The beginning of something new.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion -

to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,

the oil of joy instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61: 1-3

The beginning of something new.

It's finally here. T-minus 45 minutes. Soon I will be on my way to SFO where my long journey begins. I'm so excited. I'm so nervous. I hope I remembered the essentials...and, if I didn't, I guess they weren't essentials.

As I prepare for my first departure today, I am reminded of this life-giving chapter. I studied this passage through a Beth Moore women's study a few years back. It rocked my world. The thought that Jesus, the Christ, the Savior, the King, the LORD, desires to share his mission with us blows my mind. Jesus used this passage to declare his authority in the synagogue, yet he also uses this passage to call his chosen people to follow after him. We have the privilege of walking in Jesus' footsteps. We have the honor of being a part of his love story. Words cannot describe how overwhelmed, stunned, and in awe I am at this realization.

Today I leave for Malawi. The Lord has anointed me to proclaim his gospel to the poor in Malawi. He has called me to declare freedom for the captives. He has proclaimed that I will comfort those who mourn there. What a joy. What a privilege. What an honor.

I cannot wait to meet the people in Malawi. Hopefully, I don't cry because I am overflowing with emotions. Or who cares if I do? Maybe I should. It would be humbling.

Though I am scared of illness (I have my pepto ready!), I just can't stop thinking that "it's worth it." Jesus has some radical things prepared in Malawi. He has a wonderful body of Christ that I get to meet, finally. He has a beautiful harvest ready for the good news. It's so worth it.

So before I have crazy dreams from the malaria pills, I want to write down some prayer requests:

- Pray for unity in the body of Christ

- Pray for healing hands

- Pray for radical worship

- Pray for protection from illness, theft, or whatever the enemy is scheming

- Pray for peace and joy

- Pray for a lovely Christmas and New Years with my brothers and sisters in Christ in Malawi

- Pray for fellowship and friendship

- Pray for salvation in the name of Jesus

- Pray for Jesus to interrupt my schedule and my roles to do his work

- Pray for freedom to reign

- Pray for boldness

- Pray for the things I cannot even think of praying for right now

Thank you for all of your support, your love, your prayers, and your friendship. I am so thankful to have each and every one who reads this blog in my life. I am thankful that you are a part of my life. I am blessed to know you and hopefully know you more. I hope to be able to update this blog while I am in Malawi, but, if I cannot, please continue battling in prayer for me. I will update when I have internet service again.

Blessings. Love. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year.

Pitani bwino(Go well).

Tsalani bwino(Stay wel).

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of dust

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of us

Gungor, Beautiful Things