Friday, August 15, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Thank you Scott
Thank you Scott for stepping up and leading this mission. We are in great hands because we can see the hands of God working through us all. 2 weeks and counting!
Go Botswana!
Go Botswana!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The Great Commission
Kim-
You know what blows my mind about that passage? It's the fact that the very people who saw Jesus' miracles in the first person, saw him crucified and saw him arise from the dead...still doubted he was who he said he was!!!
How could that be possible? They weren't blind, deaf or stupid! They were human! There has never been anything like Jesus Christ and nothing before or after will be the same. That lifts me when I find myself doubting the path I have taken or when Satan whispers in my ear that I may be wasting my time going to Africa because Jesus was just a story or a myth. Listen, if the the people who were there actually had the gumption to doubt him, it's okay if I do the same from time to time! But, I believe and I know!
See ya!
You know what blows my mind about that passage? It's the fact that the very people who saw Jesus' miracles in the first person, saw him crucified and saw him arise from the dead...still doubted he was who he said he was!!!
How could that be possible? They weren't blind, deaf or stupid! They were human! There has never been anything like Jesus Christ and nothing before or after will be the same. That lifts me when I find myself doubting the path I have taken or when Satan whispers in my ear that I may be wasting my time going to Africa because Jesus was just a story or a myth. Listen, if the the people who were there actually had the gumption to doubt him, it's okay if I do the same from time to time! But, I believe and I know!
See ya!
Howdy, Part 2
As you heard on Sunday night in the library, I grew up at Alice Drive when it was on Miller Road. I made my profession of faith at the age of 9 and was baptized by Dr. Haselden in 1979. I was very much into the youth program and even dedicated my life to full-time ministry on a youth retreat at the age of 15. But, due to choices and circumstances, I ran from that commitment and even ran from God for a long time.
It was my wife, Tricia, being saved while on a military trip in Honduras, that brought me back home to God. Of course, at first, I didn't see it that way and Satan did his best to keep me from seeing the light that was shining on my path. God was always there for me, waiting for me. I had to get past trying to make everything perfect and learn that there was nothing that was going to satisfy my looking for that "something" to make my life perfect. He already made it perfect and it was right there in front of me, waiting for me to accept it. It also took a long time for me to tear down the walls and get rid of the old excuses that were keeping me away from God's presence. I know the prayers of some of the faithful at ADBC made the difference and I thank God for those who have prayed for me for so many years. Tricia is such a blessing and a lifeline for my life. I would not be on this mission trip or on the path I am on today without her by my side. God brought her into my life for a reason.
But, God allowed me to experience everything for a reason and I know that even my darkest and most lonely experiences and "time in the gutter" were for a purpose. He wants to use me to reach others who are also in the midst of the same, and far worse, circumstances. That is reassuring and also what inspires me for these mission trips to Africa. Having the awareness that God rescued and protected me so many times is a heavy thing. But, it is also the highest inspiration that will be there to draw upon on during those long flights and the lack of comfort we will sometimes endure. I know God loves us and he loves that we want to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those little children and those suffering in Africa.
I can't wait for the plane to take off and the journey to begin. Nonetheless, I know that my personal journey towards Africa started so many years ago and I look forward to what God is going to accomplish through us in Botswana and around the world. We are laying the foundation for the bridge to connect ADBC with Africa and with the Sumter community. No pressure there, right?
If you want to waste some time and can't sleep (Kim, not necessarily talking about you ;-) ), you can check out more about me, including pictures of my beautiful wife, 2 boys, my dog and cat, et al over here : Johnson Family Web
See ya on the 28th ready to roll!!!
It was my wife, Tricia, being saved while on a military trip in Honduras, that brought me back home to God. Of course, at first, I didn't see it that way and Satan did his best to keep me from seeing the light that was shining on my path. God was always there for me, waiting for me. I had to get past trying to make everything perfect and learn that there was nothing that was going to satisfy my looking for that "something" to make my life perfect. He already made it perfect and it was right there in front of me, waiting for me to accept it. It also took a long time for me to tear down the walls and get rid of the old excuses that were keeping me away from God's presence. I know the prayers of some of the faithful at ADBC made the difference and I thank God for those who have prayed for me for so many years. Tricia is such a blessing and a lifeline for my life. I would not be on this mission trip or on the path I am on today without her by my side. God brought her into my life for a reason.
But, God allowed me to experience everything for a reason and I know that even my darkest and most lonely experiences and "time in the gutter" were for a purpose. He wants to use me to reach others who are also in the midst of the same, and far worse, circumstances. That is reassuring and also what inspires me for these mission trips to Africa. Having the awareness that God rescued and protected me so many times is a heavy thing. But, it is also the highest inspiration that will be there to draw upon on during those long flights and the lack of comfort we will sometimes endure. I know God loves us and he loves that we want to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those little children and those suffering in Africa.
I can't wait for the plane to take off and the journey to begin. Nonetheless, I know that my personal journey towards Africa started so many years ago and I look forward to what God is going to accomplish through us in Botswana and around the world. We are laying the foundation for the bridge to connect ADBC with Africa and with the Sumter community. No pressure there, right?
If you want to waste some time and can't sleep (Kim, not necessarily talking about you ;-) ), you can check out more about me, including pictures of my beautiful wife, 2 boys, my dog and cat, et al over here : Johnson Family Web
See ya on the 28th ready to roll!!!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Ready, Set, Fly!!
This is Kristi! I accepted Christ Jesus as my savior when I was about 6 years of age. It took me 20 YEARS to understand that I could be loved unconditionally, to know awesome power and to fully trust who you can not see. During those 20 years I lost my first husband and had to watch my son go through great pain. He (age 4) had not be told of God's amazing love and did not understand why he could not have a father. Little did he know he did have a father!! He had a Heavenly Father. I am now married to a great, God fearing man and we have 2 other kids. It is my passion, my drive and my purpose in life to tell all kids that they have a Heavenly Father that is always there ready to love!!
So saying that I am passionate about God's children puts it mildly.
Serving Him is such a blessing!!
Kristi
So saying that I am passionate about God's children puts it mildly.
Serving Him is such a blessing!!
Kristi
We are on a Mission from God!!!
Hey everybody, I am so excited to be taking this next step for Christ. We are going to be the hands and feet of Jesus. It just doesn't get any better than that and I am so pumped to be going with such a cool group of believers. Listening to testimonies last night in the library really brought us closer to each other. It was amazing how we opened up and let our defenses down because we know that Jesus changes our weaknesses to strengths once we let him. That's what God is asking us all to do. We will open our hearts, minds and hands to the little children of Old Naledi and in turn be transformed by the power of God through us.
I hope everyone is okay with this blog format. If you want to change anything, please let me know. We will add a photo gallery link once we have photos; but, in the meantime, I am going to link to my album from the South Africa trip to Mamelodi last summer.
See you all soon!
In His Steps, Mark
I hope everyone is okay with this blog format. If you want to change anything, please let me know. We will add a photo gallery link once we have photos; but, in the meantime, I am going to link to my album from the South Africa trip to Mamelodi last summer.
See you all soon!
In His Steps, Mark
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
