He makes all things new...

On October 10, 2010 (yes 10/10/10) I got the call asking me to join a missionary team heading to Rome, Italy to plant a church among the Italian people. That day I said no. I meant it but my friends really encouraged me to pray about this opportunity. My initial prayer was this... "God, if I am going to risk everything to become a missionary I am going to Africa, not Italy!!! But if this is your will I will go where you call. I will go."

These friends had known me for some time and they knew that my heart's desire was to be a missionary. They also knew that greater than just the desire to be a missionary I desired to live in Africa serving the needs of orphans. They had walked with me as door after door to Africa had closed. They knew. God knew. We all knew Italy was not Africa but He was indeed calling me.

After many days of prayer I agreed that I would start the process to join the team to go to Rome. I waited 3 months to be accepted and commissioned as a missionary and given my first assignment to plant a church in Italy. I was really excited! But in the quite of my room for many months I would cry. Italy was not Africa. My heart broke time and time again for the next months. But I knew with all my heart that God had called me to minister in Italy and that is what I was going to do.

That day in October began a long journey of learning obedience. I have spent a year focusing on Italy. My time was spent daydreaming, having team meetings, trying my best to raise support, praying, crying, defending the call, and trying to figure out what God was doing. In all honesty it has been an exhausting year. But I have great friends and a faithful God on my side.

I have blogged for many months about my future in Italy and about the process to get there. You have read the posts and I hope laughed with me (or at me), cried with me, and really journeyed with me. I am very thankful that I have been able to share this last year with all of you. And now I am asking you to begin a new journey with me...

Today I write as a missionary but a missionary who is no longer going to Rome. Due to team issues leadership has decided to dissolve our team and is seeking God for His future paths for us (team Rome). My heart grieves the unknown, the people I have prayed for and about, the opportunities I will not experience. However, a part of me has been set free. I am now free to pursue God's heart and seek the desires God has placed deep inside of me. And I know you all thought it... I am now free to pursue Africa once again.
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I wrote the beginning of this blog post in early November. I have prayed about when to release this news to all of you. And as the new year has come I am so very excited to reveal what God is doing in my life! The feeling inside of me is indescribable. I get butterflies every time I think about what God is doing. My heart almost bursts every time I think about my dreams coming true!

It has been decided that I will be moving to Mali, Africa to join a team of missionaries already there! I have MANY things to learn and I will share with you as I discover what I will be doing. But I do know that I will be joining two women who are working in the villages surrounding the capital city ministering to women and children! Oh, be still my heart :-)

He really makes all things new!
~Nicole