Hello September!

Hello again! Hope you are well! Well, I have now entered into September (can't believe it is already September) and I have started doing the team building activities I wrote about previously. The past two days have gone well! We played a game where there was fun, frustration, annoyance, but also enjoyment spent with each other. It is such a blessing to be in these teens lives and actually be used to hopefully show them the truth of Jesus! :) something else that we have started doing with my fellow leaders is a John study. Today I had the priviledge of leading the study. We looked at John 5 & 6. I want to share something the Lord revealed to me through the story of Jesus feeding the 5000. I have read this story so much but today it had a different meaning to me. In all honesty I am struggling a bit with my future plans. I am trying to figure out what I want but what also is inside the will of God. In John it says that Philip and andrew were wondering how they could possibly feed so many people with little wages. Andrew pointed out the boy with the loaves of bread and the fish. He saw a possibility yet continued to ask questions. How will that work? How will we split it? And Jesus doesn't take the time to speak to them about what he is going to do he simply says, "have them sit down." I can just imagine myself being like, "wait what? But we don't have enough food." and I can imagine him saying to me what he has been saying to be during this time of my life. "Jennifer! Stop asking questions and just watch me work." all the disciples did was prepare something very small and Jesus came and completely blew their minds. I mean come on! Can you imagine sitting there and watching Jesus tear and tear and tear and never running out of food!?! That is seriously awesome! I find do much comfort and encouragement in this story like I never have before. The lord keeps telling me to stop asking questions, to just be quiet. It has been kind of strange for me because I pray and talk a lot to god and now I am silent. But it feels like I am on the verge of a huge miracle coming my way! During this time of questions and confusion there comes this incredible anticipation and excitement waiting to see what He does next! I mean, I am living in South Africa which is pretty awesome and something I never thought would happen and I imagine this is just the beginning of what god is doing! Wow! Now I am excited! :) I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens. Yay! Normally I am not saying yay but now..... I am!

I also would like to tell you about a very exciting thing that is happening to a dear friend of mine, Kirby Mcerlane! Tomorrow Kirby is leaving on the world race!!! This is a mission trip that is 11 months in 11 different countries. Now yes, lots of people do this kind of thing after college but I feel that this is something so special and different. I have heard Kirby talk about the world race for about four years now. She had dreamt about doing this but I also remember her thinking she couldn't do it. I always secretly knew she would go eventually and I am so pleased to say that at 7 am tomorrow morning she is headed from Houston, Texas to Chicago meet up with her squad.

Kirby! I love you so much dear friend and words cannot express how proud I am of you for living out a dream! You truly always amaze me with who you are and your passion for the gospel. I know you are going to change lives nd in the process you are going to be changed for the kingdom of god and what better accomplishment is that! Never doubt that this is what you are supposed to be doing because I am confident in saying that you are in step with the will of god completely! Be safe sweet friend! Be a blessing and be blessed!