Mandy and Jace

I’m home, but my heart seems to be lingering somewhere in the gorgeous camp we stayed at in Africa. Don’t get me wrong, I’m am beyond happy to be home. I missed my family and my amazing husband more than I can even explain, but I fell in love with the amazing women I met. Both the women of Africa who it was our mission to treat like princesses, and the amazing women from all over the US who sacrificed time, money and being with their loved ones to come together in the bush of Africa and work tirelessly to make sure everything ran smoothly.

This was a trip that when I signed up for it I didn’t know that by the time it came around I would need it so desperately. As I have written about before, I wasn’t sure why God wanted me to go on this trip back when Jamie asked me. I just had this overwhelming feeling that I was supposed to go. Now I know that God had me in the palm of His hand and he knew that I would need a place to go to let my broken heart mend. I thank God for never leaving me even when I couldn’t see Him.

We ended up having a little over 500 women come to our conference. We saw many saved, many filled with the Holy Spirit and broken hearts and lives mended. These maasai women face countless struggles daily including walking miles to get firewood and water that they carry on their back along with their babies that never leave their side, dealing with the pain in seeing their husband with his possibly many other wives and daily beatings from said husband. When they came in the door you could see the pain in their beautiful eyes. Lots of spiritual, mental and even physical pain. When they left however, they had a new found hope that was amazing to see. We would have evening services and go back to camp before dark, but that didn’t stop them from praising Jesus. We would hear their beautiful praise and worship late into the night and then again as early as 4:30 in the morning. Laying in my bed and listening to them worship freely without worry of beatings and humiliation strengthened me and my faith. I dont think we know how blessed we are. Here in America we fight over petty stuff in the church like how padded the chairs are and what shade of gray the carpet is going to be, when a world away people are just happy with a tree to stand under and listen to someone tell them about God.

I am home with a newfound love for Africa that I never thought I would have. I have experienced something that will linger with me for years to come and I am praising God that he knew back in May exactly where I would be and what I would need right now.

By the time you are reading this I will be making my way to Kenya. Scary huh? I think I have everything I could ever need packed. I keep reminding myself that there is no Wal-Mart that I can run to and pick up the things I need.
I’m not going to get all preachy or mushy here, but I would like to ask for your thoughts as prayers as we are traveling and ministering. Pray for our mental health and physical health as well as for the ministry we will be doing. I probably won’t be able to keep in contact very much but I will post as I can. Thank you all in advance for your thoughts and prayers.

So apparently Christmas is SUNDAY! I guess I’ve been hiding under a rock for the past few weeks. My to do list just tripled in the past hour and now I hear the only day I have to get things done is Friday and the weather is supposed to suck. Strange enough though it hasn’t dampened my excitement for Christmas. This has always been and always will be my favorite time of year. I love all the lights and decorations. I love any excuse to sit by the pretty tree and drink hot chocolate AND THE FOOD!!! I decided a long time ago that Christmas food has no calories. It just can’t, it’s magical like that.
I am also reminded that Christmas time is why I am actually here. I’m finding as I’m get (ahem) older that the lights and gifts are moving farther behind the true meaning of Christmas. I am so thankful that God sent his Son for me so that I can live this wonderful life that I do. I am blessed beyond what I could have ever imagined and I know that it is all God. Everything I have from my amazing husband to my adorable house and all my stuff that I don’t need but love having is a gift from Him. I take no credit for it.

Speaking of blessings, I want to thank everyone who gave money to help me get to Africa next month. You guys have blown me away with your amazing, giving spirits. I never dreamed I would even be going much less have so much love and support behind me. I have all the money I need plus more that I’m going to use to buy gifts to take to the sweet women we are going to be ministering to. Thank you, thank you, thank you! It is sneaking up on me. After the first of the year I’m going to get my to do and to get list together and get moving. New experiences are so much fun! I can’t wait to finally be able to feed my wonderlust and see parts of God’s creation that I have never seen and also most importantly to tell these wonderful women about HIM. It’s going to be amazing!

Just some photos from our awesome thanksgiving meal.

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• I am thankful for my amazing husband. He is my everything and I am so happy to spend the rest of our lives together.
• I am so thankful for my amazing family. Not only do I have the best parents I could ever ask for and an amazing brother, but I was blessed with wonderful in-laws.
• I am thankful that the family is almost all in one town. Getting ready for lots of family dinners!
• I am thankful that I am a Child of God and the reassuring knowledge that he always has me in the palm of his hand even when I feel lost. Also, His surprise blessings. Those are the best!
• I am thankful for my adorable little house that amazes me every time I walk into it. I can’t believe it’s mine!
• I am thankful for small blessings. My favorite coffee, rain on a lazy day, midnight snuggles and leftovers.
• I am thankful for the passion God has placed in my heart for the lovely people I am going to meet in Africa. I haven’t even met them yet and I love them!
• I am thankful for my church. I want to thank everyone so much for helping me finish off the money I need to get to Africa. I am blown away at your faithfulness to give.
• I am thankful for my best friend Jamie. Even though her and her husband are moving away I know our friendship is too strong to fall apart. Love ya girl!