Counting Down the Days... And Finding Our Theme.

I am counting down the days until our two week trip to Kenya!! (15 more days...) My mom and I have been running around and trying to prepare.
Two weeks is a long time to be away from your family. (I can barely last one week at camp!) So, needless to say, I am both nervous and excited.
Yet amid all of the craziness of last-minute preparation, there is already a theme at play... All of the people going on the trip have met together and discussed what we would be teaching about at the conferences and children's home. Strangely, all of us had similar topics! Everyone's lessons have something to do with identity.

I will be teaching the teens about their identity. Just because we are young, does not mean we cannot be a part of kingdom work. (This works the other way around, too!) Your age does not define your worth.

(Jeremiah 1:4-10

Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” 

Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.”

But theLord said to me, 

“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.”

Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, 

“Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”)

GOD has a plan for all of us. HIS plan for you is different than mine. We are all going to be used in different ways. You will reach people that no one else will reach. 

Your identity in CHRIST is not defined by your age, gender, or experience. GOD makes you who you are for a reason. 

Embrace who GOD is making you. Accept the gifts HE has placed in you. Operate in the anointing HE has placed over you. Stand firm on what the BIBLE says. Speak the TRUTH. 

New Update! Sorry for the wait...

Well, long time, no see!!
Hey, everyone in the Blog-World! I have totally neglected to post for almost a year. (*slapping myself*) So sorry to anyone who was wondering how things have been. But I am BACK!! Posts should be a little more regular from here on out.
WoW! So much has been happening to our family, lately. Kenya is coming nearer and nearer to being a reality for us. My dad went on a week-long trip, back in April, in diligent search of a house for our family. Much was accomplished on the trip, and we finally have a house picked out!! (Pictures at the bottom of the post...)
Securing a home in Kenya has made things become much more real. It isn't just some abstract idea for the future anymore. We have begun to look for monthly supporters, as we will be working as full-time missionaries. (If you are interested in helping us, please let us know!!)
People have truly shown love and kindness by helping us as they have, whether by sending money or giving a word of encouragement. It blesses us to know there are caring people back here at home who will pray for us and miss us.

I'm sure everyone has heard the saying, "timing is everything." Well, GOD's timing is even better than that; it's perfect! Although HIS timing can be a little too fast or even a little too slow for my human tastes, I have had to learn that HIS timing truly is perfect. No sooner than when we had left the airport, Dad received a phone-call saying that our first payment for the house had been taken care of by an anonymous donor.

I have experienced both joy and sorrow in this whole situation. I am excited about the prospects of seeing new things, meeting new people, and being able to serve rather than receive my whole life. But I am sad because we are leaving the familiar behind; we will have to change our old lifestyles to fit our new circumstances. I'm like everyone else, I'm not fond of change.
Let's be honest, change is uncomfortable. I would be totally content to stay in my "bubble" and rarely change anything. But... GOD told us to do things differently. We are supposed to be the "light of the world" and a "city on a hill." We were called to stand out, and standing out is uncomfortable. (And sometimes it even hurts...) But when it hurts the most, that is the time we have to remember that this world is not our home. This isn't forever. It is all temporary.
On the days when I feel like I really don't want to do what GOD has called us to (yes, I have felt like that a lot,) I have to remember something my parents told me on the subject.
"We would rather be a little uncomfortable for a few years of our life, than to have to explain to GOD on Judgment Day why we were not obedient when HE made it clear and possible for us."
Almost anything seems bearable with this thought in mind.

My goal right now is to learn to remain joyful, no matter the circumstance. No matter where we live, no matter who I am around, no matter what is happening around me. The poetic side of me makes this simile, "A life without joy is like a night without stars." (You can apply that how you want to. It makes sense to me...)

We still do not have everything in order for our departure yet. Our house is not sold, we do not have enough monthly supporters, etc. But we are preparing as much as we can, and hoping GOD does the rest.

My mother and I will be going on a twelve-day mission-trip at the end of the month, to visit our little Elizabeth and begin to get connected with where we are going to be living. (Pricing items at the market, checking out the house, meeting the people, etc.) I will also have the opportunity to teach at a youth conference in Nairobi. We are planning on spending time at the orphanage and feeding station. (I will be Blogging throughout that time, so be on lookout for updates!) I feel excitement welling up as our trip grows closer.

We covet your prayers! Thank you for those who take the time to read. :)

                      Hannah Wilson

(The future "Hospitality House.")