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Anywhere But Africa God! April 30, 2007 By Amberle Kaiser
It’s been a little over five years since that night at the altar where God gave me that first glimpse of what was to come. I started feeling a tug toward missions. I didn’t understand it and, quite honestly, it scared me to death, so I denied it. I prayed for God’s will and His understanding. I also secretly prayed for Him not to send me to Africa—I’d go anywhere, but there. (They have snakes and spiders! Big ones!)
Slowly, God started to open my mind and my abilities. I started to have dreams about children, specifically AIDS orphans, and Africa. I knew in my heart God was calling me to Africa, but I still fought it with everything I had. I said if He would just let me go somewhere else first, just maybe I could build up to somewhere like Africa.
Fast Forward to 2006 Last year, I sat at the altar praying harder than I had for a long time, interceding for something I couldn’t quite get my mind around. I was so confused, but God had laid it on my heart and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something bigger was coming. I was told that night that this Summer I’d be in Africa.
Realizing I couldn’t escape the calling, one week later I applied for a missions trip to Ghana, West Africa not quite sure if it was the right thing to do, but knowing I wanted to go.
I prayed for a month while awaiting a response as to whether or not I’d be accepted. I started praying, “God, if this is what You want for me, open the door and I’ll go, but You’ll have to be there, too, because this is not within my ability, and I am really scared. But, if you’ll make a way, I’ll go anywhere You lead me.”
Two weeks later, I was accepted and my journey began. I am leaving in five weeks to go to Ghana for two months to help establish a church in the capital city of Accra. Sounds cool, right?
Still Too Many Questions As I sit here typing this, many different questions are still going through my mind:
And the biggest questions of all: Why did He choose me? Why does He trust me so much?
I know the simple answer to this is: “God always supplies,” and “Whom He calls He also qualifies.” But let me tell you, it’s very hard when you take a look at your budget (almost $7,000) and know how much money you make (I work at a fast-food restaurant). Okay, He can do this, but how?
Unexpected Encouragement It has amazed me how God has worked through people to encourage me through all of this. Sometimes it has been little things like my mom telling me she’s proud of me or that I can do it. Sometimes it’s just a hand on my shoulder when I am up at the altar with tears pouring down my face because I am overwhelmed and scared to death. Sometimes it’s bigger things, like my Home Friendship Group (my church breaks up into groups for the midweek service), pitching together for a yard sale that raised about $1,200 for my trip. Or when I was at my weakest point, thinking this had all been just a big mistake, someone donating $1,000 toward my trip. Or when I got an email from a friend telling me that while she was in a class at the Bible school learning about listening for God’s voice, she heard clearly, “Ghana, Amberle, Ghana.”
Are You Scared, Too? My purpose in writing this is to reach out to someone else who is scared about God’s calling for you. Maybe you know in your heart where God wants you, or maybe you just have a little piece to the puzzle, but it is scaring you to death. Remember: you are not alone.
I have gotten over the worry of, “Is this what He really wants for me?” However, I am still struggling with fear of what’s to come. I’ve learned that sometimes the biggest step God wants you to take is the one that drops you, not over a cliff, but straight into His will.
This has been the scariest thing I have ever (almost) done, but also the most rewarding, and it’s only the beginning. I haven’t even left the States yet and He is already preparing me! I know that God has great things in store for Ghana, and for all of those involved with this trip.
Be encouraged! God’s call for you may not be easy, but, I promise you, it’ll be worth it.
(Editor’s Note: Donations to Amberle’s trip can be made through her home church.)
ninetyandnine.com
© 2007, Amberle Kaiser
--------- Amberle
Kaiser is a member of New Life Center in Bridgeton, Missouri. Currently she
is working on her budget for an AIM trip to Africa. She comes off as shy, but
secretly she has a goofy side a lot of people never see.
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