Also, I wanted to share briefly about a trip I will be taking to Swaziland, Africa from February 15^th-24^th.  It is a vision trip working with the Nsoko Project, which you can read more about here.  Adventures in Mission is partnering with Children's HopeChest, also an amazing ministry.  I'm very excited about this opportunity God has given me and the funds were provided through excess from my World Race account.  PRAISE GOD.  Here are some stats about Swaziland to get your heart moving in prayer and compassion for the people I will be spending time with in 3 weeks: 1) Life expectancy is only 30 years.  2) 15 year olds have less than a 10% chance of living to age 35.  3)  More than 50% of the population lives on about 28 cents a day.  4) Half of the country's population is under the age of 15.  5) In some parts of the country, 80% test positive for HIV.  6)  According to UN statistics, the entire country will cease to exist by 2050.

 

Cease to exist by 2050...that is ABSOLUTELY mind boggling to me.  If the world hasn't ceased to exist by then I will be 70 and still alive and Swaziland will be gone.  CRAZY.  Please cover this trip in prayer as well as my remaining time in CA, my move to NJ and my precious friends in Haiti at Canaan Orphanage.  Thank you to all of you that have given above and beyond in the last 2 weeks to me personally and to Canaan.  Your money will be used wisely, with discernment and will bring healing to a hurting nation.  I'm thankful for you all.  

 

 (Pictures - One of my favorite people, Jerah, in Coronado, Skiing at Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe and sunset on Laguna Beach after our drive down the PCH)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey everyone, I threw this video together tonight to show a group of middle schoolers and it had a tremendous impact.  I will be sharing it next week with a group at a public HS here in Danville, CA where I am currently living.  This is DEFINITELY worth 3 minutes of your time.  Please be praying for Canaan and that Samaritan's Purse would adopt them or we would find someone who has access to a plane.  THIS COUNTRY IS IN GREAT NEED...WATCH THIS VIDEO AND CHOOSE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!  For donations, please visit: http://www.canaanorphanage.org - for immediate questions and ways to get involved, please contact me or join our group on facebook - Pray for Haiti & Canaan Orphanage.  THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE GIVEN.  WE CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU!  WE HAVE RAISED CLOSE TO $50,000!!!!

I wanted all who read this blog to see a letter being sent to former and current donors of Canaan Orphanage.  The most important report is that three Canaan kids that were in Port during quake have been located and are safe and ok.  THANK YOU JESUS!  Second of all, THANK YOU to all who have given generously over the last few days.  Since, the crisis occurred 3 days ago we have raised $15,000 at our website - this does not include the amounts that we know are en route via snail mail.  We have had US Army Black Hawk Helicopters approved to deliver aid to Canaan tomorrow and evacuate some of our US team (3 college students).  We also have one of Canaan's Doctors slotted to land in Port-au-Prince tomorrow morning.  Pray for all of these details to occur and happen smoothly, as well as Sister Gladys (Director of Orphanage) to make her way back to Haiti from Santo Domingo, where she has been stuck since the Earthquake occurred.  At this point I am telling you most of the letter, so I will stop and allow you to read.  I promise to keep you informed of our efforts.  At this time we are unaware of what that will look like and where we will be involved.  I can assure you we WILL BE HELPING in whatever way we are needed and can.  We can assure you funds will go to those we trust on the ground, who know the most immediate needs.  Below the letter, I have included two videos about Canaan Orphanage.  One of the videos was made last February when my world race team spent time there.  The other one is made by friends of mine who run the Haiti Nutrition Project.  God is doing big things at Canaan Orphanage and I have no doubt they will be a light of Christ to this nation during this time.  The man who helped start the non-profit side of Canaan Orphanage, Chris Hlavacek once reminded me in a tense situation that "you can't change the circumstance or situation...what matters is how you respond."  It is our time to respond and give them the aid that they need and the prayers that they need...what we CHOOSE to do matters.  The Canaan family is eager and ready to help!  Keep reading please...

 

Galatians 6:9-10 ~ "So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people ..."

Dear Friends of Canaan Community,

If you are receiving this letter, at some time you have partnered with us in our work at Canaan Community. We come to you today with a heavy heart.  Everyone in the world has seen the horrific images coming out of Haiti. This earthquake registering 7.0 has ravished the country, leaving Port-au-Prince in shambles, thousands dead, and close to one million people homeless. Haiti has always been a country with many needs and now they need us, the body of Christ, more than ever.

As you may know, Canaan did not suffer any damage from the earthquake. Three of our children were in Port-Au-Prince, but survived by the grace of God. We prayed and waited for news, and slowly, it came back that they were all safe. However, some of the family members of the children here have been lost. Our hearts are broken for them. 

Last year Hurricane Hanna left parts of the country in despair. We handed out food and medicine from the $15,000 you gave.  As of the time of this writing, our website has collected approximately $12,000 to help in the relief efforts.

It is impossible to know how we might be called to serve in the coming months. By the time you receive this letter, one of Canaan's doctors from the US will have arrived in Haiti with his medical team. We anticipate people coming to stay in Canaan as they migrate north. Our main concern will be money for food, fuel and medicine. Port-Au-Prince is the financial and political center of the country. With it in shambles, what will happen to the Haitian economy? What will the next few months or the next few years entail? We are writing to ask for your help. 

God is working through this place. Canaan has a fully established medical clinic with nurses on the ground and doctors rotating through on a monthly basis. We have a malnutrition clinic that has served over 400 babies through the Medika Mamba program. One of our children is attending college (Erve Joseph) in the US. We have several students earning their GEDS. We have 90 children that are being loved every day. Please continue to pray for our team as we deal with the emotional trauma and the devastation consuming this country.  Pray for wisdom as we begin to help, serve, clean up, find loved ones and bring aid and healing to our people.

Canaan is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  All donations can be given online through paypal at http://www.canaanorphanage.org.  If you would prefer to send a check, you can use the self-addressed envelope included with this letter.  We will continue to update our efforts, upcoming relief trips and stories of how God moves in the midst of this tragedy online at http://www.canaanorphange.org and http://www.haitinutritionproject.org/blog/. Thank you for your support of this ministry. Thank you for your prayers.  God help Haiti.

 To God be the Glory, Your Family at Canaan

 

 

If you have followed my blog you know i have a heart Haiti and have spent a significant amount of time there.  What you may have not known is I am planning to return in 6 weeks and now hope to return sooner.  Despite the tragedies that have occurred in the last 24 hours I have every intention of still going at the end of February and if I can come up with the money to get there and put a team together I will go sooner.  Here is an email you will probably be receiving if I have your email, but just in case I knew this blog would hit a lot of people.  Please pray about helping.  Please pray for this country and these people.  Please pray for God to move in a mighty way in the midst of this tragedy and for people to turn to Him.  God is in control, I believe that...and He will be glorified in this mess.  Contact me with any questions via the email me link on the left.  Read how you can help below.

Hi Friends & Family,
If you are in my address book, you are receiving this email.  If you would like to help, I will give you a few ways you can as well as update you on my current situation.  I am sure by now you have heard of the tragedy that took place yesterday in Haiti.  The capital Port-au-Prince where approximately 2,000,000 people live has been destroyed.  It is truly heartbreaking, whether you have spent time in the country or not.  Some of you received an email a couple weeks sharing about an upcoming trip I am taking to Haiti in February.  This trip is still scheduled and if I can get there earlier to help then I will do so.  As long as a plane will land I have every intent of going.  I am currently unemployed and in in transit so whatever I can do to help this country and people I love, I will.  Unfortunately, being unemployed limits my ability to help financially so that is where I need you to help.  I am sending this email to 700 people.  If everyone gave $10, that would be $7000 towards relief efforts.  Let's be honest..$10 is one meal at Panera, I'm broke and I can afford that.  I think the pictures all over the web and facebook will give you the motivation to do so.  (Click here to see the one on my facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3835952&l=8ea943f420&id=502501431) There are two ways you can go about helping.  Keep reading.



The reports from Canaan are good.  They are safe.  There were 3 kids that I know of who were in Port that they have been unable to get in contact with.  All cells in Haiti are down.  Pastor Henry has also had no contact with his family, who all lives in Port. This morning Pastor Henry and Elsie went in to Port to try to find them.  Please pray for Pascal, Stepenson and Yolnide...as well as many former Canaanites and their families who live in PAP.  I have also received updates from Dony St. Germain and the orphanage connected with Christ Covenant.  They are pretty far from Port and reports are good.  Some damage, but not devestating. 

This country needs are help.  Even $5 makes a difference.  Thank you for reading this. God is in control and He will help His people. 

Peace-Liz

PS - If you live in the Charlotte area, please keep reading:  Two needs:  Going to try and collect extra supplies to take down in Feb.  If you have medical supplies or clothes you would like to donate, please contact me via email.  I will be back in Charlotte on Feb 2nd.  Also, this is a request outside of Haiti.  I am really in need of a truck or suburban to move stuff to NJ.  The rental trucks are outrageously priced for my current financial situation.  If you can help or know someone that can, please let me know.  Looking to move stuff in Feb or early March.  Can give a honda accord in exchange for a truck.  THANKS!

Well, I have officially been on US soil for 2 weeks tomorrow and it has been a whirlwind.  I have seen more people then I ever could have imagined.  I met my adorable nephew (who I instantly fell in love with), I spent Thanksgiving with my family, I had a beauty and shopping day in Atlantic City with my mom, I went to an Eagles/Redskins game with HS friends, have eaten buffalo chicken almost daily and then I arrived in the place I consider home on Wednesday, Charlotte, North Carolina.  As we drove home from the airport, everything was familiar: familiar streets, familiar places, familiar clothes and belongings and many familiar faces. 

 

I was home finally, but to be honest, I knew I really wasn't. I am only visiting NC for a short time because I know God is calling me somewhere else.  But that won't be home either.  The 15 countries I spent significant time in this year aren't home.  Maybe I am making sense, maybe I'm not, so I will explain.  I can't put this year into words yet, but one thing I can tell you is I learned a ton about my identity in Christ and who I am.  This world is not my home.  I am a stranger here, "God's elect" as Peter would say and I am here for a time and purpose to love and serve those whom God puts in my path.  I assure I won't do it perfectly, but I can promise you it is how I will strive to live the rest of my life.  There is a song a that describes some of what I'm feeling right now.  It talks about how Jesus' love has come one step closer and how He will never let me go.  It talks about how He has won me over...He has completely.  It talks about how nothing compares to His beauty and declaring His love.  That is what I want my life to be about.  It's called, "Beauty of the Lord" and you can click here to go listen to it...it's worth your time, I promise.  I personally think my friend Hollis Lewis sings it way better, but she would destroy me if I put the recording I have of her and the H-Squad up. 

 

Continuing...top 3 questions I have been asked: 1) How was your trip?  2)  What is next?  3) What is your favorite country?  I will shoot straight, the only question I can answer is my favorite country and you will actually get 3 or 4 countries...I really loved Europe and Botswana :)  These questions are hard to answer.  The World Race wasn't a trip...it was my life for a year.  The best way I can explain it, is if you have an hour I can show you a video of pictures and clips I made of my team, who was my family and as we watch I will tell stories prompted by pictures, their faces and memories.  I am sure if we sit down for coffee or a meal and you ask questions I will share things I've learned.  What's next?  I don't know.  I'll give you a quote from one of my favorite authors, Brennan Manning, that kind of explains where I am at.  "The way of trust is a movement into obscurity, into the undefined, into ambiguity, not into some predetermined, clearly delineated plan for the future. The next step discloses itself only out of a discernment of God acting in the desert of the present moment. The reality of naked trust is the life of the pilgrim who leaves what is nailed down, obvious, and secure, and walks into the unknown without any rational explanation to justify the decision or guarantee the future. Why? Because God has signaled the movement and offered it his presence and his promise."  I am waiting on the Lord with this one.  I have some dreams and I have some leads, but I don't know how it will all unfold.  I'll share some of that when we sit down face to face.  Please be patient with me, please continue to pray for me and the 51 others that traveled the world with me as we transition "home" and look to God for our next steps.  Pray that we would cling tightly to truth and trust Him with reckless faith.  I cannot wait to see you all.  Be looking for something in the mail in the next few weeks!  Oh and I am going to continue to blog at http://lizfroba.blogspot.com.  So please keep reading, following and praying for the Lord's work in my life!

 

Here is a snapshot of the next couple months: (If I'm in your area and you want to see me, call me.  There are a lot of people I want to see and I may not think to call you all...please call, I do want to see you, my cell is the same as when I left.)

-Charlotte, NC - Dec 2-16th

-Making my way to NJ with visits along the way - Dec 16-21st

-Christmas with the fam - Dec 21st-28th

 -Charlotte, NC - Dec 28th-Jan 4th

 -San Francisco, CA - Jan 4th-Feb 2

-February - a week or 2 in Charlotte and then move to South Jersey/Philadelphia Area

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(This was and still is my family from the last year!!  Please continue to pray for us!)

Final...that has been a frequent word in my vocabulary this last week.  I have been enjoying Vienna, Austria, but mostly I have been enjoying the 52 members of my family I have traveled the world with this last year.  It is absolutely mind boggling to think we only have three days left together and one of them will be in the air.  There were days I never thought this year would end and the last couple months have flown by.  It is no lie and you can probably tell from my blogs I have fallen in love with every aspect of Europe.  And many have already started the questions of what's next?  Where are you going to live?  What are you going to do?  Those are great questions and to be honest, at this moment I can't and don't want to answer them.  I have seen the world this year, my heart has broken and my life has been forever changed.  I am not the same women I was when I left and I know and understand my heart and who I am in Christ better than I ever have.  I am in love with my Father and whether I work in full time ministry or the business world for the rest of my life, I can promise you what I do will be about Him.  I listen for His voice and I do my best to obey.  Life is just different.  So with that said, I cannot wait to see you all and I have PLENTY of stories to share.  I have stories that will make you laugh, stories that will make you cry and stories that will make you rejoice in the God that we love and serve.  I will be in NJ for Thanksgiving week with my family (and my precious 9 month old nephew Billy) and then in NC from December 2-20th or so.  My cell is the same as when I left or you can drop me a line if you want to hang out.  After that the only plan I have is to travel a little in the states and then move to the South Jersey/Philadelphia area to be near my family.  Other than that I have no plans, just prayers and dreams.  My dreams are big though and I am confident God is going to show me when, where and how they will all play out.  I really just want to enjoy the holidays with family and friends and not think much about the future.  I welcome any prayers and words of wisdom you might have to offer.

 

 

Here is a video from our last month on the race.  Our team was split up a little and Ash and Kris were in Berlin participating in a worship ministry and the rest of us traveled Europe and built future contacts for the World Race.  Shannon captures their month a little as well on this video.  So give props and a big thanks to Shannon for all these videos and sit back and enjoy a glimpse of what God is doing in Poland, Germany, & Czech Republic!  Thank you for all of your supports & prayers this year!  I look forward to seeing you soon!  PEACE.

 

Here I sit at 12:30am in the home of a Scottish family here in the Czech Republic.  The Clarke's are one of the many blessings we have experienced this month.  It is the night before we head to Vienna for our last week on the field.  Next week at this time I will be on a plane in route to JFK, which seems surreal.  I have fallen in love yet again with another European city.  Prague is gorgeous...the art, the culture, the history, the parks, the cathedrals, the people...everywhere I look I see beauty.  I think I was made to live in Europe.   I can assure you I will be revisiting books and movies on the Holocaust and Communism upon my return.  My heart is breaking for this continent and I believe I will return here one day.  For now let me tell you a little bit about the people I have met this week and what God is doing here in Prague. (Forgive me, we've met A LOT of people).

 

First, meet Phil Davis.  Phil is the Pastor of Faith Community Church and he lives here with his wife Shanna and their 3 children, Lucy, Clark & Piper.  Phil was our original contact here through friends of mine back in Charlotte.  Though we had never met till a week ago, we know a lot of the same people and in my book that makes us friends.  Phil is a man of God and a natural networker.  He connected us with tons of ministries here in Prague to meet with and found us a place to stay for free.  Click here to read more about his church.

 

Next, meet David & Daniel.  They are currently managers of the Czech Inn Hostel/Hotel here in Prague and they are set to open their own hostel, Mosaic House in Spring 2010.  There story of how this all came to fruition is pretty amazing.  Their dream and how they have sought after it and God has blessed them gave me a lot of hope personally to follow my own dreams.  Sometimes I am so quick to give up on dreams.  These guys inspired me and I love their heart to minister through this place.  They don't want to do it in a way that shoves the gospel down people's throats, but they are about the gospel and people coming to know Christ.  Their life is their ministry and they intend to live it out with their staff and guests of Mosaic House.  Click here to check out Czech Inn and click here for Mosaic House.  These are definitely the places to stay if you come and visit Prague!

 

After that we met with Scott Koch.  Scott is an independent missionary here in Prague.  He formerly resided in Nashville, TN and managed Audio Adrenaline.  The past few years he has been in Prague reaching out to the solicitors and prostitutes.  Scott is in this world and pursuing people.  He shared his heart for leadership development and making people believe in their worth and value.  Scott was intentional and I believe that is an attribute God uses.  It is a unique call to do ministry in brothels.  I have a lot of respect for this man and believe God is going to do big things through him. 

 

Next their is Laurie Barnes and I believe this woman knows every missionary in Prague. Her husband and her moved here a few years ago and started a Christian Library.  They have over 5,500 resources in Czech and English.  It's a pretty sweet place.  She is a networker and knows EVERYTHING and EVERYONE here in Prague.  She is a great resource and connecting point and has a HUGE heart for the Lord.  Click here to learn about their ministry.

 

At this point in our week the reunions began as I met people who knew friends from back home.  Again I am amazed at the body of Christ and how we are all interconnected in different ways.  We got to sit down and talk with Tim Lyle who is professional basketball player here in the Czech.  His wife and him have been here for about four years.  She teaches at Riverside Christian School and he works with Athletes in Action.  Tim looks A LOT like Keith Dickerson from Charlotte.  It was weird...feel free to comment if you agree.

 

Our last meeting was with Martin & Jane Hasik who serve with Young Life International here.  This was one of my favorite meetings because Martin is Czech so I not only learned about their ministry, but I learned more about the culture, the people and communism.  They are doing life with people and that is ministry.  They have a big heart for the families and HS kids living right in their building.  I have definitely learned about living your life as a ministry this year.  Young Life might look different here from the states, but it is about relationships and Christ bottom line.  How it is done doesn't really matter in my mind.  God is using this couple immensely here in Prague.  We heard about them all over the place before finally getting to sit down with them.  It was a privilege.  Click here to read about their ministry.

 

 It has been yet another AMAZING week!  I have been humbled, encouraged, broken, challenged and met some pretty quality people.  There are too many to list honestly.  We were able to get involved with some hands on ministry with Teen Challenge, as well as prayer walking the famous Wencsias Square.  This square is covered with Caberet's and solicitor's.  It was heartbreaking and eye opening.  My teammate Blair wrote an incredible poem from that night that I think everyone should read.  Please click here to go to her blog and read it.  We were able to share at International Church of Prague and their Pastor was very excited about the World Race.  And finally we were able to reunite with our teammates who had spent the month in Berlin and that was great!  Tomorrow morning we head to Vienna.  It will be an amazing, yet emotional week.  Please keep us in your prayers as we celebrate and rejoice in all the Lord has done and at the same time say goodbye to the family we have traveled the world with this year!!  I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU ALL IN ONE WEEK!!!!!

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(apparently touching this gold means we're coming back!!!)

 

(this is Jen Nolan (Riverside School) who we stayed with some)     

I am sitting in KFC in Prague, Czech Republic after spending last week in Germany and I am speechless.  I have seen God show up, bless us and provide in more ways then I could ever ask for or imagine.  Germany became our first destination when we prayed about our ATL month because my mom told me about a cousin's cousin who owned a bed and breakfast in a small village near the Czech border who wanted us to come and stay.  We began to pray about ministry contacts in Germany and here's where God led us. 

 

Meet Robert & Bethany Millar serving with Young Life College in Munich, Germany.  They both have incredible hearts for the Lord and a desire to reach University Students in Munich for Christ.  University is very prestigous in Munich and really most of Europe.  It has a different focus then the states and not everyone just goes.  It is taken very serious and intellectualism is a HUGE battle.  Robert is a Northern Ireland native and Bethany is from St. Louis, but they have both spent the last 7 years in Munich serving in various ministries. They are definitely gifted at relational ministry and perfect for Young Life Staff.  Their hearts and lives are committed to the people of this city and I believe God is going to do big things through them.  If you would like to learn more about their ministry please visit Young Life Mid-European Region.

 

Next meet Michael Dean.  He also is serving with Young Life in the International Schools.  He is a Charlotte, NC native and graduated from SMU in Dallas, TX.  He has been in Munich for 3 years and just signed up for 2 more.  He has a big heart for the Lord and HS kids.  He reminded me of many friends back home serving on YL staff.  His picture alone can show you his personality and ability to connect with kids of all ages. Click here to learn more about what he is doing in Germany.

 

During our time there we also had the chance to meet with a Pastor Matthias Lohmann from the Evangelical Free Church in Munich.  He shared astounding statistics about the lack of evangelical Christians in Munich; in a city of 1.2 million there are only about 5000 evangelicals.  We only spent an hour with this man, but it was clear that he is a mover and shaker and desires to bring Christ to this city.  I am confident God is going to use this man to preach truth and reach many people in this city. 

 

 

And last but not least I need to mention Julia Graf.  This women in my opinion could've joined Team B.L.I.N.G.  We absolutely loved her.  She opened her apartment to us and treated us like family.  She was sick the entire time we were there and because of that we got to see her a ton!  She serves as a volunteer for Young Life and is a full time nanny as a job.  She has lived all over the world and is super fun to be around.  And she makes me laugh A LOT.  We are so thankful for her and that the Lord allowed our paths to cross.

 

 

 

 

After our week in Munich, thanks to my mom, we were dropped in World Race heaven in a small village: Lam, Germany.  We spent the weekend at a beautiful bed and breakfast where we were completely spoiled and treated like queens.  King sized beds, our own bathrooms, chocolate on our pillows and plates, endless supplies of soft pretzels and lots of good food.  It was amazing!  We saw a few more cities in Germany and were blessed with great company by Andreas! (please see pic below with Andreas on our visit to Regensburg) 

 

 

Yesterday we took a train to Prague, Czech Republic and will be here for one week.  We are working with a man named Phil Davis from Charlotte, NC who knows many of my friends back home. Phil is the Pastor of Faith Community International Church and I think he knows everyone in the city.  We have tons of people to connect with this week and I think it's going to be great.  There is a lot of kingdom work going on in Prague.  In my opinion, both Prague and Munich are great future stopping points for World Racers.  Please continue to pray for us!  I can't even believe that 2 weeks from today I will be in the States!  Thanks for your support!

 

So I know it's kind of ridiculous that I keep writing blogs off of Grey's Anatomy, but the writer's have some valid, good thoughts that are speaking to me so I figured why not.  The episode I just watched was unlike any Grey's I have ever seen. The entire show was looking back over the case of a patient to see who in the chaos of the ER was responsible for their death.  It felt like a crime scene investigation and the purpose was to find out what in the world happened and ultimately the truth.  No one wanted to own the mess or admit their faults out of fear of losing their job.  My favorite thing about Greys Anatomy and why I continue to watch this show is Meredith Grey's closing thoughts.  As this episode closed here is what she said:  "When we're headed toward an outcome that's too horrible to face, that's when we go looking for a second opinion.  And sometimes the answer we get just confirms our worst fears.  But sometimes it can shed new light on the problem and make you see it in a whole new way.  After all the opinions have been heard and every point of view has been considered you finally find what you were after, the truth."

 

Now you may be wondering where I'm going with this blog.  You may be even thinking what is so horrible that I don't want to face it?  Truthfully, there isn't anything horrible in my life right now.  Life is good, I have had an amazing year.  I traveled around the world literally and been a part of God's work on 4 different continents.  I am more at peace and feel more joy in my life than I ever have.  I am in love with the Lord and I want my life to be about Him and pleasing to Him in every way.  However, something that is coming is another big transition.  I hate the word transition.  It is an evil word.  Even after moving every three weeks this year, I don't like transition.  It is scary and unknown what will come of it.  I mean don't get me wrong, I know that transition and change is good and it causes growth, but I still don't enjoy it.  For the last 2 months I have sought numerous opinions regarding my future.  I have sought the Lord and wrestled with Him.  I have sought opinions from trusted family and friends.  I have sought opinions and discussed my future with godly missionaries I have met all over the place.  God has spoken truth to me through them.  This past week God revealed how much I fear commitment.  This was something I have known, but as I have discussed this transition and re-entry it has confirmed my worst fear.  For many reasons, I am scared to commit to anything overseas beyond a year.  I am afraid of what that will mean and what dreams I may sacrifice in that commitment.  It has shown me how much I still desire to control things and how little I trust God at times.  At the same time light has been shed and I am glad I can verbalize these fears.  I am thankful for the new ways God is allowing me to see and deal with things.  At the end of day, TRUTH is what I want, His will for my life is what I want, He is what I want and nothing else really matters.  I know that I know if I seek Him the rest will fall into place.

 

I loved how Meredith closed out this episode.  She said, "But the truth isn't where it end, that's just where you begin again with a whole new set of questions."  I am confident God will show me  where I need to be next year and the years to follow.  I believe He will walk with me through the transition. And I know that I will still have questions.  It will be a different set of questions, but there will be questions.  God has a plan I know that.  He has determined and guided my path for the last 30 years.  It has been a pretty amazing journey with many ups and downs.  I have faced tragedy and dealt with loss.  I have experienced joy and I have felt pain.  I have seen the world and served amongst the poorest and richest of His people.  Through every experience I have learned, grown and become the women He created me to be.  In Isaiah 30:21 he says, "Whether you turn to the right or the left your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.'"  Until I hear that voice clearly in regards to my future, I will continue to seek Him with all my heart and I will keep saying, "Here I am, send me!"  When it is clear, I will walk and continue to ask questions along the way. 

Quick Update:  For those of you who saw part 1 of Stephen's testimony on my blog...click here for the rest.  It is at the end of this video.  Enjoy!  We are safe in Munich, Germany and loving it!  We have been spending a lot of the time with the Young Life staff here and it is great.  God is doing big things through them in Munich!  There is so much history all over the place and I think I was born to live in a city.  Your prayers are felt, so please keep praying!  We head to a little village, Lam, Germany on Thursday to see a family friend.  Then we will head to Prague, Czech Republic on Monday.  Time is flying by!!!

(Caleb & Noah from the Czech Republic - just b/c I know they want to be famous!)

Four days ago I boarded a train in Kyiv, Ukraine and my mind is scattered thinking of how I can tell you about all the incredible things that have happened, God's provision and people I have met since Monday.  I rode on a train from Kyiv to L'viv and met some funny Ukranian men (please see Day 1 video for more).  I met up with some friends in L'viv that work for Mission To The World, who bought our tickets and grabbed dinner with us.  I rode a midnight train to Krakow, which Blair named the Polish Express. At the 11th hour God gave us a free place to stay in Krakow with this sweet girl Lee G, who works for IMB and is just fun.  Our friend Jeremy with Compass International who we have only known about a week set all of this up.  We were able to visit Auschwitz and learn about the tragedy that occurred there during the Holocaust.  We found an amazing cookie shop owned by missionaries. Click here to check out 'More Than A Cookie'.  We then moved an hour outside of Krakow with Dan, Laura & Jacob Hash from Josiah Venture.  Last night we met friends of theirs, Greg & Erin who work with Kings Kids, a ministry off of YWAM.  Tonight we are going to a Sports Outreach with some of their other friends.  I am currently sitting on a king-sized bed in Katowice, Poland in their home and I am forgetting where I am.  Tomorrow I will get on a plane to Munich, Germany where I get to see Young Life, a ministry that has impacted my life greatly.  Is this a dream?  Am I really getting to see all this work going on in Europe to further the Kingdom of God? People say Europe is a dark place and I believe them, but God is moving in this dark place and there are people all over the place doing His work!  Read below about some of this work!

 

In the picture to the left meet Jeremy and Lee.  They are full time missionaries in Krakow, Poland working with IMB and Compass International.  Click here to see Compass's website and click here to see videos of what they are doing.  Lee does a lot of the media side of the ministry and Jeremy works with and plays on the American football team.  The heart behind all they are doing is to make disciples of Christ.  They are both involved in Bible studies and various forms of discipleship and reaching out to the people of Krakow.  Krakow is a SWEET city and we had a blast spending time with them and hearing their stories.  Please pray for these two and their ministry in Krakow, Poland.

 

We are currently staying with Dan, Laura & Jacob Hash with Josiah Venture.  Josaih Venture's mission is "to equip young leaders throughout Eastern Europe to fulfill Christ's commission through the local church."  The Hash's have been in Poland for over 15 years and their ministry is solid and established.  In less than an hour of conversation it was clear this family is on fire for God and how their heart beats for young people to know the gospel.  If I ever come back to Poland I will for sure visit them. Click here to see Josiah Venture's web page and click here to read the Hash's personal blog.  Please pray for their ministry in Katowice, Poland.

Also in Katowice, we got to spend the evening with Greg, Erin and their two beautiful little girls.  They work with a ministry called Kings Kids through Youth With A Mission.  Erin is originally from Alabama, but Greg grew up in Poland in this very city.  Their ministry is a continuation of something started from Greg's family many years ago.  It involves English clubs, Hip hop classes, Bible studies and much more.  You can visit this blog to learn more about what King's Kids is doing here in Katowice.  Last night we were able to participate in one of their English clubs and share about our year.  Please pray for their ministry also!

 

As you can see, we have been really busy!!  The busyness continues and tomorrow we fly from Poland to Germany.  I am in love with this month because we are simply hearing stories of God at work and getting to share our own.  Please pray for safe travels and an extra dose of energy.  Pray for health too as some of us are fighting off sickness.  If you are really bored and want to be entertained, click on the links below.  These are daily videos we have been sending to the two BLING members, Kristen and Ashley that are apart from us.  They are quite humorous & informative in my opinion!  Thanks for your prayers!!!  Stateside in 24 days, I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!!  Oh and most importantly, GO PHILLIES!!!!!!!

 

Day Two -  Krakow, Poland

Day Four - Saying goodbye to Krakow & and part 1 of an amazing testimony