“It’s the greatest poverty to decide that a child must die so
that you may live as you wish.”- Mother Teresa
As I have been packing my things this week and trying to somehow wrap my mind around the idea of leaving for nine months- The Lord has been teaching me throught it all. It seems no matter what the circumstance He teaches, convicts or brings excitement to me. As I sat surrounded by my clothes, bedding, electronics, and all my stuff. My heart was heavy with sorrow and regret for the way I’ve clung to my possessions. Things I thought I could easily give up, but now realizing how hard it is. I’ve been so convicted of the way I can so easily spend money on myself-buying a drink at starbucks, going out to eat. But when it comes to spending on others- my flesh cries out. Oh, sometimes the pain of dying to self. I pray that everyday I would die to my flesh and it’s sinful desires. So that when others look at me they don’t see Ellen, but Jesus Christ.
I will be getting up at the crack of dawn on Monday morning at leaving at 5am with my family to drive to Minneapolis to catch my flight to Atlanta. My friend Sarah is also going to South Africa- which I thank God for! It will be so nice to have a fimilar face:) We will arive that afternoon in Atlanta and the leaders will meet us there and take us to the week long training camp in Gainsville. I am not sure if I will be able to write again til I am in South Africa. We will be flying out on the 15th to SA. It will be a 14-15 hour flight! So PRAY!
I will write as often as I can- please pray for:
——Unity among the team of 41 of us
——- No fear
——-Broken, repentant hearts in training
——- Strength and endurance for training camp
Thanks so much for all your prayers! I appreciate every single one of you!
Ellen~
I just want you to know that Thomas and I will be praying for you everyday, praying that God would use you to reach the hearts of the people in Africa, and even touch the hearts of people on your team. I pray that God would use people to touch you as well.
I will miss you so much, but am so excited for you as well as you are out on this journey. You have been an inspiration to me and I’m so thankful for that.
Have a safe flight and know that I LOVE YOU!
I will send you lots of pictures when the baby comes! See you at Christmas!
Love Always
Erin
Hi Ellen,
I realize you may not get this before you leave tomorrow, but I wanted to let you know that I will be praying for you.
I miss not seeing you on campus at the Bible School, but I am so excited for the opportunity that you have to serve our Lord & Savior in South Africa.
God’s blessings to you as you go and always remember
Joshua 1:9 “Be strong & couragesious! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your Gid is with you wherever you go.”
Praying for you,
Courtney
Thinking of you and praying for you. You won’t be sorry but glad you made this decisionI’m sure!!!
Thanks for the quote from Mother TeresaWOW!!!
II Tim 1:7
We will be praying for you as you reach out to others. May God lead and guide you as you serve Him today and in the future. We will be praying for your parents also. Proverbs 3:5-6.
Ellen! I miss you. But praise God for what you will be doing! I am praying for you and look forward to hearing from exciting you!