We leave tomorrow!!!
In case you would like to know the itenerary of the Oasis @ Swaziland mission trip here it is:
Thursday, August 30th
Leaving For Airport 11:30
Depart Atlanta flying Delta at 4:10 to Johannesburg
Friday, August 31st
3:55 p.m. Arrive in Johannesburg, Africa
5:00 p.m. Custome/Luggage/Shuttle to Holiday Inn
6:30 pm Visit Burma Market & Mall
Saturday, September 1st
6:30 am Breakfast
7:15 am Depart for Airport
9:35 am Depart Johannesburg
10:40 am Arrive in Maputo, Moszambique
2:00 pm Custom/Luggage/Shuttle to VIP Hotel
4:00 pm Dinner
6:00 pm Impact Session
Sunday, September 2nd - (The Jungle) (The Bush) (The Woods)* Someplace out there* (Lions, Tigers, & Elephants) Ha!
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am Depart for Church
10:00 am Church in Mozambique
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 Depart for Game Park
4:00 Game Park Check - in
5:30 Sunset Game Ride
7:00 Dinner/ Show
Monday, September 3rd
5:30 am Breakfast
6:00 am Sunrise Game Ride
10:30 Depart Game Park to Mbabane, Swaziland
2:00 Hotel Check- In Mountain Inn ( Mountain Inn - Mbabane Swaziland)
5:00 Dinner
8:00 Impact Session
Tuesday, September 4th
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am Depart for Care Points
5:00 Dinner
8:00 pm Impact Session
Wednesday, September 5th
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am Depart for Care Point
5:00 pm Dinner
8:00 pm Impact Session
Thursday, September 6th
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am Depart for Care Point
5:00 Dinner
8:00 pm Impact Session
Friday, September 7th
8:00 am Breakfast
12:00 Depart for Airport
2:20 Depart Manzini,Swaziland
3:25 Arrive in Johannesburg
6:45 pm Depart Johannesburg
Saturday, September 8th
7:30 am Arrive in Atlanta
I don't know if I will be able to post pictures while there but if not I'll get them on as soon as I get back.
Thank you for your consistant prayers and support! I'm excited to see God use the team and lay the foundation for me to return in a couple of months!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Farewell Reception
Look at this special cake they made for me!
"Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." Romans 12:10 ----- I feel genuinely loved and honored!!!! Thank you again!!
I know I'm coming back in 10 days now but it was planned, and they won't have to do it again in 2 months. LOL!!! The fellowship was fantastic! The food delicious!! And the music, tribal !!! Enjoy the pictures and all the little African details they had! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I feel loved!!!
"Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." Romans 12:10 ----- I feel genuinely loved and honored!!!! Thank you again!!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Change in Plans
"The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God's help live in joy." Psalm 69:32 (NLT)
What a great verse for today! Okay, change in plans ---- I'm still going to Swaziland 8/30 but I will now be returning with the Oasis team and continue to raise support until 11/1 when I will return to Swaziland.
Why?
1) I personally need to raise more support
2) I can better be used these 2 months helping the Oasis with their Children's Cup Care Point promotion and support for me that was planned for October than to help the Swaziland office.
Now, for those of you that might think, why didn't the Oasis do it earlier, let me just say that I was originally scheduled to not be going to Swaziland to stay until 1/1/08 and the promotion would have then been before I left. Things then made a quick turn in late May for me to go earlier but there was no way to change the Oasis's scheduled plans. I was aware of that and figured I could raise my support through other churches and friends and family. (That did not produce enough to support me there yet, I have less than 25% of what I need monthly and less than 10% of what I need to get a vehicle.)
You know what's cool though in hindsight!!!! God is so awesome!!!! If I had not been planning to stay in Swaziland on 8/30, I would still be at my job with DFCS( I loved my job but it was immensely stressfull and all consuming) and I would not be able to do what I'm going to be able to do now in helping plan a spectacular Children's Cup promotion at the Oasis. (There is going to be a major community golf tournament, videos and pictures from our actual Fonteyn Carepoint with our team from this trip, lots of other things and me!) I don't have to miss it and hear about it by email, I will be a vital part of it.
I see this as such a preparation for me in learning more indepth about the workings of Children's Cup, about being a missionary and raising support and just raising the excitement here to "serve God" and watch Him grow others in ways they never expected!!!
For those who are already sending in their support. Don't worry, it's in the Children's Cup account for me to use when I get over there. I will be relying on my back vacation payout for these 2 months and I will be fine. Maybe God has a buyer for my house now! (but if He had done it earlier I wouldn't have a place to stay when I get back 9/9!) LOL!!
I hope this blog is an encouragement and not discouragement to you! God is still at work and I'm excited that I'm so excited about the change in plans! I pray to maintain a humble spirit.
"The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God's help live in joy" Psalm 69:32
P.S. The reception is still on for this Sunday 8/26 from 3-5 at the Oasis. It's just a drop in type of thing. My sons will be there if you have not made my fine "little" (22 & 20 years old) boys, Kris and Michael
. Come give me a hug!!
What a great verse for today! Okay, change in plans ---- I'm still going to Swaziland 8/30 but I will now be returning with the Oasis team and continue to raise support until 11/1 when I will return to Swaziland.
Why?
1) I personally need to raise more support
2) I can better be used these 2 months helping the Oasis with their Children's Cup Care Point promotion and support for me that was planned for October than to help the Swaziland office.
Now, for those of you that might think, why didn't the Oasis do it earlier, let me just say that I was originally scheduled to not be going to Swaziland to stay until 1/1/08 and the promotion would have then been before I left. Things then made a quick turn in late May for me to go earlier but there was no way to change the Oasis's scheduled plans. I was aware of that and figured I could raise my support through other churches and friends and family. (That did not produce enough to support me there yet, I have less than 25% of what I need monthly and less than 10% of what I need to get a vehicle.)
You know what's cool though in hindsight!!!! God is so awesome!!!! If I had not been planning to stay in Swaziland on 8/30, I would still be at my job with DFCS( I loved my job but it was immensely stressfull and all consuming) and I would not be able to do what I'm going to be able to do now in helping plan a spectacular Children's Cup promotion at the Oasis. (There is going to be a major community golf tournament, videos and pictures from our actual Fonteyn Carepoint with our team from this trip, lots of other things and me!) I don't have to miss it and hear about it by email, I will be a vital part of it.
I see this as such a preparation for me in learning more indepth about the workings of Children's Cup, about being a missionary and raising support and just raising the excitement here to "serve God" and watch Him grow others in ways they never expected!!!
For those who are already sending in their support. Don't worry, it's in the Children's Cup account for me to use when I get over there. I will be relying on my back vacation payout for these 2 months and I will be fine. Maybe God has a buyer for my house now! (but if He had done it earlier I wouldn't have a place to stay when I get back 9/9!) LOL!!
I hope this blog is an encouragement and not discouragement to you! God is still at work and I'm excited that I'm so excited about the change in plans! I pray to maintain a humble spirit.
"The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God's help live in joy" Psalm 69:32
P.S. The reception is still on for this Sunday 8/26 from 3-5 at the Oasis. It's just a drop in type of thing. My sons will be there if you have not made my fine "little" (22 & 20 years old) boys, Kris and Michael
. Come give me a hug!!
Michael
Friday, August 24, 2007
Need Your Help
This is a short blog, for a change LOL!
Thank you for your prayers!!!
If you have been thinking of helping me financially but haven't yet, now is the time. Currently my funding is not there. I have to raise the $2000 - $2500/month to live over there and will have to buy a vehicle. This is hard for me to ask for financial help because I've always been such an independent person.
You can donate toward my support on line @ Childrenscup.org and click to designate it for me or you can mail your pledge designated for me to:
Children's Cup
PO Box 400
Prairieville, LA 70769-0400.
I also have to say that do not take from your tithe to help me. Your tithe to your church is first priority. If you can help me above that, Fantastic! If not,---TITHE instead. If your church as a whole can help with just $25/month or more that would be great. My goal was 100 churches and currently I have 2.
(Those reading this from my church, know that the Oasis church will be asking for your help to also sponsor the Care Point starting in Oct. as well as help me)
As you read this I am in prayer and counsel about whether to return from this mission trip and postpone my full stay in Swaziland until Nov. 1st. Keep me in your prayers! I'm excited about the future and what God will do!!!
Don't forget to come give me a hug Sunday from 3-5 at the Oasis Church,
3275 Tig Knight Road,
Loganville, GA 30052.
Because, as of today, I'm planning on staying but I won't know until I get there if I financially can.
"May the Lord bless You and keep you" Numbers 6:24
Your co-worker in Christ.
Thank you for your prayers!!!
If you have been thinking of helping me financially but haven't yet, now is the time. Currently my funding is not there. I have to raise the $2000 - $2500/month to live over there and will have to buy a vehicle. This is hard for me to ask for financial help because I've always been such an independent person.
You can donate toward my support on line @ Childrenscup.org and click to designate it for me or you can mail your pledge designated for me to:
Children's Cup
PO Box 400
Prairieville, LA 70769-0400.
I also have to say that do not take from your tithe to help me. Your tithe to your church is first priority. If you can help me above that, Fantastic! If not,---TITHE instead. If your church as a whole can help with just $25/month or more that would be great. My goal was 100 churches and currently I have 2.
(Those reading this from my church, know that the Oasis church will be asking for your help to also sponsor the Care Point starting in Oct. as well as help me)
As you read this I am in prayer and counsel about whether to return from this mission trip and postpone my full stay in Swaziland until Nov. 1st. Keep me in your prayers! I'm excited about the future and what God will do!!!
Don't forget to come give me a hug Sunday from 3-5 at the Oasis Church,
3275 Tig Knight Road,
Loganville, GA 30052.
Because, as of today, I'm planning on staying but I won't know until I get there if I financially can.
"May the Lord bless You and keep you" Numbers 6:24
Your co-worker in Christ.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Just 10 more days!
It's getting close! Wed. was my last day working @ DFCS (Department of Family & Children Services). It is a weird feeling knowing I will no longer be earning a paycheck and have to rely on support of friends and strangers. I have to get a vehicle when I get there and it is strange to not be able to depend on my own paycheck to figure it out. God has a plan, I might not know it but I know it will all work out somehow.
I had my second garage sale and have sold the last of my stuff that I am parting with, with the exception of my china. (People just don't use china like they used to.) I was blessed with meeting a lot of new people during my garage sale and so many were an encouragement. I hope a lot of these new aquaintences, my co-workers, staff at my doctor's offices and other businesses I frequent and my friends are starting to sign in on my blog. I'm not an emotional person but I will miss them even though I might not shed tears now. I'm sure the enormity of it all will hit me more in a month or two.
Thank you for your prayers and know that I appreciate you all whether I just met you this weekend or I've known you for years. I would be lost without the connections.
For those that are not bloggers but want to keep in contact with me, my email is scmomzilla@aol.com. When I first go to Swaziland, 8/30, I might not be able to get online the first couple of weeks but after I get set up I'll keep in touch.
If you have contributed financially and read this blog. Please email before I leave so I can make sure I have your email address for personal updates.
Also, I want to invite everyone to a farewell reception being held at the Oasis Church (on Hwy 81 & Tig Knight Road in Loganville next to Tara Estates) this Sun. 8/26 from 3-5 pm. Come by and let me tell you thank you in person for your prayers and friendship.
Have a blessed week and see you Sunday (unless you live outside of GA) -- Ha!
I had my second garage sale and have sold the last of my stuff that I am parting with, with the exception of my china. (People just don't use china like they used to.) I was blessed with meeting a lot of new people during my garage sale and so many were an encouragement. I hope a lot of these new aquaintences, my co-workers, staff at my doctor's offices and other businesses I frequent and my friends are starting to sign in on my blog. I'm not an emotional person but I will miss them even though I might not shed tears now. I'm sure the enormity of it all will hit me more in a month or two.
Thank you for your prayers and know that I appreciate you all whether I just met you this weekend or I've known you for years. I would be lost without the connections.
For those that are not bloggers but want to keep in contact with me, my email is scmomzilla@aol.com. When I first go to Swaziland, 8/30, I might not be able to get online the first couple of weeks but after I get set up I'll keep in touch.
If you have contributed financially and read this blog. Please email before I leave so I can make sure I have your email address for personal updates.
Also, I want to invite everyone to a farewell reception being held at the Oasis Church (on Hwy 81 & Tig Knight Road in Loganville next to Tara Estates) this Sun. 8/26 from 3-5 pm. Come by and let me tell you thank you in person for your prayers and friendship.
Have a blessed week and see you Sunday (unless you live outside of GA) -- Ha!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Amazing Freedom
Friday and Saturday I was at the Women of Faith "Amazing Freedom" conference. To think I almost didn't go!
I thought I was going to be too busy getting ready for Africa!!
This is only part of the group that went!
IT WAS AWESOME!!! SUCH A BLESSING!!!
THE SPEAKERS, THE FELLOWSHIP, THE SPIRIT WAS EMPOWERING!!!!
It was the boost I needed to get ready for Africa. I expected spiritual battles and personal struggles when I get over to Swaziland but not in trying to get over there! Oh my! Walking by faith and not by sight is so much darker than I thought! Beth Moore told a story about the electricity going out when she was in the bathroom in where else -- Africa. (LOL). Anyway as she felt her way out of the can't see your hand in front of your face, pitch black bathroom stall and then bathroom itself, expecting to see a ray of light as she went through the door. What she was met was ---more utter blackness!! When she finally heard her husband's voice coming to get her she said all she could do was stand there with her hands out stretched, wiggling her fingers saying "I'm here, I'm here". WOW!! That is so how I've been feeling lately. I don't have peace about doing the "practical" things I and others think should be done to sell my house.
God keeps saying
"It's okay. I've got it covered!"
God keeps saying
"It's okay. I've got it covered!"
"But, God I can't see anything falling into place."
"It is. Just step out in faith"
"I thought I was when I said I would go."
"That was the first step"
"But I leave in less than 3 weeks"
"I will provide"
Wouldn't you know, Patsy Clairmont said this weekend at the conference, "We want to say God make a way and I'll step out in faith and God says take the step of faith and He will provide the way!"
Beth Moore spoke on comfort and resting in God of all comfort vs. making comfort our God. I found being practical and logical is my comfort. Ouch! It wasn't hard for me to downsize my "things" as much as it is letting go of the logical and practical things I and others say I should do but God doesn't give me a peace about it. Luci Swindoll said "Show up! Shut up! and Let go!" There it was again LET GO!!!
"For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert!" Isaiah 42:19 NLT
My other area of growth this weekend is to let go in another area. My emotions. "You can't take the emotion out of the devotion." "We are engaging socially but isolating emotionally!" " We keep from feeling by keeping 'busy'." Ouch!! "Can't bury (deny) your emotions because you are burying them alive."
Wouldn't you know, Patsy Clairmont said this weekend at the conference, "We want to say God make a way and I'll step out in faith and God says take the step of faith and He will provide the way!"
Beth Moore spoke on comfort and resting in God of all comfort vs. making comfort our God. I found being practical and logical is my comfort. Ouch! It wasn't hard for me to downsize my "things" as much as it is letting go of the logical and practical things I and others say I should do but God doesn't give me a peace about it. Luci Swindoll said "Show up! Shut up! and Let go!" There it was again LET GO!!!
"For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert!" Isaiah 42:19 NLT
My other area of growth this weekend is to let go in another area. My emotions. "You can't take the emotion out of the devotion." "We are engaging socially but isolating emotionally!" " We keep from feeling by keeping 'busy'." Ouch!! "Can't bury (deny) your emotions because you are burying them alive."
So, maybe I should have named this blog "Let Go".
Let go of having to "see" what God is doing. Stepping out in faith and putting my weight on each step even though I can't see what is underneath my foot to hold me up.
Let go and feel. So if you see me cry (which they said tears from emotions release the toxins in your body--cool!) just pass the kleenex and say "to heal it you need to feel it".
Only 18 more days until I'm in the air!! Thanks for all your prayers, support, hugs and comfort!
I hear Oasis is having a going away reception for me the Sunday afternoon before I leave. I'll let you know so if you live in the area you can come give me one last hug!
These Oasis "CHICKS" are Dee, Machel and Kim!!!
Have a blessed week! My last day at work (Department of Family and Children Services) is Wed. 8/15. I have so much to get done in those 3 days. With God's help I will!!!
Your co-worker in Christ.
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