I am Going to South Africa!!

I am so excited to announce some very exciting news!!!! When Bonni Greiner and I released our book a few months ago, I hinted that I would have some big announcements soon, and that God was doing some crazy awesome things in my life. I have been waiting patiently to share with you, and now the time has finally come.

First, I want to throw a plea out to you. I know this post is long, so please feel free to skim down through. But I do need to tell you something. In order to understand the complete story behind this adventure, you’ll want to know the fine details. They are unique and exciting, I promise!

It All Started Nine Years Ago

Nine years ago I was about ready to leave for a medical missions trip to North Africa, when I received a call from a guy and was asked out on my first date. I was thrilled! But the night before I was heading out of the country? I thought to myself, what timing is this? I had to regretfully decline, but expressed interest for when I returned.

I left the next morning and prayed that I could remain focused on the purpose of my trip. God was faithful, and I was so thankful for it. I loved the opportunities I had in North Africa to use the gifts God has given me. I helped in the medical team’s pharmacy, taught children, and was a friend to the people I met. My heart is always changed when I experience other cultures and lands.

What does this have to do with today? Well, now nine years later, I have the opportunity to go back to Africa. This time though, it will be South Africa! Let me tell you more.

What I Never Expected

A couple of months ago Crystal Paine shared on her blog, MoneySavingMom.com that she was returning to South Africa in the fall, but this time was inviting ten of her readers to go with her. What an opportunity, I thought to myself. I set the idea aside for a week but felt in my heart it was something I wanted to consider.

I finally got up the courage to mention it to my husband and he said I should definitely apply.

Folks, I’m going to be honest here. I do not doubt God, and I have a lot of faith in many circumstances, but the reality was that Crystal was taking ONLY TEN readers with her and she has a MILLION+ followers! The statistics were not good. It seemed like a needle in a haystack. But why not apply, and let God do the work? If it was His will, He would make it happen! And I knew I’ve always had a heart for Africa.

So in April I applied. The questions on the application really made me think and deeply consider the intention and purpose of the trip.

Fast forward about six weeks, and I was in one of the busiest and most exciting weeks of my life launching There’s An Easier Way. The first day of the launch week I woke up early in the morning to get some extra time in responding to facebook posts and guiding our launch team. I quickly checked my emails and one caught my eye.

Please accept this email as a formal invitation to JOIN US on the South Africa Advocacy Trip w/ Crystal Paine. Welcome to the team!!! We are so pumped to meet you and begin this journey of advocacy, relationship, and impact.

What?! I didn’t even read the rest of the email. I was partly in shock and partly had so much else on my mind with the book release, I couldn’t think. So I forwarded the email to my husband, and said “Wow. God’s adding something else to our list of things to pray about!”

I was downstairs in the kitchen, and not more than 5 seconds later I heard the bed creak and feet come running down the stairs. My husband had read the email and came rushing to give me a huge hug.

Isn’t one of the wonderful things about marriage having someone to get excited with you?!

I think I probably disappointed him in my reaction, as my excitement still couldn’t be adequately expressed.

What I Am Most Excited About

It didn’t take long for reality and excitement to settle in. I told a few family and friends (which held me over for a little), but I was so excited to tell all of you that I could hardly contain myself! The details are now finally set and I leave in only a few weeks!!!!

I cannot begin to tell you how eager I am to see God’s hand at work in South Africa. How eager I am to see how God will use this in my life, and how He will do great and mighty things through those of us participating in the trip. I know I will never be the same person again.

I also look forward to meeting the other South Africa advocates—team members are from all over the United States!

In our most recent team meeting, Crystal shared with us her goals for us as advocates on this trip. They resonated with me and I want to share them with you too!

1. Catch a Vision for What God is Doing Around the World. It is so easy to place ourselves in a bubble – the way we parent, the way we do church, the way we think about things, the way we do school, the way we do politics, the way we are a mom.
   

   I want to be intentional about seeing God in a bigger way on this trip.

2. Determine How We Can Use Our Gifts and Talents for God’s Glory. Families all over the world are giving their lives away for the kingdom of God. It is true that to whom much is given, much will be required. As Americans, no matter what ‘class’ we are in, we fall into the category of much is given.
   

   I want to be intentional about discerning how I can use what God has given me.

3. Build Relationships with South Africans. I loved how Crystal shared that she will never be the same again after visiting South Africa. We need them and they need our friendship and support. Moms in South Africa are saying yes to God, and with having so little they are doing so much. They don’t have the same fears that we do.
   

   I want to be intentional about asking God to open my eyes to new relationships and ways of thinking.

Follow Me in South Africa

I will have internet access on the trip. I plan to regularly update my instagram and I will also be sharing some small snippets with you on the blog. Who knows, I might even try a facebook live or periscope.

You can also stay up to date on my trip by subscribing to my South Africa Advocacy Trip Email Newsletter. I plan to keep you updated on my thoughts and experiences, share what God is doing and challenge and inspire advocacy in your own life.

If you do not follow Crystal’s blog already, you can follow her on the trip as well. I am sure she will be updating on instagram and her blog – maybe facebook live too!

Here are some posts Crystal has written on her previous South Africa trips, so you can see a little about where we are going and what we will be doing.

The Best Birthday Present a Girl Could Ever Hope For – I love how they cast a vision for teaching locals more marketable skills!
A Very Special Invitation: Come With Me to South Africa – This is the post that made me think about going to South Africa and eventually apply to be one of the 10!
Why I’m In Love with South Africa – I liked to see the photo of her lunch in this article. Samp, Morogo and Mealies – oh how I love to try new foods!
Grocery Shopping in South Africa – I love to grocery shop and I do hope I get a chance to go into a grocery store while we are there! This is right up my alley.

And yes, just in case you are wondering about that guy nine years ago. I did marry him! 🙂

I am now back from my trip. You can read about my experience on Money Saving Mom . . .

And you can read about my experience meeting Crystal in person, too!

Are you signed up for my South Africa Advocacy Trip Newsletter?

I have returned home from my trip, but I will still be sending updates about being an advocate and about the work God is doing in South Africa. I also plan to share some unique stories and photos with this email list, that will not be shared on the blog. Please sign up and follow along!

Other articles about South Africa:

My South African Chakalaka Recipe
The Day I Met Crystal Paine
I am Going to South Africa!!
How Going to South Africa Impacted Me (on Money Saving Mom)
7 Answers About My South Africa Advocacy Trip (Part 1)
Where South Africa Left an Impact on My Heart (Part 2)
South Africa Church, Prayer and The Hardest Thing For Me To Understand (Part 3)