. :-) It's hard to say what I'll want to have there -- what kinds of crafts to do with the girls at the safe house or with the ladies in the village or the street kids at the center. Any ideas for some lightweight, easy to pack crafts?

I'll put up a proper post sometime this week, with more details about why I'm going to Albania and what's to come. :-) So check back!