Update #15

“…I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you, My eye shall be on you.” Psalm 32:8

I’m home!

My flight out of Joburg was 2 hours delayed (2 am departure), but I was still able to catch up with my friend in Amsterdam for 40 minutes before leaving for Seattle. I wasn’t able to sleep much on either flight, but I slept 15 hours at my parent’s house when I got home!

Monday I moved back to my condo. Jamie (my house sitter for the last three months and my close friend) has decided to stay on, so she, Woody (her chocolate lab), Samson (my cat who has taken up residence under my bed), and I are creating a ‘cozy’ existence in my one bedroom flat! Despite the cramped quarters, it is a blessing for both of us.

I have been pondering what exactly happened the last 12 weeks and I came up with several lists – Cool Things: Stuff God let me experience, Answered Prayer: Stuff God provided, Miracles: Stuff God pulled off unexpectedly or moved obstacles to make happen, and Learned: What I will take away with me. I included them below. I was a bit ‘whelmed’ when I re-read through them.

What now? I have spent the last three days running errands, cleaning up mail and other loose ends, bills, etc. I need to sell my car and find one that is reliable, good on gas and fits my very meager budget! I also need to find what God wants me to do job wise…I am still unclear in that arena. Equip is starting another round of training in January and I will be involved in that…contact me if you are interested in changing your life for the better!

Thank you, once again, for your prayers, I can’t stress enough how much I appreciate your support, both spiritually and financially. Not many people have the opportunity to experience what I did – I feel very fortunate and blessed to have done so.

This is the last of my weekly missals…if I go on another ‘grand adventure’ I’ll let ya know!

May God bless you abundantly for your fervent prayers (James 5:16).

Dena

So, here is a summary of the last twelve weeks, in yes, bullet-point format – any other way and it wouldn’t be ‘Dena’!

Cool Things: Stuff God Let Me Experience

• Consultant and ops manager on Joburg venture
• Intercessor and consultant on CT venture
• Renewed joy
• Prophesy courses in Joburg
• Leadership Development courses at EuroSteele
• Trip to Durbin, South Africa
• Day of Durbin tourism with Trish Volker
• Hanging out with Intercessors (Willem, Sean, Carla)
• Purpose and Destiny Conference in Joburg
• Reading vision/purpose books
• Time of isolation – teaching, refining, learning
• Content/grounded feeling
• Extended summer
• Intercession education in CT
• Living in community / God bubble for ventures
• Using my ‘giftings’ in a new and stretching way
• Paradigm shifts in the business world
• Time at the Mashatu game reserve

Answered Prayers: Stuff God Provided

• My passport renewal arrived 5 days early
• I was able to attain air tickets at an INCREDIBLE price
• Financial support came in steadily
• I was “gifted” a Dell laptop, docking station, software, etc.
• God provided a friend to housesit for me
• My girlfriend had her baby BEFORE I left (so I got to be apart of it)
• No nausea on flights (Thank you Inge for the secret)
• Safe travel
• Funding for 2 equip ventures, airfare, travel insurance, and misc. needs
• Little to no jet lag – adjusted very quickly to local time
• Emotional healing
• Ability to stay on in Africa for 10 weeks beyond initial return date
• Provision of room and board for 5 weeks after Joburg venture date
• Mugg and Bean internet café
• Purpose, vision and discernment about life’s next steps revealed
• Sleep improved
• Internet connectivity in CT – skype to parents and friends
• Staying with the Porters after the CT venture – before and after Botswana
• Staying with the Ball’s in Botswana
• Samson remembered his mama and I have my ‘bed warmer’ back!
• Great reunion with my parents
• Deeper intimacy with God – that has remained as I returned stateside
• Luggage arrived at the same time I did 7 out of 8 flights!
• Router on sale and with rebate was 75% off (my old one died)
• New router has wireless capabilities
• Roll over minutes enable me to keep lower rate for several months
• Clothes held out for 3 months of hard continuous wear
• Camera repair shop in Joburg

Miracles: Stuff God Pulled Off Unexpectedly or Moved Obstacles to Make Happen

• I can eat almonds, hazelnuts – I stopped breathing before
• Clients rededicating their lives to Christ (one in Joburg, one in CT)
• Sale of a clients cars to increase business capital
• Business contracts miraculously materializing
• Property sales
• Provision 3x the amount needed for Joburg business owner
• $11000 provision for consultant
• House sitting gig for the Porters the week after the Joburg venture
• Joburg to CT flight – upgrade to 1st class
• Corporate jet flight to and from Botswana
• Ability to do things with my ankle I haven’t done in years – 20K bike ride, swimming, endless walks, boldering, wearing ‘cute’ shoes
• No malaria from Botswana mosquitoes
• Rogue wireless at the Porters

Learned: What I Will Take Away With Me

• Grace became personal
• Faith became more than just a word
• Working for God became more than just a concept
• Personal purpose and vision became real
• Words became more than sounds to communicate – they have impact and spiritual ramifications
• Love has a whole new connotation to it
• Spiritual growth and intimacy with God went way beyond expectation
• Developed a better ear for God’s voice
• How to “remain in Him” is becoming a lifestyle
• Study of Biblical characters and the lessons learned
• What my life can look like if I walk closely with God

Thank you for spending time chatting to God about me…as you can see I benefited greatly. My time in Africa equates to a life milestone – and you had a part. Thanks.

If you would like to financially help me while I get back on my feet and find full time employment, please see FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS below.