Mary Allyson Clements
or Mary -Allyson, Mary, Allyson, Ally (:
ANYWays...
I am a Sophmore now at Texas Woman's University
and will be spending the portion of my summer in Mombasa, Kenya. Woot! Woot!
I hope to get out of the experience some heart shaping for the road ahead but there has already been much change in the making!
When I first heard of the mission opportunities for the college students I was fairly new to the church as well as the college life. The idea of Mission work had my interest but never occured to me as possible or proabable at that point in time.
But God has a way of changing things!!!
Cayla Newkirk announced the "hopeful" plans to lead a group of 12 to Africa in the time ahead. It was so ironic, because there was nothing about my current situation that could point to me being a part of THIS... But it was very much imbedded in my heart first word of departure. The details were few, and I was uncertain as to why I had this so heavily laid on my heart... so I prayed and prayed and then called my parents to pray for Cayla, for the people of Mombasa, and for those who were going. At the time it did not occur to me that there was room for one more! About a week later I ran into Cayla and talked to her and told her that it was constantly in prayer... she almost broke down when I asked if I could go!
At the begining,
money was difficult to come by as I began to work my new job in Denton, it occured to me that what was affordable in highschool began to become too much in college. I began to depend on my parents just to make my car payment, feeling hopeless as my mother would slip my a $20 for gas when I visited, thinking the only way to make any money for the trip was to sell my car... but the failed attempt led to the testimony that I am currently living and sharing.
I mention this because money has a way of appearing to be an "obstacle" when it really has no limit to Gods plan in our lives.
Sure enough God provided and still is providing!! ... not only for the current expenses but even more rewarding ... for KENYA!
Since then,
there has been SO much change! Good and Bad, but all necessary.
I still work as a Waitress at Pour House Sports Grill where I am currently spending most of my days and nights to work for the GREAT trip ahead! From relying on my parents to cover my car payment... to not only paying for car, gas, rent, but ... Kenya!!
When I tell you it's a miracle, Believe it! I know that "I can do ALL things through Christ which strengtheneth me" it is a blessing to have been chosen for an experience like this and I pray that God's Will will be done.
After much appreciated support from my family, friends, and many other people I now have approx. $500 more to go, excluding the cost of shots and spending money while we are there.
My goal is to reach $1,000 in the next 2 months ahead... but God has been going Above & Beyond every goal that i've set for the month. AMEN!!!
I know the team is one Chosen for the work God has set forth and we're blessed to have people interested and invested to his work and our well being.
Thank You for those who have supported financially, it has given much needed boosts in the journey to get there. But more importantly I Thank those who have prayed for us, individually. Thankyou!!! It has done so much good and it matters! Every prayer has blessed. Please pray for the ones who are living in Mombasa, Kenya and their safety and well being as well.
I pray that there will be a different outlook on life as we return to the "safety" of home.
That we will begin to see people in a entirely new vision... this trip has opened my heart to so many different walks of life that in past time never caught my attention.
At the start I saw this calling with the purpose to serve those in Kenya, to share the love of Christ... and I still do! But what it has evolved into is the chance to be changed from the inside out, that possibly these children will have more of an impact on us then we will on them.
The work of heart is taking place in all of us and I am confident that it will not end as we board the plane back home. The fact of the matter is, we will serve if its here or across seas, we will show the love of God regardless of where we're at! This is something completely new to me, No clue what to expect, and still doubtless that it is part of a greater plan at hand!
Thank You, Jesus!!
Keep the team in your Prayers
& those that we will be serving
Pray for soft and open hearts in us ALL
I Love You.
Your Friend, always.
-Allyson
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