Many of you know that Casey and I went to Africa this past summer to love on orphans. What you may not know is that our lives were radically changed as a result of that journey. Our hearts never came home, and God was about to rock our world! In the 6 months since we have been back, God has been laying out a direction for our lives that is amazing, exciting, terrifying, and humbling all at the same time.
Our journey to this point actually started well before we ever stepped foot on African soil. In December 2009, Casey and I really began to feel like we were intended to eventually take part in full time missionary work. At the beginning of January 2010, we met with our pastor, Brian, to discuss this realization and request prayers for guidance on how this would take shape. We told Brian that we did not know any of the seemingly important questions, like when and where we would go, or what we would be doing, or how it was going to be possible. All that we knew was that our hearts were both on the same page about wanting to serve God with our lives. Brian told us that he and some great prayer warriors at our church would begin praying for God to show us His will and purpose for our lives.
Very shortly after our meeting with Brian, the opportunity for our church to partner with Family Legacy presented itself. An informational meeting was held about the level of interest for some of our members to participate in Camp LIFE 2010. With very little hesitation, we threw our hat in the ring to fly half way around the world to share Jesus' love with a group of orphans in Zambia. Casey and I were very excited about the prospect of getting to go on our first mission trip! Little did we know, this was just the beginning of an extraordinary chain of events that would be carefully orchestrated by God to lead us to discover His will for our family.
Our first test of faith was raising the $8000 it would take to allow Casey and I, along with 30 orphans to attend Camp LIFE 2010. Not only did that seem like an impossible feat, but we only had 5 short months to get this task done. This road had many ups and downs, but incredibly God raised every single dime for our trip and then some! Our faith soared as we watched a mountain become a molehill without any explanation other than divine intervention.
Our time in Africa was nothing less than amazing. We saw God move in ways that we had never before experienced. The impact that we had in one week seemed more real than anything we had ever encountered. Each night, Casey and I would recount the incredible ways we had seen God work, and by the end of the trip we knew our lives would never be the same. Both awed and humbled, we began to imagine what course we would be called to take. The stories of the kids we met while in Africa still inspire me to this day. God had sent us there for a purpose, and I truly believe if we had not gone, the kids we had the opportunity to minister to would have a very different direction to their lives.
Back home, I returned to leasing apartments in Dallas, but I could not stop thinking about the incredible things I had seen. I spent the entire month of July praying about what God wanted me to do with this burning desire to continue the work that He had begun through me. Through scripture, He made it very clear that His plan for my family was to answer the call toward the mission field. He pointed me to the story of Jonah, and then to several other verses in Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Job that confirmed the questions I was asking. During this time, Casey was such a huge encouragement and also saw the things God was telling us.
Most of the Family Legacy team was still in Africa until the end of August, and I was anxious for their return so that I could discuss with them the desires God had laid on my heart. Before their return, I began to volunteer at the Family Legacy office on my days off, and found myself feeling right at home there. Shortly after, I also volunteered at their annual banquet. I thought just helping out would satisfy my desire to be a part of the amazing things God was doing through this organization. But still, it was not enough.
I met with Greer, Holly, and Andrew (leaders in the organization), and told them about everything God had been doing in the lives of my family over the last year. That same day, after I left their office, I received a call from Andrew. Family Legacy wanted to offer me a full time position in their Father's Heart program, a branch of the ministry bringing spiritual and tangible benefits to thousands of orphans! I had just walked in my front door when I got the call, and immediately afterwards Casey and I cried and praised God for the incredible opportunity He was presenting.
After the excitement had calmed, reality began to set in. How on Earth would this be possible? Family Legacy is a non-profit organization, requiring staff members to raise 100% of their needed living expenses. By doing so, the ministry is able to give maximum resources to the children of Zambia. 95% of every dollar given to FLMI goes directly to the children and the many programs that FMLI runs there.
Our journey to this point actually started well before we ever stepped foot on African soil. In December 2009, Casey and I really began to feel like we were intended to eventually take part in full time missionary work. At the beginning of January 2010, we met with our pastor, Brian, to discuss this realization and request prayers for guidance on how this would take shape. We told Brian that we did not know any of the seemingly important questions, like when and where we would go, or what we would be doing, or how it was going to be possible. All that we knew was that our hearts were both on the same page about wanting to serve God with our lives. Brian told us that he and some great prayer warriors at our church would begin praying for God to show us His will and purpose for our lives.
Very shortly after our meeting with Brian, the opportunity for our church to partner with Family Legacy presented itself. An informational meeting was held about the level of interest for some of our members to participate in Camp LIFE 2010. With very little hesitation, we threw our hat in the ring to fly half way around the world to share Jesus' love with a group of orphans in Zambia. Casey and I were very excited about the prospect of getting to go on our first mission trip! Little did we know, this was just the beginning of an extraordinary chain of events that would be carefully orchestrated by God to lead us to discover His will for our family.
Our first test of faith was raising the $8000 it would take to allow Casey and I, along with 30 orphans to attend Camp LIFE 2010. Not only did that seem like an impossible feat, but we only had 5 short months to get this task done. This road had many ups and downs, but incredibly God raised every single dime for our trip and then some! Our faith soared as we watched a mountain become a molehill without any explanation other than divine intervention.
Our time in Africa was nothing less than amazing. We saw God move in ways that we had never before experienced. The impact that we had in one week seemed more real than anything we had ever encountered. Each night, Casey and I would recount the incredible ways we had seen God work, and by the end of the trip we knew our lives would never be the same. Both awed and humbled, we began to imagine what course we would be called to take. The stories of the kids we met while in Africa still inspire me to this day. God had sent us there for a purpose, and I truly believe if we had not gone, the kids we had the opportunity to minister to would have a very different direction to their lives.
Back home, I returned to leasing apartments in Dallas, but I could not stop thinking about the incredible things I had seen. I spent the entire month of July praying about what God wanted me to do with this burning desire to continue the work that He had begun through me. Through scripture, He made it very clear that His plan for my family was to answer the call toward the mission field. He pointed me to the story of Jonah, and then to several other verses in Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Job that confirmed the questions I was asking. During this time, Casey was such a huge encouragement and also saw the things God was telling us.
Most of the Family Legacy team was still in Africa until the end of August, and I was anxious for their return so that I could discuss with them the desires God had laid on my heart. Before their return, I began to volunteer at the Family Legacy office on my days off, and found myself feeling right at home there. Shortly after, I also volunteered at their annual banquet. I thought just helping out would satisfy my desire to be a part of the amazing things God was doing through this organization. But still, it was not enough.
I met with Greer, Holly, and Andrew (leaders in the organization), and told them about everything God had been doing in the lives of my family over the last year. That same day, after I left their office, I received a call from Andrew. Family Legacy wanted to offer me a full time position in their Father's Heart program, a branch of the ministry bringing spiritual and tangible benefits to thousands of orphans! I had just walked in my front door when I got the call, and immediately afterwards Casey and I cried and praised God for the incredible opportunity He was presenting.
After the excitement had calmed, reality began to set in. How on Earth would this be possible? Family Legacy is a non-profit organization, requiring staff members to raise 100% of their needed living expenses. By doing so, the ministry is able to give maximum resources to the children of Zambia. 95% of every dollar given to FLMI goes directly to the children and the many programs that FMLI runs there.
Going to work for Family Legacy means giving up my $40,000/yr salary and counting on God to bring people into our path that would be willing to support the work I will be doing. Not only that, but we want to return to Africa next summer, and while God faithfully raised every penny for our previous trip it seems impossible to do that on top of raising my monthly salary. Our faith is surely going to be stretched, but I am excited to watch as God does what only He can do. We have gone to work making a strict budget to cover housing, transportation, basic insurance, food, and the things needed to care of our 2 year old little girl. The Lord has, is, and will continue to grow us in our faith as we learn to rely on God’s “daily bread.”
Through this process, a phrase our missions pastor once said keeps running through my head. "God is CEO of all the banks!" Our family is stepping out in faith, and I will be starting full time with Family Legacy on January 3rd. The prospect of quitting my job and depending fully on God to stir the hearts of His people toward this cause is mostly terrifying, but also thrilling. Not many people get to pursue their passion in life, and I feel so blessed to have this opportunity. I truly believe He has not called me only to leave my family stranded. He doesn't always promise to show us how it will work in advance, but does always promise to be faithful to the needs of His children.
I invite you to partner with me on this journey. There are many ways you can get involved. First and foremost, I would like to ask you to pray for me and my family as we take this next step. Secondly, I would like to ask that you prayerfully consider supporting Casey and I in this vital work. We need monthly supporters for stability (truly, NO amount is too small!), as well as one-time donations. Your gifts will be multiplied, appreciated, and more helpful than you can possibly know! I promise that the Lord will bless you beyond what you can imagine for joining us in ministering to His beloved children in such a powerful way. Every contribution is tax deductible, and will go so far in improving the lives of these precious kids. We would love for you to come alongside our family as we step out in faith to follow His plan for us.
I invite you to partner with me on this journey. There are many ways you can get involved. First and foremost, I would like to ask you to pray for me and my family as we take this next step. Secondly, I would like to ask that you prayerfully consider supporting Casey and I in this vital work. We need monthly supporters for stability (truly, NO amount is too small!), as well as one-time donations. Your gifts will be multiplied, appreciated, and more helpful than you can possibly know! I promise that the Lord will bless you beyond what you can imagine for joining us in ministering to His beloved children in such a powerful way. Every contribution is tax deductible, and will go so far in improving the lives of these precious kids. We would love for you to come alongside our family as we step out in faith to follow His plan for us.
Thank you for taking the time to read about the radical ways the Lord has captured our hearts. I look forward to sharing God’s goodness through the work your generosity will allow me to do. Please feel free to call or e-mail me anytime if you have any questions regarding Family Legacy or the work I will be doing with them.
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