It is now 3 days since I returned from Africa....I am beginning to process what God has allowed me to experience. What started years ago as a longing to serve God on the foreign mission field is being worked our in my life today!
For years I sat through mission conferences and heard the testimonies of men and women and how God called them to serve Him in a foreign land, and each time my heart would be stirred as my soul longed to follow that journey. But it wasn't to be, God had other plans and in my sinful spirit I began to HATE mission conferences! Why should I put myself through each conference only to be reminded I couldn't go. So every excuse would keep me from mission conferences.
Life continues to happen and I found myself living an "Ozzie and Harriet" life, homeschooling the girls and seeking to be a godly wife. Then one day I woke up on the "Jerry Springer Show" with my world turned upside down. I found myself single with grown children, and a gentle reminder of the longing I felt so long ago.
October 2011 TABC mission conference with Chris and Lisa Moore from Real4Christ ministries were presenting their work. Chris was presenting the work in Mombasa, Kenya and his desire to have the teachers grasp the importance of their job and to be more enthusiastic and excited about the job God has given them. A small quickened heart beat began beating in my soul and on the inside I was raising my hand saying....I can do that! I can encourage, come along side these teachers.....so I introduce myself and told the Moores I could provide professional development for their teachers!....Isn't that what I do at Sam Houston State University? Their answer was sure you can stay with us! That's the beginning of Starting at the Jordan!
Since this first journey to Kenya has God revealed what my path will be....no not yet so many possibilities all looming around me and so not sure of anything. Yet a total sense of peace, with my life's journey...trusting God to show me in His time.
This I know for sure, Lord willing, I plan to return to Africa next summer continuing what God started...and this time I will call it a short-term mission trip and challenged fellow believers to come with me for a journey of a life time!
This is what I wrote for our school newsletter 2013....
What started as a calling many years ago to teach on the
foreign mission field is becoming a reality once again this summer for second grade
teacher Sabine Branch. She will be
returning to Mombasa, Kenya where she will minister with missionaries Chris and
Lisa Moore of Real4Christ ministries. You can find out more information about
their work at www.Real4Christ.com. While in Kenya she will provide professional
development for the teachers of MBEWAU Academy.
After completing a
needs assessment last year, it was
determined reading, writing and cleanliness to be areas of greatest need. Last year’s focus was to set an attainable
goal of 85% of students reading at grade level as well as developing learning
opportunities for each classroom teacher.
Returning this year Sabine will undertake the second need, writing. Each classroom will write a book from rough
draft to publication!
These books will
be placed in the school library.
Seeking God’s direction Sabine sought to take additional
teachers to Kenya this summer…that’s where
Shelly Thomas and Mandy Traylor come into the adventure. Shelly will be ministering in Pre-school
called the baby class; however this is hardly a baby class as they have a full
day of learning. Baby classes consist
of 35-40 three year olds!
Mandy Traylor will be instrumental in providing direction
and encouragement to the music program at MBEWAU Academy. Just as she led chapel here at BCS, she will
have opportunity to lead chapel in Kenya!
We covet your prayers and can’t wait to share our adventure
upon our return! If you are interested
in joining our adventure the summer of 2014, pray and let us know!
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