Three Things

         “Hey, what are three things you are grateful for?” Every
couple days I ask my team that question. Sometimes, it takes a few minutes to
really think about what we are grateful for, and other times it comes as easy
as breathing. I thought I’d take the next few minutes and share three things
I’m grateful for.

            To
say coming back to Africa was easy would be an understatement. I was asked to
come and lead in the summer of 2011 and got so close than I said no. I was
listening to the practical in stead of the supernatural which in turn meant I
was saying no to God. I don’t know if you have ever said no to God but it’s a
pretty scary place to be. I immediately regretted my decision but wasn’t going
to do anything about it. It wasn’t until I had a surprise birthday team Kenya
reunion this past summer that I realized what I did. My teammate asked me
directly “Lizzie, why aren’t you listening to what God wants you do?” I was
taken aback and convicted. I knew what needed to happen. So. On July 28^th,
I signed up for this trip. I was hoping God would give me a second chance at
leadership and He did. Today, I’m
grateful for second chances!

While in Ngbolo, Kenya our team decided to corporately
individually fast. This meant that we all were fasting to, or fasting from something
for ten days. One of the things I was fasting was to circle my ‘family’ in
prayer every day. The reason I say ‘family’ is because I have many. I have my
team here that is my family, my community back at home that is my family and
then my blood family. I pray for my family constantly. I am lifting them up
throughout the day because they mean so much to me. I’m grateful God has
blessed me with a family that cares about me and I, them. I don’t take for
granted the family that I’ve been given. I know without them I wouldn’t be the
same person. Today, I’m grateful for
family.

Beautiful feet. Two words you don’t normally put together
when it comes to describing feet. I’ve always had this thing about feet. I just
don’t like them. They aren’t nice looking, they smell bad, they are constantly
getting dirty, and many other things. There is this one thing that makes me love
my feet though. They take me some pretty amazing places. I have hiked miles and
miles across the hills in Kenya, I’ve gone village to village along the streets
of El Salvador, I’ve ran circles around kids during VBS in Jamaica, I’ve danced
in the rain in Uganda, and I’ve fed the homeless in my own backyard in Atlanta.
Because God has given me feet, I felt it only appropriate I use them for His
glory. My theme verse for this trip, which I’ve said countless times is “how
beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” You don’t have to go very
far to preach the Gospel but, because I’ve been given the opportunity I want to
do the very best I possibly can. Today,
I’m grateful for beautiful feet.

While writing this blog I was sporadically asking my team
what they were grateful for. I thought I would share it with y’all. Enjoy.

Michelle: My team, my tent, food.

Drayton: My team, How blessed we’ve been at the ministry
site, food and water.

Jeremy: Sunrises & Sunsets, the fact I can come to Kenya,
the fact we have had the privilege to preach the Gospel.

Megan: Health, Internet access, what God has taught her in
Africa so far.

Kendra: The Africans, chocolate, cute animals.

Melissa: Tents, food, community/family

Daniel: Shade, Pastor David & Family, constant breeze

Melody: Feet to carry my body to the watering hole, hands to
wash my laundry, clothes to wash.

Before I go, let me ask you this: What are three things you’re
grateful for?