Africa, a journey for my heart

How do I summarize this trip? Here we go!Our home team (top-right here) spent three and half weeks in Malawi, partnering in leadership with: African Bible College (ABC - see the magical Mrs. Lisa Kowalski mid-right), Children of the Nations (COTN) and Flood Malawi.

To say the least, it was an unforgettable experience of IMPACT.  This blog will not do it justice, but I would still love to share some ‘highlights’ and a few precious links, images and videos to give you a glimpse...

CAMP!  The leadership Bible camp for teenage, COTN orphans was a huge success!!!  Over 140 campers were blessed with a true “retreat” at the base of beautiful Mt. Chongoni.  They experienced four days in a safe place where they could spend their time and energy encountering God in new ways, in fellowship with their peers from different homes and villages, and being poured in to by our camp staff (our team and the national COTN interns). 

The theme, “Body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27) was integrated into every facet of camp: from devotionals to worship to workshops to games.  We knew that althou

gh we could not come offering answers and relief to every hardship they have or will ever face, we could encourage them in the Truth of the Word: that they Belong and are Loved.  These key points were echoed in our Bible-based leadership workshops and evening messages which I had the honor to preach: 

COTN was very appreciative of the camp held for their young men and women.  They shared their hopes for continuing this ministry in the years to come.  We knew it was fun and a break for the kids (and we were hoping it was meaningful), but my heart didn’t realize the true impact God was making until the end.   I watched Courtney, my fiance', pray with a 16-year-old girl.  The young teen asked God to “keep us (COTN kids) safe and growing strong in Him so that one day we (the COTN teenagers) might be able to put on another camp for young ones.”  Amazing!  

It was a privilege.

Oh yeah, these people knew how to worship their God:  

HEALTH CLINIC: During our last couple of days in Malawi, we created a practical, fun and interactive heath education clinic to several COTN villages.  Our goal was to promote healthy habits and disease prevention.  It was a fun and memorable time spent in the homes of these hospitable and gracious people!   

God showed Himself in powerful ways to me and my team. By His mercy, we knew His strength when we grew weak, His patience when we were anxious, and His compassion when we couldn’t bring ourselves to understand things in this drastically different culture. We saw God’s mighty presence in nature, culture, triumphs, and challenges.  He lives through the interaction with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We saw Him in the faces of the children - laughing, singing, and crying out to God in prayer.   

 Journey into our Journey:  While we were in Africa, we were able to keep an account of trip via Flood's Impact Blogs.  Check out the following links for a look at our time there! 

Team “Camp Malawi” ready for take-off!   

Camp Malawi has arrived!

Camp Malawi embarks!

Camp Malawi Update.

Camp Malawi back from Camp.   

Camp Malawi - Feeling His Joy!  

As you can see from our entries, the trip was transformative, beautiful, sad and uplifting. The Body of Christ is worldwide and it is moving.  

THANK YOU!!!! The time I spent in Malawi this past summer was an awesome opportunity for service and growth.  I’m so thankful to all of you who made it possible for our campers and me to share this experience together!  Thank you for your support, financial gifts, and prayer – this would not have happened without you!   With your assistance, I am affirmed of God's call to pastoral ministry.  

Now, it's time to study...  I love you all!   

Andy

"Riches and Abundance come hypocritically clad in sheep's clothing pretending to be security against anxieties; and they then become the very object of those anxieties." - Soren Kierkegaard

Getting Her...no, Receiving Her

To your right stands my fiance' and I on a beautiful Summer Saturday in Coronado beach. It was a special day: July 18th, 2009.  July 19th would have been one year from the day that I got Courtney back after the time that I mistakenly let her go, does that make sense???  (Thank God for GRACE!).  

I've known Courtney Copeland since October 5, 2007.  We met at Mindi Hopper's birthday bonfire.  I owe Mindi my life (and my wife! HA!).  To make the long story less long:  there have been intro's, laughs, tears, new family and continual prayer.  As it is, she is the one.

I may be behind, but I am never too late. Therefore, I am going to explain how I asked my girlfriend to be my wife.  Ultimately I am also asking for prayer as we engage each other in this new journey.   

Now go grab your rockin' chair as I tell our story...

How it when down: 

This spring Courtney graduated from her nurse practitioner program and had her national certification exam on July 17th, a perfect decoy.  As I vaguely stated above, I wanted to be engaged within a year of us getting back together (...no reason for the year thing....just want to spend the rest of my life with her is all).  

OK.  Back to the Game plan: a week to prepare Courtney's heart for this proposal.

Under the disguise of our upcoming Africa trip, I had 'prepared' a devotional for Monday through Thursday of that week (July 13th - 16th).  Each morning, I took my goose to a strategic location from our past to pray and discuss the following: 

• Monday July 13th, Cardiff Beach (valentine's date Spot) - we talked about our identity in Christ and our individual values as potential parents.  
  
• Tuesday July 14th, Bird Rock (where I got her back, a little under a year ago) - we talked about our combined strengths as a couple.  
  
• Wednesday July 15th, Flood Offices FSN (where I approached her again a year ago) - we discussed our calling as a couple.  
  
• Thursday July 16th, Torrey Pines (our second date) - Our mutual best friend, Mark Lagace (who happened to be running by), prays over us and our relationship.  
  
• Oh yeah.  Friday night July 17th, a celebratory dinner with my future sister and brother, Carrie and Greg Gunn (yes, the genius passed her boards).
  

If you are tracking with me, we are up to Saturday (the big day baby!!!).  

Unknown to my future bride, I had both of my parents and her parents in town to celebrate this momentous occasion.  The scene of the crime: our first date - Coronado Beach.  I secretly lured Courtney to this sacred location through our girlfriends: Linsey Wildey and Mindi Hopper. Supposedly, I am up surfing north county that morning.  

And there she was.  Courtney stood on the first beach we walked together (under the impression that she was checking out a potential-family-photo-shoot-location for Linsey's fabulous foursome).  I walked up to her donning a new collared shirt with some smutz in my hair.  I told her, "I love you.  Let's go for a walk."  On our walk down the beach, we stopped and prayed several times before I eventually led her to a special spot containing the following items: a blanket, a letter, my Bible, and champagne.

The Letter: There were 3 specific messages I conveyed in this last "goin'-steady" love note: 1) the symbolism behind her nickname: Goose, 2) she is my best friend, and 3) a prayer for our future.  First things first: a goose is a creature who will never forget its mate, no matter if he/she dies.  A goose is a loyalty.  Courtney is my Goose, my best friend, and will be my wife. Reading the prayer at the end of the letter was our initiation: I got down on my knee as we prayed amen.   Looking into those deep, green eyes, it was time to reveal the box in my back pocket.  Pulling out the ring, "Courtney, will you marry me?"  Her reply....(suspense)... "YES!" (followed by a timeless hug).  

She was given 45 minutes to decompress...just her and me. I revealed the significance behind the events of the previous week. Together, we read 1 John 4 (<-- Click here to celebrate with us).  We spent the next few hours having lunch with the surprise guests (our parents and her siblings).  That night Courtney enjoyed our surprise engagement party where we celebrated with many of our loving friends.  

And the rest... as they say... is actually happening right now.  I love her.  

Thank you God for this gift. 

There is a tale of Africa to be told.  Stay tuned...

~Andy Kelly

"Although we can, may and/or will fall in love, love is not a pool you fall into.  Rather, it is a choice.  Make that right choice and go swimming."  (OK.  I made that up, but it works.)

PS - I officially Preached on a SUNDAY!!!

If you want the prequel to my story with Courtney, check out my preaching debut from July 5th.  It is my own testimony (story) intermingled with the Parable of the Prodigal Son: CLICK HERE!!!