Anticipation
August 12, 2008
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
Adam!
Dude, you sound so excited to go and it’s so amazing how you have embraced this all so well. Everyone is so proud of you for taking this opportunity and I know God is going to do the most incredible things in your life. What they are, we’ll just have to wait and see. But I’m so glad we’ll all be able to read about what you’re doing. And of course I’ll be praying for you, along with a butt-load of others. AHH! Sorry, just reading what you wrote, haha it makes me so pumped for you cuz you seem so stoked it just overflows. Okay, I am finished here lol
=] Kiersten
we are SOO excited for you!! We can’t wait to journey with you and hear what God is going to do in and through you!!
Adam!
I have no doubts that God is going to do wonders in your life in the days and weeks to come. Many times when we go into situations looking to help other people, we find that God is trying to teach and help us at the same time. Your passion for outreach and for people has always been evident to me. To have found something in this world that brings you joy is simply amazing. I’m excited to read about your travels and experiences…even the rough times. I’m stuck here at home but I’ll live vicariously through my good friend Adam…I’m just teasing, but I am almost envious of you, in the sense that you’ve found some of Gods purpose for your life. I’ve been struggling with that for a while now. But prayer has been comforting. Well, I will be praying for you throughout the summer. And if you ever get lonely for some Christmas songs, just let me know…I’ll take care of it
Love from Your Sister in Christ
Steph(aka Susie)
Amid,
Hey there buddy. By the time you are able to read this you will already be well on your way to Amsterdam. I just wanted to tell you how proud of you I am, and how much I enjoy seeing the great things you have done and will continue to do. It seems like just yesterday you were here at my house every weekend, which always led to laughter. Albeit because you and mitch TP’d our own house, or watching you do “over the barrel” or any of the other memories we will always cherish. Now you’ve grown up to be a great young man, and even more so a strong man of God and a respectable role model. Who would have thought a year ago that you would be traveling the world for the cause of Christ? I’ve always known you would no doubt do something special with your life, and now I’m beginning to see you take the road less traveled. You’ve chosen to go where many refuse to go, and do what many are afraid to do. You’ve taken a stand for Christ and have surrendered yourself to his calling. You are truly an inspiring person. I know I’m 5 years your senior, but that does not mean I don’t look up to you. You’re going to accomplish many of things this next year, and I can’t wait to see what God does with your life. I love ya cuz!
Michael
(Check this verse out, it helped me while I was away at Bootcamp, Philippians 3:14 NIV)
“Press On”
Well hello there Amid. Wow you are really in South Africa, that must be something. Well Adam I really just want to let you know that I could not be more proud of anyone than I am you. Sweetie you are truly an inspiration and a very loved and admired newphew. Sweetheart I can not tell you honestly Amid how much I truly love you. I hope this becomes much easier for you to be there and away from your family, and when you see God’s work working for you I think that will help also. Well sweetie I really just wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers everyday and without telling you this I guess you wouldn’t know would Yah? LOL So if you can let me know how you are doing, and if you can’t I understand.
I LOVE YOU ADAM, BE SAFE