This is my first entry..

For security purposes, I will be leaving out many specific details in my writing.

So this is a blog that I will be keeping as an easy way for everyone to stay informed about the trip. Here's a little bit of information:

I am going to Niger Africa from June 1- July 31. I will be flying with my best friend D..we will go together. We will meet a team in Africa of 12 other Americans who have volunteered for this project. It is a mission trip through the International Mission Board that D and I (and our friend R who ended up not going) applied for on the internet. D just found out today that she was coming. I found out that I was going about a month ago.

Going to Africa seems like a big deal, but to be honest, it hasnt really hit me yet that I am going. I try not to think about it too much because I tend to worry...But so far I have gotten my passport and my yellow fever shot. I still need to apply for my visa, get a hep A shot, and buy airline tickets. The girl who is living in Niger (but originally from Texas) is my "field supervisor" and her name is K. She is who I have been communicating with through email and she will be with me in Africa.

K has emailed me a huge packet of information about the trip. In it is a list of things I need to do before I go, the process of getting them done and so on. There is a 3 page list of items that I need to pack for the trip. I have to find a mosquito net because we will be sleeping outside on cots. She enclosed a document called 30 days of prayer for the People, People being the people group that we will be living in the villiage with and having community with. I copied it and put it at the bottom of this post.

Prayer is needed for this trip. Alot of things are needed for this trip, but God is providing. The process of getting ready to go is overwhelming at times, but it's really not even that important. God has been swinging doors open in front of me and all he wants me to do is walk through them at this point. I know that He is where I will have to draw all of my strength from, and it will only get harder from this point on.

I originally thought that I would be going to Africa alone, because I didn't want to have high expectations for D only to be dissapointed. But now that I know she is coming with me, I am so relieved. I am just now realizing that we are going to need to lean on each other and be there for each other in crazy ways, and I'm starting to wonder how the two of us are going to even make it to the Niger airport. The two of us combined equals a crazy mixture of unorganized thoughts and energy, and we are usually both tagging along behind people who "know how to get stuff done." When we are together, we usually are confused and/or lost. So it will be interesting to experience total leadership from God...because I know that there is no way that we will get to and from Africa on our own.

30 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR THE People

1. Pray that the stronghold of Islam would be broken in Niger and among the People.
2. Pray that God would reveal Himself to the People through dreams and visions.
3. Pray for those who have little or no food, that God would provide for their needs.
4. Pray that the Holy Spirit would nurture a desire in the People to know the Truth.
5. Pray that the People Christians would display integrity and faithfulness in their daily lives.
6. Pray that God would send Christians to live, work, and minister among the People.
7. Pray that the People Christians would have a vision for planting a church in every village.
8. Pray that People Christians would have a hunger for God’s Word and hearts that thirst for righteousness.
9. Pray that People Christians would learn to understand and apply God’s Word in their lives.
10. Pray for the widows and orphans, that their physical needs would be met.
11. Pray that the People Christians would learn to depend fully on God for all their needs.
12. As the People Muslims prostrate themselves in prayer at the mosque, pray that God would convict them of their lostness and that they would seek the truth.
13. Many People have seen the Jesus film and have heard the gospel on audio cassettes. Pray that they would understand clearly what they see and hear. Pray that they would humble themselves and receive Christ as their Savior.
14. Pray that People Christians would make prayer a priority in their personal lives.
15. Pray for the children who have trusted in Christ. Pray that, like the mustard seed, their faith would grow and become strong.
16. Pray that People Christians would resist temptation and remain morally pure.
17. Pray for those who preach and teach, that they would do so with wisdom and discernment and by the power of the Living God.
18. As the seeds of the gospel are planted among the People people, pray that they would take root and grow and bear much fruit.
19. Pray for unity among the People Christians, that their hearts would be united in love and oneness of purpose.
20. Pray that People Christians would resist the evil one and stand firm in their faith. Pray that their lives would be characterized by power and love and discipline.
21. Pray for the physical needs of the People—that those who are hungry would have food, those who thirst would have water, and those who are sick would be healed.
22. Praise God for People believers who are sharing Christ with their friends and neighbors. Pray that God would grant them perseverance and discernment as they share the Good News.
23. Praise the Lord for the sufficiency of Christ. He alone is able to meet all the needs of the People.
24. Pray that the minds and hearts of the People would be open to hearing and responding to the gospel message.
25. Pray that the Lord would strengthen and encourage People believers. Pray that they would feel His presence today in a special way.
26. Pray for People believers who are undergoing trials and tribulations, that they would know the “peace that passes understanding.” (Phil. 4:7)
27. Pray for the Muslim religious leaders, that God would reveal the way of righteousness to them, and that they would have the courage to follow the One who is the way, the truth, and the life.
28. Pray that People Christians would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Col. 1:9)
29. Pray that there will be an indigenous church planting movement among the People.
30. Pray that God would be glorified among the People.


I have alot to say but not much time to say it, so I will post back later. Also, I love to write so these entries will probably be pretty lengthy. My mom is the one who gave me the idea of starting the blog, and hopefully I will be faithful to keeping it up to date.

-Hailey