You Make Me Brave

You make me brave---8,305 miles away from home.
You make me brave---flying in an airplane over the vast ocean.
You make me brave---in a culture that isn't my own.
You make me brave---to share the love of Christ around the world.
You make me brave---going into the unknown.

The Lord has asked me to step out onto the waves. He has asked me to step outside of my comfort. He has asked me to face some of my fears. He has asked me to trust Him as I step out onto the waves. He has asked me to take a leap of faith in trusting Him to go overseas on a mission trip to Kenya, Africa. 

Ever since I was a child, I have known that God was calling me to Africa. I've always felt the tug--the pull--toward the beautiful continent. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to go to Swaziland! But at the last minute, it was made clear that the Lord was not telling me to "go." He was telling me to "stay." 

Stay and love.
Stay and serve.
Stay and be.
Stay and laugh.
Stay and heal. 
Stay and grow. 

So, I stayed in America. ...and the Lord's plan for that time in my life was so perfect. 
That was the most beautiful, healing, incredible summer of my life. Living with my best friend, adventures every night, experiencing the beauty of my new church family, stepping out into my leadership role as the Assistant Youth Director at Bonhomme, being able to use my gifts and passions to serve and love students. That was a sweet, sweet time in my life. 

Even that summer, when I didn't understand...{You made me brave.}

Since 2012, I have been waiting. Waiting on God to tell me to "go." This past year, I knew that God was guiding me into a place to hear his voice saying, "Go." And He was just waiting for my yes.

My yes didn't come quickly or easily. To be honest, I was scared. 

Africa has been in the news lately.
{You make me brave}
Plane crashes into the ocean.
{You make me brave}
Ebola.
{You make my brave}
Plus malaria.
{You make me brave}
ISIS. 
{You make me brave}
I may have to eat bugs. 
{You make me brave}
I'll miss my family.
{You make me brave}
What if I die?
{You make me brave}

I realize that some of these may seem pretty irrational. (After all, the chances of dying in a car are way higher than dying in a plane crash. But some of these are super real.)
And some of these reasons are so real that you are going to tell me that I shouldn't go. 
Because, after all, what if? 

{You make me brave}

But what if you knew the stats. 
Half of Kenya's population live in absolute poverty. 
Kenya has the fourth largest HIV epidemic in the world.
An estimated 1.6 million people are living with HIV/AIDS.
700 children become orphans everyday in Kenya. 
1.8 million children are currently orphans in Kenya.
30% of all Kenyan children suffer from severe to moderate growth and developmental stunting. 

{You make me brave}

The Lord knew my fear, but He captured my heart with love for all His children. 
Near and far.
In America and in Africa.
Whether I stay or whether I go. 
As for now, God has told me to 'go.' So, to Africa, I am going

...So, this is what my team will be doing... 

I will be traveling with a team of other 19-25 year olds! Our team with Love Africa Misison will travel from December 27-January 7 to Africa to serve several our missionary partners in Kijabe, Kenya. We will serve the students and staff of Rift Valley Academy (RVA), one of the premier schools on the African continent!  RVA is a 5-minute walk from a CURE hospital where we will also serve.  This children's hospital was Africa's first orthopedic/ pediatric teaching hospital for physically disabled children. The hospital provides care for children suffering from clubfoot, cleft lip and cleft palate, curvature of the spine and disabilities stemming from polio, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and other congenital abnormalities.
During our stay, our team will also visit and serve at Naomi’s village, an orphan care facility for young children, ages 2-8 years.  We will also partner with Little Lambs, an after school program for children with HIV AIDS orphans, ages 6 and up.
{You make me brave}

Whew. I am humbled to be a part of God's plan.

I ask that you would please be in prayer for me, my team, and the people that we meet---that we may show them the genuine love of Christ. If you feel led to support me financially, I will have more information in a week or so about how you can donate!

"Every day we have a choice. We can stay nestled in our safe comfortable places. We can let fear of something, that really is small, compared to the greatness of God cripple us. Or we can take a risk, do something to help someone else, make a person smile, change someone's world. Life to the fullest exists. It's available. All we have to do is decide to get up and embrace it." -Katie Davis 
{You make me brave.} 

In His love,
HG

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