In a previous post I mentioned how God had laid on my heart a vision for ministering to the women of Africa, and how that had materialized into a conference on “Training Women for Effective Ministry” to be held in Zimbabwe.
Through a childhood friend in Johannesburg. and Emilene, a blogger in Cape Town, I was invited to come speak to the women in South Africa as well. I introduced Emilene to Tracy who writes at My Daily Walk in His Grace. They met and are now planning together for the event in Cape Town.
I am so humbled that God has opened these doors and entrusted me with such an awesome opportunity.
I began to pray immediately for God to lay on my heart women from my church to take with me. We now are a team of seven and you will hear more of them in the coming months as we prepare for October.
In the meantime, as all are pressing for concrete plans, God has been telling me to just pray. This is hard for me as I am a planner but He says, “You have seven months. Give me one!”
A.J. Gordon said, “You can do more than pray after you have prayed. But you can never do more than pray until you have prayed.”
I have been praying for opportunities to minister to the women of Africa for one and a half years and the plans are just now materializing. God worked in me as He humbled me, stretched me, grew me, and more who He wanted. There were times I was anxious and impatient but I can see now how He was at busy all during that time. He also worked through my blog (where one invitation came from). In fact, when I began thinking about this ministry, I didn’t even have a blog!
So, I can put aside the planning and pray for a bit longer. This time I am praying for specifics regarding the South African events. While there is pressure to have it planned now, I will remain true to God’s prompting to pray a little more.
I will rest on His promise that if I seek Him first, then He will lead the way. (Matt. 6:33)
This is what God has laid on my heart today. On Your Heart Tuesday link is open. I would love you to link your post and take a moment to read at least one other post as we share our hearts and encourage one another.
awesome to see god at work. even more awesome to wait while watching him orchestrate even more exciting things than we could ask or imagine!
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ReplyDeleteGod is so awesome.
ReplyDeleteTeach the women to become ministers in their "World". Each of has a world only we can reach. Teach the women to lay hands on the sick and to share Jesus when they have opportunity. May the Lord give you wisdom and also your team and may you be anointed to go forth in Jesus name with that glow from heaven on you.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you! Cape Town is 13 hours away for me,but if somehow we could meet while you are here that would be such a blessing. Your words also spoke to me as I am still waiting for women's teaching in Mozambique to get worked out. I need to be patient and less anxious and let God do His work in me.
ReplyDeletePraise God for Devine appointments and Go with God and let His voice speak through your lips!!
ReplyDeleteGod is good. I can't wait to hear more about your trip and mission.
ReplyDeleteHi Shanda,
ReplyDeleteMy prayers are with you for your mission in Africa.
God Bless
Barb from AustraLIA
Yes, yes, yes! to the A. J. Gordon quote and the Lord directing you to pray first. There's more to quote, although I might not have it word-perfect ("Prayer strikes the winning blow. Service gathers up the results.") But I saw so in-living-color the powerful truth of that, when God directed my husband to go to Zambia and me (to my surprise) to stay home and, with a few others, real prayer warriors, to pour out prayer for those on the trip.
ReplyDeleteWith communication from the mission field scanty, we prayed for the Holy Spirit's guidance on just what to pray, too. Throughout the short-term mission, Husband and I each kept journals (including dates and times): I of our prayers and he (as much as he could, so busy) of what was happening at different times, and compared them when he got home.
Shanda, it was so striking the way our prayers spoke their greatest needs, and how God, through them, opened up jammed-shut doors and helped in other astounding ways! And the timing was amazing! I believe His whole point in keeping me home for this purpose was that people might see the vital, necessary part of pray-ers lifting up hands to God like Moses for Joshua, and having helpers to "spell" them when they grew exhausted. So afterwards I put together a dual journal, lined up in two columns by date and time, for others to see how God's power works through prayer.
I hope you have time before you leave for God to give you a bunch of such ongoing-prayer devotees to enlist. I believe it will make a huge difference, and give God the glory.
May He mightily bless it all!
Absolutely Awesome. Isn't amazing when God deposits dreams in hearts those dreams become our hearts desires. And He is faithful to fulfill His promises and His dreams. He did it for Joseph and He is doing it for you too. Abundant Blessings my friend.
ReplyDeletePraise God for opening doors and guiding you on the best path to seek and fulfill His perfect will!
ReplyDeleteGod bless,
Laurie
Hi Shanda - you are so sweet to mention me, and i am so excited for October! God is a God of great generosity
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
:]
ReplyDeleteShanda, this really touches me because I have a similar passion for the people of Sudan. I'll be following your blog to see how your trip goes, and I'll be praying for you. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Shanda!! I second what Tracy said above - we are so excited about this precious mission the Lord has sent us all on! New doors are opening for us almost on a daily basis and I know that our October event is going to be such a blessing to so many women! We can't wait to meet the rest of your team!
ReplyDeleteLove to you all
Emilene
Wow, that is such an honor and I know that you along with the other women will make a difference in Africa. Praying is the best thing to do to prepare for your event. I am sure all of your prayers will be answered as they have been before.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you in your preparations.
Love reading about your deep and growing passion. will keep you in my prayers
ReplyDeleteThis is do inspiring! God has such amazing things for us to take part in, doesn't he? I'm excited to hear more about this journey. I have a great love for Ethiopia and am amazed at how God has allowed me to be part of his work there, too . BLESS YOU!
ReplyDeleteShanda:
ReplyDeleteYes, it is always best to pave the way with prayer. I pray that God goes ahead and prepare the hearts of many to hear His word.
Our church has a team that Goes to Kenya each year. In the past, it has been men only, but they are opening it to women for the first time this year. I won't be able to go this time, but pray that if it is His will, someday I can make that trip.
Blessings,
Joan
I'm a planner too. A little bit obsessive-compulsive at times, as my husband teases me, but I just want everything to be organized and well planned according to how I want it. Then God laughs at me. I've heard that statement before, If you want God to laugh, go ahead and plan! And how true is that especially for me. Thanks for reminding me that I really need to pray more and often. God bless you and all the ladies who are going to this conference in Africa. God be with you...
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to hear of all the doors opening for your ministry! God is good!
ReplyDeleteAnd, love the quote you share about prayer-- that's a great one to remember.
Bless you.