Being Present

3 ... 2 ... 1 ... GRADUATION!

My peers and collective student body have long begun counting down the days remaining in this semester. For some, including myself, these are the final days of college. A new chapter is rapidly approaching. As much as I have been awaiting the day to once again wear a cap and gown, the countdown to that day is assimilated with my departure to Africa. In essence, I have the next 16 days to process what in heck has happened these past four year and then leave for 4 months. 

Knowing what is ahead, at least for these summer months, while having responsibilities to complete in these remaining days lives in tension with my understanding of "being present." How can I wholeheartedly be here when a portion of my heart is elsewhere? I have been chartered with the task of leading a missions trip. That in it of itself demands devoted preparation. In addition to this two week trip, I am staying an additional three months. Talk about preparatory measures! 

Such forward thinking has consumed my daily agenda. I see the vitality in discussing what is to come, but how does such conversation acknowledge the value of what is at hand? The resulting polarity has been simply exhausting. Of course it is. 

I am thankful for this season of exhaustion. Because of it, I have gained a new desperation for God, His Word and prayer. This humanness is not capable of amounting to what is being asked of me, but Jehovah is my strength, shield and guide. This passage has been an immense comfort to me. May it also be for you.

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 36:3-4

In Christ,
-Susan

Nzambe azali lokola moi

GOD IS LIGHT

Deciding to just come home for this week of Spring Break has proven to be a wise decision. I have enjoyed mom's home cooking, free laundry and hours of sleep! These days have also given me time to process what is ahead in these last eight weeks of college. Exams, traveling with The Narrow, my Senior Recital, research papers, the whole gambit. All of this so I can walk on May 9th then whisk off to Africa a week later!

In preparing for my time in the Democratic Republic of Congo, I have been looking up scriptures verses in Lingala. Doing so helps me get in the word, memorize verses in English so I can know what I am attempting to say in Lingala. The title of this entry is one of the first verses I have down. It is taken from 1 John 1:12 "God is light: in Him there is no darkness at all."

"Nzambe azali lokola moi, pe epai na ye molili ezali ata moke té"

As of this week, I am a little over a third of the way funded for my extended missions trip! I am beyond grateful for the continued generous support. The team and I are just nine weeks away from leaving and are in great need of your prayerful support. Pray we will continue to be diligent in our preparation. Pray for those we are going to be ministering to that they would be open to what God has for them. Pray about financially support this trip. To do so, follow the link: https://securepay.olivet.edu/donate/smdonate.asp

If you have any questions, please be sure to leave a comment.

Lord Bless,
-Susan

For these past few years, I have been pursuing a degree in Music Ministry at Olivet Nazarene University. My time there has been incredible; each day is full of its own share of opportunities. One such opportunity led me to Africa and now has me going back in a few short months. In the transition from going on a missions trip to now being a co-leader of that same trip, I have learned a lot. I have learned more about myself, my God and my future.

There is a beauty in the past. The past is known. It happened. Sometimes to our disliking, it cannot be altered. Nonetheless, the inherent definitive nature of the past is quite appealing. It is appealing because it is comfortable.

In my preparation to lead nine other college students to another country, I cannot help but think of the team I was a part of earlier this year. There were seventeen of us all together. At first, it felt like a large group of people, but very quickly the numbers melted away as we became acquainted. How we became a familiar unit so quickly is a mystery I am still trying to unravel. I desire the team I am leading to be like the last one I was a part of. But this time, there are only twelve. No one really knows each other. Our entire purpose differs from that of the first group. How then can this team be like the last?

For some time this question troubled me. I know the love and success my last team had on this trip to Africa. Is it so bad for me to want that for this group? In pondering and praying over these queries I learned whether or not such a desire for this years team was healthy depended on my perspective. Yes I dearly love and respect those sixteen people from the first Congo team and yes I hope this years Congo team can be as close as we were and still are. However, I have learned and am still learning I need to let this years group be just that. A new group. There is an entirely different mix of people. We do not and will not have the same love of last years group.

It is this simple idea that has created both anxiety and great joy. Anxiety: because we are starting from square one and I have to open myself up to a new group of people. Great joy: because we are starting from square one and I have to open myself up to a new group of people. This Congo 2015 team will become a family in its own time, in God's time. Not in mine. What a rare and wild journey we are on. I cannot wait to see what comes of it!

Here is to hoping I will actually blog to keep you updated ;)
Lord Bless,
-Susan