What a journey it has been so far on my way to Africa to do full-time ministry and God just keeps surprising me! The journey we plan isn't always straight but usually has many twists and turns. It's trusting God in those twists and turns that ultimately matters. As I continue to wait on God's timing, several opportunities have opened up for me to be even more prepared to be effective in the ministry to the hurting and orphaned children in Zimbabwe. I still firmly believe that God's plan for me is Celebration Kids Ministry in Zimbabwe but I also know His plans and length of time to get me there are far better than what I may think. As Pastor Stovall says "The longer you wait on something, the greater the blessing will be!" God is equipping me every step of the way.
The great news is that I will be on the ground in Africa by December working with the children and obtaining lots of hands-on experience in working with veteran children's ministry workers that are ministering in the same flow as the calling God has put on my life. Celebration Zimbabwe is working closely with Children's Cup (http://www.childrenscup.org/), an amazing organization that brings hope and the love of Jesus to hurt and forgotten children. Children's Cup is is an American organization that has been ministering to hurting children for the past 20 years in both Africa and Asia. My first trip to Africa was to Swaziland to work at the Children's Cup Carepoints where they feed and minister to the children. It was here that got confirmed my calling to Africa. So it's not a big surprise that God would bring Swaziland, Africa back into my journey. This is going to be a huge win for all of us in that I will get a lot of exposure to African culture, will get essential ministry and leadership experience, be close to Zimbabwe to travel there often, and work with the Kids Clubs in Swaziland as well as work on bringing a child sponsorship program to Zimbabwe. I truly believe that this time in Swaziland will be an important stepping stone toward my ministry work in Africa.
So here is the journey God has me on over the next several months (and of course this can always change, and I will update everyone if anything does change):
September 2011: I have the awesome opportunity to attend a Kidz at Heart conference. Kidz at Heart is focused on international kids ministry and this will be a great tool for when I'm in Africa. http://www.kidzatheart.org/, I will also be equipping our St. Augustine Celebration Kids campus to bring kids service to the next level.
October 2011: Preparation in Jacksonville, FL, continue helping Celebration St. Augustine campus with Kids Ministry.
November 2011: Preparation in Jacksonville, FL
December 2011: I will depart for Zimbabwe to help with Kids Christmas parties and work with the Celebration Kids ministry there.
January 2012: Zimbabwe and a 2 week trip to Uganda with Kidz at Heart to help put on a KidZ Ministry Equipping Conference in Kampala. This mission trip will give me hands-on experience in training African volunteers in Kids Ministry and doing international Kids Ministry specifically to Africa.
February 2012: Travel to Swaziland, Africa to start the 10-month Global Leadership Academy and work with Children's Cup.
I currently need just $500 more in monthly support to be at goal. Will you consider becoming a monthly supporter? For as little at $10, $25, $50 or $100 a month you can help get me fully funded. See donation details below.
I'm VERY excited about what God has in store and so thankful to you for helping make this dream a reality! Your blessings do not go unnoticed.
God Bless, Shannon
Donation Details:
Online Donations: http://www.worldoutreach.org/ Click Donate and Select My Name, USA & International Cards Accepted
Or Mail Checks to: World Outreach Ministries, P.O. Box B, Marietta, GA 30061 (designate for Routzahn, Fund Code #91)
