day 1, day 2.

Hello friends, parents, loved ones, and curious onlookers—we are still alive.

Wifi wasn’t working last night, and I’m sorry for the short delay, but I wanted to catch you up a little bit on what’s happened on our first full day. So far the effects of the African environment on our Georgian bodies have been survivable, but definitely unfamiliar. There was a moment this morning when we all looked down at our toes and could barely recognize them for the swelling. Kayla and I spent some time trying to shove our fat feet into our Chacos, then burst into laughter at the sight of them. Tonight, a couple of the girls are puzzling over the spotty heat rash on their arms—a result of our overwhelmed bodies trying to cope with the 100% humidity we’ve stepped into. More seriously, some have had stomach pains or digestive issues, and over all of this we ask for your prayers. Side effects of traveling 30 hours across the planet can be both humorous and horrible—I’ll try to keep you up to date on those.

Yesterday was our resting day, and yet it was a whirlwind of experiences that I have no idea how I’m going to convey. We walked down the road early in the day, led by our guide Florence, to meet some of the families who live near the compound. That was a fantastic way to start the way. Children who are too young to have ever seen a white person before were sprinting from our presence, screaming and with tears in their eyes. Not exactly a welcoming party. On the other hand, some of the older kids were happy to meet and greet us, and Jeremiah and Dimitri made fast friends with their soccer (football!) skills.

Later we traveled over an hour away to Marshall, an important location in the history of Liberia. We stood with our feet in the sand where freed American slaves had landed during the abolition process, trying to take it all in. Really, the most marking thing about Marshall to me was the lifestyle of the people who are there. Children chased us through the streets wearing mostly nothing, their bellies rounded and jutting out from malnutrition. We played with them by the ocean, trying to break the communication barriers with laughter and silliness. Even though most people here speak Liberian English, the dialect is so unique that it is nearly another language itself, and so it can be difficult for us to fully comprehend one another. When I sat down in the sand, though, and started to bury the feet of three little boys, an unspoken welcomeness was there that just made me want to dance! Eventually, they were all burying my feet and laughing hysterically as I pretended to be stuck forever. We never spoke, but we did play. That seems to be the pattern so far.

It struck me as we walked back across the bridge into the village that while we would travel back to our compound and fill our bellies with beautiful Liberian food, these people would stay in their world, and what could I do to change that world? We are told not to think of ourselves as teachers, but as the ones who are coming to learn. I’m struggling to settle into that mentality—I know that there is hope for Liberia, even if we have to leave without seeing it happen before our eyes. Dimitri said during our debrief the other night, “I need to believe that there is hope for Liberia before I tell these people that there is hope. I can see it now.”

What wisdom. Pray that we all see it, and that we bring hearts full of it to the people that we meet.

Today, we went to Greater Love Bible Baptist Church, where Pastor Wesley has opened a radio station and medical clinic in addition to the church itself. While the rest of the team lifted concrete blocks for the security wall being built around the church, Dimitri, Amy and myself were asked to take a field trip to the recording studio. We spent about an hour there recording promo messages for the church that will be on the radio sometime in the near future. Dimitri so kindly informed Pastor Wesley that I am a singer, thereby entitling me to a number 1 spot on the Liberian charts. I came up with a jingle on the spot and we recorded it then and there—after I convinced my voice to stop shaking. It was nerve wracking, but fun. At least I wasn’t hauling concrete, right? :)

We spent most of the rest of the day there at Greater Love, hanging out with the wonderful people there and playing with the kids in the street. The graciousness of our hosts here in Liberia continues to overwhelm us completely—there is no end to the good food and luxury that they pour out on us. They thank us often, and it’s humbling to think how truly we ought to be grateful to them. We do say thank you often, but I pray that gratitude would overwhelm our hearts in ways we have not yet seen or felt.

I’m sorry there are so few pictures for you to see... believe me, we are taking them! The wifi is such a luxury here, but it’s not quite speedy enough to really get many pictures through. Sorry, too, that this is so long. For those of you who like to skip to the end, here are the main things you should know...

- We are still overwhelmed by things we see, but are trying to jump in and get involved with the people in spite of our uncertainties.

- We are healthy, busy, and having a great time.

- There aren’t actually any mosquitoes during the day... stop worrying, Mom.

- Jet lag is wearing off, but still difficult. I took a nap today because I was so exhausted in the afternoon, but I may not sleep tonight. Pray for our bodies to adjust to our environment with supernatural speed.

- Everyone has had an “experience” so far. Meaning, everyone has a story to tell. Pray that the voice of God comes through free and clear across the thick African air and into our startled hearts—we need Him so deeply always. Pray that each of us finds time to be alone with Him every day.

And pray that we would be attentive to His voice, protected by His presence, surrendered to His heart for the people we meet.

Thank you for your prayers, for the comments left on the last entry, and for reading this lengthy post if you’re still here! It’s 12:13AM here and I need to be asleep soon. Tomorrow we’re going to the market and then party-hopping all day for New Years Eve! Imagine a New Year welcomed in with a deep breath of hot, humid air and the thick beat of Liberian music pounding in the background. Sounds right to me...

Happy New Year!

arrival!

We made it!

Currently, I am sitting in the host home where we will be staying for the next 10 days. Yes, I am finally on Liberian soil! After 30 hours worth of travel and transit, it feels wonderful to be at our destination rather than going towards it. Thank you for all of your prayers over our transportation--I'm not sure I'll be able to fully convey how much it means to know that we're covered so thoroughly, all the time. And believe me, we need it! Let me catch you up on the last 24 hours.

Immediately after the last blog was written, our plane was in the gate. Finally. The flight across the Atlantic went smoothly, excepting the fact that most of us hardly slept a wink, and we were still behind schedule due to the 2 hour delay. Upon our arrival in Brussels, we were told to run (yes, run) to the T69 gate if we wanted to avoid the 2 day wait for the next Monrovia flight. Security lines were long. Two of us got searched, for unknown reasons. When finally we were all released, things were absolutely down to the wire. We stood waiting in the empty gate, praying that God would somehow get us through. The plane was loaded, but there must have been fifteen others standing with us, wondering if we should start booking our 2 day stay in Belgium. Finally, the attendant looked at us and said "I'm not going to give you boarding passes... the gate is telling me to just let you through."

So, looking at each other in amazed relief, we boarded our plane. Just like that. Thank you God!

Even more amazing, perhaps, is that every single piece of our luggage came through, when only a few days ago, some of our teammates who came early didn't get a single bag. Thank you, again!

Now it is 11:32PM Liberia time, and we have all been fed a very gracious meal by our hosts, and are off to bed. Pray for our sleep, as we are time-zone disoriented, and also because it is so unbelievably hot here. I can't wait to tell you more about the country itself... I've been here only a few hours, and already my mind can't wrap itself around what I've heard and seen.

Love from Liberia (finally!),

Annie

The Waiting Game

I wish I could show you where I am right now. It’s nothing special really—bright blue carpet shielding concrete floors, rows of bench seating and sleepy people—but it just seems like how the beginning of a journey should feel. We’ve made it to the Chicago O’Hare airport, which means we have about 2 of our 18 hours of flying out of the way. A daunting amount of travel lies ahead of us, currently held out of our reach by the 2 hour delay on our connecting flight to Belgium. We arrived here around 2PM (Central), and continue to find ways to stay busy (and awake) until our flight at (tentatively) 7:10PM.

I guess that’s where the adventure feeling is coming from—something has already thrown a wrench in our plans. A 2 hour delay is, granted, not a big deal at all in the grand scheme of a 24 hour trip, but something about our whole team wandering around the infinite clusters of terminals and food courts has been more fun than just jumping from one flight to another. It’s a bonding experience, at the very least! Here are some glimpses of what’s happened so far...

PHOTOS!

photos by Amy Lyford

So, that’s the update for now. Thank you for keeping up with us already. Getting through security and all the technical details of our travels have been perfectly smooth so far—thank you God! We’ll just be playing cards and reading books and trying not to fall asleep until further notice.

Pray that we’ll be able to get this Belgiam plane in time to make it to our Monrovia flight at 12PM Brussels time (6AM Eastern, 7AM Central). Pray for patience with one another as we get sleepier and sleepier along the way, and pray that God would speak His purposes into each of our heart. It can be easy to get lost in to world of transit and forget the One whose love compels us; pray that He would minister to and through us even as we wait.

We love you all and I am so grateful for your prayers. When people tell me how admirable it is that I am going to be a missionary in Africa, I can’t help but think that really I am being given an enormous gift. To me, there is nobility in your steadfast support and prayers for this team. We know that God will shake everything that can be shaken when we pray—thank you for going before Him on our behalf! Can’t wait to tell you more as more takes place.

Love from Chicago,

Annie

anticipation.

Right now I am living in one of the best moments of the 365 days it takes us to get around the sun: Christmas eve- technically Christmas now, at 1:18AM- in the moments when I know the only thing left between me and tomorrow morning is a few hours of happy sleep. I've had more than my fill of the Chinese food that is tradition for my family every year, and I'm listening to the sleepy sound of rain outside my window. For me, this is sweet. Downstairs, there are people that love me and dogs that make me laugh, presents being wrapped and pies baking in the oven... does it get much better than this?

And yet something about the rain that is almost cold enough to be snow, the soft sound of it in the darkness, reminds me that there are so many people who aren't where I am. It hurts to think about it- how deep is the need in this world, and how many people are alone. Pray for the first one that comes to your mind as you read this... the lonely, or the sick, or the ones who have very little of very simple things: warmth, food, love.

I feel so rich in these Christmas Eve moments, anticipating even more of this goodness when I wake up in a few hours. For a couple of days now, Christmas has finally seemed to overshadow the preparations for our departure on the 27th. Until this week, it just seemed like December was being devoted to the list of things to do and prayers to pray before the end of the month. Now, it seems like the two events are happily co-existing, filling my heart with perhaps more anticipation than I know how to contain. Can all of this really be happening already?

On Saturday morning, our team came together along with some family and close friends to pray. How amazing to think that we had been in the same place only two weeks before, asking God to supply the thousands of dollars needed to make the trip possible! Our time together was so sweet and encouraging- and such a reminder of how close we are to take-off. Everything about this process of preparation has been unprecedentedly beautiful. Who I am this December is so much more alive and full of faith than the same time twelve months ago. I am grateful, and so thrilled, to be who and where I am right now, and I hope that all my team members could say the same.

That said, WE LEAVE ON SUNDAY. Here are some thoughts for your prayers...

Everyone should be starting their malaria medication by now. It seems like it's impossible to find one that doesn't have undesirable side effects of some kind, but pray that we would be the anomalous group of people who experience none whatsoever.

Luggage loss is unfortunately fairly common in the kind of international transit that we're going to be experiencing (or so I've heard). Pray that every bag makes it through along with every body!

We'll be in the sky for about 20 hours total, providing there are no delays in the air (in which case, longer); pray for safe travels and trustworthy pilots!

And pray that each of us would be attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit in us, keeping our hearts in line with His. It can be so easy to become very "me-oriented" when you're tired, hot, hungry, frazzled, or just sick of airports. Pray for unity of heart and mind and mission.

That's all for now! More will be coming very soon. I will be updating daily from the 27th through the 9th (providing that wifi is working well the whole time), so keep checking back to know what we're doing and how to pray. :)

just like Christmas!

Hello all! The last week has been filled with so many stories that would all be worth recounting here. Honestly, it is amazing to see what God has done. Since I have the privilege of being the primary blog author for this team, I'm giving you a full account of my experience from the last few days, but please know that there are dozens more where this came from. If you are on one of the missions teams, and you've got something to say, feel free to use the comment space to let everyone know your story as well. As for me, it went something like this...

We were sitting around a kitchen table last Sunday night when the numbers came in; maybe I was the only one, but there was tension in my hands as I unfolded the slip of paper I had been given. A month before, I had seen God pour in the hundreds of dollars needed to cover my airfare in just one week, bringing the grand total of my support to $2,446. Since then, letters had been written, prayers had been prayed—over a thousand dollars would need to come in for me to be in the clear, to know that I’d be boarding that plane to Africa in three short weeks. Hope rose within me and glimmered quietly behind my fear, waiting to see what I knew to be true: God is faithful, and He hears my prayers.

When I let my eyes fall to the number in front of me, I wasn’t prepared for what I saw. Everything happened in a moment; I don’t think anyone saw me flinch. Not a single new name had been added to the list—$2,446, printed in bold in the middle of the page, felt impossible in so many ways. The final deadline, I was told later on, was 2PM on Monday—the next day. Less than 24 hours away.

I quietly sank into my thoughts, realizing for the first time what it would mean if $1,000 didn’t land on my doorstep in the next 17 hours. Five months of preparation had been filled with more than I could have expected or known when I asked to be a part of a missionary team to Liberia, Africa. My heart swelled to think about it then, knowing that it could have been for nothing, that all my plans could be so easily changed. I looked around at the faces of my teammates, a steady stream of prayer and petition rising suddenly up out of my heart, and felt peace begin to take root where panic could have been. I knew then that somehow it didn’t matter what happened in the hours that were ahead of me—God’s heart toward me had not changed. I understood suddenly what it meant to have nothing to offer and everything to ask, and yet I was not afraid.

Walking out of the meeting that night marked the start of a whirlwind that consumed us—hundreds of missionaries and praying hearts—for the next 24 hours. I was not the only one in debt; tens of thousands of dollars were needed to fill the financial gap for every person on the four teams that had been assembled, and all under the pressure of the same rapidly approaching deadline. The hour that I drove back to my dorm was filled with the sound of my prayers and urgent phone calls rallying people to intercede.

To our amazement and delight, as we prayed, things began to happen. Empty-pocketed college students were finding the means needed to conquer financial giants, watching with astounded eyes as miracles fell all around them to the distinct sound of victory. I stood by in celebration, wondering when these wonders would land in my lap.

On Monday morning, my heart was filled with something I couldn’t quite explain—the steady glow of hope and anticipation as I waited with my hands open to see what God would do that day. And like a kid before Christmas, the waiting grew tiresome to my spirit. God can, I told myself, refusing to wonder what would happen if He didn’t.

At 1:40 in the afternoon, I stepped outside to walk and pray. My heart was quiet within me as I slowly covered the two-mile sidewalk that wraps around my school. By the time I set foot back on campus, though I didn’t know it yet, my prayers had been answered. With fifteen minutes left until the deadline, nearly a thousand dollars had arrived into the missions office with my name on it. I was told later that it came so quickly and from so many directions that the effect was overwhelming—much like how I felt when I found out that I was, definitely and without a doubt, fully provided for.

In the hours following 2 o’ clock, even the smallest remaining amount had been paid in full, not only for me but for every single person who had come up short only the evening before. In response to this news, celebration reverberated like a hallelujah chorus through the souls of hundreds who had waited and prayed. At church the next day, I found myself leaping or shouting or victory dancing in nearly all of my conversations; the eyes of so many shone with the joy of watching God’s hands move. It is a feeling like no other.

I wrote in my journal this morning, “It’s not knowing that I’m going to Africa that makes me want to dance—although that gets more thrilling by the day—it’s knowing and seeing that God heard me...”

Beth Moore said this of Him: “In the midnight hour or when you least expect it, God can turn it all around.” He can, and He will.

“How can I repay the Lord for all His acts of kindness to me? I will celebrate my deliverance and call on the Name of the Lord.” Psalm 116: 12-13, NLT.

counting down the days.

Someone please tell me something- can it really be November?

In addition to the fact that it was, in fact, 70 degrees outside today and breezy, it just seems impossible that the penultimate month of the year could be upon us already. Thanksgiving is peering in through the doorway with Christmas coming fast on her heels, and I still feel like I'm trying to wrap my head around the academic calendar again. Summer leaves slowly at first, with all of our vacations winding down into back-to-school shopping and final hurrahs at the pool, and then all of a sudden she's gone, the season has changed and autumn comes in to sweep us off our feet. While I am still reeling from the shock of that change, November is setting up camp in my front yard again, and she's bringing all the holidays with her. And in spite of the Christmas commercials now being crammed between re-runs of "It's a Wonderful Life," I just still can't believe it's already that time of year.

Similarly, about a week ago, the Liberia team gathered in Brent's living room and marveled over how quickly December the 27th is approaching. As we discussed our very flexible tentative schedule, I was reminded again that this is really happening. In 43 days, I will be taking three very long plane rides to arrive at my destination across the ocean, where I will spend 9 days living outside of anything I've ever experience before. I think all of us probably felt it a little, that nervous-but-thrilled feeling of getting close to something really huge, like when you're third from the front in the line for a roller coaster after waiting for two hours. Suddenly, you can just see yourself suspended 200 feet off the ground, upside down and nothing to keep you from falling, having the time of your life. That's when the butterflies invade your shivering stomach, and that's when your heart girds itself up in determination and says, like a battle cry, "Let's do this."

So, although maybe it doesn't seem quite that dramatic just yet, the trip is getting so close and I can feel the excitement building steadily. Sometimes it's hard to see past the stack of paperwork that stands between us and the Liberian border, but I believe we will all get there, and it will be worth every minute of preparation and more. And honestly, even the preparation can be pretty wonderful at times. If you scroll half-way down this page, you'll see the stories that God has been weaving in our team thus far. It's definitely worth checking out; there is nothing like being surprised by the beautiful nature of our God, especially as it is shown through the life stories of His kids.

For example.

Danielle, our co-leader, and I are on the dance team at 12Stone Church together. Last Monday, after our weekly meeting, we were standing in the room where we meet when suddenly Danielle starts jumping up and down and squealing. I, as you might expect, was slightly startled and extremely curious in response to her sudden effusion of happiness, and I tried to slow her down enough to understand what was going on. Between shouts of joy, she managed to tell me that she had just gotten a text telling her about a $1,000.00 check that someone had sent to support her trip! Praise God! I can't tell you the kind of relief and happiness that come in a moment like that. There's nothing like it. She had been at the $2,500.00 mark when that check came in, meaning that her trip is completely and exactly paid for now. That is such a gift. And if there's anyone who knows how to celebrate God's gifts, it's Danielle. Obviously.

So, the intricately woven plan that's bridging the gap from here to Africa just keeps getting more wonderful. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Also, we got to find out what kinds of things we will probably be doing while we're on Liberian soil. Brent talked about how the mutual interests of every team member converged into some vital points, like working with orphans, child soldiers, and those who have been abused. That was very exciting to hear! Those things, in addition to possibly getting to visit a hospital in Monrovia, are what we will tentatively be spending our time and heart on during our stay. That is so okay with me. I could spend the whole week holding onto little Liberian babies and I would feel just fine. I think we'll be doing a lot more than that, though, which is even better.

More information regarding our itinerary should be forthcoming, but nothing will be set in stone until the morning of each day. You'll be reading every night what we planned that very morning; I hope the stories happily surprise us all.

And lastly, here are some facts about the country that we learned:

- Liberia has the 4th highest infant mortality rate in the world. 138.24 deaths / 1,000 live births.

- Liberia is the 4th poorest country in the world, with an average GDP per capita of $500.

- Liberia is approximately 40% Christian, 20% Muslim, and 40% indigenous beliefs.

- The agricultural products of Liberia are rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, tapioca, palm oil, sugar cane, bananas, sheep, goats, and timber.

- The heat index in December and January can be around 108 degrees. Happy New Year, right?

So, everyone, thank you as always for reading and please continue to fight for us in your prayers. Pray practically and with intensity- your voice does not go unheard (1 Peter 3:11-13). Right now I am experiencing the worst headache, and it has been following me for about a week. Those are the kinds of things that the enemy would probably just love to use to wear us down, to keep us from fighting anymore. Pray against his schemes and pray for the covering of the Almighty to surround every person on this team (Ephesians 6; Psalm 91). Pray for our prayers, that we would be strong and consistent in our conversations with God, and that our love for His word would deepen. Pray for our unity with one another, and for what God is already doing on the Liberia side of the world. Thank you, thank you, thank you for every word that you pray! I pray that God's love would meet you as you do.

Be blessed! More soon.

Everything is MIRACLES!

Posted by Danielle:
Ok, I don't know if you have ever tried to go to Africa before, but it's more difficult then it looks. :) Everything is MIRACLES to us poor college kids. The way that God is blessing us is beautiful, and we are seriously thankful to all of you who have said even just a word of prayer for us because God is responding.

All 10 of us have our airfare money for Liberia, and the tickets are bought! WE ARE SO EXCITED! I'm telling you- The week before the airfare money was due, we just saw miracle after miracle after miracle, and we praise God for our faithful supporters this far. We truely love you, and are so grateful for you!

Now the remainder of the money we will raise will go directly towards our living expenses and ministry! We have only 6 weeks before we need the rest of the money in [$11,757], so PLEASE include us in your prayers. We only have 2 monthes we leave! Please pray that God's will would be done in the greatest ways for the people of Liberia!

I don't want these brave young people's stories to be forgotten. So in an effort to glorify God for his provision so far, let me introduce you to a few people in our Liberia Mission Team Family... :)

Dimitri Iliadis

A couple weeks ago, Dimitri needed...a lot, and yet he was so clearly dependent on God. God gifted him in only the way that a Father dotes on a son that he's truely proud of. It was so cool to watch!

"My name is Dimitri and I am a native of Greece now involved in Water's Edge and have the amazing opportunity to go to Liberia with the team. My biggest set back and fear in the upcoming trip to Liberia was the fundraising, I doubted that I would have ability to raise nearly enough money for this trip. God has provided money for me on this trip when I doubted and thought it was impossible. He has shown me that He is faithful, and He is good, and my doubts of His provision will never stop Him from proving himself to me. He has been and still is blowing me away with His greatness."

Amy Lyford

Amy is a beautiful, incredible joy. It's know wonder that she has found favor with so many loving people. Thank you for praying for and supporting Amy!

"Knowing I had to raise a lot of money through sharing my story with others and actually asking others for money was a scary thought at the beginning. I've always had a hard time sharing my spiritual story. I was always scared of what somebody would think, and I had no idea if people would respond positively to me asking them for money. After I sent out most of my letters, I was told almost every week that I got money in for my trip! Not only that, but people loved hearing my story! This process has really shown me how important every single one of our stories is. You never know who was inspired by your story or not because you were too scared of them judging you. I also grew in faith that God would provide and that people really do care enough about me and believe in me enough to support me to go on a mission trip! This is just the beginning I can't wait to see how God continues to grow me through this journey!"

Jeremiah Klinect

If we gave out an award for getting the most people involved--it would go to Jeremiah. He has an infectious passion for ministry in Africa, and he is such a joy to have in our Liberia Mission Team Family. THANK YOU if you have supported him! God is doing something lifechanging in his heart. Please pray for him. :) I'm excited to see what God is going to do in him!

"God is faithful in all things! He is giving me many opportunities to earn or receive money to fund this trip. It is amazing to see what God is planning. With earning money, God has provided some landscaping jobs and recently a second job at Dick’s Sporting Goods. In donations, I had about 35 of the 80 support letters help me by giving money, and almost all the people I sent letters to are keeping the Liberia team and me in their prayers. As PK always says “God is good all the time, and all the time God is good."

waves of mercy.

A week ago from this moment, I was sitting in the very same spot I am in now: the cushiony brown leather chair in the living room of my family's home, where I can camp out and quietly process whatever's on my mind. Today, I am thinking about my best friend's birthday celebration that will be taking place later on, and about how I wish I didn't have a pile of homework waiting in the wings, but last week I had different things on my mind. In spite of the normal buzz of school-related things, last weekend was highlighted with the brightness and beauty of a cultural experience unlike anything I've seen before. The Liberia team (sadly, minus Jesse) had the extreme privilege of visiting a Liberian church right here in Atlanta, and I'm pretty sure we all came out grinning from ear to ear.

The service, which was a special event dedicated to celebrating the church's 23rd year, began at 2PM and did not end until after 5PM--how's that for different? It seems like so often we are just concerned with "getting people home on time," but that was certainly not the mentality here. As I was watching all the many beautiful elements of this Liberian service come together (dance, music, intense warrior-like prayers), I kept thinking about the things we could learn from the way that these people were "doing church." There was a solid spirit of undeniable worship present in the room, with overflowing freedom and exponential joy to undergird the pursuit of that end. There was this "wander in whenever and jump right in" kind of quality that just felt like salve on the soul of a girl who always seems to be rushing, hurrying, or making a deadline. That would be me. Worship of the creator and fervent, meaningful prayer clearly mattered more to these people than whether or not they would be finished in time for dinner... how refreshing (and yes, a little intimidating).

Here are some pictures that Amy took of the service:

And one of the IHOP breakfast we all ate beforehand, where we tried to learn the Liberian handshake that is apparently harder than it looks:

Overall it was a great day, and a very exciting experience for us all! Personally, I got to spend time with my teammate Kayla on the way there and back, and the whole trip would have been worth it for that reason alone. Hearing her story of all the incredible redemption that God has woven into her life in just the last two years was such a privilege. People are always what remind me the most that God is so very good.

Anyway, one more story and then I'll wrap this up.

As you may know from Danielle's last post on this blog, every member of the Water's Edge missions group needed to have the cost of their airfare covered by last Tuesday, October 6. For the Liberia team, that cost is roughly $2500.00. At our last meeting it was made clear to each of us that if we did not have the cost of our airfare covered, we would not be able to go. It was just that simple. But by the time October 1st came around, many of us still found ourselves hundreds (or thousands) of dollars away from the $2500.00 mark. The rest of this story I'll have to tell you just from my own experience- I don't want you to miss how very awesome it is.

So, a week away from the October 6 deadline, I knew that I was in trouble. I needed over $1300 dollars in order to meet the airfare goal, and I felt like I had no way of getting there. I stressed myself out for days, trying to come up with enough letters to send out that I might actually get a response. I realized at some point about 3 days from the deadline that it was a lost cause; I could not send enough support letters before the deadline to make $2500 land in my lap. So, because I knew that this is what so many of the WE missionaries were doing, I prayed the desperate prayer of someone who has no other way: God, if this is what you want for me, then do something amazing and send this money my way. Really, the prayer was for all of us, for every person who was at the end of their financial rope. I had to stop and ask for forgiveness, realizing how quick I had been to belittle God's opinion in favor of my own. When I said "if this is what you want for me," instead of "this is how it's gonna happen," things changed.

By Monday afternoon, I had found out from Danielle that I now only needed $750 dollars, and I was holding in my hands several checks that brought the total down to $480. Twenty four hours and 480 to go? I started to get excited. I knew that God would do amazing things, even if it wasn't what I was expecting. So I started calling all the family members in my phonebook, explaining my situation and asking that they pray for the team as a whole. There is something so life-giving about rallying people across a great distance to pray; the responses were enthusiastic, but the asking was what blessed me the most. As the day progressed, I knew more and more that the favor of God was rolling in like a great tide to sweep over not only the ones who are being sent to spread the Word, but over those who are doing the sending as well. I prayed, and I ask that you would pray, for each and every person who gives financially and spiritually to this trip- I believe that God has something unique and wonderful in store for them.

By Monday night, I needed $280, and my heart was being lifted by the hour. Without my asking, my small group all laid hands on me to pray for the trip, pouring their hearts out in intercession in such a beautiful way. When they finished, my heart was already overflowing with gratitude for their prayers alone when suddenly, unexpectedly and without warning, they all started emptying their pockets into my hands. These college-aged young women, each of whom is probably living from paycheck to paycheck, were literally handing me what probably would have been enough gas money to last them for weeks. And each of them smiled while they gave, pressing checks and dollar bills into my palm with a look of certainty and happy resolve in their eyes. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed. I spilled my heart out loud to God on the drive home, thanking Him over and over and letting myself be reminded of what I now believe: I was chosen for this trip for a reason. And I love finding out what it is.

By the end of Monday, I needed $106 dollars for the trip. By the deadline, I needed $30. If the tickets end up being a full $2500 dollars, that 30 is definitely a number my bank account can handle. I am just so astonished by that fact.

And all across the board, there are stories like this. Pray that there are more to come. Pray that our hearts line up with His heart for this trip. Pray for the Liberian people- for what God is already doing in their land. Pray for our leaders, that they would follow Him closely. Pray for protection and continued favor. Pray for the spiritual battles that are being fought over this trip; that where there is opposition, it would be met by the powerful hand of the Almighty. Pray as He leads you, and REJOICE in what has happened thus far, and in what is to come! :)

More soon.

The Currency We’re Dealing With

Hello, Danielle here. I’m hijacking the blog from the normal author for a few moments because something is pressing on my spirit. We as a team are desperately calling to Jesus. Our airfare money is due in 7 days exactly, and if the money is not in—then we will as lovingly as possible be drawn off our mission team.

I’d like share a story from the book, Voices of the Faithful.

“Fourteen women stood in a circle as we prayed for the young Costa Rican woman who was about to leave as a missionary to a Muslim country. All of them were committed to pray for our church’s first international missionary. But what brought tears to my eyes that afternoon was not their commitment to pray.

In many evangelical churches across Latin America, God’s Spirit is raising up a missionary movement from areas that have traditionally been our mission fields. From our small church in San Jose, Costa Rica, He called out “Farisa” to go to one of the darkest corners of Central Asia.

When Margarita’s turn came to pray that afternoon, she prayed, ‘Lord, You know our family’s commitment to the faith promise offering so that Farisa can go to another land. As I’ve told my children, ‘First, we will give the offering, and then if there is anything left, we will eat.’

She continued her prayer, but I didn’t hear the rest. Tears flowed as I realized that this woman, whose husband was dying of cancer, was truly committed to the high cost of reaching the world for Christ. She was teaching her children where a Christian’s priorities should lie.

In the United States, the vast majority of those who support missions do so out of relative wealth. But the missionary movement from the Two-Thirds World (outside the U.S., Canada, England and Europe) is being supported in most in most cases out of dire sacrifice.” – Wilma, pg 305

WHAT DOES THAT STORY DO TO YOU?!

When I read it I immediately felt God telling me that the vision for this Missions Ministry is still much larger then we have made it to be. We are in obedience of God by pursuing this vision. EVERYTHING so far has been set in place by his hand. I have NO interest in pursuing my own plan. I only want Jesus’ glory to be made magnificent among us and the whole world in huge, glorious ways. The question that we are asking ourselves is, “Is our missionary work worth Margarita’s family’s food?” Is our work THAT valuable, that we could accept an offering like that?

The honest truth is that as a follower of Jesus—redeemed fully by him. Our body could die tomorrow and we would be okay because we would finally be with Him, but there are lost nations. There are pre-redemption stories everywhere we look. Don’t think that this mission work is not valuable… I would be hesitant to accept Margarita’s offering, but she understands something about the dire need to further the kingdom of God through the world. She understands it so deeply, that she will not feed her family until it happens.

How do we make this personal? Please pray and give generously and sacrificially to these mission efforts. Allow the Holy Spirit to “break your heart to the point of giving to missions with exuberance, not only because of the vast lostness and depravity of the peoples of the world, but because the supreme sacrifice of redemption has already been made for their salvation, of only they hear. Amen.”

“For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.”
2 Corinthians 8:3-4

These are orphans at one of the poorest orphanages in Liberia.

PS: If you don't know how to give please e-mail liberia.we@gmail.com

meeting 2.

Sitting in the cold upper room of the library where I sometimes work, I'm thinking through everything that has happened in the last 6 weeks since my last appearance on this blog. The list seems mountainous, full of milestones and important moments for my life and for the Liberia team as a whole. The speed at which life urges us forward seems just too fast; how on earth could I write down every marking thing that takes place? And yet I have been taught to live in the crux between "speed of life" and "speed of soul." The place in which those things mingle is where it becomes possible to live happy and live well, which of course implies that it's not such an easy balance to obtain.

I think one of the sweetest things about being on the Liberia team thus far is how frequently it can pull me back into the current of "soul," reminding me of God's irrevocable love and His desire for us to hear Him say our names. I am being invited into community with other followers of Christ who are letting Him lead them all the way across the world, letting Him re-shape their hearts to look like His, letting God's provision melt away their anxious fears. I am being covered in prayer by friends and family members, by leaders whom I trust and adore, and by people I don't even know who have been asked to cover our team as a whole. I get to watch as God writes stories for us to marvel over and tell later. I get to jump on a plane to go wrap my arms around orphans and widows across the planet. I even get to be the scribe who captures it all in sentences, letting other people in on the adventure! Could there be anything more reviving to the soul, anything that better speaks the language of my spirit?

But life almost always provides a contradiction just when you think you're home-free. Keeping back the extrinsic forces of classes, jobs, homework, and relationships feels like wearing a backpack full of bricks while walking uphill and holding a small child: difficult, delicate, and at times devoid of purpose. Adding in the necessary clause, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!" just feels like busywork to the soul that is living only at the speed of life. I know this because, more often than not, I am that soul.

So, I have the knowledge of this beautiful soul-life that's lingering in my peripheral vision, and I have the weary confession of a life that's just too full of things to do. Jesus, what can I do?

1 Peter 5:6-10 (Amplified Bible)

"Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset--rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you."

I have a feeling the answer is in there somewhere, and probably not that hard to find. If you are praying for this team, pray that those emboldened commands would be true for each and every one of us. Part of me feels like it could take a lifetime to cultivate that kind of spirituality, but whom are we talking about here? Scripture says, in not so many words, that God can do in a minute what I could never do at all on my own. Even when it seems like He is a million miles away, my own breath couldn't be closer than He is to me, and His Power is just as perfectly present as His Person. Gets pretty hard to wrap my heart around that one, that's for sure.

Anyway, all of this leads up to what I'm technically supposed to be saying which is that...

We had another meeting! All four teams met together last Sunday night to worship, listen to some great teaching, and have some good team time. Katie led us in worship again, and it was so refreshing. Miles spoke about "the seven opportunities of a short-term mission trip," which is a sort of academic way of saying "all the incredible things we can pray for and set our hearts towards in the next three months." During small group time, each group had all the members share stories about their experiences in life and faith. Our group is the smallest of the four and we couldn't even get to hear everybody's testimony because we were so caught up in listening and talking (and laughing). Overall, the night was a wonderful success.

Pray that every financial need will be met and overwhelmed- that God would more than provide for every person on the team. Pray that He would old up doors for beautiful stories to form in the arena of financial support. This is something I think we forget to do sometimes. We're so bound by the anxiety of trying to get all the money in on time that we forget how effortlessly God can both provide the funds and author a mind-blowing story to go with it. Pray that both of those things take place.

Pray that the Spirit of God would combat all anxiety on our behalves. Worry over money, over travel, over life calling; all of these things are cares to be "cast on Him."

Pray that God would expand our hearts for each other before we are ever sent out to have compassion on other people. Pray that He turns our hearts to feel like His even now in our everyday lives.

Pray that these seven opportunities become realities for every member of this team...

1) the opportunity to expand our spiritual horizons; to minister to God's people in new ways and new places.

2) the opportunity to re-clarify or re-surrender our lives' callings to Him.

3) the opportunity to have our hearts break for what breaks His heart.

4) the opportunity to experience God as a present, active, vocal Father (a provider).

5) the opportunity to grow in our understanding of what it means to be a servant.

6) the opportunity to deepen and sharpen our prayer lives (to pray specifically, and honestly).

7) the opportunity to renegotiate my lifestyle at home (to realize that I am not entitled to everything that I've been given).

That's all for now. Thank you for reading and thank you for praying. :) More soon.

beginning again.

So, it would appear that introductions are in order...

That's me. My name is Annie Morgan. I am nineteen, a college student, and the blog and prayer team leader for the 2009-10 trip to Liberia in West Africa. In the past, Danielle Williams, the missions coordinator for the Water's Edge ministry, has been primarily in charge of updating this blog. Thus, all the entries previous to this one have been either from her wonderful self or from another member of the Liberia 08-09 team. If you're curious to see what a Water's Edge mission experience would be like, those entries are a perfect place to explore stories and photos of last year's journey. Beginning here and now, however, a new story is unfolding. God is again bridging the oceanic gap between nations, sending out handfuls of eager twenty-somethings to Haiti, Bolivia, Guatemala, and of course, Liberia. This is something He is doing all the time, revealing Himself and His heart to every corner of the earth; how thrilling it is to be a part of something so much bigger than just our team! That brings all the more weight and significance to the short amount of time we'll spend in Liberia, knowing that Jesus is always there and He is loving those people every day. And we get to follow Him around over there for a week and be a part of what He's doing- I'm more than okay with that.

Anyway, all of this to say that we are a very excited group of college kids (and one real adult: our pastor, Dave Bearchell) who may or may not be at all prepared for what we've gotten ourselves into. It's okay. So far, I am just loving the process. The first official Missions meeting happened on August 9th, and it was inspiring in so many ways. The tables were covered in the flags of all four countries, and a heart of worship for the Creator was clear and present in the room throughout the night. Danielle guided us through "the ultimate ice breaker," i.e., "a scavenger hunt extravaganza" that led us all across the 12Stone campus and ultimately onto the bridge to take our team pictures.

I must say, our team exhibited insurmountable levels of skill and teamwork during the hunt, racing, as a unified force, past every other team to the finish line. Haiti claims that they got there first, but their methods of arrival were most dubious, if you asked me. And by that I mean that they cheated. Definitely. Which makes us the champions. Liberia 1, Haiti 0. But, who's counting, really?

So, it was good to finally match up all the names on our team with a face, and to look at the people around me and know that they will become more than casual friends or acquaintances by the time January comes around. We have been told that each member of every team was

 prayerfully considered and carefully placed into their position. I believe it, and I am grateful. I can't wait to see what each member will bring as an individual part of the beautiful whole. Starting at the top left and going across are our three leaders, Dave (red), Danielle (white), and Brent (green). Amy (blue), Jesse (black), and myself are the other three standing. On the ground, from left to right, are Dimitri, Jeremiah, Steven, and Kayla. Altogether, I think we are perhaps the most attractive group of people ever assembled for missionary purposes. More importantly, though, we are passionate and excited about the task we have been given. I pray that our hearts would be opened up in prayer for one another, and that we would be like Jesus in the way that we follow our leaders and serve our teammates. "For even the Son of Man came not to have service rendered unto Him, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45) 

After the ice-breaker, Pastor Shannon Whaples spoke about the church's responsibility to honor the Great Commission, reminding us of the authority and urgency in Jesus' words,

"Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be)." (Matthew 28:19-20)

We then met and prayed together as a team for the first time, which was very cool. I have so much respect and affection for the leaders on our team, and so much gratitude for each individual member... I can't wait to see what happens next.

Pray that the Spirit of God in each of us would unify us into one formidable whole; a team of amalgamated hearts, longing to give themselves away in service to each other and to the Liberian people. Pray that, in the course of these 4 months, Jesus would so intimately acquaint us with Himself and with His voice that we would be filled to the point of overflowing. Pray that we would learn, in leaps and bounds, what it means to be a follower of Christ, that we would study His example and imitate Him, that the living Word of God would be alive in us on a daily basis. Pray that every financial need would be more than met, and that we would have stories to tell about the perfect faithfulness and providence of God. Pray for our leaders, for our hosts, for the people whose lives will intersect with our own while we are there. Pray for Liberia, for her widows and orphans, her sick and abused and hungry, for the ones whose lives have been shattered by chaos of the recent civil war. Pray that the love of God and His redemption plan would be woven into the fabric of Liberia's story.

Thank you for reading, thank you for praying. More soon.

Pictures from Collin's Gallery

Collin was our "official" photographer for the whole trip. His gallery is http://gallery.me.com/bellcollin Click on "ME gallery Liberia".

Below are some pictures that Collin, Belynn, Emily and Jose took while we were there.

Dave has love for Liberia in him all the time. Can you see it?

We were able to give a generator to Robert Cuppah's church.
The team split up for church on Sunday.

Sunday afternoon fun

Belynn and I with the kids next to the house. Matt "Chiquita Bananna" Elsberry
Yanni, when they drove out to the "bush" to install a generator.

Brent working on the Generator Shed out in the bush.

Our Shopping Day in Monrovia.

Jose with the hope of the nation.Emily, in her awesome braids with James.

Us girls, no Emily :(, with Dave at the Lake.

Detriot

Hey this is Belynn again. Well we finally arrived in Detroit, but we missed our flight. They have put us in a hotel for the night and gave us money for food. We fly out of Detroit tomorrow morning at 9:20 and will arrive in Atlanta at 11:30. We are all pretty tired from traveling and ready to be home tomorrow. Thank you for all your prayers!

Good Night!

Belynn, Danielle, and Stacey in our hotel room

Amsterdam

Hey this is Belynn. Just wanted to let you know that we are still in the Amsterdam airport. Our flight that was supposed to leave at 4 has now been delayed to 6pm. Please pray that there will be no more delays so that we won't miss our flight in Detroit. If for some reason that happens we will update when we arrive in Detroit.

Oh and thank you for praying for Yanni. He is getting better!

Stacey, Matt, Belynn, and Danielle passing time at the airport

Random picture Danielle took at the airport : )

Travel Day

So we've had two flights so far, and now we're in Amsterdam. This is a really nice airport, so we're just relaxing and walking around. Since our last flight was delayed they had to rearrange our itinery. Now we get to go to Detriot too! I only wish we had a couple more hours in Detriot because my own family lives so close to that airport, and it would be fun to take the team to visit them for a couple hours. Oh well...

So we're going to arrive home a bit later then we thought. I guess we'll get into ATL at around 11:30pm tonight.

Please pray for Yanni. We think he has a touch of food poisoning, and we still have a long day of traveling ahead of us.

We are going to miss Liberia. After hearing everyone talk about this trip, the common opinion is that this trip was INCREDIBLE. God has worked everything out for us. Most of us can see ourselves going back there in the future. The children captured our hearts. We are both honored and humbled to have worked with the Liberian people. We've met several leaders who are full of life and desire to be apart of how God is restoring their nation.

Yesterday Belynn, Dave, Rodney and I took our last visit to THINK, the home for sexually and pychsically abused children. Before Miles left a few days ago he gave a little money to THINK so they coud have toys. They didn't really have any to begin with. In Liberia, a little money goes a long way. I wanted to laugh and cry when I walked in and saw that their floor was covered in all sorts of toys. They had whistles, paint brushes, blocks, string, board games, card games, and all sorts of little toys. I walked outside and there was all sorts of paintings drying on the floor. They had so much joy on their faces. We took the moment to teach them about how Jesus provides for them...even toys.

This ministry has touched my heart so deeply. I feel like God made a very important connection by introducing me to this ministry. I had no expectation for my feelings to run so deeply for these children after only meeting them three times, but if you had been there, you would have thought we had known them for monthes.

Well. We're not in Liberia anymore. Please pray that God would help us in regard to culture shock. Most commonly the real culture shock is not going to Africa... it's coming home from Africa. Please understand that the team has witnessed new levels of heartbreak, poverty and the distruction that comes out of a grusome war. I pray that as you receive the team, that God gives you a special sensitivity in your spirit.

Prayer Requests

• Pray that we would get home safe, and that Yanni would feel better.
• Pray that we would give God the most Glory possible for all he's done in the way we talk about it with people.
• Pray that God would continue to grow us in faith. Stretch us. Stretch us. We want to trust you with everything.
• Pray that we would be able to adjust quickly into American culture, BUT at the same time allow God to WRECK us for the poor, the orphan and the widow.

God, Please guide our steps. We trust in you.

Our Last Full Day

The Whole Team at Blue Lake

I'm sorry about yesterday. We had a long good day, and I just didn't have the energy to blog. Yesterday, the whole team went to Blue Lake. We weren't sure exactly what to expect, but we were excited about going swimming. We've been sweatin non-stop since we've gotten here. It's been hot every day. None of us have really gotten sunburned though Mom.



Yesterday we drove about 3 hours to this lake, and when we got there we found out that it was closed to the public and protected by the UN. We needed "special permission" from some authority to get in, so after making some phone calls and pacing back and forth for about an hour we finally got the word we needed to go swim. It was such a relief to be able to jump into that cool water, and it was refreshing after a busy week of working hard on generators and ministry. We played volley ball, jumped off the diving board, and the boys played soccer for a while. It was a good afternoon. Later that night we got some hamburgers at a restaurant called Groovies. It was pretty groovy.

Belynn and Peter in Monrovia

Today was a busy day. I can't say we've had a bad day since we've been here. God has just been so good to us. He has been faithful with everything, and we are amazed by him. We woke up a little earlier today and split into two groups. Matt lead a Crown Financial Meeting with some leaders from the minister of finance. This was an incredible opputinity because Matt was given the priveledge to teach some very influencial people God's Principles on finances. Just one more step in helping to restore this country. Matt did this almost all day while our groups got to go shopping in Monrovia. My group was the first to get to go shopping. Collin, Brent, Belynn, Peter (our awesome driver) and I hit the town. Peter lead us all around the city. It was a blast walking around the city. When I first got here I thought it would be more industrialized or more modern, but it definately is a different world then what we're used to.

Collin, Peter and Brent in Monrovia

After we were done shopping Peter asked us if we wanted to go check out the Monrovia YMCA. It was really cool to go to the Monrovia YMCA because Brent works at the one back home. They were so hospitable and showed us every room and every office. They took us to the basketball court, and they explain to us that the court floor was messed up because during the war displaced people lived in there, and cooked by building fires on the floor. I have a hard time imagining what it would be like living through such a horrible war, but these people have beautiful joy in their spirits dispite the fact that they suffered so much.

After both teams were done shopping and done helping with Matt's Crown Financial Meeting we went to eat dinner at a nice hotel. I got pizza. Andrew and Debbie, who us girls worked with on Saturday with Orphan Rescue and Relief, joined us at the resturant. It was fun to see them again, and let them meet the rest of the team.

The Team, Andrew and Debbie outside of the Restaurant Tonight

After dinner, we went to Greater Love Church and got to say good bye to some friends we've made. Overall we've had a good busy day.

Prayer Requests

• Pray for Miles and Emily- they flew home a couple days earlier then us. I guess their probably home by now. Pray that God would continue to move in their hearts and help them to process everything they saw and learned in Liberia.
• Pray for us tomorrow-- we'll be debriefing and processing together.
• We fly out of Monrovia tomorrow at 5 something.

"Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls;

all your waves and breakers have swept over me.

By day the LORD directs his love,at night his song is with me—

a prayer to the God of my life."

Psalm 42:7-8