God, why did you bring me here?

This whole time I thought God was going to use me for something big while I was here in South Africa. In a sense I was right...I have let my light shine, I have encouraged people, I have brightened smiles, and caused laughter to fill the air...but... I was wrong. I came here to change lives and I'll be leaving here changed. Yes I knew this was going to be life changing, but I never imagined it to be this big of a change. God has slapped me in the face more than once; He has gripped my heart to the point that I am aching, aching for Him in the most extreme way I have ever felt! Being radical and knowing, knowing that God has placed me in each and every situation I face...that is what I came here to learn, and that is what has and will change my life! Seeing absolute poverty, brokeness, and just being out of America will forever change my heart, but my life, it is becoming radical for Christ...NOTHING else matters! Talk about the best life changing experience ever!

I got to experience the Hillsong Church of Cape Town, located in Somerset West, on Sunday...I have never felt so alive at a church service in my life. God is just so AWESOME! Radical, radical, and radical...I long to be RADICAL for my Saviour!!!! Literally, He has saved my life! Just know that when I arrive home I am not the same person I was. God is 100% in control of my life...I am not ashamed...I live to tell the world about Him! He brought me here to prepare me for there...for home. I am changing the hearts of El Paso, Gridley, Bloomington, and wherever else the Lord leads me. All I know is when I get home big BIG things are happening. I can not wait for this Lord...prepare me, prepare me...I will follow you Lord. I am following!

As Americans, we want bigger and better, but we sacrifice what we have that was given to us to be great...if only I would have know what I had. I need to be Giving, I need to share my faith, I need to find that secret place and never loose sight of my Prayer Life. We are made righteous by Jesus; it's not about pleasing people, but pointing my life to Christ and dancing for the King!

From my heart

to the Heavens,

Jesus be the center.

It's all about you,

yes it's all about you!

Yay, I don't have my life all together, but I got caught up in the Grace of God!

So Many Blessings

A few weeks ago we walked up to Village of Hope where Megan volunteered at last year. These are two of the little boys that live there. They were so excited to show me around and loved the camera!

Even with such poverty and pain here the mountains are breathtaking!! This is Dias Beach at Cape Point. Rachel, James, and I walked down to that beach...the sand was perfect, hardly any footsteps in it. The sound of the waves crashing along the rocks...amazing moment. God is so rich in his beauty! 

ME AND THE BABOONS!!! Gerrit stopped the car for us so we could take a few pictures! They are everywhere...equivalent to the amount of deer we have back home. Deer run in front of our cars...baboons run in front of theirs. 

One of the many penguins along the shore!

I love these girls!!! Gerrit and Ami's children...well half of them: Sisipo, Me, Elizabeth, Nina, and Avusie! We taught them how to play the game Signs, and it was our ritual every night! 

Doing Therapy with Little Miss Faith! She lives at the Asphie` House. Such an adorable little girl! Doesn't smile that often but when she does she lights up your face! Everyday after breakfast we spend a couple of hours doing therapy on the children and Range of Motion exercises! My favorite part of the day!!! God has definitely shown me that an Occupational therapist is for sure what I should be doing! Thank you Lord for putting that desire in my heart!!!!! <3 

After our Craft Day we held for the children at Agape 4, we had our first little service project...cleaning the school! We swept and mopped and had fun doing it! 

A house in the township. No picture will ever show what my eyes saw that day walking in the township. My heart broke into pieces. I will never say I am poor again...I will never say I am starving...I will never forget what God opened my eyes to that day. This house is actually one of the more in shape homes. As we walked through the town I just felt disgusted with myself. I am such a selfish person. How have I been so selfish? These people have nothing...they wake up everyday and wonder if they will be able to have a meal today. How sad is that! I eat because I can...they eat when they can. 

A few houses down a mother was giving her baby a bath in this pan outside...in the cold and most likely in cold water. Water is not just in the houses...they have to walk to go get it, and it's not clean water. I have never stopped and thanked the Lord for hot water and running clean water until that moment when I saw that mother look up at me with the sunlight hitting her face and sadness in her eyes and as she looked back down at her baby my heart twisted.  

These beautiful children saw our camera's and one by one they came up and lined up to get there picture taken! After I took this picture even more kids and some adults grouped up for a photo! Something so little to us, and to them brought such excitement! Their faces just lit up when they looked at the screen and saw the pictures of themselves!

 Walking on the road through the township. Children play in the streets and dogs roam around. Dogs are like wolves here...and they are everywhere! The children usually smile at us as we pass and wave at them, but some are so broken they stare at us with their broken, hurting hearts.  

On the way to the BEACH we stopped to get gas. The gas station window had this in it! ha ha! If they only knew what our winters were like! 

At the beach with the Kids from Agape 2! Had so much fun in the sun! Water was nice and refreshing every time it swept over our feet! The children loved it as well! One of the little 4 year old girls grabbed my hand saying "Tannie! Tannie!" (which means auntie) and would run with me in the waves! It was her first time ever going to the beach...so happy I spent it with her!  

All the kiddos from Asiphe`!!! 16 beautiful blessings God has touched my life with! So beautiful outside we took them all out and enjoyed the sunshine all morning. We even fed them outside! Thank you Lord for Sunshine!!!

Farrah. Beautiul Girl! Trying to make her smile during therapy.

<3<3<3

Everything I am doing is for Christ. 

Every opportunity that comes my way I will take.

I have 2 weeks left here and I am not about to miss a single moment!

Thank you for all your prayers and support! 

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE...I AM LETTING IT SHINE! 

EVERYTHING we do is for Christ!

We have been quite the touristy team this past week. A nice day of adventures on Monday the 27th! First stop: the top of Table Mountain! With all the rain the rocks were too wet to be able to climb the mountain so we took the cable car to the top. What a BEAUTIFUL view! We hiked around on the top, took lots of pictures, and saw Rock Pirates (these cute little groundhog-bunny looking animals)! We then went to Hoet Bay where we took our shoes and socks off and ran into the Indian Ocean! Very cold, but luckily it was warm enough outside that jeans and a long sleeve shirt was enough...one of the warmest days yet. We ate at the seafood restaurant by the shore then went to the National Park called Cape of Good Hope. Here we went to Cape Point where we could see where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet and could hike down the mountain to the most beautiful beach ever...Dias Beach. It was at the bottom of cliffs... completely surrounded by rocks and the sand was the perfect white/ light tan color. (Don't worry, I have LOTS of pictures.) On the way out of the park we spotted baboons!!!!! They are by far the cutest ugliest things I have ever seen! The baby ones were pretty cute!!! We drove a little farther and spotted an Ibex, similar to an antelope. We then drove to Simon's Town to see Penguins! It is crazy because we were just driving along and a baboon runs across the street...a deer is normal...not a BABOON! We got there and went out to the beach and sure enough spotted penguins! There were baby penguins too!!! So cute and fluffy! After a long day we drove around False Bay and back to Grabouw! Such an amazing time! Baya Dankie (Thank you very much) Gerrit and Ami!!!

Wednesday we got to go to a Themba Care service; it is a different organization that Megan worked with last year. This is a church service for the patients with AIDS that don't leave the facility. It was so uplifting to see these people sing and dance and cry and rejoice all at the same time. These people have nothing...nothing that is but the love of Jesus Christ! So encouraging! Later that night we also went to a township bible study that was started by Daz and Lisa from Village of Hope. This community has no electricity at all...they have the bare minimum...if that. We had the opportunity to pray for some of the people within the township, so many broken people.

On Thursday (30th) the four of us and our two British friends went to Cape Town to the Jewish Museum, on accident, and then found the museum we wanted...the Holocaust Museum. What an eye-opener! So sad; it made my stomach churn. We had lunch and walked to the Green Market!!! So many tents, so much stuff, and so little time! Got to buy real Africa stuff!!! So exciting, but yet the most stressful situation of my life. Bartering is some intense business!

Friday we had CRAFT and GAME day for the kiddos. We brought 4 big bags full of school supplies so we thought it would be nice to have an organized day for little projects. We made kites, flowers, planes, colored, and played on the playground. All the children from Agape 1,2, and 3 came to the school at Agape 4, so it was a crazy day, but fun and something different for the children. For lunch we had a yummy African dish. Yummmmm yumm! And in the afternoon, after the children left, the 4 of us swept the gym and mopped. Gerrit and Ami's kids taught us a fun African Jumping Game! I got 3rd place...mad hops, no big deal...haha!

Wow. What an amazing weekend (July 2-4th)! We went to stay with Megan's friends Theresa and Derick. What a blessing it was and what an amazing Christ following couple!!! Their love story is absolutely heart-warming and was COMPLETELY based on Faith.  Not a story you can just type out...I would butcher it if I tried! ...Sovereignty. That is what I learned this weekend. To trust the Lord with everything I have, with everything I am, and to be everything HE wants me to be. In life we hit rough times and happy times, but what I have learned and what we as believers need to understand is that EVERYTHING we do is for Christ...that is why we are here on this Earth in the first place...to praise is Holy name! A question that Derick asked me was "Why are you here in South Africa? Are you here because the opportunity came up and you thought it would be well worth your time, or are you here because God wants you here and this is all part of his plan for you?" Derick was so full of wisdom and with that helped me realize that everything we go through in life is part of God's plan for us...and though we might be going through a difficult time, it is important to realize that God is using my life for the glory of His Kingdom. Even in a horrible situation we need to praise God through it! It was an amazing reminder of how "my" life is not mine at all...it's His. It always has been and it always will be. My fiance`, my family, my friends, my stuff is not more important than Jesus Christ! Derick also asked, "Do you love Jesus because he died on the cross for you or do you love Jesus for who he is?" Wow...it's so not about him dying for us. Yes it is amazing that He would do that for us, but that is NOT why we love Him, not why we should love him. He just made me realize how much deeper my relationship with my Father needs to be. It was an amazing God-glorifying, eye opening experience!! And if this past weekend was the reason I came here...then it was worth it.  

So in love with this place!

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it Shine!
With Love, Alissa Rene

God is working in this Place!

This picture was taking at Agape 3. Children ages 5 and 6. They all call me 'Lisa' because for some reason no one can pronounce Alissa, and Lissa turns into Lisa. So I have learned to answer to most "L" names. =]

This is Ayanda. She was my little follower when I was at Agape 2. No matter where I went she was right there with me...holding my hand, sitting next to me, or sitting on my lap. She saw me the day after and came running up to me and gave me the biggest hug ever! She is such a happy little girl!!!!

We had the opportunity to help out at Kids Club on a Friday night, ages 6-12 years. We danced, worshiped, played games, and had a message. It was all in Afrikanas so I actually had no clue what was going on, but listening to people pray in another language is so powerful. Any who, afterwards I went up to this little girl who was off by herself and said, "Hello, vat is ya naam?" Her name is Maliska. She was the sweetest thing and was so excited that I came up to her. We didn't talk much, but I held her in my arms and that made her so happy! She ended up being on the same bus that took us back to our cabin and she got so excited when I hopped on the bus! She scooted over and patted the seat next to her with a huge smile on her face! The whole way home she kept her hand on my knee and I put my arm around her! She was full of smiles the whole way...it was so cute! 

Agape!!!

This is Clayton. He lives in the Asiphe` House where children with severe physical and mental disabilities live. He is also blind, but he gets where he wants to go and loves to cling to you, hug you, and laugh with you! So full of life...he is such a JOY!

South Africa =]

   After 36 hours of travel time, and 21 hours in a plane...we are safe and sound in AFRICA!!!
  
   I LOVE IT HERE! Africa is so beautiful! Mountains are all around us and I got to touch the Indian Ocean! The children are so adorable! They make me so happy...even though some can hardly speak English...they constently grab my hands and drag me around. I have gotten tackled! It's sad how as soon as they see me they trust me and want hugs and kisses and to be played with. Their stories are so sad, but they carry such happiness around.
   We are living right by the slums, and in person, looking at their homes the pain you feel cuts deeper than any picture could ever show. How can "I'm broke" or "I'm hungery" roll off my lips when they have nothing but a few boards and a piece of tin as a roof. It's winter here, and at night is when it gets cold...so many people have no blankets and I have comforters at my house in the states that are stored away...It has just been very eye opening.
   Gerrit and Ami have been wonderful to us. I have met 2 of their 3 biological children, and their 7 adopted children. We have so much fun with their family! We taught the kids the game signs and it has been are ritual the past couple of nights to walk over to their house and play the game with them. They know English well, the thing that makes it difficult are their accents...it takes some getting use to.
   After this week, the next 3 weeks the children have their winter break, so we will have the opportunity to go into the slums and to the hospital. Megan also wants to go to the Villiage of Hope for a day. All is well and great here in Grawbou!!! I look forward to sharing my whole expierence with you when I return! Until then...I will post a blog hopefully within the next week!

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!
With love, Alissa Rene

1 DAY a.k.a. TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!! =]

Thank you letters are being sent. Everything is packed. The Team is getting together at 4 tonight. Early bedtime. Up at 3am and on our way to Chicago at 4am! I feel like it won't hit me until I have been over an ocean for nine hours! So ExCiTeD!!!

This is my last blog post in the states! Next blog post will be from South Africa!!!!!!!!!!! =]
I am not sure how often Internet access with be available but every chance I get I will update my blog!

For my parents: I love you Mom and Dad so very much! Thank you for showing me God's love all the way threw my childhood, and even now. Thank you for letting me follow my dream, and God's plan to Africa...your support has made all the difference. I don't know what I would do without you!! This trip is going to be life changing for me...but don't worry, your baby girl can handle it...The LORD is ALWAYS with me.

This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine!!!
With Love, Alissa Rene

2 DAYSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We leave Wednesday morning! I am so excited!!!! Eeek!! Got all my packing to do today and Tuesday! Thank the Lord for Space Saver Bags! Please lift the Team up in your prayers as we travel Wednesday and Thursday. God has already been doing great things for this team and we haven't even left yet!

I can not believe it's almost time for AFRICA!

This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine!
With love, Alissa Rene

10 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is so hard to believe just how fast departure day is approaching! I started the countdown at 77 and thought it would take forever, but it is flying by! My excitement keeps increasing, and so far, I have not felt anxious towards the trip. The ONLY thing that has crossed my mind is how I do not want head lice...obviously it won't prevent me loving on these children, but it's just something I have had a couple times and the thought of it makes me itchy!

I have recently quit my job and moved home with my parents. I worked at a Nursing Facility and the last week there I couldn't tell you how many of my residents cried when they found out my last day was at the end of the week. But there is one story that I want to share: One of my residents and I had this amazing relationship and we always talked about the Lord and how awesome He is. I would always share stories with her, and she would tell me all about the mission work she did. The night before my last, she asked me to come to her room on my lunch break. After talking for a little bit she asked if she could anoint me and pray over me. I have never had that done. As she put the oil on my head she began to pray! It was such a blessing and I felt so up lifted, she brought tears to my eyes. She gave me a card and she thanked me for my friendship, but she will never know how much she has blessed me and encouraged me!

To set my heart in flames, Yesterday I started reading the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. (If you haven't read this book I encourage you to do so!) The first time I read it, it changed my perspective greatly and got me so fired up for the Lord! I thought the week and a half prior to leaving would be a good time to reread the book.

3 Favorite points in chapter one:

• Don't get so wrapped up in life that you don't have time to stop and think...Right now we are standing on a ball thats spinning thousands of miles per hour and we just wake up and say "Oh yeah just another day." But it's not just another day, there is nothing normal about it! This could be the greatest day of your life! Stop and Think..
• Whatever God's reasons for such diversity, creativity, and sophistication in the universe, on earth, and in our own bodies, the point of it all is His glory. God's art speaks of Himself, reflecting who He is and what He is like. Read Psalm 19:1-4. This is why we are called to worship Him. His art, His handiwork, and His creation all echo the truth that He is glorious. There is no other like Him.
• To say that God is holy is to say that He is set apart, distinct from us. And because of His set apart-ness, there is no way we can ever fathom all of who He is. To the Jews, saying something three times demonstrated its perfection, so to call God "Holy, Holy, Holy" is to say that He is perfectly set apart, with nothing and no one to compare Him to. That is what it means to be holy. 

There are so many point in this book that brings me such joy that I have to burst and share God's amazing-ness with those around me! I don't know for sure how God is going to use me while I am there in South Africa, but what I do know is that I can feel it in my heart, I can tell that God is preparing me, and it is going to be incredible!

Please keep Team Africa in your prayers!

This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine,

With Love, Alissa Rene 

20 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's getting closer!!! Ekkk!!! I am so very very excited I can hardly wait! Please keep lifting our team up as we prepare our hearts for this INCREDIBLE journey! The Lord is going to use us in an amazing way...Just pray that we never miss a moment to serve our Savior!


"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine! Let it shine, let it shine, let it SHINE!"
With Love, Alissa Rene

30 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...One day less than a month!!! That is all. =]

This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine!
With Love, Alissa

40 DAYS!!!!!!

Thank you again Lord! He has provide the money for all of us now! Support's raised, plane tickets are being bought, and the countdown continues! AHHHHHHHHH! I have never more excited about anything! This trip has been consuming my mind which is great that I am preparing myself, BUT I still have a week of school left and I can tell you now...I need prayer to stay focused! So please keep me in your prayers this week.

School's done in a week, then after that- two more weeks of work, moving home, a new niece on the way (hopefully before I leave), my sister is moving, and Africa...I can get through this next month. 

I was watching this video AGAIN...haha...and thought I would post it AGAIN =]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKGQJFKPhgk

This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine,

With love, Alissa Rene

OFFICIALLY official!!!

PRAISE THE LORD OH PRAISE THE LORD! I have raised 100% of my support! Praise his Holy name and THANK YOU to everyone who financially gave and THANK YOU to those that are praying and will continue to pray!! Without you this life changing experience would not be possible! I am so overjoyed and feel so blessed, I can not thank you all enough!

We will be getting plane tickets this week and then after that...waiting for departure day!!! 48 DAYS!!!!! eek!!! Can not believe how soon that is!

If you could please keep two of my team members in your prayers, they still have some support to raise! Thanks again!! GOD BLESS!

This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine!
With Love, Alissa Rene

Ephesians 4:29

“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (NLT)

Megan- Thank you for being such a wonderful mentor! You have always been there for me and I know that no matter what happens, you will still be there for me...always. I'm so glad we are related, goofy, and love the Lord!! Life is so much more fun with you in it! =] You are such an amazing woman following the path God has laid out for you! Do not get discouraged because the Lord is with you and he knows what is best for you. Trust him with your life and he will guide you! Never forget how beautiful you are, and remember that you are the workmanship of Christ...God never makes mistakes, so don't change a thing about you! I am so very thankful that you are in my life Megan!!! I have no clue where I would be without you!! Africa is going to be so amazing! I can't wait to love on these babies with you!!! <3

Rachel- You are inspiring! Watching you grow and mature for the Lord has been such an amazing experience!! You have such a passion for the Lord and at such a young age and it is so encouraging! Keep loving him with everything you are and remember that no matter how others view you God is so very pleased with you! I am so thankful that we have become closer over the past year! You have helped me cope through a lot of events and I am thankful that you where there for me! I am so excited to serve the Lord with you in South Africa! God is going to change our lives Rachel! Prepare yourself for an UNFORGETTABLE trip! <3

Nicole- You make me smile!! I feel like I have know you for years and it has only been months! You are such a great listener, and I love the talks we have shared. I hope you know that you can always trust me, that I will not judge you, and I will always be here for you! As a new Christian, keep surrounding yourself with brothers and sisters in Christ, and Remember this, God is always in control. God is the person you can ALWAYS turn to, who will never leave you, and will always love you! He will show you what Love really means. Keep God as your number one and truly live a life that is pleasing to him! Stay positive and don't fret because God is on your side now therefore ALL things are possible!! God is leading you to Africa...you need trust that He will get you there. I can not wait to watch you grow during this trip! <3

I love you three girls so very much! I am so ready to experience this life change with such an amazing group of young women! God is gonna do incredible WORK!!!! =]

This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine,
Alissa Rene

JAMES 1:27

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

59 DAYS!!! Praise the Lord for everything he has done for the Team! We are so very grateful  for all the prayers and financial support we have received! WHAT A BLESSING!! Megan and I picked up craft supplies and within the next couple of days, I am designing our Team Africa shirts! Can't wait to get started...we have decided that James 1:27 is our verse for this trip, and will be the verse printed on the back of our shirts! It is so encouraging to find a verse that gives you that feeling "I am doing what the Lord has called me to do." God is so amazing! He is sooooooooooo good! PRAISE THE LORD! PRAISE THE LORD!

Please continue to lift prayers up for Megan, Rachel, Nicole, and I:
-that all our finacial needs be met
-that we trust in him fully
-that no matter what happens on this trip...it is for the LORD and his glory!!

This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine,
Alissa Rene

YIPPY-YI-YO-KI-YAY!!!!!

 I GOT MY PASSPORT! =]
 

Africa here I come! 64 DAYS!!!!

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!

 Alissa Rene 

...FAITH...

The countdown continues...66 days!!! I'm so excited, and I feel like my heart is ready for God's work, but it has been taking a lot of FAITH in trusting the Lord to financially get me there. I'm not worried I know He is in control, and I know that He will provide a way...it just takes a lot of FAITH.

I was thinking about South Africa today, and how this place is going to change my life. I have never been out of the country for 6 and 1/2 weeks...in fact I have never left the country at all. I am so ready to witness those individuals who are suffering from absolute poverty and just realize how blessed I am to have something as simply as shoes, clothing, a bed, four walls and a roof around me, a floor, three meals a day...How will the Lord use me? He is calling me to go there...but what does he have in store for me when I get there? Is my heart really ready to witness all this suffering? I am so excited to experience the Lord's plans for me while I'm there in South Africa, but I won't truly know what it will be like till I am actually there...in other words...I can only prepare myself so much. Good thing this journey is in the Lord's hands!!

Please continue to pray for the faith it takes to trust in the Lord- that all financially needs will be met and that my passport will arrive soon. Also that I will pour myself into the Word and continue to prepare myself.

Thank you for your support! ...For your prayers and for your generous financial gifts! I feel so blessed!!

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!
Alissa Rene

70 DAYS!!!

<3 South Africa

[[photography by Megan]]

                                                I am nothing without you...

                                                               Lord, please give me a reason to live

                                                                                       ...a reason to breathe. 

YOU are the SALT of the earth ~ YOU are the LIGHT of the world

72 days!!! THE COUNT DOWN BEGINS!! In 72 days I will be showing God's love to children only through my actions, I won't be able to speak their language! I have never been more excited! Though 72 days seems so far away...leaving for Africa is right around the corner. Everything is coming together. Letters are out, and now I'm just trusting in the Lord to get me there. I have no worries and I am praying that I can ignore satan when he tries to get me to question God...but I know God has everything under control.

If you could continue to pray for the preparation of my heart and for the hearts of those I will be reaching out to, and that I can continue to TRUST God and stay worry free!

                                                            Thank you in advance!! =]

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!
With Love, Alissa

even more INSPIRED

 Knowing, just knowing that I am going to the place my heart has always had a passion for...knowing that I am leaving in 4 to 4 and 1/2 months to fly 20+ hours to go love on children I have only seen pictures of...knowing that I feel so incredibly inspired it is CRAZY! Today I found a youtube video of the ministry that I will be volunteering at in Grabouw, South Africa! Watching this video, I saw children that I have seen in my cousins many pictures and my heart longed for them! The only thing I want to do is be there with them, smile and laugh with them, hug them so that they feel loved, and truly know what it is like to have nothing and feel like I have everything. Here is the link, the children that I will be spending my entire summer with: Agape Ministries: Grabouw, South Africa .

Ephesians 2:10
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Ephesians 5:1-2
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!
With Love, Alissa

Psalms 37:4

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." ...After two years of praying and waiting, the Lord has given me the opportunity to go to South Africa! I am more than excited and can not wait to see how God will use me while I am there! I'm constantly hoping and praying that I can be a light in a dark place...that's my motto; here and once I arrive there.

The dates are not set in stone yet, but we (my two cousins and close friend) are planning on being there around June 15th to the first week of August...things could change...but that was the last that I have heard. Regardless, I AM SO EXCITED!!!! I decided to follow in my cousin's footsteps and start a blog; thanks for the idea Megan! =]

If you could please pray:
-that I will fully trust in the Lord and know that He will provide for me throughout this entire trip and strength that I don't let satan tell me otherwise.
-that from this moment my heart will be ready and willing to do and follow whatever it is the Lord is leading me to.

This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine!
With Love, Alissa