A
few days ago, I started to feel it.
This nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach.
It’s
this expectation of going and knowing that God is going to meet us there in a
special way that’s got me nervous. It’s
a good nervous. Actually, nervous isn’t
even the right word. It’s more
expectant and excited, but in a quiet, humble way. You know?
I’ve
spent a lot of time in prayer this week.
I am excited for God to reveal his will and purpose to each one of the
team for our time in Uganda. That is what we are asking. We have shared our hearts with each other on
our facebook group, and I can say without hesitation that we are all wanting
God to reveal himself to us and through us to others on this trip.
And
also, very important on our hearts is our husbands, wives and children that are
not going. We are praying peace over
them while we are gone. And for our
spouses to have open hearts to receive what we bring back. They won’t be there to experience and see,
but we are asking God to work in their hearts so that when we return they are
ready to receive what we have to share and what God is leading us to do going
forward. Others on the team are also
seeking God for future ministry plans.
Because
what is the meaning of our lives here on earth if at the end of it all we don’t
have a peace that we allowed God to fulfill His purpose in us? I want to know his purpose for my life and I
want to be obedient to His call. As
David Platt says, are we willing to put a blank check on the table? Let the Holy Spirit reveal his purpose for
our lives and then go do it? My blank
check is on the table.
This trip is a big step. This is where the rubber meets the road.
Someone
asked me yesterday, “why Uganda?” I
just smiled and answered, “I don’t really know.” It’s a long story. It’s just
where my heart led me. Or rather, it’s
where God led me because I am trusting in Him.
Pray
for our team. Pray for our
families. Pray for the ministries we
will visit and the people we will minister to.
In
Acts 13, the church at Antioch fasted and prayed and the Holy Spirit told them
to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work which He had called them. And Barnabas and Saul set out on a missionary
journey that had a profound effect on the early church. Based on Acts 13, this is what you can pray
for us while we are gone:
•that we would be confident in the word
•that we would be filled with God's Spirit
•that we would have victory in spiritual
warfare
•that we would have success in gospel witness
•that we would have peace with other believers
(and for peace in our homes and with our families as we are away from them)
•that we would have favor with unbelievers
•that the gospel would be clear to them
•that God would open their hearts to receive from
Him
•that we would have joy in the midst of
suffering
•that
we would show kindness in the midst of slander
•that supernatural power would accompany us
•that we would have Christ-like humility
•that we would have patience
•that we would have perseverance
•that God would use us to make disciples
My
suitcases are stuffed to overflowing. I
have one full of children's clothes and shoes from babies to teenagers, and
Kristen and I have another filled with sheets and blankets. My other large suitcase is half full of my
personal things and the other half is supplies and women's clothes. Others on the team have headbands, bandanas,
over the counter medications of all kinds, crafts and sports equipment, school
supplies, more clothes and shoes. It is
amazing what you can fit in a suitcase!
I also have cash in hand to meet some practical needs as presented when
we are in country.
I
will try to post updates on facebook or possibly blog while there depending on
our access to internet.
Again,
thank you so much to everyone of you that helped make this trip a reality for
me, for monetary donations, for encouragement, for practical help along the
way, for praying for me. I cherish each
of you. Thank you, thank you!
We
have a fantastic team. I'd like you to
meet them:
Michael
Smalley, Team Leader, marriage and family counselor and speaker, The Smalley
Center, Houston, TX
Courtney
Townsend, Indian Trail, NC, mother of four, sister-in-law of Sharon
Alison
Guerard, southern California, mother of two, friend of Sharon
Kylie
White, NC, mother of two and waiting to adopt two more from the Congo, friend
of Sharon
Sharon
Townsend, southern California, mother of two, also waiting to adopt, invited
Kylie, Alison and Courtney
Chris
Woodard and 14 yr old daughter, Savannah
Ashley
Nolan, mother of three, littlest one adopted
Rodney
Rinehart and daughter Selena
Eddie
Han and 9 yr old daughter Jalie, Tacoma, WA
Kelvin
Kim, southern California, friend of Eddie
Kristen
Green, Denver, waiting to adopt, my answer-to-prayer friend
and
me....
We
can do all things through him who gives us strength! And we are excited to do so! I have a feeling we have started what will be
some very close friendships that will last long after we are home.
Time
to really finish packing. Today will be
a blur with Rebecca's play tonight. Then
we leave at 5:00 a.m. in the morning to take me to the airport in Denver.
Until
next time....
Trusting
in Him,
Shelli
