Everyday Beautiful

Every year our church and sister churches gather for a youth conference. This year, we faced many challenges preparing. Money was slow in coming; several youth couldn't make it; top church leaders were too busy until last minute to discuss details. Yet we persevered in prayer. I'm incredibly thankful for spiritually strong youth group members who unknowingly encouraged me by showing their passion for the youth to gather. I took courage from their attitude and Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider how we can spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching." God confirmed to my heart His will was for our youth to gather in praise to His name. How could I pray then, except for His will? I'm in awe of the way God answered these prayers. He provided money through two government representatives, cancelling the 500,000 shilling...

  Early in August, Mom and I were blessed to visit an old friend, Maggie, at her ministry to teenage moms. Thousands of girls across Uganda find themselves as mothers during their teenage years due to the expensive dowry that their boyfriend cannot pay; so, the couple gets pregnant in hopes that the family will then consider them married. Obviously, this causes much poverty, the couple separating, kids left with grandparents or uncared for. As someone who is friends with multiple teen moms and passionate for life from womb to tomb, I was thrilled to hear about and visit the work Maggie is doing! Two or three times a week the girls gather together to learn trade skills, such as bag, sandal, soap and hair making. Maggie gets a variety of people involved by inviting other women to come and teach the girls these skills. Mom brought the book God's Very Good Idea  by Tillia Newbell to read the girls. She surprised me by asking me to read it; I was thrilled! To teach these girls, my ...

  I know you might think, "Travelling again?!" Yes, God has called and blessed our family to travel several times this year. This month, we went to Ethiopia. Why? My parents' visas expired so we needed to leave the country in order to renew the visas. Additionally, a Freedom in Christ coworker from Ethiopia lives in the capital city and invited my dad to lead a marriage course. Our first picture, still in the airport. Makai and I went up the stairs and down the escalator about a dozen times while the rest of the family waited for our luggage. How great that the simple things in life can prove entertaining! Welcome to Ethiopia, one of the only two African countries never colonized. The Ethiopian people are proud and courageous. They defended their country against multiple attacks from the Italians. Some of the world's oldest churches exist in this country, carved from stone from the roof down to the foundation. Riding to the hotel, Makai was already telling me to take ...