written by Branndon Bargo
I remember as a boy going on trips with my missionary grandfather to Mexico. It was exciting to visit remote jungle villages, experiencing a different culture. But, I remember not looking forward to the boring church services. I thought if only I could just go exploring and forget the church stuff it would be perfect. I enjoyed my time with my grandfather, but thought the mission life was not for me.
It is now 20 years later, and I am both an explorer and a missionary; the best of both worlds, to share His story and His beauty. I have always had a thirst for life, and a child like sense of dreaming. As I have grown older nothing has changed with my dreams, except that now I am achieving each of them one by one. As with each of my dreams they are like flames that are eternally burning. They do not go out unless they are first attempted and then accomplished. I know now it is because they are not just dreams, but desires that Christ has placed in me.
My most recent dream is one that is so huge that I know that it is completely from God. I know this because as I was sharing my dream with a Ugandan pastor he told me, “I know this vision you have is from God because you will never accomplish it without His help and the help from many other people.” He then said, “God does not want you to do things that are so small that He is not needed, He wants you to lean on Him, and that is done when you dream big.” I had my confirmation, and I thanked [KEEP READING]
[Post from Lindsey Griffin]
Lindsey is going back to Arusha for a couple of weeks in June along with Sarena Green, Candice Kaiser, Jonathan Griffin, and Grant Issacs. They are hosting an art gallery to inform and raise funds for the work going on in Olorien tomorrow, June 5th, at 7pm. If you are interested, contact us for more information - makedisciples@austinstone.org
In August 2007, I went to a town outside of Arusha Tanzania called Olorien with my church, and Manna Worldwide, a non-profit dedicated to helping children around the world. As we worked closely with a local missionary couple, Vernon and Mary Smith, God began to open my eyes to the hearts of the people who lived in this community. The fire had ignited…. I woke up and looked out my bedroom window at the school and church. When I turned my head, there I saw a medical clinic. When I looked at it from the outside, I saw a 10-bedroom cinder block house. No windows. No doors. Not even a roof… just an unfinished box. God showed me the inside.
I got home and I couldn’t stop thinking about the people and the lack of health care resources. God placed a desire on my heart to establish a medical clinic that would one day become a reality.
I prayed. I wanted to raise money to get this clinic started. I prayed. I asked people I knew and people I didn’t know for monetary donations. I prayed, God provided. God provided enough money to buy the building. Prayer answered. God provided enough money to renovate the [KEEP READING]