Could I really be going?

Driving down the road one day listening to my Natalie Grant CD the song "Held" came on. I had heard it one million times before, but this time was different. Listening to the song, I felt the Lord press on me saying, "Leigh I need you to go to Africa and tell the women what it is like to be held." Tears streamed down my face because the calling was so real, but quite scary. I didn't know how to get to Africa and was sure Clay would think I had lost my mind again! I replied to the Lord, How are you going to do that? Why me? That is going to take a lot of orchestrating to bring it all together. The CD player was on random play and the next song that came up on that CD was a duet where Natalie is singing with Wynona Judd called "He will bring it all together". I about had to pull over the road and have some church!

So over and over things have been coming up that this is my next mission. As I started discipling the single girls on Wednesday nights, I met with one beforehand to discuss expectations, possible studies, all those details that I am not good at. In the conversation it turn to Africa. I have no idea how it did that, but she tells me she had just gotten back from Africa and went with a small group of women and the leader was the infamous Jeannie Blackstone McNichols. Talking with Natalie on the driveway that night, I couldn't help be thinking - No way, could He be doing this already. His orchestrations were already coming to fruition. So excitedly I run in to tell Clay what God is doing, but still unsure of it myself.

You see, I had been told after receiving this "calling" in the car to not aim so high. I didn't have to reach for the stars so early in ministry. That I didn't have to be a Kay Arthur or a Beth Moore. That I could just start with a small trip and not have to go for it all. Just to not try to do such great things for God just yet. I truly believe Satan used a fine, hopefully well meaning CHRISTIAN, to distract me and cause me to question the calling. Can you believe that - Satan used a Christian. I wonder how many times I have allowed myself to be used by him to discourage, disappoint, and distract. I don't think I would want to know!

So anyway - here I am ready to go. Ready to go where He wants me to go. Ready to do as He calls. Ready to be obedient, even radically obedient!! Lord, would you please prepare those around me for this: my family, my extended family, those that can help financially, and those precious prayer warriors!! Well, Lord, you promise the descendants of Abraham would as many as the stars. I want to go and reach for the stars - the ones the person told me I didn't have to reach for just yet in ministry. There are precious stars out there that have never heard of a Father that can hold them tenderly and respectfully and with gentleness. I want to tell those stars just what it means to be "Held"! I can't wait to see Him continue to "Bring it all together". Praise Your name Lord!! I am excited to see You work!

I met with Jeannie and Natalie last night and if He continue to confirm everything hopefully i will be in Africa in September... possibly the last week of September...