"One thing about life on the edge with God is that you're fearless. Might as well be. There's nothing to lose because you've already given it all away." Sam Childers from Another Man's War
Well, I'm here!
As I write this, I am sitting in the AIM guesthouse in Lubowa, Uganda. It is so surreal to finally be back in the place that has been both a distant memory and near dream for so long! It's just a great reminder of God's faithfulness. He sets these dreams in the depths of our hearts, not to disappoint. But to fulfill them in the timing of His will. What an exciting promise.
For the next couple weeks, I will be here, until making the trip to Mbarara where I will be living. I don't know exactly what these days will hold, but I'm thinking I will be thankful for the extra transition time.
Thank you to all of you who have been faithfully supporting me in prayer! I have safely made it to Uganda. I'm healthy thus far and feeling decently rested. Some more prayer requests would be for continued safety, healthy and deep relationships both in Uganda and back home, and that God would speak clearly to me in the ways He wants me to minister here. I am open to do whatever the Lord leads me to, so pray that I would have open ears for listening!
Please forgive any grammatical errors, odd sentence structures, and this poorly organized blog entry. However, while I'm feeling okay, I'm on my last wind. Off for some rest, recovery, and coffee :)
Love you all!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore.
A huge weight has been lifted.
The Lord has heard my prayer and faithfully answered it. Because of God's provision, I write to you to say that assuming everyone who pledged to support me throughout the year will fulfill those, God has fully provided the financial support needed to meet my budgeted expenses for the next year! Praise be to Him!
It is mind-boggling to look at the numbers over the past two weeks. As I write this, I am struggling to put into words just how amazed I am. I'm not in awe because I didn't think he would bring in such a large sum; I knew that He would be faithful to provide. It has been one of the many persistent prayers of my heart over the last 3 months. It fills me with so much joy to see how God comes through. He constantly says that if we pray according to His will, He will answer. That if we ask, we will receive. He calls us to pray with faith. To boldly approach Him with persistent requests. God, You are so good.
I feel so blessed that so many people have chosen to support God's work in and through me. It truly has taken everyone. Today at Relevant Community Church we discussed the body of Christ as talked about in Romans 12:3. As I spent time in fellowship with this amazing family of believers, I was filled with so much joy. What love there is amongst those who worship Jesus. I am so thankful to all of you who stepped out to support this. It took obedience and faith from every single person who chose to show support. I am more and more convinced every day that I know the best people in the world. I am such a lucky girl to constantly be in fellowship with such great individuals.
God is faithful to provide. Let this be an encouragement to continue going before Him who is faithful. There is no reason we shouldn't be experiencing the power of God in our lives. Let us pray with faith. Lord, let our lives be a reflection of worship to You.
"Give praise to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing of Him, sing His praises; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." Psalm 105:1-4
"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." John 15:7
The Lord has heard my prayer and faithfully answered it. Because of God's provision, I write to you to say that assuming everyone who pledged to support me throughout the year will fulfill those, God has fully provided the financial support needed to meet my budgeted expenses for the next year! Praise be to Him!
It is mind-boggling to look at the numbers over the past two weeks. As I write this, I am struggling to put into words just how amazed I am. I'm not in awe because I didn't think he would bring in such a large sum; I knew that He would be faithful to provide. It has been one of the many persistent prayers of my heart over the last 3 months. It fills me with so much joy to see how God comes through. He constantly says that if we pray according to His will, He will answer. That if we ask, we will receive. He calls us to pray with faith. To boldly approach Him with persistent requests. God, You are so good.
I feel so blessed that so many people have chosen to support God's work in and through me. It truly has taken everyone. Today at Relevant Community Church we discussed the body of Christ as talked about in Romans 12:3. As I spent time in fellowship with this amazing family of believers, I was filled with so much joy. What love there is amongst those who worship Jesus. I am so thankful to all of you who stepped out to support this. It took obedience and faith from every single person who chose to show support. I am more and more convinced every day that I know the best people in the world. I am such a lucky girl to constantly be in fellowship with such great individuals.
God is faithful to provide. Let this be an encouragement to continue going before Him who is faithful. There is no reason we shouldn't be experiencing the power of God in our lives. Let us pray with faith. Lord, let our lives be a reflection of worship to You.
"Give praise to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing of Him, sing His praises; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." Psalm 105:1-4
"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." John 15:7
Monday, July 18, 2011
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?
I am overflowing with joy about the amount of support everyone has so graciously poured out. It's amazing. I am still a little over $4,000 short of my financial support needed, but the support keeps coming. In a beautiful array of ways, people choose to step alongside me and partner with me in this ministry. I know I tell people often, but if everything in the whole earth belongs to the Lord, and this is His ministry, He will provide. And, He does. Thank you to all of you obedient brothers and sisters in Christ, friends, and family who continue to respond!
I am going to be in Uganda in just a short couple weeks. Time doesn't make sense to me, so I don't even try to fathom it. It's incomprehensible, and as I'm preparing to leave I'm definitely reminded of that. As much as I want to stop it, speed it up, freeze it in a moment, I can't. Right now, time is flying. I can't tack on enough hours in my day to feel like I've been productive. But here's the good news. Because I am so close to being in Uganda, you can start sending letters, packages - whatever you choose - over there! I have been promised that the things you send today will not beat me there. So keep that in mind! Letters are expected to take about 2-3 weeks and packages anywhere from 1-6 months. I can't tell you how much of a blessing it would be to have a little something arrive from anyone of you.
I've composed a little wish list below. It's not very extensive because I actually have no idea what I will need. Some things are truly just selfish wishes. Things that I would just delight in having. Others are actually sensible, needed items that I am forseeing I might need. I am sure this list will change when I get there, but I'm not quite sure what to expect now. Feel free to stray from this. Many of you will have much better ideas of what I might need. I am told that the best way to send things is through U.S. mail (I think that's what they said anyway :) ). Instead of buying insurance with any packages you send, turn to God for it. Once it's out of America it's a fingers-crossed that all packages will arrive safely. Insurance isn't going to change that from what I'm told!
Spices
Sauce Mixes
Baking Mixes
Drink Mixes
Granola
Treats (that won't spoil in the mail)
Books
Earrings/headbands/hair supplies
Make-up (nothing too extravagant, please :) )
Stationary/writing material
AA Batteries
Any inexpensive clothing items, I'm packing light!
Here's where to send things:
Kelsea Kult
c/o Joel & Jill Skinner
P.O. Box 547
Mbarara, Uganda
East Africa
I am truly looking forward to surprises in the mail! Letters themselves will be such wonderful gifts! Thank you all for your love and support! Blessings and love to all of you :)
I am going to be in Uganda in just a short couple weeks. Time doesn't make sense to me, so I don't even try to fathom it. It's incomprehensible, and as I'm preparing to leave I'm definitely reminded of that. As much as I want to stop it, speed it up, freeze it in a moment, I can't. Right now, time is flying. I can't tack on enough hours in my day to feel like I've been productive. But here's the good news. Because I am so close to being in Uganda, you can start sending letters, packages - whatever you choose - over there! I have been promised that the things you send today will not beat me there. So keep that in mind! Letters are expected to take about 2-3 weeks and packages anywhere from 1-6 months. I can't tell you how much of a blessing it would be to have a little something arrive from anyone of you.
I've composed a little wish list below. It's not very extensive because I actually have no idea what I will need. Some things are truly just selfish wishes. Things that I would just delight in having. Others are actually sensible, needed items that I am forseeing I might need. I am sure this list will change when I get there, but I'm not quite sure what to expect now. Feel free to stray from this. Many of you will have much better ideas of what I might need. I am told that the best way to send things is through U.S. mail (I think that's what they said anyway :) ). Instead of buying insurance with any packages you send, turn to God for it. Once it's out of America it's a fingers-crossed that all packages will arrive safely. Insurance isn't going to change that from what I'm told!
Spices
Sauce Mixes
Baking Mixes
Drink Mixes
Granola
Treats (that won't spoil in the mail)
Books
Earrings/headbands/hair supplies
Make-up (nothing too extravagant, please :) )
Stationary/writing material
AA Batteries
Any inexpensive clothing items, I'm packing light!
Here's where to send things:
Kelsea Kult
c/o Joel & Jill Skinner
P.O. Box 547
Mbarara, Uganda
East Africa
I am truly looking forward to surprises in the mail! Letters themselves will be such wonderful gifts! Thank you all for your love and support! Blessings and love to all of you :)
Monday, July 11, 2011
My dream is different now.
I am so thankful for the people God places in my life. A couple of the great men I know from Relevant Community Church put together a video to help me tell my story. To help me portray what God has begun doing in me and what He will be faithful to complete. If you haven't seen it, I'm working on posting it on here. My technology skills are sad, and this is just one minor example. In the video, they pulled out some things I said that I didn't necessarily realize I said.
It sounded weird to hear me say it, but it's true. My dream is different now.
Anyone who knew me intimately a few years ago could attest to this. My dream for myself was the American dream. The midwest, small-town dream. I wanted the hard-working husband, respectable house, and dream job teaching position. I'm not saying those don't all sound nice, but I know that at this point in time that is not the dream that God has for me.
God made me a promise a long time ago when it was written, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
What a beautiful promise! And yet, so many of us are frustrated because we feel like this is an unkept promise. We think we know the desires of our heart, and that God is failing to come through. It's a little ridiculous how much we twist this scripture! Too many people only read the second half of that verse and forget the first. No. Stop it. I have a question for you. Are you, first of all, delighting yourself in the Lord?
I can't honestly say that I know what it means to fully delight in the Lord. But, I do know that the word has a pleasant connotation. It sounds happy. Content. Joyful. Peaceful. Loving. Am I finding that these adjectives describe my relationship with the Lord? If not, then how do we get to that point? I challenge you to investigate what a real relationship looks like, and test it out on Jesus.
It's not until we are wholly and completely in love with Jesus that many of our desires are fulfilled. Isn't that funny how it all works together? My dream is different now, and it's because my desires are different now. My desires are different because I worship a God that is in ultimate control. My life is to be lived as a life of praise. Truly, that is all I desire. And, God is fulfilling it. I don't know what my desires will be a year from now. But, I can tell you that because I will live a life focused on Christ, my desires will be Christ-given. Because they are from God alone, they, too, will be fulfilled.
Yes, my dream is different now. Praise God.
It sounded weird to hear me say it, but it's true. My dream is different now.
Anyone who knew me intimately a few years ago could attest to this. My dream for myself was the American dream. The midwest, small-town dream. I wanted the hard-working husband, respectable house, and dream job teaching position. I'm not saying those don't all sound nice, but I know that at this point in time that is not the dream that God has for me.
God made me a promise a long time ago when it was written, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
What a beautiful promise! And yet, so many of us are frustrated because we feel like this is an unkept promise. We think we know the desires of our heart, and that God is failing to come through. It's a little ridiculous how much we twist this scripture! Too many people only read the second half of that verse and forget the first. No. Stop it. I have a question for you. Are you, first of all, delighting yourself in the Lord?
I can't honestly say that I know what it means to fully delight in the Lord. But, I do know that the word has a pleasant connotation. It sounds happy. Content. Joyful. Peaceful. Loving. Am I finding that these adjectives describe my relationship with the Lord? If not, then how do we get to that point? I challenge you to investigate what a real relationship looks like, and test it out on Jesus.
It's not until we are wholly and completely in love with Jesus that many of our desires are fulfilled. Isn't that funny how it all works together? My dream is different now, and it's because my desires are different now. My desires are different because I worship a God that is in ultimate control. My life is to be lived as a life of praise. Truly, that is all I desire. And, God is fulfilling it. I don't know what my desires will be a year from now. But, I can tell you that because I will live a life focused on Christ, my desires will be Christ-given. Because they are from God alone, they, too, will be fulfilled.
Yes, my dream is different now. Praise God.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
A time for everything.
It is so surreal to me that I am leaving for Uganda in less than a month. In the way that things have fallen into place it is clear that God's timeline is not my own. And, for that I am grateful.
I am continually convinced that all things that are meant to happen, work out in the time they are given.
Although it is tempting to fear that things will not continue to come together, they will.
"And my God will meet all your needs according the the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:19
As I am preparing to leave, the biggest "issue", prayer request, and challenge of faith is still support raising. The process is grueling and tiring, and keeps me on my knees in reverence for the God I love. Raising support has become a love/hate relationship. I hate the inner battle it raises in causing me to constantly deny anxiety and worry. But, I love how it draws me closer and nearer to my Jesus in the midst of those struggles.
If you want to walk on water, you have to step out of the boat. In the same way, I believe that if we want to see God do big things, we have to be willing to step aside. To allow Him to show up. That doesn't mean He will do it when I want. That He will do it how I planned. And, that challenges me like crazy! But, then again, if He did it according to my plan, it wouldn't require a whole lot of faith.
"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10
What a promise. To him be the glory forever and ever.
"Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:1-2
Anyone who wants to join me in approaching the throne in prayer, this is not only an invitation to do so, but a plea.
"Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:19-20
Let us pray with faith! Blessings to you all.
I am continually convinced that all things that are meant to happen, work out in the time they are given.
Although it is tempting to fear that things will not continue to come together, they will.
"And my God will meet all your needs according the the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:19
As I am preparing to leave, the biggest "issue", prayer request, and challenge of faith is still support raising. The process is grueling and tiring, and keeps me on my knees in reverence for the God I love. Raising support has become a love/hate relationship. I hate the inner battle it raises in causing me to constantly deny anxiety and worry. But, I love how it draws me closer and nearer to my Jesus in the midst of those struggles.
If you want to walk on water, you have to step out of the boat. In the same way, I believe that if we want to see God do big things, we have to be willing to step aside. To allow Him to show up. That doesn't mean He will do it when I want. That He will do it how I planned. And, that challenges me like crazy! But, then again, if He did it according to my plan, it wouldn't require a whole lot of faith.
"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10
What a promise. To him be the glory forever and ever.
"Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:1-2
Anyone who wants to join me in approaching the throne in prayer, this is not only an invitation to do so, but a plea.
"Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:19-20
Let us pray with faith! Blessings to you all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)