Someone came up to me a couple years ago and said “God is going to pour showers of blessings on you.” That has always stayed in my head and I see now in time how this is coming true.
Since I was a little kid I have always had a desire to go to Africa. I can’t really remember the first time that I was drawn to that country but I always wished that my parents would adopt a baby from an orphanage over there. Though I was young I knew there was a need there and I knew that there were lots of little babies who were left abandoned in orphanages.
In 2006 I was able to go on a mission’s trip to Ukraine and work in an abandoned baby hospital. When I came back from this trip I remember saying to my friends, “I want to go to Africa for my next mission trip.” Back then I would have never imagined being where I am now. Soon after I joined “Into All the World” they asked me if I would be open to helping them lead a group to Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Two weeks ago I spent a week in Fenelon Falls were I was a leader at Teen Mission Camp. There were 9 youth who came together to learn different lessons they can apply when they go to Africa. Some of the lessons they learnt were how to lead someone to Christ, cross cultural differences, public speaking and how to give your testimony. They also learnt a lot about story telling and learnt how to use puppets and objects to tell a story from the Bible. The youth all went away from the week learning skills they can now use while we are in Africa but that they can also use at their own churches. It was amazing for me to meet these youth. They all came so open to learn more and you could tell their hearts were on fire for God. At campfires they shared their testimonies and shared what God had done in their lives and though some have not had the easiest life they are now at a place where they want Jesus more then anything. They know that Christ is their true Father who will never leave them.
It was also great to work with Bill and Barb . It was fun being able to talk to them and get to know them more. They are both so sweet and so calm about everything and I really am enjoying having them as leaders. It is neat to learn more about them and their ministry and hear all the ways that God has worked in their lives.
One of the highlights from camp for me was watching documentaries and movies at night and learning about different missionaries lives. These people had a desire to be a missionary but they were told they would never get anywhere without education. These people really had to rely on God and they did end up being missionaries who did amazing things for God. Their stories fascinated me and encouraged me all at the same time. Their lives made me want to press on to do all I can for God’s kingdom.
I feel blessed to have been able to be a part of Teen Mission Camp and to have spent time with such amazing people. I was able to learn some Swahili songs and learn more about Africa and this makes me extremely excited for the future and makes me so thankful to God for fulfilling my desire to go and do work for Him in Africa.