I received some updates this week about how missions are going in L’viv. I learned that Chelsey will be traveling to Moldova soon to tour the human trafficking mission they have there. This is an exciting trip for Chelsey because she wants to step into this field soon! Please keep her in your prayers. She also shared some great stories and some hardships that her and her family has been going through recently. So please keep them in your prayers.
I have some exciting news. Following my experiences last summer in Ukraine I wanted nothing more than to return there this coming summer to do more mission work with the Ledford's and for the people of Ukraine. I loved that city so much that coming home was very difficult. I know that I left a huge part of my heart there, and I still hope to return there one day. However, God has shown me that He has a different plan for me this summer.
A few weeks ago I was watching an illustration online by Francis Chan called balance beam. I encourage you to click on the link below and watch the short video.
The things Chan points out in this video smacked me right in the face. Being a Christian is not about sitting at home on your nice comfortable couch drinking your ice cold sweet tea (or i guess in this weather your warm hot chocolate) while you watch what ever you want on television. Of course, I have been blessed beyond belief and I enjoy the comforts of my American life, but I want nothing more than to make God proud with the things I do with my life. All I could think about was how UNCOMFORTABLE Jesus had to have been on that cross, and how COMFORTABLE I am living my everyday life. Then it hit me would I rather sometimes be uncomfortable here on earth doing whatever God calls me to do, or be uncomfortable in heaven when I stand before God and have nothing to show Him with the life He gave me.
That day I made a decision about how I would spend my summer. One of my best friends, Jacob, had been praying about taking on his first mission opportunity to Accra, Ghana. I knew then that I was meant to go with him this coming summer. Little did I know that Jacob had been praying to God to send someone to go with him. God works in amazing ways answering prayers and providing opportunities to serve him.
This trip is still in the planning stages, but with making plans we will both need support both financially and through prayer. I will begin updating my blog again with information for how you can support us financially as well as opportunities for you to pray for specific things about our trip.
With this news I share with you I encourage you to pray for your own opportunities to serve God in radical ways. I beg you to answer your own call to missions. Trust me God will give you incredible courage to do things you never thought was possible!!!
