My name is Elizabeth and this is my first time blogging.
I am 18 years old and I'm anxiously waiting to see what God's plans are for my life.
I am the daughter of Suzanne and Super Dave.
I am a beloved child of God.
I have two younger brothers, Patrick and Stephen.
I am writing this blog because God has called me to travel to Africa with ZOE Ministry (Zimbabwe Orphan Empowerment). www.zoeministry.com
Every 14 seconds, a child in Africa becomes an orphan.
This organization finds families of orphans who's parents died from AIDS, malaria, or another type of disease. They teach them basic techniques and skills to become businessmen and businesswomen. With these skills, they birth family businesses that provide the local village or community with basic needs.
ZOE works to bring these families out of poverty and into a world of hope.
My flight leaves this Tuesday, June 26, at approximately 6:30pm.
I'm more excited than anything!
Misson work is a major part of my life and without it, I know I wouldn't be the person I am today.
I'm not really sure what to expect when stepping out onto that dry dirt in Nairobi, Kenya (the capital) for the first time.
Our mission work will take place in Maua, Kenya, about 6 hours outside of Nairobi.
Wild elephants, giraffes, Simba, Timone, and Pumba will be there to greet us as we arrive.
Our leader said that wild animals are always on the side of the roads -- blocked off by an electric fence of course.
We are going on a safari while we are there which is SUPER exciting!
I've always been on mission trips where you have to get dirty whether it's painting, building a house, pouring concrete, or farming.
I was told at the beginning of planning this trip that we will be doing more observing than anything.
This is going to be a tough task for me because I'm going to want to jump right in and start helping the orphans..however, that would be going completely against the rules of ZOE, since that is the sole purpose of the organization -- for the orphans to do everything on their own.
We are mainly going to be talking to the orphans and learning about their life stories.
We will be visiting the Methodist Hospital and the local homes of the children that have been in the program for a few years.
----I CAN'T WAIT TO PLAY WITH THE BABIES :)
There are so many thoughts running through my head, as you can tell from my unorganized blog. (Mrs. Schleigh would not approve of my writing at all right now.)
I'm trying to just go into this trip without any expectations -- other than the power of God. I fully expect his almighty power to be present at every moment. It always has and it always will be.
Ever since my first mission trip, I've had a favorite bible verse and it seems to always appear at times when I need reassurance for the plans that God has for my life.
It reads:
"Therefore go and make disciples of ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." -Matthew 28:19
My plan is to use this verse as my "theme" as I am in Africa.
ZOE teaches the word of God to the orphans that are in the program, but I pray that I can touch just one life while I am there.
This is what I live for.
I fully believe that my vocation is to help others all around the world while spreading the good news of God's unfailing love and his dependable promises.
I'm not the type of person that directly asks people for prayers, but I would like to ask if you would please remember me over the next two weeks as I prepare for travel, as I reach my destination, become the hands and feet of God through service, and I as travel back home.
Thank you so much for all your kind words and thoughts as I prepare for my trip! This wouldn't have been possible without my wonderful and loving church family.
I love you all and plan to continue my blogging as I am in Africa.
