Who? Me? You?

Nope. Nope. Nope. If you had asked me ten months ago if I’d be living in TZ, I straight up would have thought you were crazy for even asking. Who leaves a great job, awesome family, and a wonderful church to move to a country where you CAN’T EVEN COUNT TO TEN?! I guess my answer would be, “Someone just like you.” Trust me. I’m nothing special. Like…not at all. I’m not saying this to be petty. I’m simply saying this to, hopefully, encourage you. If I can do it, so can you!

A common theme in my daily devotions the last couple weeks has been encouragement. Here are some verses. “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow after Christ Jesus” – Romans 15:5.   “But encourage one another daily” – Hebrews 3:13

Two years ago I found myself being encouraged by Larissa (pictured) one evening while sitting in her living room after Bible study. That evening I expressed to her, “I would love to just move to Africa for a year.” She was the very first person to tell me, “Do it.”  I am forever thankful that she, prob not even knowing it at the time, changed my life. Talk about a big encouragement.

Evan (not pictured, husband of Larissa) is my pastor back in Montana. They have super awesome hearts for Jesus and they even took me on my very first mission trip. They’ve done an incredible job of encouraging me as I learn how to fuse my life and love for mission work together. Fun fact about them.  They are adopting a sweetie little girl from Ethiopia and they are within HOURS of going to pick their baby up. I remember the first time I prayed for their growing family and I AM SO EXCITED THE TIME HAS COME for their squad of 3 to become 4.

I am a person who has fears. I am a person who gets it wrong. I am nothing special. BUT! I am a person who is seeking after Jesus. I am a person who wants what He wants for my life. I am a person who surrounds herself with people who tell her to, “Move to Africa.”  I truly hope you surround yourself with people who encourage you and help you seek Jesus. Your “Africa” might look different than mine and that’s great.

Remember, we all have flaws and fears, but don’t let that stop you. As our dear friend Michael Scott once said, “Guess what? I have flaws. What are they? Oh, I don’t know. I sing in the shower. Sometimes I spend too much time volunteering. Occasionally, I’ll hit somebody with my car. So sue me.”

So, spend too much time volunteering. Hit someone with your car. Sing in the shower. Surround yourself with people who encourage you.

Find your Africa.