Not worrying

I have had a few people curious about the costs of things for traveling to Africa. Just so you know, (if you're planning on traveling to Africa at some point, or if you simply want to know how $$$$ it can be), here is what I have spent thus far/plan to spend (and I feel good about the deals I've gotten)

2 Plane Tickets from Dulles to Burundi:          $5,000

My Burundian visa fees:             $360

Dad's visa fee:               $90

Passport application fee:             $210

Dad's passport renewal:             $190

My vaccination (typhoid, yellow fever, tetanus, and polio) and malaria meds:             $325
Dad's Vaccinations and meds:             $325
Water filters, travel supplies, miscellaneous expenses, gas for travel to D.C.:             $500

Grand Total so far: $7,000

And that's just hoping that there are no more expenses popping up! It is a pricey venture, but I feel like it's going to be so worth it. With many of the expenses, there isn't really much haggling to be done. When the US government (or the Burundian government) says that ____ is the fee, or else I don't go, then the fee must be paid.

With airlines, I was told a certain one, KLM, was the way to go (and when it comes to international travel, you follow the expert's advice)

I sound like a master-card ad. But getting to travel, serve God, grow, and learn is absolutely priceless. I am hoping that the eternal value of the trip far outweighs any earthly expense. 

I know that Matthew 6 is an oft-quoted chapter, but in it is reflected a truth that I forget so easily.

 When I was writing this post, it came to mind: I don't need to worry about what I'll wear when I get to Africa, what I'll eat, etc. I'll admit that as I've been packing and planning, I've allowed myself to worry. 

Reality check: my worries are trivial details that God will work out for my good. 

It is amazing to rest in the fact that He is in control. He knows what I need.

 Jesus said:

“And why do you worry about clothes? 

See how the flowers of the field grow. 

They do not labor or spin.  

Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.   But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. 

Each day has enough trouble of its own." 

I hope you are finding peace and hope in Him. 

Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and remember that if you are His, then the maker of the universe, the almighty God, has got your back. 

Until later,

Makenzie 

PS 9 more days till departure!! SO SOON. I am getting very giddy.

Visa mailed in

My dad and I mailed off our visa applications yesterday morning.

I checked and double checked that I had everything the Burundian embassy could ask for.
They told me it would take five days to process, so now is the time to pray that it all comes together!

I can't believe that there is only 12 more days of being in the States. I have been saying for a long time that I was going...now it will be really happening. It feels so surreal. 

Tickets Purchased!!

Finally, we have bought the tickets!

We've decided to book via one airline, KLM, a Dutch airline, as opposed to using one of the booking sites that claim to have the "best deals"...but no real substance or guarantee if anything goes wrong.

The price came out to be, for my dad and I together, $5000. Pretty sweet, especially considering that the prices I had seen for KLM heretofore were about $5,000 for one ticket. This is a much better price.

I have called the Embassy of Burundi about three times today, just to make sure I wasn't making any ditzy moves with my paperwork. Thankfully the lady who answered the phone each time was very kind.


Please pray that when we send everything in to the embassy, bright and early tomorrow, that everything is in order and that there will be no "hiccups" in the approval.

My date for leaving is the 7th of March, and I'll be state-side again on the 6th of July. My dad is returning the 22 of March.

To say I am excited is an understatement.


...
This weekend, I was able to teach my Sparks class the parable of the seeds.
You know the one, the farmer scatters seed and it falls on four different soils:

1) the hard path where seeds are eaten up immediately by birds
2) the rocky soil where the seed sprouts, but has no substantial root and therefore dies
3) the soil where the weeds and thorns choke out the seed
and finally,
4) the soil that is the perfect growing bed for the word of God.

As I prepared for that lesson, it was convicting to ponder what state the "soil" of my heart was in. Was I allowing 'weeds' to grow? Was I digging deep into God's word?
Good things to ponder.

 And here are the cute little sparkies listening to the story:

 

It is amazing how good and faithful God is! When I take time to dwell on the blessings, I am floored. He is so in control.

Love,

Makenzie

Passport is here!

My dad's passport came today! We had it expedited and overnighted (as we realized that Burundi required passports to have at least 6 months validity, and Dad's was about to expire) but it was taking a while to get back to us. Now it is here and there is one less roadblock!
Since we can't send mail out tomorrow or Monday (because of President's day), we'll be sending the visa applications as soon as Tuesday.
What a great development!

The plane ticket situation is becoming more clear. I will be heading back to the States July 6th with the Johnsons. I'm still trying to figure out the most cost effective way to get back to the states with them.

Wouldn't you know, a missionary friend, Miss Brook, put me in contact with a travel agent who works with mission trips.  Definite blessing! I am very excited to hear back from him, and it could definitely make financial "worry" so much less. And it will seriously help with figuring out the details of our itinerary.

.......
This morning, when I woke up, I had a Bible verse running through my mind over and over. It was like a song on repeat. I'm pretty sure the Spirit was sounding a pretty clear message. It was a cool feeling, and exactly what I needed to remember.
Philippians 4:19:

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

God will meet every need. 

I all too easily forget that I'm relying on the Creator of the universe for my needs. I am reminded of Isaiah 40:

He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.

Hey, I'm relying on the God who owns everything, who allows all things to live! How can I not believe that He is going to meet all of my needs?

In spite of His vastness and omnipotence, He cares about me. (and you!) He is interested in having a personal relationship.
He cares about my worries, He goes so far as to tell me to cast them upon Him.
He truly loves me.

One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 40:11 (funny that it's in the same chapter. Isaiah 40 might just be one of my very favorite chapters in the Bible)

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

The imagery and emotion that is conveyed in this verse is amazing.
His flock he carries close to his heart.


It blows my mind! It is a great thing to meditate on.

There is so much joy and peace to be found in God's will.

Anyways, He has got all of this, and I am simply to be obedient, reliant, and surrendered to Him.
I hope you have experienced that same feeling of his immense, vast, never ending love.

Until later,

Makenzie

Leaving on a jet plane...soon

Hello Friends!


So, here's what's up.

Right now, the latest step for me is purchasing the plane tickets for me and my dad, which is tricky.
Not only because I want to get the best deal, but also because I am planning on flying back with the Johnson family, so my return ticket needs to be the same as theirs, or at least in a similar vicinity date, so transferring it won't be as difficult.

I know there is a ticket transfer fee, so please pray that the monetary needs will be there.

My dad also had to renew his passport, and we are waiting for it to arrive. It should be here any day now.
Any. Day.
I'm praying it gets here soon!

Once we finally have the passports, we can mail them off to the Burundian Embassy, along with the copies of the plane tickets to obtain an entry visa.

It just is slightly overwhelming to figure out the details, but God is so in control.

This is something that just needs to be slathered in prayer!
Thank you for your prayers. 

Lots of love,

Makenzie

First Post: An overview

Five years ago, as I started the great adventure that is High School, my parents and I planned for me to take a semester abroad at some point to serve in the mission field.  One of the very first considerations was The Rainbow Centre in Bujumbura, Burundi, Africa.  We also considered Central and South America since I took Spanish, but the connections for service in Burundi seemed to keep coming!

The timing didn’t work out for my trip to happen during high school. Instead, I became involved with North Ridge Bible Chapel’s kid’s outreach program; it was like the mission field had come to me, no travel necessary.

The outreach drew a crowd of refugee children from many countries. The kids were all hungry for attention. As I got to know and love these little ones, I formed strong connections with people from Congo, Nepal, Burma, Thailand, Pakistan and more!  I developed a passion to serve those who did not have the same opportunities as I have had growing up in America.

As high school came to an end, my parents and I discussed what my future plans would hold. I did not have a clear indication that college was the right direction for me yet. So, I am currently in a ‘thinking year’, with plans to go to N.C. State University in the fall.
The past few months have been spent serving at church and working. As I asked God what He would have me do, the Rainbow Centre came back into focus. I sent an email to the couple who started the Centre, Melli and Ken Johnson.

A day later, Melli replied with a warm welcoming email, saying that they had just been praying for someone to come out and help! It was very exciting. I felt that this was it. I prayed for further confirmation. The other possibilities I had considered didn’t pan out. When I thought of Burundi and helping at the Centre, I felt peace.
I understand that Africa can be a dangerous place, it is totally foreign to me, it’s halfway around the world, and as a freckled redhead, I will stick out like a sore thumb. As I was faced with doubts, I was reminded that there is nowhere safer than God’s plan. Of course this doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t still be cautious, but I know that Psalm 27:1 holds true:

“...the LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?”

I plan to fly out at the beginning of March and to stay through July. My dad is going to travel with me for safety and he will stay for a short while. While I am there, I will be helping care for the babies and teaching the toddlers English (ABC’s and 123’s), songs, and Bible stories. As I prepare, the song Make Me a Blessing runs through my mind, and I pray that God makes it so. Ultimately, I want to be a blessing to the Rainbow Centre and to the Johnsons. Through this all, I hope to become a better soldier of the Cross.

Your prayers are coveted! I have had an ongoing checklist of things that must be done before I can travel. One by one, I’m crossing them off. The final steps are purchasing my ticket and applying for a visa. Plane tickets run between $2,000-$4,000, and a $90 Visa (which will have to be renewed at least once while I am there). I am praying for God’s provision which I know that He is faithful to provide; and I am amazed at how faithful He has been. This trip is definitely increasing my faith and teaching me so many lessons. I am constantly reminded that it is God who works all of the details out, and that HE is my life-source.

I cling to the promise in John 15:

“Remain in me and I will remain in you.
No branch can bear fruit by itself;
it must remain in the vine.
Neither can you bear fruit
unless you remain in me.”

I am so very excited at what is happening, and if you would like to stay updated on what is going on, you can email me. I would love to hear from you, and I would so appreciate any support you could lend, especially your prayers.

Much love in Christ,
    Makenzie