3 thousand feet

      Right now Im sitting at a pretty three thousand feet above sea level in the quaint town of Boone, North Carolina. Not surprisingly its already fairly cold here (40s the last couple of days) and fall seems to be rather shy this year, already leaving the stage for winter to come on and do its thing.
      The last month and a half have been filled with all kinds of adventures.  The hand (surgery on an infection) is healing nicely and I reaped in goodies and get-wells from people.  The first couple weeks following surgery were the most interesting when I had to keep my had elevated above my heart at all times.  On quite a few occasions I was called on in class with the teacher eventually realizing I had no question but am simply following medical orders.
      Time management has been one issue Ive been trying to deal with, along with glorifying God through school and the work that comes with it.  These are two things that I often struggle with.  Africa gave me great perspective on the blessings Ive been given, particularly in regards to education, and that blessing entails responsibility.
       That said, college is a lot of fun and I dont want to be a slave to school.  Slavery's not good.  Anyway, im pretty tired and Im talking about slavery for some reason, so im gunna call it a night and wake up in the morning ready to manage some time!

Ben Kern

30//thousand feet.

 Im back in the Air Cruising over the earth at 30.Thousand feet on my way to Los Angeles, CA, writing this blog on Air Tran's wireless internet which in my book is pretty cool. My morning started 3 hours after my night at 4am when i had to get up to go to the airport. But somewhere over the course of my trip to Africa i acquired the ability to sleep in a variety of noisy places, and managed to catch an hour of sleep on the floor of the Atlanta, GA airport.
 So heres the catchup.

1 month and 6 days:  life is back in full swing. Ben and i got back around midnight on august 18th and hit the ground running. For me it was class that day at 9am for Ben it was heading back to app for crusade leadership training. But before long he was back in raleigh Rex hospital for some surgery on his hand for staff infection. 40 Some odd stitches later and a ton of acting like the tough guy while the girls look at his cool scar and hes back in business chugging through school at App state.

Things havn't stopped though more than ever God has been moving and were excited about it.  Last Sunday we all got on a conference call with a group of supporters who are looking to head off to africa themselves next summer. And ive been getting coffee constantly, even though i dont even drink coffee, catching up with people and telling our summer's stories. The more i go through it with people the more i realize what an awesome time God provided for us this summer and the many ways we got to see him move.

Inside. Lately ive been trying to refocus my heart and mind to the mission God has in store for me in the Raleigh area and seeking new ways to serve locally. Because i feel that we are called to go but also to serve wherever we are. God has also been at work in my heart making sure that in everything i do i realize that the only way it succeeds is through him.  Ive been going through  Mark with my Crusade bible study and will admit that parables are cooler than i remember my Sunday school felt boards making them out to be. If you had to tell a parable what would yours sound like? next time on the blog ill write one. so get pumped.

Life. Busy almost to busy to keep up most of the time. This week in particular has been rough but maybe that means that Gods just got something really cool coming my way. Either way im so down for being back on the road again. Would love to hear from you guys, even if its just throwing out a hey! amvanove@ncsu.edu
 From on top of the world.
Av.
-L4L Co-Founder

One of those days...

You know those days where everything you try to do fails and everything that could go wrong, does go wrong?  Today is one of those days for me.  It's only 2:20 so I'm a little worried to see what else could possibly happen as the day progresses.  As I was thinking about all of the events that have happened today, I realized how fortunate I am that my identity is in Christ.  If I tried to find my identity in my accomplishments like so many around me do quite often, I would be a mess right now.  Thankfully, even when everything is going wrong I'm able to look past my circumstances and see an amazing God that will always be there for me.
I just saw a blog talking about why God makes things impossible sometimes.  It reminded me that God puts us in situations that are so challenging so that he gets the glory for them.  He makes it so obvious to everyone around us that our accomplishments are not our own doing, but God's.
"You will face opportunities that feel like mountains.  And when you are there, when you stand in that place, you will shine. For God’s glory. For his name. For his might and power, you will shine."
http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/09/3637/
God giving me this humility came at the perfect time.  I just found out that the club we are starting for L4L at UNC-CH has been officially recognized by the university.  We still have to finish registering, but we have made it past the biggest obstacle.  I had to jump through about a million hoops to get the club approved.  It would have been really easy for me to look at all of the hours that I put into this and feel impressed with my accomplishment.  Thankfully, God reminded me that I wasn't the one that got the club approved; it was Him working through me.

Life is so much more exciting when I give God the glory for all of it.  It's my prayer that even though it can be painful at times, God continues to pour out humility into everyone at L4L and helps us to continually focus on Him and His will for us.

-Alison
Co-founder

In conclusion...

Here I am. Back in NC. I got to meet my beautiful new niece as soon as I stepped out of the terminal. Allyson (my sister) and Mom surprised me by bringing the girls to the airport. The first thing I saw was a poster that Caroline had made that read, "Welcome home Aunt Sissy." It was a nice, emotional reunion.


I have been more than well-received by my family and friends. I have taken hot showers and slept in a very comfortable bed. I have eaten Taco Bell (yessss), Mexican food, and LOTS of sweets because Africans are no good at sweets.


I hear this about 100 times a day: "How was Africa?"


A better questions is "How am I supposed to begin to answer that question?" I generally start to ramble about food, dirt, tribal warriors, and camels. It's inevitable that something get lost in translation. I got all 260 pictures developed today and purchased a photo album for them. But it's not the same. My words won't do this trip justice. My pictures don't even come close to demonstrating the beauty I saw in the people and environment that surrounded me. I am currently in the process of creating a presentation for my grandmother's Sunday School class and I literally feel like it would be an injustice to the people that I lived life with to show these few slides and tell a couple of stories. How do you put all of the wonderful things I saw and felt into a 15 minute Power Point presentation?


So in conclusion, I am somewhat settled back into my comfortable life. And I am so SO thankful to see my family and friends and hear about the happenings of their lives for the last few weeks. But the perspective that I gained hardly makes this transition an easy one. So bear with me, please, as I try to take the things that I learned and the glory God showed me and apply it to life here in NC. I want to continue to love on people the way that God calls us to, be it here in NC, in Kenya, or in some other country. Please, also hold me accountable to frivolous living that makes much of myself rather than bringing glory to God and loving others around me. Thanks to all of you for reading the L4L blog and for praying for the team. Continue to keep Ben, Andrew, and the people of Kenya in your prayers.


Erin Gamble
Uncomfortably Comfortable

Finding God in Uncertainty

The bombings in Uganda are truly heart breaking.  The possibility of what they signify for Uganda’s future is really scary.  I’ve been able to talk to a few people in Kampala and from what I’ve heard, the atmosphere completely changed within a few hours.  Uganda’s elections in February will be a big turning point for Uganda and could put Uganda back in a dangerous situation.  As I’m sitting here in so much uncertainty of the future for Love for the Sake of Love (both from these recent events and from other influences) I couldn’t be more certain of God’s calling for us to go and serve.  Whether we’re supposed to be in a different part of Africa or God wants us to help the needs of Uganda that may soon be bigger than ever before, I’m so ready to go.  It may be the hardest and most uncomfortable thing I ever do, but as I continue to grow closer to God each day my passion for the people of Africa also grows exponentially.

While I’m excited to go and would gladly jump on a plane today if someone handed me a ticket, I’m also very excited about the preparation time God has given me here.  That’s not something I’ve always been able to say as my heart and mind are usually focused on Africa.  I know there is SO much more that I need to learn and I’m thankful for the time God has given me to do so.  I can’t wait to continue to build up the stateside aspect of Love for the Sake of Love.  God has been reminding me lately that when we first started Love for the Sake of Love our vision was to bridge the gap between those willing to serve and the needs of the developing world.  If we want to do that, then we need to start getting people passionate about what God is doing and preparing them to go serve.  I don’t know what exactly this means yet, but I really envision having some kind of program in the future that will train people mentally, physically, and spiritually to go serve.  I’ve been told by so many people that being a missionary doesn’t start when you step off of the plane on the other side of the world; it starts way before that back at home.  We need to be serving God HERE and spreading the gospel HERE if we are serious about what we’re doing.  This is definitely easier said than done, but while I’m in the United States I want to be serving in the communities here and I want to get others involved in the process.  

I also feel like God is calling us to continue to raise funds and support and really devote our time to this in the next year.  It would be easy to wait until God reveals his plan to us so we could present our perfect 3-step plan to others and show them exactly what we’ll be doing, but God doesn’t work like that.  Honestly, it’s going to be really hard to go up to people and say “Hey, I’m not sure where we’re going, what we’ll really be doing, or how we’ll get it done, but somehow God’s going to pull it off and I would love your support along the way”, but that’s what God is calling us to do.  He doesn’t call us to sacrifice our lives once we know all of the conditions to what we’re agreeing to, He calls us to give up our lives and follow Him no matter what....and to trust that we don’t need to have all the answers right away, because He has them and that is all we need.  

This is what we’re going to try to do and I would love for all of you to be there praying for us and holding us accountable along the way.  I’m sure most of my professors would tell me that this is not the proper way to establish a business plan, but I think I’ll choose God’s plan instead of my own, because I know it is going to be so much greater than I could ever even imagine.  

Alison

Within Broken Borders

The past couple of days I have had the chance to talk to a friend of a friend, Joe Miller, about the organization he is co-founding, Within Broken Borders.  I've been amazed by the work that they are doing.  Joe and his co-founder Anna Medearis just got back from the Middle East where they filmed a documentary called From the Eyes of Hope.  This film will be completed in October and is the first step in building long term connections between the youth of America, the Palestinians, and the Israelis.  In the future, Within Broken Borders plans on addressing other areas of conflict or oppression and helping the American youth get involved with restoring hope throughout the world.
Although documentaries and orphanages are very different, Within Broken Borders and Love for the Sake of Love share a lot of the same visions and hopes for the future.  And most importantly, the main focus for both organizations is to bring glory to God with whatever we do.
To learn more about Within Broken Borders or to even host a screening of their film, go to www.withinbrokenborders.com or e-mail me at AGamble@loveforthesakeoflove.com and I'll find the best people to connect you with.

Alison

In the short rows...

In Wayne/Johnston County, when a task is almost completed, folks generally say that they are "in the short rows." When working in a field, the rows get shorter at the ends. So when you reach the "short rows," you know it's quitting time soon.


My plane leaves in exactly 10 days. And it feels like I am "almost done." Almost done getting the materials I need. Almost done sorting out financial details. Almost done wondering what it will be like when I get there. Because as soon as my plane lands in Nairobi, all the pieces will fall into place and I can just rest in the peace of being where God wants to use me. I know as soon as I arrive, I will not stop learning about God's love and provision, about myself, about how to love on people in general. I know each day will be humbling and bring perspective.


Now if I can only get through these 10 days! Every once in a while, thoughts creep in to my head to make me uneasy. What if I can't find Andrew and Ben at the airport? What if something gets mixed up with my flights? What if I forget something crucial? Nevertheless, God is dealing with these thoughts as they occur and forcing me to exercise complete and total dependency on him. What a good Daddy, right?


I will be meeting Andrew's mom and Ben's mom this Sunday for prayer for the team. Also to pick up a bag to take to the boys. Apparently the need for American candy bars is pretty intense so this will be the first need I meet during this experience:)


If anyone has any packing/flying/airport advice, do tell. Otherwise, keep praying for L4L, the team in Africa, Alison, and all those involved with this. For now, I will continue counting down the short rows...


-Erin Gamble

Malaria vs. Dentist

You see just cus its the first time doesn't mean you think its cool. No one goes to the dentist like "woopie i get a toothbrush for getting my face hacked at and eyes filled with drill particles for hours!" Same thing for malaria, you see. Only a pure fool will take a bath in sugar water then go running through the bush, except me of course. Not sugar water, just white skin ---in an unpigmently challenged land. Upppgrade. Anyway its starts like this.
    Dentist - the man sits you down in a semi-comfy chair. Africa - you leave your house for a normal day. The dentist begins to smile, this is when you know something fishy is up. That free toothbrush has got more strings attached than a free wifi sign in africa. You go to entebbe to talk to a friend and on the way you start to wonder hmm "do i feel funny?" Back at the dentist, he takes a drill and says this is just to clean your teeth don't worry.  "are you ready?" Of course your mouth is split too wide to say yes or no. First dentist trick. You put your head down just for a second on the ride home from entebbe to catch some rest from your meeting. The drill comes closer to your teeth. You wake up. and BAM! you got a headache. by two different methods. One by dentist other by malaria.
   So that i don't take the rest of both our days i'll speed things up. Day one i got no sleep, i dont know my temperature. Same as first night home from the dentist. shoot, you got a new tooth brush! who can sleep after that? I was up all night, the temperature on my wrist from my watch reached 102F which on every human is a fever. I took some medicine that one of the uncles gave me. Bad move. (It's like if your friend, who is NOT a dentist, says "hey can i try drilling at your teeth?" You say, "nope!") It was a kind of medicine but not the best and a children's dose. Second day i go to the doctor to see what's wrong. Got told 300 times i'm not a kid anymore. Who knew. Asked a missionary Loring Morris if i could stay in their quiet home. She said yes, Winner! Second night no sleep, i'm on Lonart and some weird IBprofin which works about like IBnothin. Then next night just as bad, found out its not location location location. It probably has something to do with hydration hydration hydration. I held a bad fever all the way until i finally took some Aleve Loring gave me. Fever broke that night, woke up an hour after sleeping, in a rice field of sweat. It was like winning the super bowl and then having someone squeeze 50 lemons in your mouth. Happiness is confusing sometimes. went back to bed though. Next day was on off but no fever. That night i got a weird feeling when i took a deep breath. It was the same feeling you get when you swim all day. But i slept for 10 hours that night. A pure miracle. Went to the doctor and found out i now have some gastrol acid problem. But now it feels better. And so do i. See, it was all over about as fast as the dentist and we can all have a bright white smile about it! Hope everyone is doing well. Thank you for the prayers they helped a lot!
Andrew

Prayer Request

Ben and Andrew both have really bad headaches and fevers today.  Please pray for better health and strength to get through the work they are doing.

Random Stuff

A few random things we have noticed/have happened to us while here:
-There are stray goats everywhere.  We probably see close to a hundred each day.
-Our bota (motorized scooter) rides are never a set price, it is all negotiation with the driver.
-At the home we stayed at for about a week (where Jon and Jeremiah lived while in Kampala) there was a shower with the kind of nozzle that you hold in your hand.  But if someone turns on any other electrical appliance in the house while you are holding it it will send a pretty strong electrical current through the nozzle shocking your body until you put it down.  Certain times it would be worse than others and the bad ones usually resulted in a yell from whoever was taking the shower.
-All showers are cold
-street vendors cook on charcoal stoves
-People fully utilize the horn while driving
-The other day we ate sugarcane straight from the stalk (or cane?)  It looks kind of like bamboo and it was like biting into a piece of moist wood but tasted really sweet.
-Robin Hood is a good movie
-We will never take paved roads for granted
Thats all for now, hope things are going well in the states
-Ben 

One road to redemption

      Andrew and I are now staying with a couple friends and the other day we got to thinking.  We began asking what are we doing here and what should be our ultimate purpose in Africa?  What do the people of Uganda need?  Is it money?  Is it better water? Is it better living conditions? 
     As we discussed these questions the answer always lead back to the need for the hope found in salvation offered by Jesus Christ.  Its truly as simple as that.
     We are here in Africa, in the heart of the slums, seeing poverty eveywhere.  Everyone needs money.  But we have come to the realization that it is not money that Africa needs.  Sure it may help.  At best it may increase the standard of living of a few.  But most often it becomes a sinkhole, where once you have it, you want more and more until it's draw becomes so strong that you are so dependent upon it that it becomes what you worship.
     This brings up the whole idea of humanitarian efforts with the aim of improving the health and conditions of the poor without offerring that eternal hope found in Jesus.  Say some organization comes in to some slum, builds every family a house, food and water, and puts a mercedes in the garage.  Is that redemption?  Does that lead to a hope for the people and a love for one another?      
     We, or at least I, was able to more fully realize the importance of the church and church planting where the gospel is brought to those who have not heard.  When I say church, I am not just referring to a building.  Im referring to a Christ-centered community, a network of people growing in faith and practicing the gospel.
   That is what Uganda needs.  That is why Dan's church plant here is so vital on the grand scheme of things.  Thats why we are happy to be assisting him in his ministry efforts.  He is working to build that christ-centered community that feeds the soul as well as the body.  Redemption is not something we can buy.  Jesus already paid for it.  Its there for the taking.           
-Ben
side note-the funnest things ive done so far have been free, thats got to mean something
  

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

So clueless...

I'm not sure if any of you are priveledged enough to be in the public school system this time of year but IT. IS. CHAOTIC. I have been so busy with school and it seems that I have a perpetual to-do list that grows more and more each day.

As I had one of my hastened quiet times this week (during which I usually justify half-hearted prayers and bible readings with minor exhaustion), I realized that I had really strayed from asking God to prepare my heart for the summer. I have rarely asked for financial provision and abundant blessings for the individuals in Kenya. I have almost never prayed over L4L. This is unacceptable.

God is going to use this summer in many countless ways, and also use others to bless me. I am certain however, that he is already working to bless me with perspective. Paper grading, dicipline reports, lesson plans, copies, paperwork, and meetings are so insignificant when compared to our mighty God and the way he wants to move in us and through us. It's my prayer today, and everyday, that I never place mundane, daily tasks higher on my "to-do" list than making much of the God that I serve. I welcome the members of L4L, friends, family, and followers of this blog to hold me accountable for my narrow-mindedness and lack of spiritual focus.

-Erin Gamble

Invisible Children

I watched the movie Invisible Children tonight.  I have seen bits and pieces of it, but this was the first time I had seen it all the way through.  It surprises me that I went so long without seeing it and didn’t realize until tonight that this was the case.

I’m not going to lie, there were some parts of the movie where I was thinking what in the world am I getting myself into?!?  I sat there and tried to figure out how I had agreed to be part of this crazy adventure without considering some of the logistics of what it meant for my life...which may not be the best thing since I’m the Logistics Expert, but I’m working on it.  Honestly, I think God knew what He was doing when He gave me this opportunity without giving me a lot of the details.  He knows I would have probably been too hesitant to go otherwise.  At the time all I knew was that I NEEDED to be back in Africa and that I just wanted to serve.  I’ve been working on reminding myself of this feeling everyday when I get too focused on all of the worldly details of the organization.

I was also a little intimidated by the living conditions I saw.  I know its Africa and I’m all about getting away from the American lifestyle, but it still scared me a little.  I’ve always been one of those people that can adjust to any situation and will try to make the best of it, but I started to consider the possibility of me not being able to handle all of it and ultimately failing.  I know that I’m going to have to trust in God to give me the strength and perseverance I will need and am actually really excited about being in a situation where I will have to depend on God on such a deeper level.  

God also reminded me that my life is not about my personal comfort.  It is about His glory and I know that if I’m following God’s will for my life I will be glorifying Him, no matter what happens to me.  I’ve had a lot of people question why I would want to give up everything I have here to go live in such a dangerous and impoverished area.  For me, I don’t really have an option.  I know that God is calling me to go and therefore, going is the best and only thing I can do with my life right now.

“But God doesn’t call us to be comfortable.  He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn’t come through” -Francis Chan

On the Logistics side of things, I got to meet with Alyssa Benfield last week to talk about fundraising events.  I'm so excited to have Alyssa and her marketing expertise on the team and can't wait to start planning the events.

Alison

Logistics Expert

Hey Y'all!!

Katrina Here! 
I'm the director of Hope N Doors . . . the Orphanage.  I'm currently in the process of getting ready to leave for Uganda.  I leave in exactly 33 days and 12 hours.  CRAZY!  I never realized how weird it would feel to get rid of all my belongings.  I cleaned out my stuff at my parents' house during break and now it is time to clean out my apartment . . . Weird!  Hardest part so far - accepting that fact that I have to sell my baby (my jeep).  We've been through so many drives together during hard times - She is usually where I go for some intense talks with God.  Its cool though, cause God has given me a purpose and a passion and that is all that I need in this life!
Isn't it crazy how God's purpose and plan leads us down roads full of crazy, exciting, scary, madness! Holy cow!! YAY! I've got a fundraiser next Sunday! Hopefully enough will be provided! God is faithful and I know this is His plan . . .lets see what miracles He does!

"What Joy, What Joy for those whose hope is found in the name of the Lord" - What Joy (Psalms 146) by The City Church

-Katrina

Here we go...

     I was finally able to sit down with Andrew and discuss all the things I needed to be addressing, including but not limited to vaccinations, sponsor money, gear, clothes, and packing. Basically, I will need to buy all things rain-proof, cram it into a rain-proof backpack, and release any expectation of comfort or convenience.....


.....and I couldn't be more excited.

   After discussing these things and talking about Andrew's last trip to Africa, we decided that a camping trip is necessary for us all to bond and get acquainted. That should be interesting. Haha. I also got Stakwell's contact information and actually heard back from him a couple of days ago! Looks like I will be living at the camp where Ben and Andrew will be helping out but I'll be spending most of my time at the school where Stakwell's wife teaches. It seems that there are a few students with disabilities at that school so maybe I can offer my assistance there.

   Sponsor letters have been sent out and I will be getting my vaccinations over Spring Break. Meanwhile, I am letting God prepare my heart for this summer, as well as what is beginning to look like many future trips to Kenya:)

Erin's letter got me thinking..

     So I just read Erins support letter and I really liked the 1 Timothy 6:7 passage-"For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it."  This concept is so simple yet so profound.  I think it goes right to the roots of "Love for the Sake of Love."  I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 13 where the entire chapter describes love and how it is deeper than everything else (including faith and hope).  When it is all said and done, when we throw in the towel at the end of our lives, that is what it comes down to.  Our faith and hope in Jesus and the love he asks us to show to others as was shown to us by him.  Not what job we had.  Or our bank statement.  Or how smart we are. 
      As i sit here trying to study for a test I think back to that 1 corinthians passage where it says "knowledge will pass away"  and "for now we know in part" and it reminds me that no matter how much I study or think I know, I will never come even come close to knowing everything in this imperfect world.  Often times its easy to make knowledge or sucess in business or money and end.  Thats what our society teaches us.  But these things, when they ultimately become the end we are pursuing, are just a slippery slope.  When used correctly, they are simply a means by which to exhibit what truly matters-love.  Those of us who have been blessed with these things have a responsibilty.  I certainly dont want to be the servant who recieved his tenants and buried them in the ground.  "For whom much has been given, much will be demanded."
    Anyway, I often find myself getting enticed by worldly thinking, and when I see what the Bible says about love, it really hits home hard.  Love never fails, and it goes deeper than the material possesions that will remain on this earth when we leave. 

                                                                          -Ben Kern

I DRAFTED MY LETTER TODAY:)

Yay! I was putting off the writing of my sponsor letter because I wanted the words to come from a humbled heart. Hopefully, all will approve of my letter and I can get them sent out this weekend. Next stop, vaccinations. EEK.

PS-I have decided to write in this pretty purple color EVERY time I post. So if you see this beautiful shade of my Alma Mater's school colors, you can safely assume you are reading the rantings of Erin Leigh Gamble:)

Introductions and such...

Hello friends:)


       Erin Gamble here. I have been putting off posting, in spite of the rather demanding e-mails for me to update from Andrew Vanover (:-]). I am one of the three from our team that will actually travel to Africa this summer. I have avoided posting because I have no idea what to expect, how to prepare, or how my financial needs will be met. BUT I can tell you this:


1.)  The Lord is already working to expel any need I have to be in control.  2.)  The fact that my previously planned sponsor is no longer able to support me financially ensures me that the first of many obstacles are strategically in place and I am eager to see how God will meet my un-meetable needs  3.)  God has empowered my prayer life and perspective so that I can turn from my human, selfish, closed-minded ways and focus on the individuals around me and how I can love them by meeting needs.

Trust in God with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6

Praise God for uncertainty in our lives!