Holla from Holland!

I have safely arrived here in The Netherlands and finished my first week at The Go Conference. Thank God all of my luggage arrived some people were not so lucky. Our schedule is pretty much repeated everyday. We begin our morning with personal devotions (the very ambitious wake up in time) and then have breakfast. Our day is usually filled with sessions that cover everything from the accurracy of the Bible, Who is God?, to cultural diversity celebrations, aka a talent show. We are given meditation time for a half hour, we are to do nothing but clear our minds and focus on God. This time is very comforting and satisfying.  There are about 300 people here mainly from the ages of 18-30. It is good I can now walk into a room and have many friends from all over the world! Our South African Team is made up of 3 Americans, 8 Germans, and 3 Koreans. We are really beginning to bond as a team and two of the guys are quickly becoming my good friends. This time has been a great reminder that God transcends all cultural and language barriers. It is so awesome to awaken to what God is doing all over the world. We are learning so much about what God is doing in the nations, the oppressions people face, and the dangers that many of the OMers here will face as they enter the missons field. It has blown me away the number of people my age soon to be entering a country where the gospel is illegal and have to face the realities of dangerous potential persecution. Tomorrow we are taking place in an activity that will last all day and possibly all night. We are not told what it is, except, the name is mission possible. The only insights we have is that in the morning we must pack our own lunch, an overnight bag, and extra clothes. We are told that the mission is over at 7:00 pm but could be likely that we will not make it back to base and must survive the night. I am so excited! I think they will put us in a context we may face in our culture and we have to deal with it to the best of our ability. I will be sure to let you all know what my experience is like here. It is getting very late and I am exhausted. I will be sure to update before I leave.

Things to pray for:

That this time would be a time for God to grow and prepare the deepest parts of my heart

God would break my heart for the people of South Africa and the struggles of rural Southern Africa

A bond for our team and God’s provision in finding me a close friend

 

Love,

Adam

On My Way

As I write this I am waiting to catch my connecting flight to Amsterdam. Today has been a day full of so many emotions. It was the last time that for me to be able to see some of my mentors, family, and friends for a year. It was difficult to say goodbye and my heart literally felt broken. But now sitting here in the airport excitement is beginning to return. It is such a good place for me to be. The time has finally come and there is no turning back. A good friend of mine told me I am ready and I am as ready as I am going to be. In ten hours I will be meeting the people that will help fill the places in my heart that feel void. However, I am also reminded that my comfort doesn’t come from man but from God. And God has definitely cradled me in his arms these last few days and helped ease the pain from separation. I want to say bye to all of you that I may not had a chance to back home. I love you all very much. And will keep you posted on what my time in Amsterdam will be like (because as of now I have no idea )

 

Things to Pray about:

 

1) That God would comfort my family and friends that I said goodbye to.

2) Use this time to prepare my heart and help me move out of my comfort.

3) My luggage would make it to Amsterdam with me!

 

In God’s Awesome Peace,

Adam

Anticipation

A week from today, I will be landing in Amsterdam, Netherlands to begin my final preparation for a year of missions in South Africa. It is hard to believe that the time is finally here and in a few short days I will be saying goodbye to most of what I know; family, friends, comfort, food, and my culture. I CAN’T WAIT! I am so excited to see how God writes South Africa into my story and my story into South Africa. This next year is sure to be full of both liberating heights, difficult lows, and a new perception of God and the world. I am so glad to have the opportunity to have you all “come along” with me through the connection of this blog.

What will I be doing? Good question, I am not sure I completely understand. However, from what I gather my first five months will be spent in what is called The African Exposure. In this program, I will be traveling all over Southern Africa and meeting the needs of the people through practical help and ministry. During this time, I will be traveling a lot, living mostly camp style (so tents), and working with a team of all ages and from all over the world. My second half I will be doing a South African Training Program. In these last six months I will be learning and applying various ministries which include; children, youth, and outreach to Hindu and Muslim communities.

How am I feeling? I am ready to go, it is time. I can’t wait to embrace this next year and allow God to mold my heart and mind into something closer to His heart and His mind. I am pumped to dive into the many cultures that South Africa has to offer, learn from the people, and grow on so many levels both spiritually and personally. I am blessed to be able to rid myself of so many comforts and grow by living the conditions of over half of the world’s population. However, I am reluctant to go. Goodbye won’t be easy. The pains I will grow through are promising to be difficult. And rice isn’t my favorite dish. But, what a comfort I have in Christ. I am comforted that He goes before me and is going with me. And He alone will be able to ease my hurts and bring joy and purpose to my time away no matter my conditions. Looking back over these last six months it has been obvious how God has paved my way and it is great to rest in His faithfulness.

Ways to pray: 1) That God would prepare my heart and mind for goodbye

                       2) Refocusing that Christ is the reason for going

                       3) The final preparations would go with ease and little stress

I can’t wait to go through this journey with you all.

Love,

Adam