Y'all.
One week from today, from this exact moment, I will be on a plane traveling
half way around the world to Uganda. How crazy is that? I am filled with so
many mixed emotions. I am excited to be back in Africa for my fifth time. I am
excited to serve alongside Bob Goff, the author of the incredible book, Love Does. I am nervous to go to a place
I have never been before, like Uganda, and
I am nervous about going with a group of 18 people I don't know. But,
isn't that what this life is about? Being spontaneous? Having faith? Going to
the ends of the world spreading the name of Jesus? Yes, that is what life is
all about and for that, I am the most excited.
Throughout
this whole process of preparing for my trip, I have seen God's faithfulness in
ways I have never seen or experienced before. God has been speaking to me in
many different ways this past month or so whether it was through song lyrics, a
conversation with a friend, or even simply in His creation. Something I always
like to think about is that our God is more faithful than the rising sun. Think
about it, everyday the sun comes up, whether we see it or not, and everyday our
God is there waiting with open arms to embrace us as His children and show us
His plans for our lives that are so much better and bigger than we could ever
imagine. So cool, right? We see throughout the Bible again and again His
faithfulness even to people who turn from Him or hide. God is still and will
always be faithful.
One
thing I have really been struggling with is doubting God. Not doubting that
there is a God or doubting my beliefs about God or who He is, but doubting that
the Lord really will provide. I had been struggling with my funds for my trip
for awhile in the sense that I was remaining at the same amount for a long
time. So naturally, I began to think negatively and doubt that the funds were
going to come. And if the funds don't come then I won't go to Uganda. And if I
don't go to Uganda, then I won't be able to serve the Lord internationally this
year...and so on. But one day while I was resting, I heard the voice of the
Lord say, "Mace, why are you so worried? Don't you know who I am? Don't
you remember my son Jesus who I PROVIDED for you so that you may come to know
me?" And I just remember hearing that and automatically changing my
thoughts and beliefs and truly placing my trust in the Lord's hands that the
funds WILL come and I WILL be going to Uganda. And within the next 24 hours, I
had raised almost $1000. God really does have a sense of humor.
In
church a couple of weeks ago, Dave Clayton, the pastor at Ethos Church, taught
on Genesis 22 about the story of Abraham going up the mountain to sacrifice his
own son, Isaac. Can you imagine? One day God comes to you and tells you to
travel to the region of Moriah and go up the mountain and sacrifice your ONLY
son. So Abraham does exactly what the Lord asks of him. He wakes up, loads his
donkey, gathers his servants and son and they head out on the long journey to
Moriah. Once they arrive, Abraham and Isaac climb the mountain, build an altar,
and Abraham prepares to kill his beloved son. Just as Abraham lifts his hand to
slay his son, an angel of the Lord calls out to him and tells Abraham to not
lay on hand on his son, that because he fears God, Isaac will live. If I was in
Abraham's position, I don't know that I would be able to follow through with
what the Lord asked of me. Isn't that how many of us live ours lives today? We
hear the Lord telling us to go places or to help those we see in need but we
are too afraid. We lack faith. Abraham doesn't. His faith saved his son's life.
That kind of faith is something I long for. The kind of faith where I am
willing to do something so absurd as to sacrificing my own child because I know
that the Lord will provide. GOD PROVIDES. He always has and simply always will.
When we stop letting our emotions and feelings get in the way of our actions,
that's when we experience faith. That is when we experience a intimate
relationship with our Creator who is always on our side. This was something I
was longing to hear. God will provide whether it is the funds for my trip or a
place for me to live next year, GOD WILL PROVIDE.
So
here I am sitting here in my room writing this blog, beginning to prepare for
my trip to Uganda with over half of my funds raised. Though my trip is not
completely paid in full YET, I know the Lord will provide. I have to have faith
that He will and I do. I ask that you keep myself and my team in your prayers
as we begin the early stages of packing, buying things for our trip, and
preparing our hearts for the things we are going to see and experience. I am
the most excited to see the amazing things the Lord is going to do through us
on this trip. I will be meeting up with 18 other people from all over the
country. I ask that you pray for us as a
team as a whole, that we may become one in the body of Christ, to serve
wholeheartedly, and to simply be the hands and feet of Jesus.
A
HUGE shout out to those of you who have supported my trip already either
financially or through prayers. Your donations and prayers mean more to me than
you will ever know. Thank you for allowing me to live out my dream of going to
every nation proclaiming the Good News and freedom we find Christ.
Much
love my friends.
In
Him,
Maci
Here is the link to my fundraising site if you want to see more of my story:
http://youcansend.me/maciponfick
Here is the link to my fundraising site if you want to see more of my story:
http://youcansend.me/maciponfick
