Pictures from our time with the Jaja community at All For Christ Ministries. 

Back in Germany!

Being back in Germany has been lovely. Herrnhut has an unreal beauty in the summer, like something out of a movie. Our school has been digesting the last few months, working on a magazine, and focusing on artwork for our upcoming exhibition. 

Time seems to be slipping through my fingers, but I'm trying to enjoy every last moment. We are graduating next Friday and soon I will be home back in the states! 

The last three months has brought me through three countries of Africa and to a deeper point in my relationship with God. Looking back, it all seems kind of crazy. 

Most importantly though, I'm so anxious for whatever God has next...

If you will but trust Christ, not only for the death he died in order to redeem you, but for the life that he lives and waits to live through you, the very next step you take will be a step taken in the very energy and power of God himself.

-Major W Ian Thomas

Kingdom of God

Hello all! Our last speaker had us come up with a 10 minute sermon on the Kingdom of God, focusing on a parable from Matthew 13. It was a challenge but I know we all learned from it. I was taken away by what everyone else shared.
These are my notes from what I spoke on...


The Kingdom of God is of past, present, and future since God is.
Being in the kingdom of God means being under His complete control and authority.
All kings, rulers, govts will fade away but God will remain.
It is not of this world. It also involves taking up the cross daily.


The parable of the weeds
To me this parable is pretty straight forward. The wheat represents the children of God and the weeds are the people which the enemy sows. It speaks on the end times- the children of God will be taken up into the barn (heaven).
In the world however things are not this clear. We have to seek God for heavenly wisdom and knowledge versus the "wisdom" that the world tells us. It's hard to distinguish what is from the enemy and what is from God. From the time we are born we have the enemy telling us lies; confusing our identity in God.
Some people may not know that they are wheat. They may believe they are just weeds among weeds and not understand how great they are in God.
That is where Jesus comes in. He reveals who we are. He is our connection to our Father.
And when we completely trust in Him, he protects us from anything.

God is the only one who can make us grow. We are God's field.
If you're not with Jesus than you're against Him. The kingdom is a battle but good news is that Jesus will fight for you if you trust. His burden is light.

The kingdom of God can be a confusing, especially when reading the parables. A common thread throughout all the sermons was that being in the kingdom is about
-knowing who you are (a child of God hidden in Jesus)
-keeping Jesus at the center of your life, continuing to seek Him
-walking in the spirit and being in a relationship with God

In the end it's all about Jesus. It's all about His love.

Art show!

 Here are some pictures from the art show we had with the September MOTA school at the church in Dillingen. It was a really cool set up constructed by a few people from cardboard, boxes, and tree branches. The students from the other school are so creative!
  The top right are pictures of a student Laura Quam from her outreach in Kenya.
The top left is my set titled "Resting in God". It was based on a concept on the peace that we can find in God when we seek Him as our refuge and strength. A really cool thing happened- a student from the other school asked me if she could buy the photos from me because they inspired her to pray more during her alone time. I hadn't even talked to her or explained to her what the series is about. It was very encouraging.
It was really nice to have all the art displayed and see other students work. And at the end of the day it's all about God. As students were all learning about how we can show His love through our artwork.

More photos from mini outreach in Dillingen!