Wednesday, April 02, 2008

I'm Moving to Africa!

Yes, you read that right. I'm moving to Africa. Today I got my nomination for the Peace Corps. Unless something unexpected shows up in my medical checks, I will be moving to Sub-Saharan Africa in November.

I don't have a lot of details yet. I will find out my country placement later. But I've been nominated to work with a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) specifically focusing on the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Through all of the emotions and feelings I have gone through today, it has been continually impressed upon me what a blessing it is to be an American citizen. For whatever reason, God saw fit to put me here--in a land where I have so much freedom and ability to participate actively in the very foundations of our country. I've spent much of the last year discovering how to be a good steward of my citizenship--how to use my citizenship to further the kingdom of God and to champion the cause of social justice. I truly believe that this is another opportunity that I have been given to be a good steward of that citizenship. I hope that I can take full advantage of the opportunity.

I have many more thoughts I could share on what it means to be a good steward of our citizenship, but I'll save them for a later post. For this post, I'd like to ask you to join with me in prayer on a few initial things:

  1. Pray that wherever I go and whenever I go that I will be first a good representative of the Kingdom of God and that my life would bear witness to the Gospel at all times.
  2. Pray for an openness of mind and heart to embrace and learn from the culture that I am in.
  3. Pray that there would be no medical barriers to my going.
  4. Pray for my specific country placement. I would really like to go to Uganda since I already have several ties to that country and know a good deal of the country's history and current events.
  5. Pray for my family as it will be a long time and a long distance that separates us. Pray that we would make wonderful memories in the next months to carry with us.

I'm sure that there will be many more prayer requests. Thank you so much for joining with me in these prayers! I believe fully that the Lord will hear and be faithful.

7 comments:

Kristi said...

Wow - what a shift from being where you were to now moving to africa. God provides and guides us where we need to be! Absolutly keep us posted

Kristi said...

Wow is right! That is so cool. Wouldn't that be so great if you were in Uganda?? I'm glad you have some exciting plans in the works. Keep us in the loop!

suzylu said...

how exciting! WE will absolutly keep you in our prayers. What a great adventure!

Shellie said...

Hey Amanda! I got your email and thought I would come check out your blog as well! It's been so long! You are definately in my thoughts and prayers! Such an awesome opportunity! I will continue checking your blog for updates!

sarah said...

Wow! Congrats. We will pray for smoothness in the rest of the process. Uganda would be great!!

Leslie Hutchins said...

Wow!!

& I thought moving to Virginia was going to be a big move!! Can't wait to hear about your travels.

Julianne said...

Wow--good for you! I hope to join the Peace Corps after college. Good Luck!