"Never Give Up!"

              As I'm sure it has been for most of you, this last week has been absolutely crazy for me! I spent a lot of time doing assignments and studying for my online class. And as a praise to God as of Thursday, I am done with that class and done with school! After spending what seemed like a lifetime in school, it seems so weird to think I'm out! I'm done! But then I thought about it, and it hit me that my entire Christian life and walk with Christ will be a lifelong "schooling," or learning process. God is always teaching me new things and today I wanted to share with you some of those things that God is teaching me.
          I mentioned it in my last post, but the first thing that God is teaching me is to never give up! After being school for what seemed like an eternity, I can not tell you how many times I've wanted to give up and call it quits. But God has always been faithful in those moments to send encouragement either through His Word or through a sweet friend to keep me trekking on. There are also moments (many of them), when I worry about the amount that I still have to raise in support for me to be able to make the journey back to Malawi this summer and I (in the flesh) want to give up. But in those moments the LORD gently whispers to me "Never give up!" I encourage you to turn to Him in prayer and His Word, when you feel like giving up. I also encourage you to have someone pray for you in those moments.
         The other thing that the Lord has been teaching me goes along with what I mentioned above. The Lord has been teaching me to rely solely on Him for everything! Whether it is strength to make it through day because I was up late the night before doing homework or if I feel lonely or if it is  for the financial support that I still need for my journey back to Malawi. The list could go on. But two Bible verses that the Lord brings to mind are

• Philippians 4:6-7

  English Standard Version (ESV)
  ⁶  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

• Philippians 4:13

  English Standard Version (ESV)
  ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 

I pray that these verses would encourage you to rely on Him and to never give up as they have me. And as I quoted my friend in the last blog post, I will leave you with that piece of encouragement in this blog "No matter what obstacle gets thrown your way, pray through it and don't give up on it!"

ways to continue to pray for me

• pray for the $3000 that I need to raise by Thurs April 26th to be able to make this journey back to Malawi (see  http://puremission.org/give/send-a-servant/#/35  for more details on how you can support me)
• continue to pray for the people of Malawi as they are in a time of transition & for the fuel shortage problem