by Ellie Sikma

Sometimes God seems to have a sense of humor. When I would go on walks with my friend in Sioux Falls, we would often talk about how we wanted God to use us. We wanted so very much to serve the Lord. But there was one thing that we figured we did NOT want to do. That was going to Africa in order to serve him.

So as we fast forward a number of years, we see yet another significant revelation of God’s plan for my life. This one came by way of a friend of mine, Melinda Dykstra, who is the founder of Lydia Circle Ministries. She asked me to accompany her to Tanzania and Zambia for a conference from November 4 to 19 to train women in spiritual discipleship and evangelism.

While we were members of the same church many years ago, we have had very little contact over the years. So it was quite a surprise to hear from her now after all of these years. In my mind, my first response was “NOOOO!”. But when I found out that it was in her prayers that my name came to her, I knew that it was something that I needed to do.

So as part of my preparation for our mission to Tanzania and Zambia, I put a portion of Ephesians 3 into a prayer. Please pray this prayer with me while I prepare and while we are gone.

Dear Lord. As I prepare for this mission trip, I pray that you empower me with your wisdom, love, and grace. Use my hands and feet to touch the hearts and lives of women in Zambia and Tanzania in such a way that they may experience your presence. May they hear you whisper their name, calling them to repentance. And may they grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that they may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. In our Savior’s precious name. Amen