Journey of Faith

I remember reading my dad’s journal that he kept during his cancer journey for the first time and being blown away by one common theme: faith.

My family faced many uncertain days during that 13 month long journey. Word after word, sentence after sentence that my dad poured his heart into on each page and not one of them reflected a fearful soul, or one of unbelief. He not only believed in who His God was,  He was walking daily in that belief. His actions were echoes of a heart completely surrendered to the will of God- no matter what that was. The Lord came through on His promises to our family, though not in the timing we would have necessarily chosen- He  brought my dad’s salvation to complete fruition. He called my dad home to eternity, wiping away his tears and healing all of his wounds, and in the meantime carried those of us daddy left behind steadfastly, and has yet to let up on His faithfulness towards us.

James 2:22

You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.

This verse describes the life of Abraham, and his willingness to take his son, Isaac, to be offered as a sacrifice. He had faith in God, and actions that proved His faith. 

Over the past couple years of my college journey, the Lord has kept me coming back to these truths of faith. Recently I have been reading Luke 8. In this chapter, after Jesus teaches the parable of the sower, he gets into a boat with his disciples to cross the sea which suddenly begins to rage as a storm brews. The fear rises up in the disciples hearts and they quickly wake up the resting Lord begging for help. Jesus stands, calms the wind and the rain, turns to face His disciples and says “where is your faith?” He had just explained to the crowds that true faith falls on a ready soul waiting to receive. It hears the Word, retains the Word, and obeys the Word. Many times our fear reveals where we really are in our faith. I’ve heard it said that fear is belief that the enemy will prevail. 

Many of you have been following along with my journey over the past several months as I have been preparing for my trip to Kenya. The countdown has quickly switched to single digits and in just one week I’ll be flying high towards African soil. I’ve shared with many my excitement for my time there, as well as the fears that have crept into my heart. As the days have approached the enemy has tried so fervently to wrap my mind in “what ifs.” Yet time and time again the Lord has placed scripture in my paths, such as Psalm 20, to remind me that He is the God of time, the God of creation, the God of the seas, and the God of my life- some trust in chariots and horses, but by trusting in Him I will not fall. In Him, we have no room to fear, no room to worry, no room to question- we serve a sovereign Lord that all of creation bows down to. I desire for a heart that not only knows this as knowledge, but knows that in faith and acts upon it in all that I do- in both my time in Kenya, as well as my life here in the States.

Traveling to Kenya for a month seemed at once like a piece of cake, but as it has gotten closer I’ve realized it’s a bit of a bigger step for me than I was making it out to be. It will be a journey that I am stretched in my faith as boundaries are broken down in multiple ways. I know it will be a time that I can’t just talk the talk, but have to walk the walk as Abraham did, and as my dad did. Of course there are countless opportunities for things to go awry, but even in those places where I’m sure they will, God sits enthroned and will have His way, and that’s the way I want to walk in.

I have no doubt in my mind that this is the exact place the Lord has called me to in this season. I have been blown away by the provision of the Lord through so many of you. I have not had to worry at all about how we would financially afford this trip.  I have heard countless stories from many of you that made tremendous sacrifices to send me on this trip. I wish so bad I could look each of you in the eye and say “thank you!” a million times over. Not only for giving to me personally, but for serving the Lord in this way. You have a direct hand in the ministry that takes place while I’m there, even though your feet might never leave the U.S. I am so encouraged by your FAITH in the work of God. I pray that I am a faithful steward of the money that I have received from you as I go and be the hands and feet of Jesus in Kenya.

Packing is in full swing (okay… thats a lie. It’ll happen by Thursday… maybe Saturday.), and all the last minute details are being worked out. My mom has promised me anything I want, (okay… also a lie. Whatever I wanted to EAT, but I could probably negotiate more… hehe!) and I’m sure soon enough a couple tears will be shed. But guys- I AM GOING TO KENYA!!!! The Lord has been faithful to this desire in my heart for so many years, and I am over the moon excited about this incredible experience I will soon embark upon! We will have the opportunity to come alongside Matania’s Hope in their already established work in Nairobi and cities surrounding as we visit with families and students, hand out much needed supplies to those going without, and even get to visit the school in my dad’s memory! EEEEEEEP!!

I ask for your prayers as me and my team leave Monday, June 11th and will return July 11th! We will face the heat and exhaustion I’m sure, but oh how worth it it will be!!! Here I go, on this incredibly journey of faith!

Love, Em