Absolutely crazy.
That is what I would have said about six months ago if one were to tell me I would be going to Cote d'Ivoire, but it's happening.
God has been teaching me SO much since that faithful week at Jonah Ministries last July where He revealed to me that Africa is the place I need to be. He revealed to me the great deal of deliverance in my life and I began to see how He has held me in His hand every step of the way. It felt as if my relationship with the Lord was the wrong prescription of glasses- you are never really comfortable, but you don't realize how great your vision can be until you put the right pair on. God has yet to stop amazing me these past few months as I take steps closer and closer to Cote d' Ivoire.
This school year I am a senior- praise be to God! I have always enjoyed learning, but it has been a long road and I am thankful that this chapter is nearly finished. It has been a stretching year in several different ways. I made the decision to take classes that would challenge me and well, they are doing just that. I want to succeed and put forth my best effort but that is tricky when I catch myself day dreaming about the bright orange sun setting over the horizon of West Africa when I am supposed to be writing a research paper. Everyday I pray that God will give me the strength and the diligence to live in this moment; appreciating every opportunity, every person and not taking anything for granted.
Most of my classmates spend their time talking about the school they will be attending in the fall, the roommates they will have and the cost of their tuition. This has taught me to rely on Christ for my comfort and support because no other eighteen year old that I know is packing up and heading to another contentant this September. I love that God has called me to this, but isn't always easy.
This 'Africa' transition hasn't only affected me; relationships have changed. It has been interesting and quite frankly exhausting reestablishing where friendships stand, but it is necessary. This year is a year of change and readjustment.I have had to let go of several friendships, but in that God has blessed me immensely- teaching me more and more about myself and also providing new friendships/ restoring old ones. I thank God daily for the great examples that He has provided me with- it's incredible!
Beside school & maintaining healthy, godly relationships with great people, I am preparing to leave. I have gone to training in Denver, learning how to establish healthy and firms partnerships with people before I leave for the field. Since being back from the February training, I have shared. Called people up, ordered coffee, and shared what God has laid on my heart. It has been an amazing experience getting to watch the Holy Spirit work in the lives of these people I call my friends and family in Christ. I not only get to share my story with them, but I have the honor of hearing all their stories; how God worked and is still working in their lives-- what a blessing!
During this journey, God is teaching me to trust Him and let Him be in control. Many people think that my biggest fears are that I will go overseas and fall ill, or the bugs. Those thoughts make me uncomfortable, sure, but I would say my largest fear is money. Yes. Money. I KNOW God will provide and I KNOW that if I meant to be there, I will get there, but having 0% control scares me. I am doing my best to share Christ's story through my life and allow him to move people however he needs to. One. Day. At. A. Time.
This is me and this is where I am at. Daily doing my best to grow in Christ and help others to do the same. I am excited for this journey that He has me on & I am excited that you want to be apart of it. I will continue to update as I am support raising and raping up this year in the states and then once I am on the field I will use this as a tool to share the amazing stories of God's works and the ways I need prayer from my loved ones back home.
If you want to hear more of the story of how this whole Africa thing began, where it's headed, and what the future may hold, don't hesitate to contact me. I want to talk to you. (:
Thank you for being a part of my life.
- Tiffany Marie Johnson
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