Focusing on the unseen!

For those of you who went to Malawi last summer, I have some exciting news! On Tuesday we went to lunch at a cafe and I delighted in some orange fanta! Oh yes! C'est formidable!

John Paul and Will have arrived so our team is now complete! We have been learning some songs in Moore (pronounced "more-ray") and one song we taught the kids today has a promise that I cling to. It goes like this:

"Ya sida wennam be. wennam be ne tond."
"It is true that God is. He is with us."

He is I AM. He is with me. I am learning to let that be enough. Because He is more than enough. His compassions are new each morning. That is my strength and He is my portion.

One of my favorite exeperiences so far has been this: On Wednesday we attended the weekly prayer meeting at Grace Baptist Church. Keeping in mind that in the village they speak Moore, in the city: French, and we speak English, you can imagine how interesting it was having the sermon translated so many times! After the prayer requests had been given, everyone in attendance prayed out loud. At the same time. WOW! Did you get that?! 15 people, 3 languages, 1 request, 1 God. The SAME God. Over all. I will admit: I spent a few minutes just sitting in silence... in awe of our Creator. What a beautiful sound to hear the cry of His people!

This is Jamila.

Jamila is from Ghana. After her father died she had to move to Ouaga with her grandmother. Jamila's family is extreme Muslim. Something cool about Jamila: she speaks fluent English! What a blessing! When I asked her about her life, this was her response: "Life is not good. I do not like it here." Since then, I have had the opportunity to spend a few days with her and have many productive, encouraging conversations. This evening I met her grandmother and was invited to visit her home in a few days. Please pray as plan to share the gospel with her!

This is Jamila's grandmother, who is also fluent in English!

Finally here!

Greetings from West Africa!

I am here now, being eaten alive by mosquitoes, speaking a language that is almost foreign to me, and soaking up God's goodness! Bissa hospitality is wonderful! I will admit I was nervous upon arriving. I was apprehensive on the drive here, being truly alone in a land where I know no one, but the bright sun and smiling faces of the people took away some doubts. God continuously reminds me "Daughter, do not be afraid; this is where i have called you."

I was overwhelmed with the sudden knowledge that though i am so far away. I have come to realize that we are one people, one world, serving one God.

There is a love greater than anyone can imagine that fills me up. And unlike anything else in the world, as i give it away it doesn't ever run out but only multiplies. and THIS, this is Jesus.

Today we expanded our French vocabulary and learned scripture and songs in Moore. We also had many fun experiences practicing our language with the nationals at the local bakery. Please pray for us as we continue to learn and prepare for our ministry here in Ouaga. Please pray also for Willis and John Paul, who have had 2 unexpected overnight layovers and will not arrive until tomorrow.

Today I was reminded of this: God is faithful to those He calls!

We are here. God is here. It's a first step. We're going for it.

...And I'm off!

Thanks for following along on the journey! I'm truly excited about what God has already begun doing! I will try to update as much as possible (hopefully at least once a week!) and post some pictures when possible!

Some things that I'm looking forward to:
-Practicing speaking some French
-Being submerged in a culture of physical poverty, yet genuine happiness
-Drinking some coca-cola made from real sugar, not corn syrup!
-Getting to hold another sweet, coffee-bean colored kid with a big, BIG smile! :)
-Just sweating and studying God's word- (the abundant life!)

-Experiencing healthcare in a third world country

-Planting and watering seeds!

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Here's a general preview of my schedule:

June 14th (11:40 a.m.)- Fly out of Alexandria
June 15th (7:45 p.m.)- Arrive in Burkina Faso
June 15th-June 30th- Ministry in Ouagadougou. I'll be working with the children's program of Grace Baptist Church. Everyday they feed and minister to a lot of sweet kids in the nonzoned area of Ouaga. I'll be singing songs with them in Moore (the most spoken local language) as well as some in French. We'll also be playing games with them and visiting with their families when I bring them home in the afternoons!
July 1- July 16th: Nalerigu, Ghana (and the surrounding villages) with the missionaries of the Baptist Medical Centre. I'll be working with the youth, discipiling them and teaching evangelism!
July 18th (9:00 p.m.)- arrive back in Alexandria, Louisiana!

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Basic Information: Ouagadougou is a third world city of over 1 million people. Villages in southeastern Burkina and northern Ghana are inhabited by subsistence farmers of millet and peanuts. Over 50% of the Bissa people practice Islam. Less than 2% are evangelical Christians. All religions are greatly influenced by African Animism.

While in Burkina I'll be staying in the zoned area of Ouaga and commute daily to the ministry site. In Ghana, I'll be living with a Bissa family that has youth in their courtyards. I’ll be working on some discipleship with these youth and going out with them door to door to do prayer walking and evangelism. Regardless of location, I'm praying for open doors to share the gospel!

The Shafto family has graciously allowed 6 summer missionsaries to come to their area! (Willis, Benjamin, Garrett, John Paul, Rochelle, and myself!) We will not be staying together, but our paths will hopefully cross very frequently.

Please PRAY:

• For the Bissa people. God will prepare the hearts of the poeple I encounter. Relationships. Encouragement for the believers. The church will be bold and obedient in reaching out. Lost will be open to hearing about Jesus and accept Him as Lord.
• That we will be able to proclaim the gospel in a clear and culturally sensitive manner and lead Bissa Christians to spiritual maturity, helping them to discover and employ their spiritual gifts
• For me. Boldness. Humility. Flexibility. Language and cultural barriers. Protection from lonliness (those of you who know me well, know that I'm an extrovert!)
• Mostly: God will glorify Himself through this!

"The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few, therefore PRAY..." (Matthew 9:37,38)

This is a huge step of faith for me. I'm learning to trust. With my life. The kind of trust that makes fears go away. I'm learning to be completely dependent, and lean not on my own understanding. I'm praying for the PEACE of Christ that transcends understanding. I'm praying for joy. The unchanging, unending joy that comes from knowing that our Savior is seated on His throne.

...God's vision is so much bigger than mine.

Trusting in His STRONG love...

Writing to you in anticipation, uncertainity, and excitement... and off I go!

Should I tell them?

But I listened when You said to go
And I set out in spite of my fears
About truth mixed with my imperfection
And the question of what to say when I got here
And now that I'm here
Should I tell them that
You are the one who has made me
And saved me and set up a home there inside
Should I tell them that I am a perfect example
Of all You can do with a life.
What should I say to them?
What if I'm failing them?
What should i tell the tonight?
Now don't get me wrong
I'm thankful to be here
With this song to sing and a spotlight on me,
But lately I'm wondering if you are mistaken,
If you're seeing all of me there is to see.
Cause on every face I detect
The same questions I've posed to you
Like do you speak through the imperfect
Are we too dirty for your light to get through?
I want your light to get through.
What should I tell them when
They're thirsty Lord
My cup is empty Lord
Come and lead me here in this place
Cuz I'm unashamed, but I'm unprepared
And I'm just plain afraid...

Shaun Groves: Should I Tell Them

Relentless

"I had a college professor who said, "All around you, people will be tiptoeing through life, just to arrive at death safely. But dear children, do not tiptoe. Run, hop, skip, or dance, just don't tiptoe."- Shane Claiborne's "Irresistible Revolution"

Matthew 10:28... do not fear things that can destroy the body but rather fear things that can destroy the soul. Sometimes I feel as though my soul is suffocating in the safety of America and all of it's numbness, complacency... comfort. Scary. Todd, our BCM director tells us this: "RISK is a way of life for a believer- it is expected"... I want to be relentless...

I'm loving Christy Nockels' new cd "Life Light Up"!!! Check it out!



I am Peter

So I've been reading about Peter lately. And if I put away my pride and get real with myself, I can relate to Peter time and time again. Here's the conclusion I've come to:

In the beginning, Peter was probably one of, if not the worst disciple. I think I am Peter. Jesus tells Peter that Peter will deny Him 3 times; Peter says, "No! I love you, I could never deny you, Lord." Yet we all know that Peter does in fact denies Jesus 3 times.

"I am Peter" nombre un: I know in my heart and my soul and the core of my being that I LOVE the Lord, that I would do anything for Him, go to the ends of the earth for Him, but how often do i forget to give the glory back to His name? How often do I take compliments without giving Him the credit, without the honor and praise back to God who has given me this work? Do I, as Peter, deny Jesus the glory that is His?

"I am Peter" nombre deux: Jesus told His disciples that it was God's will for Him to be arrested. He went willingly when the soldiers came to take Him, but enthusiastic, loving Peter raised his sword and cut off a soldier's ear. I'm sure Jesus laughed a little and shook His head as He put the ear right back on the guy. "Put your sword away," Jesus commanded, "shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" I am Peter. I have my own time frame. When I don't see things happening, I try to make them happen. And Jesus says, "Put away your sword, put away your plans. Shall we not do what the Father has asked of us?" So like Peter, I put away my plans, my defenses, and watch as everything happens perfectly, in God's own timing.

"I am Peter" nombre trois: After Jesus had risen, He appeared to His disciples while they were fishing. When Peter saw Him, he excitedly jumped out of the boat and began swimming to where Jesus stood. Needless to say, the boat probably reached the shore long before Peter. I am Peter. Excitedly jumping into things, and then standing, soaking wet, at the feet of Jesus. I get excited, forget to think things through, and end up doing them the long way. Again and again, Jesus welcomes my soaking wet self into His arms and is simply happy to see me, just like He was peter.

I am Peter who made many mistakes, but I am Peter who God had great plans for, who God has made to do His work. The very night that Peter foolishly jumped out of the boat, Jesus asked Him in the presence of the other disciples. "Do you truly love me?" He asked. "Then feed my lambs." "Do you really love me? Take care of my lambs." "Peter, DO YOU LOVE me? Feed my sheep, and come. Come follow Me."

For each time that I deny God the Glory that is His, for each time I follow my will instead of listening to His, for each time I jump ahead without first consulting my Lord, He asks,

“Kasey, do you truly love me?” and I do.

“Feed my sheep.” And I will. And I do.

“Come follow me.” And I am, or at least I am trying.

I am Peter. I mess up. I make mistakes, I am far from perfect, and God will use me.

Thank you, God, for not being finished with me yet. Thank you for choosing to use imperfect vessels. Thank you for forgiveness.

Now go.

Feed His sheep.

Everlasting!

Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary
& His understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

(Isaiah 40:28-31)

Level 2...

PASSED! YES!! Thank you, Jesus!! Level 3, here I come! It is so evident to me right now that God has a HUGE plan for my life. I'm excited to see what the future holds! And I'm ready to be a real nurse!
Now that the semester is over, I can finally catch up on things that have been put aside... like sleep! And time at home with my fun family! Here's some things that have kept me busy since I've been home:

My kid sister graduated high school!!!

Fun times at Jacob's soccer game

And time to hang out with friends!

Not so exciting things about ending the semester:

I'm gunna miss living with Jess...
(But YAY for getting married!!!! TSE!)

But hello to a new roomie!!

As I was driving home from Monroe, I was listening to podcast, and I was reminded of this:
So often we define ourselves by things of this world. We wrap our identity up in the wrong things. We get caught up in our appearance, our jobs, the way our house is decorated, or sometimes we even let our relationships define us. I constantly need to be reminded to let Christ's love define me. We are acceptable in God's sight, the beauty is we never have to EARN God's favor.. He already loves us!! So why do we spend so much time and money investing in things that aren't eternal?

Perry Noble put it like this: Think about the person you admire the most... What do you admire about them? It's probably not the way they look, their house, or even who they are dating or married to. It's probably something like how patient they are, their kindness, or maybe that they're great at forgiving! Appearance, money, decorations.... how much does it really matter?

Jesus in us coming out of us on a continuous basis is what makes us admirable and attractive.

God, teach us to see ourselves and others as You see us!

Let Christ's love define you.