AFRICA

So I have finally gotten the official email letting me know I have been approved to go to Africa for a semester. I will receive 12 credits for college and will gain a lot of hands on experience. I am so excited to go but with so much to do before I go I pray it all works out. The cost for the trip is 2900 dollars and as many people know college students do not have an overflow of extra money. With needing shots and other small things that I am even not yet aware of I think the trip will cost closer to 4,000 dollars. Several people have already told me they would help and I know Gods people will step up to help as well. I am looking for any ideas to help fund raise. I am willing to work, I am willing to do whatever God has planned to make this all happen. I know it will test my faith and I am glad to see it strengthened. Several other things that come to mind is when I return I want to live in Williamstown once again I love this place. I wont have anywhere to stay or even a job. I pray God will open a place and a job for me. If you know of a place or have a place or a room or anything I am flexible. If you could be praying for me and praying how you can be involved in advancing the Kingdom of God in Africa.

Why are we running?

Over the past month I have been trying to run regularly, and with the weather it has been difficult. It seems to me when you have several weeks of good weather it is easy to get in a routine, but as soon as the weather gets rainy for a week its easily ruined. As I was thinking about this I thought back to an old journal entry I had. I asked the question "where am I running to." I know my desire is to run to the Lord, but how am I doing this? At times I hardly feel like reading my bible and I struggle with understanding it. I want to serve my Lord and be a faithful servant. My spiritual desire does not always line up with what I do. Just like running I get into a good routine and I see God move in mighty ways and watch him use me and others in ways only He can do. Then there is the rainy times were all I can do is pray for the sun to come out. I feel like God is far away and unattainable. I know in the rainy days of life God uses them to teach us and I wanna learn.
As I sit here listening to music a song by Rush of Fools came on and its called "Can't Get Away." The song talks about we can't get away because we keep running into God. WOW God intersects in our life's whether we want to or not. As a young minister I have many difficulties and struggles. I wanna do what is right and honoring to God and at times I do not have the answers. Who will listen and help? Who will guide? How will I know what is right? I feel like I am running at full speed and the goal is so far away I cannot tell if I am running in the right direction. Serving the Lord seemed so much easier 5 years ago when He save my hell bound soul. Life was slower and the struggles seemed smaller. Lord give me strength and courage to run the race with endurance.