August 2, 2010
It has been way to long since I have given an update. So here goes trying to catch up.
The CrossTraining at CornerStone Int'l is over and I am back in Washington State. I am starting the next phase of my getting to South Sudan, FUND RAISING!
Many deem this a bad word but I am looking forward to seeing the Lord work in the months to come.
CrossTraining was such a full and enlightening time. Spending that much time with the Lord and also with the saints at CornerStone was such a great preparing time for the mission field. I know that there is a group of people that love the Lord and are holding me up in prayer while I am out doing God's work.
May and June were months full of travel and learning. First was Community Health Evangelism (CHE) training outside of Indianapolis. This training prepared me to go to Sudan and teach others to help themselves move forward in their struggle to restore their lives and land to a healthier state.
I visited family in Alabama and Florida, before the oil landed on the beaches, and was truly blessed. I do have a great family that loves and supports me.
I went to IHOP Kansas City and was deeply touched by the Lord through this ministry.
Then off to John Brown University for a course hosted by the Institute of Biblical Community Development and taught by Water for All International were I learned the method of hand drilling water wells. This is a low cost family well that can bring safe water at the family level in Sudan.
After returning to my wonderful CornerStone family I participated in the Summit. All the missionaries from around the globe gather every 5 years for a time of refreshing, teaching and fellowship. I have to say this was a highlight of the summer.
As if it couldn't get better then I spent time at the Abbey of Gethsemani in silence before the Lord. Words can't express how enriching this time was as a conclusion to my CrossTraining.
I traveled to Iowa and participated in the ICIT seminar taught by Francis Frangipane. Icing on the cake.
Then back to Washington to kick off fund raising.
As I reflect on all the time I spent over the last 3 months it is hard to express how rewarding and challenging the experience was. In the humbling presence of my Lord I was stretched, enlightened, convicted, blessed and matured. I recieved a deepening understanding of myself in the shadow of His wing. How I longed to know Him more and He showed me more of Himself. I recieved visions and dreams that showed me His beauty and His promises. Father I thank You for this time and say let me walk forward with You as my guide.
Sudan here we come!
Torrential Need! May 17, 2010
On May 2nd, the rains came in Kentucky. They say it was the worst rain in 50 years and the storms have been called the worst disaster to hit the area since the Civil War. I was simply looking for an umbrella, I opened the basement door and there was 4” of standing water.
In Sudan, the 22 year Civil War has left them with no infrastructure because of the devastation. Many times standing water is the only water available for use. Safe drinking water is a dire need for over 70% of the people.
In Sudan, there is a season of torrential rain and a season of severe dryness each year. The rains bring standing water which then cause illness.
Can you imagine your only water coming from a muddy puddle? During dry season the people die of dehydration. During rainy season they also die of dehydration caused by diarrheal diseases. This is a direct result of drinking unsafe water. I personally have witnessed the illnesses caused by unsafe water when treating many in Sudan for intestinal diseases.
I am honored to be one of the few accepted to attend an intensive course that teaches hands-on well digging. This course is presented by Water for All International at John Brown University, June 21-25. The cost of the 5-day course is $1000. With the added expense of travel I should be able to keep the cost to just under $1500.
I will take this knowledge and teach others to dig wells which are affordable. It costs over $9000 to dig a well using a rig, but digging a well by hand can be done for under $500. A poor village in desperate need of water will be able to raise this sum of money. The only way to afford the rig drilled well is if an outside agency funds the project.
“...I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink...The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'“ Matthew 25:35,40
Now is your chance to pour out to those in need by providing the ‘Water of Life’ that quenches. See 'how you can help' to donate.
Preparing to go! April 29, 2010
I had an amazing time at the CMDA New Medical Missionaries orientation. It was a blessing to hear from the hearts of those that have served. Connecting with others that will also be serving in the area of Africa that I will be is one of those blessings. A small story about my trip back to CornerStone.
I was leaving the conference and another attendee asked “where do you go from here?” I told him back to Wilmore, KY but I wasn’t sure which way to go. He said “we are headed that direction, follow me.” I let him lead me the first 100 miles of the trip, he pulled off and I headed in the direction I was told to go. Several hours later I missed my exit on the interstate, I was talking to dad on the phone. I made a quick glance at the map and decided to get off in Richmond to get back to Wilmore. I exited, went into a gas station, asked how to get to Wilmore and I was told “follow me, I will get you to the ferry.” I floated over the swollen Kentucky River on the small ferry, took the left at the fork, as I was told and headed into Nicholasville. At an intersection I wasn’t sure which direction so I waved at the young girl in the car next to me. She courteously rolled down her window and I asked “which way to Wilmore?” She said “I am headed there, follow me. “
Jesus commands, “Follow Me,” and that is what I am doing. Though some cannot understand leaving a good paying job to depend on the support of others to go into the mission field it is what I am called to do.
Mat 16:24-25 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” My prayer is that when He calls I will always follow. I depend on His guidance, He has never failed me, He never will.
Packing my bags. April, 17, 2010
It is the last couple of days before I head to CornerStone for training and I am doing the big job of packing what I think I will need for 3 months. I seem to always over pack but I am only taking 1 large suitcase and 1 carry on sized suitcase so I can't over do it too much.
I am extremely excited about the next few months. To be in training means spending a lot of time in prayer, worship and bible study with great people at CornerStone. I couldn't have asked for a better sending organization, they truly have all their missionaries best interest at heart. Once again I can say I am blessed by my Father in heaven that loves me and is concerned about every detail of my life.
It will be a busy summer with other events that will be for my building up. I arrive the night of April 20 and then head out again on April 22 to Bristol, TN for the New Medical Missionaries training hosted by the Christian Medical and Dental Association. One of the blessings I have recieved is that I have been approved as a grant recipient of MedSend, a division of the CMDA. They exist to help medical professionals with students loans to not delay their service in the mission field by funding grants to pay their loan payments while they serve.
Several months ago a dear friend sent me this scripture and I continue to see it come to pass.
I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name." Rev. 3:8 NKJ
I know your works and what you are doing. See! I have set before you a door wide open which no one is able to shut; I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept My Word and guarded My message and have not renounced or denied My name. Rev. 3:8 TAB
The Lord keeps opening doors that He wants me to walk through. I will walk in the truth, which to me means to walk in faith, that God is in charge, it is His power that sustains me, and in love for whomever the Lord brings me in contact with.
I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. 3 John 4 NAS
Changes come, I will trust God! March 27, 2010
Today was my last day of full time work. I leave for CornerStone International for training on April 20. It is time for a new season and a new way of thought. I am trusting the Lord to supply all my needs in the months to come.
Php 4:12-13 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
I want to thank you all for the help you are giving the dear people of Sudan through your donations to this ministry. The first building is almost complete and one of my Sudanese partners, Mansuk, will have a place to start preparing for the work the Lord has for him. What a pleasure it is to know such a capable young man that is so thirsty to help his country heal from the long history of war and need. The Lord is establishing many worthy saints in Sudan.
There are many wonderful groups working with the Sudanese to plant the healing Gospel into the hearts of His new saints. My prayer for Sudan is that as the Word takes root in so many lives and as more prayerful leaders are raised up that war will be a way of the past and peace will prevail in Sudan. Join me in this prayer.
Mic 4:1-4 And it will come about in the last days That the mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains. It will be raised above the hills, And the peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, "Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD And to the house of the God of Jacob, That He may teach us about His ways And that we may walk in His paths." For from Zion will go forth the law, Even the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And He will judge between many peoples And render decisions for mighty, distant nations. Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they train for war. Each of them will sit under his vine and under his fig tree, with no one to make them afraid, for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.
As the time to leave rapidly approaches I am filled with anticipation. Many things must fall into place but I have the assurance from His Word, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) I place all my hope in Him, my strength and sustenance come from Him.
As I start the endeavor of raising support for His work, in human eyes it might look daunting, but He knows exactly what is needed and will supply it in His time. I will be scheduling speaking engagements over the months to come so if anyone wants me to share about the needs and work in Sudan please contact me.
My next months will be filled with training. I will be training with Cornerstone International for three months before departure. Also in May I will be taking the 'Train the Trainer' course with the CHE network.
I look forward to all that is coming and will keep you posted as things progress.
In His hands,
Amanda