Sometimes a dream forms deep in your heart. It might come out of the blue or grow slowly and steadily.
Sometimes you nurture the dream, continually pray for it, or maybe you just speak it to our Father and let it go.
Sometimes dreams don't come true.
But sometimes they do.
In February I get to take part in something that is, for me, a dream come true. It was born just over a year ago, on a mission trip to Colombia. I had an overwhelming urge to go on the next one with my dad. I teared up just thinking about the possibility.
But yet, it was one of those dreams I couldn't quite work out in my head. Where would we go? We don't live in the same place. How would that work? Would he be able to take time off from work? Would he be willing to go...anywhere?
I didn't know the answers. But I new the desire. I prayed. I asked my dad to pray. And to be honest, I'm not sure I really even believed God would make it happen. I couldn't see how it would work in the near future. But I'm pretty sure my heart communicated what my head could not. So I left all the muddle of questions in a heap on His lap.
I carried on with life and work and my debt-free by 4-16-14 mission.
Then one day out of the blue, I hear about a trip to Kenya through my church.
This was it. I could just feel it. Everything lined up. There was absolutely no reason not to go on this trip, as much as I might have wanted to find one. I mean, really?...Kenya!
And I knew I wanted my dad to be there with me. But I had to make the call. He'd never say yes if I didn't ask! I told him about the opportunity - he was excited, but unsure. He requested time to discuss with his wife and pray.
A few days later I received a phone call from him. "Erin...I want to talk to you about your question." I knew right then and there the answer was no. Oh the tone in his voice! It was so somber.
But what followed was an explanation, a journey of one man's heart to do the will of God. I listened in silence as he shared. And finally I heard the words "Yes, I'm going to go with you."
Be still my heart! I began dancing and jumping around the kitchen, hardly believing the words I just heard. My dad and I were going to Kenya!!!!
That night he texted me: "I'm so excited I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight."
Words to make a daughter's heart melt.
So this February, with only a couple months to prep and raise support, he and I (and almost 25 other people) will board a plane to Africa. We will be Jesus' hands and feet by relationing with orphans and widows, meeting local church bodies and helping them build a physical structure to meet in, spending time with kids in local schools, and helping with a conference for pastor's wives, among other things.
We are in a whirlwind of passports, shots, prayer, paperwork, support letters, meetings, prayer, more paperwork, and more support letters.
And I couldn't be more excited!
It's a dream come true. One I didn't see coming. I can almost see God chuckling as I squealed with delight when I found out it was happening.
More to come as we get ready.
But in the meantime, if you'd like to join in the work God is doing in Kenya, you can help me out financially. Click here to make that happen.
I would love to have your support and prayer! It will cost each of us $3200 and there's not much time before we depart.
Here's to dreams that actually do come true.
link to support me financially:
https://my.12stone.com/mpp/mission_trip_giving.aspx?filter=campaign:140%7Cpledge:31456%7Camount:
link to support my dad financially:
https://my.12stone.com/mpp/mission_trip_giving.aspx?filter=campaign:140%7Cpledge:31460%7Camount:
contact me personally if you would like to be on my prayer list
