RECHARGE

Sitting here in Gonzales, Louisiana thinking about how amazing this past week has been :) It's as if God's hand reached into my heart and pressed the RECHARGE button. That's the best way I can describe it. God knew that I needed encouragement and I found that at ARC's All Access Conference in Baton Rouge. I've been to ARC (Association of Related Churches) conference before but God was really moving at it this year for sure! God knew everything I was feeling and made a way for me to hear the messages. And each message touched on everything I've been dealing with and feeling.

I have to be honest with you, there are so many days that I feel inadequate, I wonder how in the world God could use someone like me- sending me all the way to Zimbabwe, Africa! I pray all the time that I won't mess up, that I can be the best leader I can for the children and Kids teams. And what I walked away feeling after ARC conference was that I don't have to have it all figured out, that people believe in me, that most of all God believes in me! :) And I'm eternally grateful for the ARC leaders and Celebration Church lead team. I'm so blessed to do life with these people! And now more than ever, I feel ready for Africa, for whatever God may throw at me. Because I yearn to be with the children, to help grow God's kingdom and bring love and hope to a hurting nation. At ARC, I was able to meet with other Kids Pastors, talk with Ps. Dixon Changara of Celebration Zimbabwe about my upcoming move to Zimbabwe as well as give him finances (thanks to my supporters) for a new kids project at our main campus in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (more news and pics to come on this soon).

I'll just touch on a few msgs that really spoke to me and inspired me from ARC. Key points that just really stuck out I'd like to share.

Mark Batterson- "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called." AMEN! We need to take a "THIS IS CRAZY" step of faith (That's so what I feel when take the step to move full-time to Africa). God will honor that crazy step of faith!

Dino Rizzo- What I learned most from his msg is that we don't have to dance alone in isolation, there is power in WE, defeat in just me.

Joe Champion- A vision that is powerful can't fall into intimidation. (I know that God has spoken to me about Zimbabwe and I can't and won't be intimidated!!)

John Siebling- We need to stay in our lane for God wants us to do. Don't let comparison rule your heart.

Rick Bezet- Values have to be what drive us everyday. We must focus on the ONE (just one soul is worth it), We must focus on the CROWD, and I must take my focus off of me.

Greg Suratt- What are things that can rob us of our innocence and awe? The APPLAUSE (Spend time with people that love you but ARENT impressed with you), The GRIND, and Our SIN

Matthew Barnett- Pick up God's cause and lay down man's dream. Lose yourself and God will take you higher! God doesn't want us to be safe, but dangerous!

Chris Hodges- Don't let a relational wound keep you from your full potential!

Steven Furtick- Don't let people say Godly ambition is arrogance. Also, we need to make this valley full of ditches (2 Kings 3:16)- We need to dig ditches for what we aren't even prepared for, the unknown- then God will bring the rain!

Stovall Weems- We all have the X factor. There is the excellency of God in all of us. Distinguishing always happens in the difficult times. Excellence = Extraordinary (faithfulness in the ordinary will bring the extraordinary), Exceeding (Develop your annointing and God will bring you His exceeding), and Extreme (Be extreme in what you are FOR, and not what you are against)

I know my time in Africa is getting close, I can feel it. I believe God is moving things in regards to my work permit, that the remaining monthly finances I need will come in, that I will get hug all the African children soon.....and until then, I plan to embrace this preparation time, to be faithful in the ordinary. - Shannon

Donation Details:

Online Donations

http://www.worldoutreach.org/

Click Donate and Select my name and Automatic Monthly Giving

USA & International Cards Accepted

OR Mail Checks to:

World Outreach Ministries

P.O. Box B

Marietta, GA 30061

(designate for Routzahn, Fund Code #91)

The Waiting

So I know it's been awhile (a few weeks is awhile for me, lol) since I've blogged, so as I sit here on a beautiful Saturday in Florida I start to think, why not, it's time to write :) I just got back from a glorious 2-day getaway that God blessed me with; a time of reflecting, relaxing, and rejuvenating. It was a great time to think about what lies ahead for me in Africa; what lies ahead on my next adventures; a time to reflect on all that God has brought me through and blessed me with. (My journal is full from just 2 days!) My heart is overjoyed for what God has in store for me. Sometimes all my mind can do is think about Africa, the children there, the beauty there. How many of you know that waiting is not always easy? Waiting can be SO hard. And that's where God has me right now, WAITING. My journey to Africa full-time started just over a year ago and God has brought me so far, SO close. And I know He will get me there, but only in HIS timing. I know God is still equipping me, teaching me, molding me for the call on my life ahead of me. And that call is in Zimbabwe, is AFRICA.

In this year of preparation time so far, God has blessed me with 75% of my financial support (that's a whole lot in this economy! I'm so forever thankful to all my financial supporters!!), He's blessed me with the mentoring of some incredible men and women of God (you know who you are), and He's blessed me with the understanding that sometimes you just have to WAIT.

As you read this, my work permit application for Zimbabwe is with African immigration in Harare, which is the capital city of Zimbabwe. This work visa and the remaining 25% of my finances are the only things I'm waiting on before I can hit African soil. Please stand with me in prayer that the work permit will come through smoothly and that the political climate in Zimbabwe won't hold up the process. Anybody that has traveled or lived in another country knows that what immigration really means is "HURRY UP AND WAIT" :) lol

Also, my prayer for 21 new financial partners during the 21 day fast are definitely being answered :) I've seen at least 10 new partners jump onboard in just the last month and I know God is going to bring it through to fruition.

So as I wait, I pray that I can do it beautifully and enjoy every moment God has for me right where I am. I certainly plan to.

God Bless,

Shannon

Donation Details:

Online Donations

http://www.worldoutreach.org/

Click Donate and Select my Name and Automatic Monthly Giving

USA & International cards accepted

OR Mail checks to:

World Outreach Ministries

P.O. Box B

Marietta, GA 30061

(designate for Routzahn, Fund Code #91)

New Zim Flier!!

Thanks to Miss Lizzie Miller for her awesome flier design! :) God has opened up the doors for these fliers to be given to all Celebration Kids parents this weekend, giving them the chance to partner into something that will impact the lives of African children forever!! How awesome is that?!! Our God is a good and loving God. He has done SO much in my life and I plan to spend the rest of my existence here on earth bringing Him all the glory. For all that Jesus has done for us, is that too much to ask of us? Let's make all that we do count :)

My 21-day Prayer for 21 New Financial Partners

This month marks the month that Celebration Church participates in a 21-day fast called Awakening. It's a time I always look forward to and a time to give up something in order to better focus on God. In the past years I've seen breakthrough and prayers answered during this time of fasting. Just last year during the fast, God clearly spoke to me about my call to Zimbabwe to help with the children's ministry. I had such a strong peace that God was calling me to the great nation of Zimbabwe to help with Celebration campuses there and I still know more than ever that this is what God has called me to do. So last night as I lay in bed thinking about what my focus during the fast this year should be the number 21 kept coming to mind. (You see it's usually like 2 am when God speaks to me best). For hours last night all I could see was the number 21 flash in my mind.

Starting Jan 10th, as I fast and pray each of the 21 days I will be praying and believing specifically for 21 new financial partners into my ministry to Zimbabwe. That's 1 new person a day. 21 new people to partner into something incredible that will touch the lives of African children forever. There are thousands of children waiting to be loved, valued, and empowered. And with the help of new monthly financial partners, I can be on African soil to start spreading the love and walk into the calling God has placed on my life. I BELIEVE that this 21 day challenge of 21 new financial partners CAN and WILL happen. God has gotten me so far on this journey and I KNOW He will see it to completion.

The $1000 monthly support that I have left to raise is not a big thing for God, not at all. (That's just 21 new people giving $50 monthly). I know He's wanting me to just believe and trust Him. So that is what I plan to do. Each day as I fast and pray, I will pray and believe that God is working on the hearts of the people that will partner into this ministry with me. I may not know who they are but God does. And I will pray for all the African children that lives will be changed by the people that partner into this ministry, because it's these children that I lay awake thinking about. I've met so many of them and they are just so excited that Auntie Shannon will be there soon to teach them.

So this is what I'm asking each of you that read this to do.

Will you pray about taking this 21 day challenge and fast with me to become a monthly partner into something so much bigger than we could ever imagine? There is no amount that is too small.

Together we can make a difference and spread the love of Jesus to children all throughout Zimbabwe and Africa! :) I'm excited!!! -Shannon

Donation Details:

Online Donations

http://www.worldoutreach.org/

Click Donate and Select my Name and Automatic Monthly Giving

USA & International cards accepted

OR Mail Checks to:

World Outreach Ministries

P.O. Box B

Marietta, GA 30061

(designate for Routzahn, Fund Code #91)

Find a Need and Meet It

This past weekend I said goodbye to one of the closest people in my life, my sweet grandma Gerry Barker. She entered into eternal rest with Jesus on December 14, 2010. She's been with me all 32 years of my life and will be with me in my heart as I take the next step forward to Africa. My grandma loved helping people, she was such a giver, always thinking about others needs and not herself. Even in the last few weeks she just wanted to make sure we were all ok. She's been a constant example in my life. She's helped me considerably on my journey to Zimbabwe and always loved hearing about my mission trips and what I would be doing next. I know that she will be smiling upon me when I'm in Africa full-time. I also know God's timing is perfect. My grandma lived with my family and I was able to live there also and work from home and help with grandma over the past few years. It's a time I will always cherish and I believe now more than ever God is releasing me to Africa; there is a peace knowing my grandma Gerry is being taken care of in heaven.

This past Sunday at Celebration Church I had the priviledge of hearing David Meyer speak. I will be working closely with Joyce Meyer Ministries in Zimbabwe as we help feed hundreds of thousands of children. David spoke about giving on Sunday. As he spoke I thought about my grandma, such a giver in life. She didn't just give at Christmas, she gave all the time. What I remember most about David's message was that he said Find a need and meet it. I pray that I can do that in my everyday walk in Africa and everywhere that I go.

There are so many children in Zimbabwe that are in need. Will you pray about meeting that need? It doesn't take alot, just a willing and obedient heart. One by one we will work together to change a life. You can see how you can partner into this ministry below if interested.

As I finish this blog I feel so many emotions. Sadness over missing my grandma, joy in that I have such a loving and supportive family, and excited expectancy for what is yet to come in Africa and what God is going to do.

I love you grandma, SO much!! Thank you for teaching me so much. I pray that I make you proud. - 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)

Partnership with World Outreach Ministries

I have some exciting news!! I am happy to announce that I now have a Missionary Agency assisting me on my journey to Zimbabwe! World Outreach Ministries will help me as my Stateside Office. They are an amazing organization that have been working with missionaries around the world for over 30 years. They will send tax deductible receipts to my supporters and facilitate Online donations to my account. I want to make it clear that my ministry plans for Zimbabwe have not changed. I will still be representing Celebration Church Zimbabwe with the Children's Ministry. I want to thank Celebration Church Jax for the amazing job they have done thus far with handling the financial donations!! It's an honor to represent Celebration Jax in Zimbabwe and reach the nations.

I have currently raised ALL of my upfront expenses (over $20,000!) and I'm at 60% of my monthly support goal. I'm praying and believing that by February (our goal to have me on African soil full-time) I will be at 100% for monthly support. All it takes to get me there is $1000 more in monthly support. Whether it be $10, $25, $50, or $100 monthly giving, you can help me get to goal and start ministering to the children of Zimbabwe. Will you prayerfully consider partnering monthly with me? I can't leave until I'm at 100% of my monthly support goal. You can respond by mail or you can join as a monthly partner via our Online Process. When you give Online by credit of debit card, you can choose the "monthly option" which will set up an automatic recurring gift for your record.

Also, will you stand in prayer with me regarding my Zimbabwe work permit? To live legally in the country I must have this. Right now my application is with African immigration officials. Please pray that it goes smoothly and speedy.

Here is how you can give:

Online Donations
http://www.worldoutreach.org/
Click Donate and Select my Name
USA & International Cards Accepted
(you can select monthly automatic set-up)


Or Mail Checks to
World Outreach Ministries
P.O. Box B
Marietta, GA 30061
(designate for Routzahn, Fund Code #91)


With your help we can make an eternal impact in the lives of African children! Working together to reach the nations!

Blessings in Christ,
Shannon

Free from the Stuff

I've got to hand it to God, He sure does know what He's doing. God showed up BIG time for the Missionaries Yard Sale we had this past weekend. Now I'm free from all the stuff (how great that feels!) AND I raised over $900 in funds for the Celebration Zimbabwe Kids Ministry! That was just the icing on the cake :)

Between the 4 of us Celebration Missionaries headed to Africa and Greece, we raised over $2500!! And all from a yard sale, that doesn't happen every day. God definitely wants us there and is seeing to it that we get there.

It was a perfect day, sun shining; perfect location; and perfect time to share about what we will be doing to share the gospel to the nations. And it was FUN!

Not only that but my work permit application is in the hands of Zimbabwe officials and I'm praying and believing that all will go smoothly and quickly to get me there sometime in the beginning of the year. Will you stand in prayer with me on that?

I'm trusting that God will bring more monthly supporters in my path to get me to 100% goal by beginning of next year. I'm already 60% of the way there! Check out this video to see how you can help: http://vimeo.com/16488922

There are other great things on the horizon also, so be on the lookout for that soon :)

Together we can make a difference in the lives of African children!

Blessings in Christ,
Shannon