forty five days.

Providence.

That is what I have been shown during this entire time of preparation, but it has been made quite clear that God truly is sovereign and He does not do anything half way.

In the past two weeks I have found out that my trip is now 100% FULLY FUNDED! How amazing is our God? I was struggling with letting go of control, truly giving everything to God and allow His will to be done. I soon realized that if I am able to sacrifice my comfortability and familiarity to live in a foreign country for a year, trusting that God will protect me and teach me what needs to be done with my life to glorify Him, then why did I have such an issue surrendering the funding?

I have been told by several missionaries that the true walk of faith and often the hardest part of being a missionary is trusting that God will get you there if He needs you there. I have by no means mastered this concept, but it is becoming clearer and clearer each day as I lay this burden down at Jesus' feet.

With only forty five days left till launch day, I am experiencing many feelings. Excitement, exhaustion, stress, joy, fear, and worry. I have been reassured that all of these feelings are quite normal, but that doesn't take away the discomfort of having to face them.

Despite the fact that I am fully funded for the trip, there are still pre- departure costs that I am discovering. Moving to another country for a year requires quite a bit of supplies that one would never think to purchase/ need in the states. I will still be working two jobs for the next couple of weeks and all of my money is going straight into the "Africa Stuff Fund" envelope, but that won't cover the nearly $900 of expenses. If you are feeling lead to give in any way, please contact me at :
tiffanymarie0295@gmail.com
I have attached a packing list of everything that I will need to purchase before I go, and if you would like to bless me by buying something specifically from the list, please let me know and I will inform others that it's covered.

Please be praying that I spend the next forty four days enjoying each moment that I have. I am having a tough time wrapping my brain around the fact that I won't be able to hug my boyfriend everyday, or stand next to my best friend singing worship on Sundays. I will miss so much about my life here in the States, but I KNOW God is up to something. He has a plan and I am doing my best to just go with it. Please pray for comfort and peace not only for me, but also for all those I will be saying goodbye to on August 31. I am certain that as greatly as I will be missing them, they will be missing me also.

Thank you all for investing in my adventure for Jesus,

Tiffany Marie Johnson.

https://www.worldventure.com/sslpage.aspx?pid=1419

tiffanymarie0295@gmail.com

PACKING LIST JCWA 2013-2014 

 First Aid kit- $17.00

 Sun screen- $20.00

Deet bug repellant- $20.00

2XL quick dry towels- $43.00

Med quick dry towel/ washcloth- $21.50

Laundry wash- $4.00

Steripods- $5.00 (two pack)

Mini Maglight- $12.00

Head lamp- $30.00

Knife- $30.00

Cacoon sheet- $30.00

Sleeping bag- $150.00

Backpack [REI Flash 22]- $50.00

Hydroflask- $26.00

Rain Jacket- $34.00

Underwear- $60.00

MSR purifier- $100.00

Wide mouth Nalgene- $10.00

Voltage converter/ adapter- $40.00

Thumb drives- $20.00

 Jeans- $25.00

Leggings- $15.00

Compression shorts- $60.00

Shorts- $20.00

Dresses- N/A

Skirts- N/A

T-Shirts- $50.00

Cutsie shirts (2)- $30.00

Bras (2) - $50.00

Swim suit - N/A

Jewelry - ??

Hair stuff [bobby pins,hair ties,claws,moose,hairspray]

Chacos- N/A

Teva sandals- $20.00

Tennis shoes - $30.00

Sweatshirts (2) - N/A

iPad, external hard drive, key board & case- $550.00

Camera - N/A

Rechargeable batteries - $30.00

Bible - N/A

Journals- $15.00

Books- N/A

Pens- $8.00

Stationary- $10.00

Key chain (lanyard)-$5.00

Pictures [Alec, family, Rachael etc..]- N/A

Toiletries [toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, shaving cream, razor/ blades, hair brush, Q-tips, cotton balls, polish/ remover, nail clippers, chapstick, Band Aids, anti-itch cream, Advil, Nyquil, Melitonin, Neosporin, Aloevera, contact solution, tums, deodorant, allergy pills, meds from doc.]- Jesus!

LUGGAGE!!!

sixty four days.

Shock, rejoicing, weeping, and several doses of reality.

Those are some things I have experienced the past several months as I have continued to prepare for my trip to Cote d'Ivoire.

Since my last update, a lot of life has happened. I am officially a high school graduate (thank you Lord), I have been blessed with two jobs, and I have been able to share my story some more, getting the word out about what God is doing in my life and I have been amazed by what God has given as fruit.

These past several months have been far from easy, though. There is always the time where God needs to put us into the fire to refine us and to prepare us- I would say that I have felt a great deal of that. Until several weeks ago, my support raising was stagnant at 3% and it had been that way for about seven months. I had promised myself that right after graduation I would buckle down, and devote a majority of my time and energy into Africa planning and preparing and so I did. I felt I was doing everything that I could-- working right out of high school, making appointments to share with people in their homes, licking what felt like every envelope on the face of the earth, and praying my guts out. But I got nothing. At least that's what I felt at the time.

With no financial support coming in, I felt discouraged, confused and quite frankly frustrated with God. Why is it that He would move and help me jump over so many other hurdles, and then allow money to stand in the way?? This is the same God that owns the cattle on a thousand hills- money is not a problem for Him! Why would this desire be so strong and real in my heart if it was not God's plan for me? Maybe this just isn't God's timing- if people do not feel it put on their hearts to give, maybe it just isn't the time for me to go.

Those were my thoughts for a few days, especially after finding out that my launch date was now pushed up two weeks to AUGUST 31st. Everything suddenly felt impossible.

But, with much guidance, council, prayer, tears, and a little rest- God has made it clear that this is very possible for Him and I just need to trust in Him. 

On June 2nd I presented my plans to the congregation at my church, this last Sunday on the 23rd I was the hostess of a Pancake Breakfast to support me with donations, a pop can drive plan is in the mix, and nearly every week in between I have had a table set up willing to answer any questions. I have been diligent and faithful- exactly what God has asked of me.

In four weeks time, God moved hearts and brought my support from 3% to 65%!!! It has been so amazing to see God's deliverance once again in my life-- there truly is tangible hope that this ministry is going to happen and I am so blessed.

I am continuing to work work work, staying in the word, seeking out encouragement from friends and family, and I will take the next sixty four days, one day at a time with purpose.
I felt like giving up- I refused to call it quitting but, that is what it would have been. I am going to till the end, not having any potential regrets for my future; wondering 'what if '.



If God has laid it on your heart to learn more about my ministry through Journey Corps and give in any way, please check out my webpage:
https://www.worldventure.com/sslpage.aspx?pid=1419

God is good.

Tiffany Marie Johnson

one hundred & fifty four days.

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