Faithful God + My Time = Joy...

I feel inspired to write about joy...I was so concerned from 'day one' when I was getting things together for this trip. Worried that I would be too busy to make the most of this mission...people are funny like that. Worry gets so consuming. But I am so relieved and glad to say that God has helped me to get past this problem. These few days - although they've been packed and intense - have been the most enjoyable days of my life. Literally. Why? Because I'm not forcing happiness...not squeezing it out of every situation and activity. If I've learned anything here, it's that joy really comes through serving the Lord. The more I focus on God, the happier I am...I know. At first, I thought it would never work - sounds way too cheesy. I was wrong...the joy of the Lord really is my strength! It's an incredible feeling that I've never experienced until now, but it's so powerful, I pray that all of you will be able to as well! I told Josiah today over tea that "I can hardly believe this...it really works!" :D But you have to keep up your end...commit time to God. Everyday. I've been reading a book by David Wilkerson and it says that we need to feed on the Word of God daily. There is never enough to carry you over into the next day. You need to sustain yourself with Spiritual nourishment every day.

I'd like you all to pray for our team for tomorrow night. We have our first 'real' concert! "Beats 'n Eats" :) We're performing all kinds of stuff from Arabic praise songs to Irish jigs. (And lots of things in between) We've been having a blast practicing, but I pray (and I ask you to as well) that we'd be able to reach the hearts of the people coming. I pray that they will understand that God loves any and every kind of worship we can give Him. He is worthy of every single note we play and sing...in any language - African, English, or French.

I keep becoming more and more certain that our Father is going to use us in phenomenal ways. We're leaving for France on Saturday also!! Please keep us in prayer! Thank you! God bless...

Beginning With Tea...

The art of English tea: first, a splash or two of milk, then fill the mug with tea and add sugar. Walks in the English countryside are heavenly :) Of course, when you put the two photographers of the group together, things can get interesting...we won't go there...

I've really been loving our time here in England. I just want to thank God for everything He's putting into our lives right now...including tea time :) So many things are wonderful, but there are also the struggles and conflicts. I know He's got it all under control though, and He's not letting us fight our battles alone. In fact, there's a verse in 2 Chronicles that says, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's."

Yesterday was a really difficult day for many people on our team. We will all be attacked at some point during this trip if we haven't been already - we understand that. But for some reason, yesterday carried a lot of spiritual strain. During a time of intense prayer, I just became so thankful for our team - not really being a "team" though, we're getting more and more like family. I'm so excited that God has put us all together so we can really be brothers and sisters! I'm so happy that we're able and encouraged to open up and tell each other about our doubts, fears, anxieties, and everything else :) we won't be judged for doing it, and we'll receive any and every kind of support and floods of prayer. Yes. Epic.

After I gave my testimony yesterday, we sang an old song. This song, I mean, it's nice, but it wasn't ever one on my Top 10 Hits :) But yesterday, the lyrics of that song just collided into my heart and mind. It was an incredible revelation...after every phrase, as you read it, just think hard about these lyrics. Almost everyone knows this song, but we just know it too well. This song will apply to everyone - all the time.

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear.
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer.

Privilege? I guess so...you can't do this with everybody. God is so faithful and so patient and so eager to hear everything we want to tell Him. Not just our griefs, but also our joys and praises! Please remember, you really do have a friend in Jesus. He's willing to put His arm around your shoulder and listen. You just have to sit down next to Him. :)

Please keep praying for our team. Big things are happening right now, literally. Pray for spiritual strength - and further than that, spiritual growth. Wisdom and perseverance too...and whatever else God lays on your heart. :)
 

Music, Prayer, Fellowship...Intense.

So this will most likely come as a great shock to many of you...I have acquired a new respect and appreciation of Gospel music. I know, I know, since WHEN does Christianna like Gospel music?!? Now I didn't say that...I respect and appreciate it. :) Not so much for the style in itself or content of the music, but more for the quality. I found myself listening with rapture to the intensity, vitality, and sincerity of the Gospel singer's heart. Talk about powerful.

So I've been loving this music we're getting into, but really, I think one of the most amazing parts of this trip is prayer. We pray a lot here :) but we had the most incredible prayer session tonight.  At first, I admit, I was uncomfortable with praying in front of people I don't know well. But as I heard others pour their hearts out to the Father, I was just drawn into it...and I didn't really care what people thought of my prayer anymore. We must've spent an hour just letting everything - all our concerns, doubts, thanks, and praises - go to our Maker. I don't think I'll ever forget that experience. Awesomeness at it's peak.

Fellowship...through all of our meetings, Arabic lessons, Ethomusicology training, orientations, and just plain lunch, I've been getting closer to every member of the team. God has us all here for a unique purpose. One thing I've been noticing is actually an undeniable fact...and I'm kind of ashamed I haven't acknowledged it until now! Get ready...God is intense. Intense is a word we have used for a lot of things over the past couple of days, (i.e. intense music, intense experience we're going to have) but really, God is the ultimate definition of 'intense'. And I've only been here for a day and a half!! Wow. We are in for a really epic journey!! Keep praying people! Thank you!