This August I am going to Ghana.

what about my arthritis? when will I date and get married? what about my job as a teacher? where will I find the financial support? how will I get medicine? Is it safe over there? 

"Have I not commanded you? Be STRONG and COURAGEOUS. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord YOUR God will be with you WHEREVER (Africa, Huntington Beach, Texas, etc.) you go"

God has called me to be courageous. 

{FRIENDS}

and

{FAMILY}

Surrender is the main theme for my 2011. As many of you know, I had planned on coming to Texas to learn what it is to be a missionary and how to train others to do the same. I had thought, "If God wants me in Africa, He will make it clear, BUT I am pretty sure I will go back to Huntington Beach and utilize all the things I have learned." Let me tell you that the Lord has been LOUD and CLEAR on where He wants me. As I asked many of the questions I wrote above. I saw God gently answer some and call me to surrender others. For example, The church in Ghana will be with the same Pais organization. One of the elders of the church there is a Pharmacist. Therefore every single medication I need will be easily accessible. Yep. He has made himself clear. Surrender.

Upon my return to Texas from our lovely break, we have seen the Lord reveal Himself in so many ways. We were asked to mentor students, in Judson, a public high school! They have this thing called peer mediation, and basically senior students help other students resolve conflict. Our role is to mentor and coach the student that is leading the mediation. How crazy is that?! We get to give advice from a Christian perspective, impact key students at the school, and build respect and relationships. This all came through being faithful to serve the school in any and every possible way. 

I have been able to take one of my high school girls on what is called a prayer walk through our community. This means that we get to listen and pray for our community while we walk around the neighborhood. I am so excited to empower her to lead this with her other friends as well. We are starting a bible study for the girls in our church. It is focusing on true beauty, and what that looks like in our Father's eyes. It has been amazing to watch the Lord bring so many opportunities at the most unexpected times. The other day I was walking in the hallway and had a student stop me and say, "Can you explain to them what fasting is? Our church is doing it, just like Jesus did in the desert for 40 days." So I got to explain the purpose of fasting in a group of people that I met in the hallway of Judson High School.

It has been 18 days in January and we have already experienced so many awe filled moments. This is why I can confidently say the Lord has called and I will GO. I can only hope and pray that I will continue to allow the Lord to sweetly break my heart for what breaks His and WHOLLY surrender to what He has called me to do. Thank you to those of you that have signed up for 24 hour prayer. I will update you on where the Lord takes us as we lay our desires and expectations at His feet.

Your support, prayers, and words of encouragement remind me that I am not alone, and the Lord has and will supply what I need. Thank you.

J.