[ journey entry ]

Below is a journal entry from my last trip to Africa. This entry was the day after my birthday.

August 2, 2009

Last night we went to "African Footprints" for my birthday and it was completely amazing. The people on staged portrayed their culture through upbeat dancing and singing. It was purely fantastic. It helped me not forget how truly beautiful this country is. And made me realize how at home I feel here. The girls I went with started singing the birthday song to me on the way out of the theatre and before you knew it the whole crowd was singing happy birthday. It was one of the best birthdays EVER. Coming back to our cottage seemed so normal, and so homely. I am so glad that God has blessed me with a heart for this continent. Its exactly where I want and am suppose to be. I am total denial that I will be going back to the States this month. I really want to stay longer...

[ the feeling ]

I was awaken with a smile on my face today as the dream the night before began to slowly permeate my mind. And my heart quickly became warm with joy. My dream took place in Africa, in my classroom. The children were gone for the day except for a few who were reading with each other. It was the end of the first day of school and I was calling my mother to let her know I was fine (mothers are always uneasy, especially when you are thousands of miles away!). Even though nothing major happened in the dream, the feeling was beyond comparable. The feeling of being home, of having a heart that is whole and complete, was something that I could never describe. An immense joy and peace was in my heart and soul.

I am and will be forever grateful for the calling that the Lord has given me to Africa. I pray that you as well have a feeling inside your heart that is incomparable to anything, because of the calling He has given you. And if you do not know God's calling yet, be patient! He will give this to you at the right timing. As Dori says in 'Finding Nemo' "Just keeping swimming...just keep swimming..."

When it comes to finding an organization, my life is up in the air in that direction. I do believe God is telling me that same thing I am telling you, "Just be patient!" He has opened a few more doors when it comes to finding the right mission organization to go with, but I believe He wants me to wait. I am not sure why, but I will just do it and not ask questions! All I know, God has an amazing plan for me JUST like He has an amazing plan for you! :) Never forget that!

[ the search begins ]

As summer comes to an end, the school year begins! Trying to find the time for fundraisors is quite difficult in between full-time graduate classes, student teaching, and substitute teaching for a few extra dollars. Thankfully, a few more people seem to be interested in Open Door Ministries and God's journey He is taking me on in the future so the hard work pays off!

Harvest Baptist Church's Jr. Church hosted a "Penny Challenge" in which each grade level from preschool to fourth grade competed to see who could bring in the most change. The fourth graders wiped out all the other grades by hundreds of dollars! The Jr. church brought in a grand total of $763.62! Boy, what a NUMBER. I about fell over when I read the grand total. Thank you Jr. Church for your hard work and dedication. (left: 4th grader Victoria)

In addition to the Penny Challenge, Harvest Baptist has been collecting pop cans over the past month. Pepsi cans, Mountain Dew cans, Sunkist cans, I receieved them all of every kind! The church collected over 35 bags of pop cans! Thank you Harvest Baptist for your donation! When the aluminum prices go up, I hope to turn them in! As I become more knowledgeable in support raising, I am learning that every penny counts!

As the year comes close to its end, I am becoming more and more nervous on making sure I find an actual place to go! Without a doubt I know the Lord is leading me to Nairobi, Kenya for my beginning ministry work as a missionary. So the search for applying to christian organizations that help cover missionaries. There are hundreds, even thousands of organizations that missionaries can apply to. These organizations usually take care of airplane tickets, health insurance, financial organization, and placement direction. Although, missionaries themselves could manage to do all this themselves but it is an immense amount of work and time. And time is of the essence! Please pray for me in my search for the correct organization. Currently, I have narrowed it down to a few. I hope to have this accomplished by the end of the year.

Thank you again for all of your prayer and support as the Lord molds my vision into His vision. May all the glory go to our Great God!

[ my journey officially begins ]

Over the past few months, I have been learning much about a journey and how much it takes to go through the journey. A journey gets you from point A to point B. For me, it is going from a sleep-deprived graduate student with no money and no life to becoming a full-time missionary in Kenya who focuses on God and Education as the foundation of my ministry. I have tried numerous times to "speed up the process" and to "hurry up" to get to point B. Now, I have learned that it is not Point A nor is it Point B that is most important, but it is the process, the journey you take to get there. That is what molds you into who you are. If you look back at Jesus' life, He spent more time PREPARING for His ministry (the journey) than His actual ministry (Point B). I want to do this. If I want to change people's lives forever through God, then I must take the time to do it right. I must build a good foundation so that in the future, the Lord can build a mansion upon it.

First and foremost, I would like everyone who reads this blog to know that this ministry is not solely Melissa's Ministry. In fact, I do not and will not take the credit. It is GOD and ONLY GOD who can make or break this ministry. God is the driver and the director of the ministry that He has blessed me with. I might be the person who is physically going to Africa, but it is God that is moving and breathing within me and the people. May God gain all the flory and honour of this ministry!

My journey and preparation to east Africa is slowly beginning. I have gained full support from my home church, Harvest Baptist Church, in my future mission to Africa. It makes me so joyful to see that I have this amazing church, a church where I first found Jesus, fully support me in this journey. My church family has been a wonderful support in my past mission trips and I know without a doubt that they are behind me one-hundred percent. Not only is God the heart of this future ministry, but senders like my church, my friends, and my family is what makes this ministry possible. May God bless you ALL!

As God allows it, I will give you the goals and objectives for this trips. Every single day the Lord is providing me with something new or changing something. I hope in the near future that I can tell you my solid plans and outline for me. I have applied to an organization called iTeams, who I will work under in the first two years of this ministry. The organization helps me find housing, helps me get to where I want to go, and helps me find my first niche. They also do many others things in helping me organizing the trip. I am still waiting acceptance for iTeams and I hope to hear from them soon. I know that no matter teh outcome, God has given me a vision and He will help me get there no matter what.

A small list of items have already been written down in hopes to help with raising the support I need for this ministry.

As seen above, Harvest Baptist Church's Jr Church (Preschool through fourth grade) have been collecting change (quarters, nickes, dimes, pennies) as part of their "Penny Giving Challenge". To do, this group of about 60 children have raised almost $300. It is amazing what can happen when God is control. Thank you Jr. Church!

Another fundraisor that is taking part the whole month of August is "Pop Cans for Africa." If enough pop cans are collected, they can be turned in for a good amoung of money. This is a great way for those who can not give financially to help out. All we need is your trash, your pop cans. Every penny counts! I hope to do one fundraisor a month. If you have any ideas or would like to be part or lead a fundraisor to helps God's vision for this ministry come alive, feel free to e-mail me or comment on this blog.

Again, thank YOU for your ongoing love and support as I prepare for this ministry. I am so very blessed to have YOU as part of this journey. And YOU will be blessed for it. :)

In Christ Always,

melissa a. brown

[ i was born ]

I was born to desire the simplicity of life in Africa.
Like the ninety-nine year old Grandmother of the Coosa village,
when she draws water from the man-made well during mid-morning,
while she reminisces on a hundred-year-old story, sent down generation to generation.

I was born to educate children who yearn to be someone great.
Like the estatic orphans in the sub-saraha
when they grin ear to ear
while they scetch their name in English for the first time without fear.

I was born to help delete the reality of disease in my beloved jungle.
Like helping an orphan boy write a letter to this little brother
When he is on his death bed at the age of eight,
while being overcome by the effects of AIDS, which was always his wretch fate.

I was born to open the Gospel to children who do not know Him
Like they saw a bird fly for the first time
when a tear slowly drips down his face
while they finally become whole, knowing that there is someone who always loves them besides me.