Having it all together

I haven’t posted on here in a while, so I thought I would.  I was thinking about writing the typical post where I update everything on the things we’ve accomplished, but God opened my eyes to something else.  I go to UNC, and although I love it here, there are a few things I can’t stand.  The main thing is the overarching mentality on campus most people call the “Carolina Way”.  It’s all about being the best at everything you try and finding your identity in your grades and how many things your involved in on campus.  Pretty much what it all turns into is this sense that you have to have it all together all the time.  I hate this mentality and have been very much against it all year...some of my grades are proof of this.  I thought I was doing well at fighting against this worldly mentality and finding my identity in Christ instead, but tonight was a bit of a reality check for me.

I have noticed that most of the time when I tell people what I’ve been up to lately or what God has been doing in my life there response is something like “wow, it sounds like you really have your life figured out.”  I didn’t notice it at the time, but I took pride in this kind of reaction.  I like being in control.  I like people thinking that I’m succeeding at the things I’m doing.  In reality, God isn’t anywhere in that reaction I’m getting from people.  He’s not getting any glory from people seeing my achievements.  God uses broken people for a reason.  I should desire for people to look at me and not see me at all, just God’s light shining through me.  It’s the fact that he can accomplish so much in such broken people that makes His story so amazing.  By putting on this “perfect” front, I’ve been really selfish and have been putting God in a box.  

For everyone else on the L4L team, you all know that I’m far from perfect and I hope that you hold me accountable to embracing this brokenness.  It’s my prayer that we all go out in boldness and do something reckless for God.  Everything about building this organization is crazy and the only way it is ever going to succeed is if we give God all control over our lives and the things we do.

-Alison

Worry Wart

Welp. Plane tickets are purchased. Vaccinations have been administered. Support letters are sent. And now all I have left to do is "get rid of all of my expectations" as Alison and Andrew keep telling me. Not really going well. I think about Kenya probably 20 times a day. More often than not, I analyze and mentally prepare rather than praying and releasing control. If you know me, you know that this is something I have never really embraced...

Andrew and I had our first sibling tiff this week. I came at him demanding knowledge. How much is in our account? What do I need to be doing? You never responded to my e-mail. Grrr. (PS - One bowl of chili and 5 minutes of immature behavior later we were back to normal)

Andrew is what I like to call a Mary Magdalene. I am undoubtedly a Martha (Luke 10:38-42). Both are necessary in this world. However, I feel like the Marys have somewhat of an advantage on the getting-to-know-your-lord-and-savior front. This realization is gradually mellowing me. Alison Gamble is taking good care of us. I have done my part. Now I need to allow God to prepare my heart. Which takes focus off of what I can "do" and places it back on what Christ has already done.

There are still many items left on the trip to Kenya to-do list. And I am, in writing, declaring that I will not worry over these insignificant details. Feel free to hold me to that.

-Erin Gamble

Time.

Africa comes Fast, Ben and i took a few trial run trips camping for a weekend and i have come to the conclusion that this is going to be an amazing summer no matter what happens. I have been so encouraged by a peace that the Lord has given me about the plans he has in store for my life and what they look like. 

Alison and I have been praying recently more and more for the Lord to take control of this whole project as a whole. The way i see it is. God is Love. So i think he should play a pretty big role in an organization that is solely based off of loving and serving those around us. 

Contacts: We have been making more and more contacts with people that we are looking foreword to meeting when we actually hit the ground over in africa. Its going to be a great trip. We are going to be spending a lot of time with orphanages and people building and running them. It should be an amazing opportunity to receive training so that we are able to push foreword Hope N Doors. Our missions to soon build an orphanage in uganda. 

Erin went and bought the gear she needed to come to africa when she meets us in june or july. Which she got much of her joy from finding out that she was able to match her headlamp chacos and backpack. Whatever floats her boat. Soon she will see everything matches in africa, its dirty. We are soo happy that she is going to come and bring life to our stay in africa. And from what i understand she is just as happy. 

I recently made a short video for vintage 21 for a group of college kids that are as passionate about serving others as we are. You can check it out if you would like. at this link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GVRSzNF-Uc

Let me know what you think. I accept and welcome all criticism and of course encouragement to improve my video work. 

We are continually praying for everyone that is serving and supporting us thank you for all that you do.

Andrew

-founder 

L4SL