Africa .... tap, tap, tap, Ask Me; Hands At Work :D

So I finished up work on the 31^st of December 2010. I began my year of trusting in God and going deeper into him. 

I was able to spend the whole of January not working because I got a big pay out for not using holiday and sick pay. Which meant I was able to go to a youth camp that I had lead on the year before, without worrying about paying for rent which was an amazing blessing.

And then I started my Hey Dee Ho work and applied for a couple of centres to do casual work. And ended up with 3 centre's to do work, which was great to see 3 ways of doing it differently.

There was times when I wasn’t sure how to pay my rent but God kept reminding me of how big and faithful he is and reminding me to trust and he taught me what it meant when it’s says – may the Joy of the Lord be your strength.   

And I attended the small group call Mission Next and heard people speak about their overseas mission experience and Ben a friend of mine shared about his experience about going to Africa with an organisation called hands at work and I cried the whole time through. Then at about the 3 or 4 meeting, we prayed for a friend of mine called Meg who was going to do mission stuff with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) in Canada for 3 months to train and then spend another 3 months in a developing country. So she was leaving for 6 months to do mission stuff, which was so exciting. And as part of how we have our group we eat together and chat and then we hear from someone and so during this night I was talking to a couple about God giving me a heart for Africa and the vulnerable children in Africa. And explained that I had quit time work to get focused on overseas mission and to develop and deepen my relationship with God and to trust him deeper. And I explain how I know God will call me back to Africa but I didn’t know when or how that would look like but was just waiting and I heard their story and it was a beautiful time. 

And when the conversation ended I almost felt like God was tapping on my shoulder and said, “Ask me now”

So I quickly closed my eyes and ask God, what do you want to tell me? And the words, “Hands at Work” popped into my head, I almost physically saw them. And knew I had to speak to either Ben or his wife Dani who had done trips with Hands at Work before. I walked up to Ben said, “Hi” and his response was, “Hi, We are taking a trip to Africa next year, you’re coming right? I thinking I had to almost pick up my gapping jaw, and mutter uh ha, with the biggest smile on my face. 

Then just jokingly Ben said, “ I could see us dumping you in Africa and coming home and having explain to my parents that I wasn’t with them anymore I wouldn’t leave Africa.” We both laughed and then I begun thinking actually I want this to happen!! I don’t want to experience another 3 or 4 week glimpse of Africa I want to go over there and do something, I want to serve and get my hands dirty.

That night I went home and properly checked out the hands at work website and began to cry, having the feeling that this is it; this is what I have been waiting for, for the last 2-3 years. I fit into the puzzle for years I had this calling to go back to Africa to serve and so many organisations need really qualified people and here I was a young childcare worker with this huge desire to come to Africa to love the people/children and the serve and that is what hands is all about partnering with churches all over world and calling people to come and serve and to be Jesus hands and feet. So I sat there weeping in front of the computer screen and I saw that it took volunteers for 3 months or 6 months and I could come for honestly either one, I was thinking 3 months is longer than 3 weeks but God was prompting me and I really felt he wanted me to apply for at least 6 months. So I after prayful consideration I applied for 6 months in Africa. 

And running with the theme of having a song to every entry here is my song

 I will follow - Chris Tomlin

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow...

All your ways are good
All your ways are sure
I will trust in you alone
Higher than my side
High above my life
I will trust in you alone

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you

Light unto the world
Light unto my life
I will live for you alone
You're the one I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in you alone, in you alone

In you there's life everlasting
In you there's freedom for my soul
In you there joy, unending joy
and I will follow

And Parachute Band – Saviour of the broken heart

VERSE1

Saviour of the broken heart

You bring healing to the torn apart

Teach us how to live your call

That our worship will bring love to all

 PRE-CHORUS

With your word inside our heart

Your leading us to show your love

CHORUS

King of hope, sacrificed your own life

Giving all a second chance

Break our hearts to see the need in this world

King of hope your kingdom come

VERSE 2

Freedom comes from knowing you

Our desire is for you to move

Compassion rests within your bride

Who are we to not have shined its light

BRIDGE

So this is our worship, to go where you lead

To love without measure, to clothe and to feed

I love and adore you, my hearts beating for you

I take up the cost, to carry the lost