March Musings...

Hello friends!! I’ve been busy working on a fundraising event we are having the 23^rd of April. The month of March was great. I was able to settle into my job and learn new things. I’ve enjoyed it so far and I’m excited to continue to learn and grow. 

We have had so much fun at the baby house. The toddlers are becoming their own little person more and more every day. Speaking of more and more, that’s one of their favorite words currently. Any food they are given, they love to say “more, more, more!” It’s so funny because we know they just enjoy saying it because they’ve learned something new. We have had a few small babies a bit under the weather. With the seasons changing this is always the prime time for our little ones to suffer from some form of cold. What’s so sad is if their noses are congested then that effects their feeding time. No one likes for their feeding time to be effected. J The big babies are learning to sit nicely and interacting more. We had two of our toddlers relocate to another baby home to be exposed to the other toddlers, aunties and uncles. They will most likely be among the first to go to the Village.  

We as a staff enjoy loving them and teaching them how to be caring, kind and good friends to each other. We have a big responsibility to make sure we are making a positive impact on these children. They are the next generation and our world needs more selfless, caring, compassionate, strong leaders. We have received 17 babies, had 7 adoptions, 1 relocated to another home and 1 reunited with family so far this year. We always pray that these babies are given the very best in their situation and trust the Lord to work everything out for them. He has always done so and we believe He will continue to do so.

Can you believe...

Can you believe I’ve been here for a little over a month? Me either. The time is already flying by. Since I’ve been here we have had three adoptions, started a new job, taken babies to the hospital, had two driving lessons, went to a woman’s luncheon, gone to three bible studies, went to a place called Bounce that is nothing but a room full of trampolines, visited the Door of Hope Village, made new friends, built on old friendships and settled in fast and easy. So the month of February has been busy and exciting.

I’ve learned that being uncomfortable is a good place for the Lord to stretch me. Being away from home gets me out of my comfort zone and have to put myself out there to meet new people and create a new life. I know I’ve said it many times but I will say it again, guys, I’m living the dream. I am serving in the area the Lord wants me and can use me. I know He is growing and stretching me as I am sometimes out of my comfort zone, yet when that happens I’ve learned to get excited instead of nervous.

I had the opportunity to share about Door of Hope and my heart for it at two school assemblies. The first one was a high school and the second a middle school. Of course they pay attention because I have an accent. Anytime we hear someone from overseas speak, we listen carefully not to miss anything, plus it’s also interesting and different.

I work at Baby House 3 in the office. I am being trained by Marcelle who had the position before me and learning a lot. I’m not only learning about my job but also more about Jesus, as she is a very wise, patient, lovely lady who always pushes me to Jesus. My days consist of answering the phone, emails, taking notes, eating lunch with the toddlers and currently learning new things and how to do my job more effectively. 

Jesus has continuously paved the way and even in the bumps, He’s taught me humility. I yearn to grow and be stretched so that I can become more like Him. Seeking Him in the darkness when I’m clueless of what’s going on or how to handle a situation. Leaning into Him when times of loneliness or unworthiness come. Praising Him when He teaches me new things or I finally understand something. Thankful for Him and how He has been so patient with me.

I hope to keep you updated as much as possible. Thank you for trekking with me along this journey and being so supportive. 

New Season...

I arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday February 5th. Since then I have jumped head first into life here. As most of you know, this is where I consider home as well. I have been given the opportunity to help Door of Hope in lots of areas. It’s amazing to me to see how the Lord's hand has been in and through everything leading up to where I am now. Let's go back in time and remember where I was a few months ago.

I started praying about returning to Africa in March of 2015. I asked a core group of intercessors to pray with me. We prayed that the Lord would clearly speak to me if this was His plan and not just my own. I got a lot of confirmation that month. That spring boarded me into FUGE camps for my fifth and last summer working with them. When I returned from camp I started in October fundraising and started off well. There were a few bumps along the way of fundraising but I knew the Lord would finish what He started and even if I did not receive the full amount needed, I am trusting He will provide for however long I am here.

In January, Hannah and I planned our trip to Washington, D.C. It was my first time in our nation’s capital. I was more nervous going there than I ever have been going to another country. Have you seen all the political movies of things being blown up there? Yeah, not where I wanted to go even though I know it's not real. We rode a Megabus 15 hours to Washington, D.C. overnight. We arrived around 10:30 and we needed to ride the Metro and walk a few blocks to get to the Embassy by closing time which was 12:30. Long story short, we made it. We made it to the Embassy in time, we got an FBI background check (which takes up to 6 weeks or longer) done in one day and emailed to us the next day. It was the most I've ever been stretched in my life. I was completely out of my comfort zone the whole way there and the entire time I was there. It was emotionally, physically and spiritually draining. I was pooped. But guys, I'm here to tell you that pushing through hard things and running the race even when you're completely spent is worth it. Worth it. You hear me? WORTH IT. 

After returning from D.C. Hannah and I waited for our visas. We anticipated the length of time they would give us. We were praying for at least a year. Jesus gave us two. I've learned that when it's His will, He sometimes exceeds your expectations and wows you in the biggest way possible. He wowed us. 

Since I arrived the beginning of February, I've had the greatest welcoming anyone could receive.

I can't begin to tell you what it feels like to be doing what the Lord has called me to do. I've known for a very long time this is exactly what the Lord wants me to do. Not only to do what we are called to do as Christians, but as an individual, what I'm doing in the very place I'm doing it is the best thing I’ve ever been a part of. 

Thankful heart...

I have been preparing to return to South Africa. In the time of waiting, I have been so overwhelmed at the confirmation the Lord has given me. He has surrounded me with so many people who are consistently supporting, praying, giving, encouraging and simply being the Church to me. I have a lot to do to prepare for this next season but I’m excited for all that’s to come. I am currently doing an Indiegogo campaign to help with the last bit of funds I need to return. I have $4,000 of the $10,000 I need. I am asking to raise $7,000 before December 19^th (my birthday). I have received $1,050 of that already! I want to thank all of you who have prayed, given and encouraged me to this point. I know I would not be able to do it without the support of Jesus loving people. Because of YOU I’m able to live out my dream and be a part of something bigger than myself. Because of YOU I’m able to go serve Jesus with my gifts and talents He has given me. Because of YOU I’m able to go and be Jesus to those who desperately need Him. Because of YOU I am able to thrive in my element and truly come alive in a place I feel like I was made for. Because of YOU I’m able to go love the sweetest/cutest children in the world. (Yes, I am bias). Thank you from the bottom to the top of my heart. I pray the blessing you have given me will be returned to you 100 fold. I hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving holiday!

if you would like to give to the campaign here is the link to copy and paste :

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/miss-amanda-the-babies/x/10052294#/

Live Boldly Continued…

Recently I had a conversation about rough neighborhoods. Yes, this is random but we were talking about why Christian's don't move into the "rough" areas in town. As Christian's, we are called to be the Light. To be His Light. 

Think of dark areas in your town. Is someone carrying/living the Light in that area? If we can't think of anyone, why aren't we? Why don't we carry the Light in the dark places of town? Fear, rejection, failure? In believing these lies are we not in turn saying to God "You're not powerful enough"? We think "It's too dangerous, they are too lost, they will not listen." Our job is to do what He has asked us to do, not question it. If He has called us to proclaim the Gospel to everyone, why are we not going to the areas that might be considered "rough"? 

I feel like us, as Christian's, tend to get comfortable in our own little neighborhoods and forget the ones who are lost and dying in those "rough" areas. Christian community is important and I completely understand that. We need that to encourage and build each other up. Yet, we get too comfortable in our community. We forget to be the Light in the darkness because we are too scared to go there. 

When I was in South Africa I remember going to see the squatter camps. I felt my heart break into for those people. My first thought was "How can I help?" My second thought was "It has to be very dangerous there." I went from one extreme to another. How can I help, what can I do, use me Lord, to I'm scared, how will I make a difference, what use is one person? Oh, how we have missed the mark. Jesus tells us it may be dangerous, it may be hard, it may be sacrificial. In knowing all of these things and also knowing how BIG and Powerful our God is, why do we not dive head first in faith and say OK, let's do this Jesus? 

Live Boldly...

It's 1:05am and my mind is racing. Jesus is teaching me new things and I feel the need to share. Having Grassroots coffee at 7:50pm probably wasn't the best idea, but hey, if I didn't drink it, I wouldn't be up writing this to you. 

Why do we not live dangerously. Don't misinterpret what I'm saying here. Why do we not live knowing our God is strong in us? Do you hear me? There is a HUGE "we" in this because He is teaching ME this now. I was listening to a song tonight by Bethel Music called Strong In Us. Here are a few of the lyrics:

"He is the Risen One, the same Power that raised Him up is the same Power that lives in us."

Think about this. Dwell on this. The same Power that raised Jesus up from the dead is the same Power we have inside US. He is in US. He is strong in US. 

I am quick to put limitations on God. I am quick to not give Him enough credit in His Power. I am quick to humanize (is that a word?) Him to where I hinder myself from the things He wants to do through me. He has such amazing plans for US. His plans are HUGE. I feel sometimes we don't dream big enough, pray big enough or love big enough. All of these things we are capable of doing because He is in US. I feel as if I am being repetitive but guys are we really grasping this concept? Maybe it's just me finding all this out for the first time. Or finally listening to what He has been saying to me for a while.

I have a hard time stopping and listening to Jesus. I avoid Him at times because I am too afraid of the GRAND things He has for me. Yes, this does sound crazy. I am scared of what GREAT things the Lord has for me. Lies race through my head. Will I fail? Will I stray from what He wants me to do? Will I not be good enough in the task. These are all lies. It's not the "I's" I should be focusing on. He will not fail. He will not stray. He is better than good enough. When will I realize all of these doubts and limitations I am putting on myself, I am also putting on the Lord. He is fully capable of doing anything He wants. And He wants to use me!

In my bible study Beth Moore says this:

"Beloved, Satan is a liar! (Can I get an amen). He knows if you and I take this thing about God's love seriously, we might become a John or Paul in our generation. Oh, let's glorify God, spite the devil, and do it! It's not too late. Take your pulse. If your heart is still beating, it's worth healing. Here's the catch, however: God's method of healing a condemning heart is to love it to death…then create in us a new heart. A healthier heart. A heart filled with faith instead of fear. His perfect love the only thing that will drive out that fear of ours." 

In reading this we should ask the Lord to "create in us a new heart". He has the power to fully restore us. Why don't we let Him? He has the power to fill our hearts with faith instead of fear. Why are we hindering Him of this? 

Saying "See ya later"…

As most of you have noticed, I am back on US soil. I arrived in Atlanta January 17th. It was so crazy for me to think I had just left Africa the day before and I was in the US the day after. I could say "Yesterday, in Africa…." It was strange to me. So in saying that let me talk about January 16th.

The day came. The day that I had been excited for as well as dreaded. I woke up early, got all of my stuff together and ready to load in the van. Who am I kidding, I loaded it in the van right when my stuff was packed. I spent a lot of time that morning reflecting, listening and talking to Jesus. I heard the toddlers screaming and crying thinking I was actually going to miss that noise. I reflected on my times there, good, great and awesome. I thought about the babies and toddlers individually. I thought about their personalities and how Jesus had rescued them. I believe He rescued them for something great He has for them, now and the future. Each and every child there has a story of physical rescuing and I pray that later in their life they will learn of spiritual rescuing. 

As I went upstairs to say my goodbyes I hugged and kissed each baby thinking in my head, "I will never see this face again because I know Jesus has a family for you". My heart was so full of peace and contentment. Praising the Lord for allowing me to love on His little ones for a small amount of time. I know the Lord has big plans for each of His children. I just feel a little biased to think He has something extremely big for the babies who leave Door of Hope. These sweet angels are loved more and cared for with Love and Concern that only comes from Jesus. Jesus pours out of every volunteer, Auntie and Staff. These babies know Jesus the instant they are brought to the Door of Hope. They encounter Him everyday through the people who work there. I'm honored to have been apart of that. 

Leaving my sweet Boo Bear was the hardest. (No his name isn't Boo Bear, I just called him that. Plus, I can't tell you his real name for his safety) Naturally volunteers get attached to one baby. It just happens. You don't expect it to happen and then BAM instant love for one individual baby that is just a little different than the others. I didn't choose Boo Bear, he chose me. At the time I had already had a favorite baby girl working in Big Babies. I was switched to Small Babies and little did I know my sweet Boo Bear would arrive from the hospital that day. He was coming back from having some complications so I didn't get to know him when I first came because he had been in the hospital. At the end of the day, all the babies were sleeping and I hear cooing from his crib. I walk over, lean down and say "Boy! What are you doing? You're supposed to be sleeping like your friends!" He looked at me with seriousness in his eyes (like he was processing what I was saying) and just smiled the biggest smile at me. Glory Glory. I am certain there was a choir behind me singing. My heart melted and then and there I feel in love with a baby boy who would only know me for a few months. I'm grateful Jesus gave me time with Boo Bear so that I can get a small glimpse of a mother's love. He allowed me to experience the one thing I want more than anything in life and that is to be a mommy. I know when I have my own kids it will obviously be different. I just got to see a "sneak preview" and it was glorious. 

Saying "See ya later" to all the Aunties was extremely hard. They were my friends, sisters and mothers. They showed and taught me so many things. From not freaking out over a baby being constipated, to how to really love and show love to those sweet babies. The Aunties were the most genuine ladies I've ever met. They prayed over me, encouraged me, taught me tough things and made me laugh so hard I might have cracked a rib. I will always have a special place in my heart for each and every one of the Aunties at the Door of Hope. 

Door of Hope changed my life. I will be eternally grateful for my time spent there.