it seems the wait is over

First off I want to THANK all of you for being faithful in praying for me over these past few months. I apologize that it has taken me so long to write this post but I have been waiting on a few things to happen so that I could update you with some concrete news. If there is one thing that I have to report it is that GOD IS SO GOOD. I know most of you are aware that I have been trying to figure out where God wants me this coming year. This past week and a half has been a rollercoaster of emotions and quite the turn of events. I have been praying for God to open a door, to hear my heart, and to place me where He wants me to be.

Last Sunday I was mentally preparing myself to schedule a meeting with the Chinchen’s (the heads of ABC) to let them know specifically that I would not be

returning to ABC as the Financial Controller. I had various reasons

for defending this statement and strongly felt that the accounts office was not where God wanted me next year. Mainly because my heart wasn't there and if I couldn’t be ministering to the children preferably in the sports realm then maybe God was calling me someplace else. I told myself Monday before I left the office I was going to schedule that appointment. However, Monday morning, Sitara (the sports mistress here/K-6 Athletic director) came into my office telling me that she had news for me and wanted to talk to me before the day was over. She and

I have been working very closely this year because, (1) she is in charge of all the sports programs and (2) she knows that I want to help in any way I

can with afternoon activities and sports. She tells me that she has put an application into Bishop Mackenzie, which is another International school here in Malawi. Her

soon to be fiancé works there and she feels like God is calling her away from ABC. She also tells me that she needs to have a meeting with the Chinchen’s and asks if it is okay if she drops my name as the person she would recommend taking her position. Of course I said ABSOLUTELY

YES! So naturally I waited to schedule my meeting. I felt that she

needed to have her meeting first so that there would be a position

open for me to fill if the Chinchen’s would be willing to move me out of the office. At this point I am absolutely amazed because I was praying for

God to open a door or something and I could tell he was at work. What

kept coming to my mind was Exodus 14:14 "the Lord will fight for you; you need

only to be still." So that is what I did. Tuesday morning I went to

work hoping today would be the day that the Chinchen’s met with

Sitara. Unfortunately, their meeting was scheduled for Friday so that

meant I would need to wait another week to have my meeting, which I

really wasn’t looking forward to doing. I wanted them to know that I wouldn't be

coming back as the accountant and being the impatient person that I am, selfishly, I didn't want to have to wait that

long for an answer. Remember when I said that God is good? On Tuesday 20 minutes before I had to leave for

Upward Basketball, Laura Chinchen asked to see me in her office. Immediately my mind thinks of what have I

forgotten, or what did I do wrong here in the accounts office, etc.

Thinking I'm in trouble I head to her office and sit down. She begins

by saying "I know after our last meeting that you are a "maybe" as for

coming back next year. She says what if I told you that I have hired

another person for your position and I am aware that Sitara has put an

application in for Bishop." She goes on to explain that she thinks

this is a good time for Sitara to phase out of ABC and she and Paul

were talking the night before and think that I would be the perfect

person to fill her shoes. They both have been impressed by my

character in sticking out the office even though they know I have struggled with it this year and they have been blown away by the organization of Upward

this year as compared to last year. She asked if I would stay next year if I were given the Sports Mistress position.

Crazy right?

But wait there’s more...

The girl that I recruited to fill my position at PazNaz (First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena), Sarah (who played

on my intramural basketball team at APU) - it looks like she might be coming out to Malawi next year as well. She is a sports gal as well and Mrs. Chinchen’s idea is that she and I would

be in charge of the organizing the sports (PE and afternoon

activities) for the younger kids (K-6). I think Sarah and I would work really

well together and it would be awesome to have two Upward guru’s here. What an answer to prayer right?

Also, a friend of mine from Azusa Pacific, Matt, I just found out is also thinking about coming out to Malawi next year. He was in my sports ministry class at APU

with Bill Wills, who is here this year. I worked at Matt’s church last summer for a week to help with their sports camp in Fullerton and he also did Uncharted Waters, the sports ministry I worked for 2 summers ago.

ABC already has some awesome people that are applying for next year and a good number of this year’s staff is staying.

I told Mrs. Chinchen that if all of these things indeed work out and Sitara's

job is available I would love to come back next year.

God isn't moving me yet, if he was then I believe that there would

have been a door shut here...not opened completely. When I look back and consider God’s provision this year I am overwhelmed with joy and gratefulness.

I mean...how can I say no, right?

I do not have all the specific details yet, but I’m sure I will be getting those soon. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and who has been specifically praying for wisdom and direction in this decision. I truly appreciate all of you and your constant words of encouragement to me. Your emails, prayers, Facebook messages, packages, and letters do not go unnoticed.

As we say here in Malawi…

Zikomo (Thank you)

Until next time,

Amy

a home away from home

Merry Christmas and Happy 2014 Friends & Family!

As I look back on this past year I am overcome with emotion and amazement. The Lord has been nothing but faithful this year and I can see now, how his hand has been at work through every twist and turn in bringing me here to Africa this year. In the few short months I have been here God has truly transformed me as a person and has enriched my love for people, travel, and culture.

Mid December brought the close of the Academy for the holidays, which meant time to see more of Africa. I had the privilege of traveling down south with five other staff members to Cape Town, South Africa. We embarked on our journey on Sunday, December 15^th, only after watching the ABC Men’s Basketball team win the National Championship on Saturday night. It had been 13 years since the boys had won the title so it was a blessing to be apart of that joyous moment. 

Early Sunday morning we headed to the bus station where we boarded the InterCape to begin our 38 hour bus ride from Lilongwe, Malawi to Johannesburg, South Africa. We traveled through 4 African countries (Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa) in 2 days. Waited numerous hours at border crossings and witnessed countless little miracles along the way.

Even though it was hot, sweaty and crammed it was well worth it. We hiked Table Mountain, went shark cage diving, pet cheetahs, visited Robben Island and went to the Cape of Good Hope, the most south-western point of Africa. It was the trip of a lifetime and I am beyond grateful for the memories that were made.






God knew what he was doing when he brought this group of people to Malawi this year. The staff and friends I have by my side are some of the most incredible and passionate people I know. They challenge me spiritually and encourage me in my faith as I strive to understand, further, where God is leading.

“We were made to represent the love of God in each other’s lives, so that each person we walk through life with has a more profound sense of God’s love for them. Friendship is an opportunity to act on God’s behalf in the lives of the people that we’re close to, reminding each other who God is. When we do the hard, intimate work of friendship, we bring a little more of the divine into daily life. We get to remind one another about the bigger, more beautiful picture that we can’t always see from where we are.” – Shauna Niequist [Cold Tangerines]

I thought it would be appropriate to use this post to introduce you to some of these amazing people that I keep talking about. For those of you who follow me on Facebook you have seen these two faces quite a bit.

On the left is Sydney, she is my roommate, workout buddy, accountability partner and honestly an answer to my prayers. Don’t let her size fool you, she may be small but she has a huge heart for Africa and the Lord. She listens to me grumble and we laugh to the point of tears. She has been nothing but a constant source of support this semester. The handsome fella to my left is Todd, and yes, you did see him in National Championship photo above…he’s a baller. Todd is one of the funniest people I know; I always joke and say that somebody needs to buy this guy a microphone…but seriously. He has a smile and a personality that are magnetic and he radiates joy wherever he goes. He has a huge heart for people and acts out God’s love for others in a tangible way. I praise God for these two and am thankful for friends who have become family and make Malawi a home away from home.

It only took two weeks in South Africa, fully immersed in the comforts of a first world country, to realize that Malawi has become a place I can call home. The simplicity here is honestly refreshing. There is something so beautiful about nothing; I cant even put it into words. As this holiday comes to a close and I begin to prepare for the New Year ahead many things are on my mind. Several months ago I was faced with the question of what to do this year and God opened the door for me to come here to Malawi. Once again I am at a crossroads as a new season of life is possibly approaching. I am prayerfully considering a few options for next year:

•         Stay here in Malawi another year
•         Pursue a Masters in Sports Ministry
•         Seek a sports ministry job in the states

I am currently bringing each option before the Lord seeking direction and clarity. I am praying for wisdom trusting that the direction will become clear.

James 1:2-7 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”

Would you keep me in your prayers as I seek the Lord’s direction for next year?

This past week I was able to go into a nearby village and visit Dennis, a man who works here at ABC and his wife Ethel. They were recently married in November and I had the privilege of attending their wedding. They were kind enough to invite us over to their home in the village, where we shared our testimonies and prayed for one another. It was an amazing moment and their kindness and contagious smiles are two things I never want to forget. Would you pray for these two as they begin their new life together? Pray for Dennis, as he seeks to be a responsible God-fearing man, for his lovely bride Ethel. Ethel has not given her life to the Lord but wants to know more. Pray for her and her heart to be open to hearing the Truth, and for us to be living examples of Jesus to both her and Dennis.

Also, please keep my neighbors the Hiroto’s in your prayers. Kellen and Becca are both teachers here at the Academy.

Two years ago they adopted Yami here in Malawi and are currently in the process of adopting another little Malawian boy Justin. Adoption here is quite the process and it has been a rollercoaster to even get the social worker to move on Justin’s case. Justin is currently in an orphanage in Kasungu. Over the break he was sick and in the hospital for 5 days. Kellen and Becca cannot bring Justin home to begin fostering-to-adopt until the social worker goes to get consent papers signed by Justin’s relatives. Today they were able to go and see Justin with their social worker into his family’s village. Justin’s family is meeting tomorrow (Saturday) with all the relatives to make their decision. So the Hiroto’s should find out in the next few days if they can bring Justin home. Please pray for them as they patiently wait and trust that God is in control and that His timing is perfect.

I truly appreciate each and every one of you and the different ways you have supported me here in Africa. Your prayers, encouraging posts, emails, and financial support are invaluable and I am so grateful. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask! I would love to share with you more about what is happening here in Malawi. 2014 is going to be a whirlwind but I am excited to see where God leads.

Happy New Year!

-Ames

Malawian National Basketball

“Look at the nations and watch—and be UTTERLY AMAZED. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5

Utter amazement is all that can describe this past month in Malawi. I wish I had more pictures and a better vocabulary to depict all that has happened so far because there have been so many incredible moments but I wanted to share one in particular. Three weeks ago I had the honor and privilege of playing for the Malawian National Women’s Basketball team. At first I didn’t understand how big of an honor it was to be asked to play in this tournament, but I soon realized that this was no ordinary competition. This was a countrywide multisport tournament between Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. Athletes competed in netball, soccer, basketball, tennis, and volleyball. The tournament was held here at ABC which made the experience that much sweeter because the other staff members and families were able to come and show their support. It was such a rich experience for me because for those four days I wasn’t an American, rather a Malawian playing in honor of her country. There was one moment in particular that I will cherish forever. We had just lost to Zambia and instead of the traditional “shake hands/give high fives to the other team” we all gathered together and prayed. We thanked God for the game of basketball and how it had brought our two nations together that weekend. After that prayer we all put our hands in and shouted “one team – AFRICA!” I don’t know what it was about that moment but words cannot describe how happy my heart was. Physically I was surrounded by hundreds of people, but at that moment I felt like it was just me...standing in awe of God. I was utterly amazed with His provision, His plan, and just the fact that He called me here…He called me here to AFRICA and here I am playing on the National Malawian team and how undeserving yet grateful I am for this entire experience. So thank you to all of you who played a part in getting me here. Thank you to those of you that are keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. This is an amazing place full of amazing people and I am beyond grateful to be here.

Hello from Africa!

Muli Bwanji! ("How are you?" in Chichewa)

I can’t believe I have only been in Malawi for a week! It already feels like I have been here for months. It blows me away to think I have finally arrived and feel so privileged to be apart of this amazing opportunity here in Lilongwe.

The fam bam at Brian's Wedding

I was blessed to have spent my last week before arriving in Africa in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Most of you know that I was down there with almost my entire family celebrating my brothers wedding. We had an awesome time together and it was especially sweet for me to spend some quality time with the ones I love the most before hopping on a plane to Malawi. 

Cousin Carly and I in Cabo

The journey began last Sunday morning when I left my precious family and friends in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It was a bitter-sweet breakfast full of laughter, tears, and prayer, but I was excited and ready to experience the unknown. The 36 hours of traveling that I had before me ended up being better than I could have hoped for. Don’t get me wrong, I was tired of sitting, for sure, but the time went by quicker than I expected. Four flights and three layovers later, my bags and I had made it to Malawi!

I wasn’t surprised when I stepped off the plane, it was exactly as I had pictured. Tall grasses, acacia trees, and bright smiles but unfortunately no elephants, at least not yet. Africa also has a distinct smell- it constantly smells like a fire, well Malawi does.

First African Sunset

When I found my bags and walked out of the airport I was met with open arms and smiling faces from the Academy. The ABC staff is so friendly and welcoming, it was as if we were old friends. This feeling has continued all week and I can now say we are like a little family. There are 22 of us that are new singles and it is like college all over again. I have yet to cook a meal for myself, as all the families are having us over for dinner. We have had game nights, potlucks, shopping trips, and workout sessions. People are so relational here, you can’t walk down the street without saying hi to everyone and stopping to have multiple conversations.

School here starts tomorrow and I have been swamped in the accounting office. God is definitely stretching me this year and I have felt overwhelmed and unqualified multiple times. Fortunately, everyone here is full of grace and confident that I will figure things out in no time. As a first year there is a lot to adjust to and so many details to work out.

Overall I am so blessed to be here at ABC. It has only been a week and I already have so many stories and a great support system here. I am excited to announce that I will be PLAYING on the women’s college basketball team here. Guess its not time to hang up the shoes just yet :) For those of you who know me you know how excited I am! Especially since our first game is next Friday!

Some of the ABC staff

Thank you to everyone who has supported me prayerfully and financially. I know I am exactly where God wants me to be in this moment and I cant thank you enough for your support. It wouldn’t have been possible for me to be here if it wasn’t for you and all of your love and encouragement. I seems surreal to me that I am finally here.

1 Corinthians 7:17 - "And don't be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there."

I hope to write you all again soon!

Tionana ("until next time"),

Amy

Hello friends and family!
Here is where I will be keeping you up to date on my journey to Africa.
Thank you all for your prayers and support!