Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Family!!

Things have been busy for me over the last few weeks. I have had lots of ministry opportunities and have traveled to many of the surrounding rural areas in Harare.

A few blog entries back, I mentioned some Christmas parties we were putting on. The Christmas party at our house in Emerald Hill for our neighborhood kids was fun. We played lots of games with them, gave some special prizes, and fed them some delicious treats like popcorn, peanut butter crackers, and little jello cups. Then, of course, we gave them some candies. We laughed a lot, sang a lot, and played a lot. The week after, Christine and I traveled to Kambuzuma, where the team helps provide food for a feeding programme. The kids are AMAZING there. I have included a picture of them. They sang, and sang, and sang for us. One of the boys then pulled out a drum and started making beats as some of the older boys were break dancing. We gave them their food supply including mealie meal (their staple food), cooking oil, and vegetables and then we gave them some sweets. On Christmas Eve, we will be visiting an orphanage in Dumbyshire where we have gathered lots of giveaways for the kids including small stuffed animals, pens, pencils, paper, face cloths, games, candy, and toys. We are going to play games with them, sing with them, dance with them, and feed them. On December 27th, we are traveling to Madvuku for the Christmas party with the kids who are living with HIV. We have lots of the same stuff planned for them as we do for the kids in Dumbyshire. I am really looking forward to both. Not only are we providing them with physical food, we are providing them with spiritual food as well. Besides, Jesus is the only way we are able to provide them with physical food. Without Him, none of us would be able to afford the food to give them.

Jabulani is coming along nicely. I have included a picture so you can see the building. The workers doing the renovations are off for the holidays until January 12th, so work has stopped. The kitchen, bathrooms, and dining room are not finished yet, so please pray that the work will be finished quickly when they return from vacation. We are hoping to accept babies by the end of January and in order for that to happen, the building needs to be completed and all the furniture needs to be moved in. Also, continue to pray for Christine and I. We have a lot, a lot, a lot of work to do starting on January 2nd. Lots and lots of training sessions to complete with the house mothers. I’m not sure I mentioned this before, but Christine wants to make me a supervisor of Jabulani for the rest of the time I am here. What a dream come true for me!!! I will get to spend all of February and March loving on and taking care of babies! I couldn’t ask for anything more. I am going to love every second of it. SO EXCITING!!!

Ok family. I love you. I hope you all have an amazing Christmas and New Year’s. The internet cafes are closing down after today, so I will not be able to get you another update until after the new year, but I pray that you will be safe and have a peace-filled time for the holidays. I challenge you….do something unexpected this Christmas. Do something you don’t normally do. I know you are all having a hard time this year with the economy and everything, but remember, God is bigger than that. He is a miracle working God. Remember those who have less than you. Reach out to someone who doesn’t have family or is alone for the holidays. Do something unexpected.

I miss you. I am praying for you. Everyone here says Merry Christmas to you. They are so glad you have released me to reach the people of Zimbabwe for such a time as this. I have already been here for 3 months! Can you believe it? I am half way through. Keep praying. Keep me in your hearts. You are the best!

Much Love and Merry Christmas,
Gina :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I hope you are having a great holiday spending time with family, eating lots of yummy turkey, and watching tons of football. Haha….the only reason I mentioned those three things is because that is what I am missing the most right now. But I press on. My faith in God and my assurance in what God has spoken to me is what keeps me going daily.

You will be happy to know that Jabulani, our new orphanage, is about finished being renovated. We have already started training the orphanage manager and will be starting to train the rest of the orphanage mothers in December. I have been getting more and more involved in the training sessions as the weeks go on. I am helping type and design training materials/putting together the training manuals and spending a lot of time helping the lady who is doing the training to problem solve her processes…..thank you Pastor Greg!!

As part of the training process for the orphanage staff, we will be conducting an HIV/AIDS training session. I was given the task to sit down with an HIV/AIDS counselor and put together a packet of questions that the staff will then answer at the end of the training. I learned a lot about the terrible myths surrounding what the African culture teaches about people and children infected with HIV/AIDS. It is amazing some of the false ideas people believe about how you can contract HIV…or even how you can be cured of HIV. They are disgusting and the witchdoctors here are the root of the problem. It is just another way the enemy of this world prowls around like a roaring lion waiting to devour people. But we will not let him prevail. We are going to debunk those myths and teach our staff the proper way of caring for our children in the orphanage.

I am really excited about getting more involved in Jabulani. I am feeling like this is where I am most needed as part of the ministry here. I will be conducting a lot of the training sessions for the new staff as well. For example...how to bath a baby properly, how to stimulate a baby...this culture has issues with simple things like that so we want to train them properly in the simple things. There is even talk of me being able to possibly work at Jabulani a couple of days a week once we get it opened...I am hoping it will be more though. Which, of course, would be an amazing experience.

I have been here about 2 months now. It is almost hard to believe. I am learning a lot about living in a different culture and how different life is here compared to how we live in America. Time goes by quickly most days, but some days I can BIG TIME feel the distance between us. When those days happen, I try and keep my mind busy. I am getting lots of opportunities to see more of Zimbabwe. The lady I am living with, Christine, is planning some trips in December to some of the rural areas of Harare so I can see what the orphanages are like there. She is taking me to a town called Mvuku to put on a Christmas party for children infected with AIDS. We will also be having a Christmas party at our house for some of the children in our own neighborhood. Also, as part of the church and small group I am attending, I will get to spend one Saturday a month at an orphanage in my community that Pastor Alan’s team does not go to.

This year at Thanksgiving, even though I don’t really get to celebrate it, I am thanking God for you…my faithful prayer partners, supporters, and family. I am thankful that you love me and believe in what God has asked me to do. Being far from you is not easy for me..especially at the holidays. Pray that God will continue to show me my place and where I fit in the ministry here. Pray for my health as well. I was pretty sick over this past weekend and my allergies don’t seem to be subsiding. I would love to hear how each of you are doing. When you get some time, drop me a note. I look forward to the times I get to hear from you.

I love and miss you,
Gina :)

Some Pictures...

Ok, so I know I have been promising you pictures, but haven't had a chance to get you any. The team was in the rural areas of Zimbabwe last week so I was only able to get on my computer once last week due to being out of the city so much.

We have started teaching our Christmas message in the schools, Good News Clubs, and orphanages. The kids school year is ending the first week in December so we are giving the message now, before they leave for their break and celebrate the Christmas holiday. It is a great lesson using the word GIFT. We are teaching that Jesus was "Given" to us and even though He was "Ignored" and "Forgotten", if we "Take" Him, He is the best GIFT we can receive on Christmas. The kids are responding to the message in an awesome way. We are seeing many children receive Christ in the schools and orphanages. During the month of October, we reached over 20,000 children with the Gospel of Jesus. We have had 3 new schools open to us and started 2 new Good News Clubs in our community. Thank you for your prayers! We are seeing the fruit of those prayers in children's lives here in Zimbabwe.

Here are some pictures of our outreaches in orphanages with the Samaritan's Purse boxes as well as the Wonder Devotional Books we are giving to each student in all of the schools we reach as well as some of the orphanages. The devotional books are 60 days of devotions for young children specifically that teachers are doing with their students at the beginning of everyday they are in school. Once the first book is finished, we have 5 more books to give to the students....a whole year of devotions!! The response has been amazing...not only from the students, but from the teachers as well. Just think what our schools in America would be like, if we were allowed to have devotions in our classrooms everyday!! Anyways, here are the pictures.

I recently met a young lady in her 20's at one of the feeding programmes we have started a Good News Club at. It is in a pretty rough area of Harare where not many white people go. While the children were attending the Good News Club, I learned from Pastor Alan that this young lady has HIV. When she was younger, she lived with her brother. She was sick all the time so her brother took her to the doctor. That is when he learned she has HIV. From that point on, her brother would beat her and make her sleep in a extremely dirty bathroom that was 3 foot by 3 foot. He made her use her own plate and cup so no one would catch her disease. When she got older, her brother kicked her out and she has been living on the streets ever since. She is disabled with a limp, so no one will give her a job. She has to beg for money to get a ride to the feeding programme so she can have something to eat. This story is mild compared to some I have heard...

I am also hearing about families in southern Zimbabwe who, because of there being no food in the country, are so hungry, they have found this certain kind of mud, that you can eat in small portions, and are cooking into porridge. However, because they are eating so much of it, it is killing them. People are dying from eating mud because they are starving. Can you imagine being so hungry that you would eat mud? Holy Spirit, intervene in Zimbabwe!!

I continue to focus on all the good I am seeing in this beautiful land. I see the potential of what it can be. I am seeing through God's eyes, the people and the bounty of what Zimbabwe has been and can be again. Please pray for the President here, just like you are praying for our new President. He needs to hear God's voice and make the best decisions for Zimbabwe that he can.

I am missing each of you. It is hard knowing that Pastor Alan will be with you this week. It makes me miss you more.....but I know you are thinking of me and praying for me. Thank you for your faithfulness. I am seeing the fruit of it. Send some extra prayers my way for the holiday's. I know it will be hard for me to be so far away from you. I am always thinking of you. You are never far from my thoughts.

I love you, Gina :)

I Am With You

“…I am with you always…” That is what Jesus promised His disciples after He was resurrected and came to them on the mountain in Galilee. That promise wasn’t just for His 11 disciples. It is now for all of His disciples…for me. “Gina, I am with you always.” I heard God whisper it to me the other night as I was unpacking my things in my new room at headquarters. I heard Him whisper it to me as I started to wonder how hard it will be to be on my own in a foreign land. He said it to me as I was hanging up the pictures of my families and my close friends thinking if there would come a time when I would feel lonely.

In some ways, Zimbabwe is a lot like California. It is very hot right now. Sometimes in the 90’s during the day, but it is chilly at night. When I am by myself in the office and everything is quiet, I open the doors and listen to the wind blow through the trees. At night, when we are finished eating dinner, we hang out in the living room and I set up my laptop so we can watch a movie. I go to bed and listen to my ipod to fall asleep. However, when I wake up in the mornings I am faced with things that make Zimbabwe very different from California. I wonder, ‘do we have electricity?’ I get up extra early and stand in front of my shower and pray, ‘God, let there be water for me this morning.’ I head into the town office hoping that the internet will be working so I can get through to my email and maybe even talk with my family on Skype. I am faced with it when we are walking on the streets, because of the puzzled looks and blank stares that follow me. I try and hang back when we are visiting grocery stands because the vendors jack up the prices when they see a white face. They are under the false impression that all white people are rich.

Pastor Alan exchanged $10US and gave me $200,000 Zim dollars in return. Lots of shops now aren’t even accepting local currency anymore, only US currency or South African currency. It’s unthinkable that a country won’t even accept its own currency because it is so worthless. Take a minute and think if this were to happen in America…..seriously, think about it…..you wouldn’t be able to buy in US dollars anymore. You would have to use Euros, or Pounds, or Zim dollars. Can you picture it?

So what makes it worth it? Because sometimes it is frustrating…and sad…and a pain in the neck. What makes it worth it? Well, getting a smile from a child. Hearing a group of children singing about how Jesus’ way is number 1 or about how God is so good to them. Watching a child stand up in front of their whole school and pray or listening to them pray the prayer of salvation. Seeing them jump up and down and scream with excitement when our team walks into one of their auditoriums to do an assembly. That makes all the frustrating, sad, and pain in the neck moments worth it. I wish you could hear and see it too.

“…I am with you always…” I am hearing it every day now. Jesus must not want me to forget it. I am in this world, but I am not of this world. I am here to do God’s work and fulfill the call He has given me. My fight is not against flesh and blood. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. I will be still and know that He is God. I will rejoice in the Lord always….again I say, rejoice!! If a child who barely has anything can do it, I, who have had every opportunity, can do it as well!!

He is with me always,
Gina :)

Doing Well...

Family!
I know you have all heard from my mom about how I am doing so that is all out of the way. I know she also sent you a personal update from me as well at the beginning of the week.

I am continuing to do very well. I am getting along with the team here and making friends easily. At the moment I am in our city office...which has a cable modem (PRAISE GOD!!)...and I am finally able to get online. I have been trying for the last few days to get on, but the internet has been down in the office complex due to lots of people using it. I'm not sure I will be able to try everyday, but I will get online as much as I can. Sometimes, because of appointments we have, I only have 15 or so minutes, so it is usually a quick try or just a few emails and then I'm off again. You will continue to hear from me as much as the internet allows me and as much as the electricity allows me.

Zim feels like home. I knew it would, but I didn't think it would happen this quickly. I completed my first week here on Wednesday and it has only felt like a few days. God is so good!! I'm kissing and hugging lots of babies and small children who don't have anything. When I say they don't have anything, I mean, no shoes, maybe only one pair of clothing they use until it is falling off of them and only one meal a day....made of the corn porridge I told you about and some sort of vegetable like greens or cabbage. The orphanages have been extra special this week. We are handing out shoe boxes from Samaritans Purse to some of the orphanages and when the kids open the boxes, they kind of just stare at the contents. They are unsure of what to do with little trinkets, they have never seen a stuffed animal or a small doll before and don't know what to do with them. We have had to literally take them out of the boxes and show them how to use them or play with them because they have never seen anything like it in their whole lives. I watched a little girl eat strawberries and pineapple for the first time in her short 8 years. I can't describe to you the look on her face as she started to chew and taste the sweet and tart tastes. These kids have never eaten anything other than bland food that is only eaten to give them some nutrition. Dorothy took me to a grocery store last Sunday and literally there is NOTHING on the shelves here but some wilted vegetables, some blocks of butter, and bottles of soda.

People in Africa are starving to death when there are people in the world who get mad when their ipod stops working or when they are inconvienenced with not being able to get their favorite flavored ice cream at the store. It is so important to count your blessings. Thank God everyday for things like electricity and hot water, because there are people in this world who are living without. Never take for granted the small things in your life because someone in the world may have no idea what it is like to have a doll or clean water or constant electricity. Thank God that you don't have to stand in line for an hour to withdraw money from your bank account or have a limit of only $2 a day that you can withdraw. This is Zimbabwe. This is what the people here have to live with. Standing in line for everything. Paying out of control amounts of money for small things. Its crazy.

I love you. I miss you. I will write more later. I'm off to do a school assembly.

Thanking God,
Gina :)

Today is the Day!!

Hey Family!!
Today is the day I fly out. My flight leaves at 5:40PM east coast time or 2:40PM west coast time. Make sure you say lots of prayers for me over the next three days during my travel time. I am going to do my best to stay in contact as much as I can while traveling and when I arrive. I am unsure of what the internet connection is going to be like when I get there so be patient with me until I figure it all out.

A lot of people have asked for my mailing address while I am in Africa. Unfortunately, I don't have one to give you....I mean I have one, but it isn't one you can use. If you were to send me something directly, I would never receive it because their government would take it. There is a way you can get stuff to me though. If you send whatever it is to: Global Passion Ministries, 100 Anderson Road; Napa, CA 94558 and let them know somewhere on the letter or package that it is for me, then they will be sure to get it to me. Make sure it is nothing too big because whatever it is will be given to an actual person to carry to Zimbabwe with them. That is the only way I will be able to receive it.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers. They will be felt wherever I go. I love you and you will be hearing from me soon.

Going with Peace,
Gina :)

One More Week!!

Hey Everyone!!

Just a few things to report. You will be glad to know that everything in Zimbabwe is set for me to arrive. I just got an email from Pastor Alan today updating me on a few things and letting me know how excited they are for me to get there in a few days!

I know that you have been praying for baby Kuda and I wanted you to know that I finally got some pictures of her......here they are. For those of you who don't know Pastor Alan and Dorothy....you can see them below as well. I was recently notified that Kuda's pediatricians don't expect her to ever walk, but we all know that God is bigger than that. He is our Healer and Provider. Let's bombard Heaven with prayers of healing and restoration for this precious child.

Also, Pastor Alan and Dorothy have another adopted child, Primrose (her picture is to the right). She is HIV positive and her blood levels are not good causing her to lose weight. They have put her on medication, which she will now be taking 6 times a day for the rest of her life. Please pray for her as well, she has been very tired lately.

All is well with me. I have embraced this extra time with my family...happy that I've gotten a little extra time to create a few more memories and reconnect with them. I've had fun laughing with my Dad and stepmom and hanging with my sister. My mom has spoiled me with her delicious home cooking and I've had some great talks with my stepdad. I got to say a proper goodbye to my church family and spend some time with a group of old friends my last weekend in Napa. It has been awesome.

The following quote is a portion of Pastor Alan's update I wanted to share with you so you will know about the growing work I will be involved in while in Zimbabwe...

"The work among the children continues to prosper, we are now teaching Gods word in 55 schools reaching over 50,000 children every month, also 13 orphanage/childrens homes with over 1,200 children, our team is experiencing great unity, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, we thank God for open doors and open hearts, we have received 50,000 Wonder Devotional Books from USA and we will be distributing them soon, pray we will have good wisdom and ability to place them in the right place with the right children. We have 2 training sessions planned this term and Christmas outreaches of course, we are grateful to Samaritans Purse who are supplying us with thousands of shoe boxes to distribute to the poor and needy. Its going to be awesome!
We purchased a house for our childrens home for abandoned babies called Jabulani meaning happy or rejoice, this is a 2.5 acre property, it has great potential but also its able to house many babies right now, we are having some renovations done but praise God all is going well, the borehole is finished, the dining room is being built now, the toilets and bathrooms are being extended, please pray that we will find favour with the social services, we are planning on our first babies coming to us in late January...wow exciting or what! READ MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT AND HOW YOU CAN BE INVOLVED AT: buildanorphanageinaday.com and also on zimorphancare.net and you can go to youtube and type in alangraham zimbabwe and you can find links to other sites concerning us."

Alright family...that is all. My cell phone will be shut off the morning I leave on Oct. 6th, so if you want to chat, you can call me anytime before that. 707-815-9610. After that, I will only be available by email, myspace, or facebook. I love you all. Thanks so much for the encouragement you have given me. I continue to look forward to more of it in the future.

Riding in the passenger seat,

Gina :)

More Waiting...

Have you ever wished your life would be simpler at times? That's kinda how I'm feeling right now. I feel like my insides...my emotions...my spirit....are rolling around inside of me in this frenzy of activity and turmoil and I don't know how to stop it. I pray and declare peace over my life but sometimes I feel the oppression so strong that it is hard to breathe. I know Who I belong to and Who has control over my life so that oppression is broken in Jesus' name. I know God's promises and the promises that He has made me. I know where I'm going and the path I am to take. I understand that sometimes life is hard and I have to persevere, but sometimes I just feel like crying. Plain and simple. I know it sounds silly, but a good cry always makes me feel better. Random, I know, but I just wanted to share that.

I've cried a lot over the last week. More waiting will do that to you.....or to me for that matter. I was supposed to leave for Africa three days ago. Three days ago I would be where my life and my heart are right now.....where my future is....where my orphans are waiting for me....where my work is waiting for me....where I will make a difference for the Kingdom of God....where the new gifts God has given to me will produce fruit. There is a reason for everything and so I know that I am here for a reason. My good friend Manuel reminded me of that yesterday. He said that if I'm here to make a difference in one person by smiling at them, then it is all worth it. A hard thing to swallow for a girl who has been waiting 9 months to get to her mission field. Waiting for me has meant saying goodbye to one of the best friends I have ever had....it has meant making some hard decisions that I wish I never would have had to make....it has meant saying goodbye to my youth group students all over again....it has meant having to see some really good old friends that I have to say goodbye to all over again....it has meant preparing myself to watch my other best friend drive away to start her new season in life....

I haven't asked why because that would be pointless....there is always a reason and sometimes we don't see it until later on down the road. I just wasn't prepared for waiting and all that entailed. My strength will rise as I wait on the Lord....and I can tell you for sure that I'm being strengthened A LOT every day that I wait.

Holding on a little longer,
Gina :)

Waiting...

Waiting has never been something I have enjoyed doing. The extra time that I will be spending in the states has been a hard thing for me to get used to. My want and need to get to Africa has been growing with each day. There is always a reason why things happen and so I am trying my hardest to take encouragement from that. There is a reason why God doesn't want me to go to until October. God tells us to be strong, take heart, and to wait on Him. I have to say that I was frustrated and upset, but when I remembered that, it gave me peace in my heart about waiting.

Isn't it true that the hardest things are always the best things? This whole journey has definitely been hard, but I know the end result is going to be a turning point in my life. Waiting has been hard, but there is a reason I am waiting. Thank you for your continued prayers. If you have some time, I would love to hear from each of you. Your encouragement and prayers are what gets me through the hard times, so don't give up!! I need you!!

Riding in the passenger seat,
Gina :)

New News

Family,
I have some news for you. I received an email from Pastor Alan last week letting me know that he would prefer that I come at the beginning of October. He has had a rough couple of months and is taking a trip to Ireland to take some time off. He also informed me that he just purchased the building for his new orphanage project! Once he gets some renovations done to the building and gets the staff trained, the orphanage will be ready to start taking babies at the beginning of January! So he needs to work some things out with the building before I get there as well. That is why he would rather me come in October. I have waited this long to go, I can wait another 3 or 4 weeks. What is great about having more time in the states is that I get to spend more time with my family on the east and west coasts. I have decided to fly to Africa from the east coast, so when I get to California at the end of August, I will spend an extra week or so there before I come back east to spend some more time with my family. I will then fly to Africa on October 6th. In fact, my ticket is most likely getting purchased as we speak.

For my monthly supporters, you have a few options that you can think and pray about. You can either start sending support at the end of August and that way I will have some extra money in case something happens in September that I will need it for or you can wait and not start support until the end of September. However, because I'm not leaving until October, I will be staying in Africa until the beginning of April. Whatever you decide, you will be happy to know that my finances are doing great. I have almost met my monthly goal!! Thank you so much for listening and responding to God's voice in your life. If you have any questions, feel free to email me or call me: ginaklug@gmail.com or 707-815-9610.

I have been having an awesome time in Pennsylvania. After this weekend, I will be in New Jersey. My time with my family has been great so far. I'm looking forward to spending more time with them.

With Love, Gina :)

Silence broken.

Sorry for the 2 week silence. My mind has been all over the place with moving, going to Colorado, and flying back east to see my family. July 11th was my last day working for Hillside. I no longer receive a paycheck from them, but I am still partnering with them as one of their first home church missionaries!! What an exciting thought. I then traveled to beautiful Colorado Springs with our youth leaders and 20 kids from our youth group. WOW!! What a trip! I attended last year so I knew it would be awesome, but this year taking A LOT more kids with us was really fun. We spent a whole week attending seminars, worshipping Jesus, and meeting new people. I also got to catch up with some old friends and spent some time getting to know our students a little deeper. The LORD renewed my love for teenagers and refreshed my spirit. It was a GREAT trip.

When I returned to Napa this past Monday, I only had a day and a half to recover from the very long drive, with hardly any sleep, to prepare to leave for the east coast. I arrived here in Pennsylvania last night and am writing to you from my dad's office. Its exciting to know that I will be here for a few weeks to spend time with everyone before I head to my mom's in New Jersey. This will be the longest I have been in Pennsylvania since I moved to California. It was very hard to leave my friends and family in California, but I know they are all praying for me and missing me.

Pastor Alan is anticipating my arrival in Zimbabwe. The team is already praying for my arrival and looking forward to adding me to the team. I will have lots of work to do when I get there. I have almost met my financial goal, but keep praying for me cause I'm not quite there yet. Also, Pastor Steve has not purchased my plane ticket officially yet because he is waiting for prices to die down after peak season. You will be the first ones to know when my official leave date will be. No worries about the political upheaval there. We have already had teams take trips there this summer and none of them felt unsafe or threatened, so I will be fine. My trip is still on, but keep praying for peace and understanding to sweep the nation of Zimbabwe.

I CAN'T WAIT TO GET THERE!!!

Riding in the passenger seat,
Gina :)

Final preparations.

Well, this is it my friends. My last week at my church office job. My last week in youth group. My last week living full time in Napa, CA. I'm headed back east to see my family for a little over a month then I'm back to Napa for about a week before I fly to Zimbabwe. My destiny awaits me. My life begins the day I get on that plane. God's journey for my life starts the moment I step foot in Africa.

Paul, the apostle, writes in Acts 20:22-24, "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." I don't know that is going to happen to me in Zimbabwe, but I know that the Holy Spirit is compelling me to go and testify of God's grace. No matter what happens, I belong to Jesus..the author and perfecter of my faith...He is the one taking care of me. He is the one I look to to provide for my every need. My life is worth nothing to me if I don't obey Him and do what He wants for my life. His plan and purpose is better than anything I could plan.

Don't be concerned for me or worried about me, I am in God's hands. I go with a little sadness because I won't have you surrounding me everyday, but you will always be in my prayers. I love you!

Riding in the passenger seat,
Gina :)

The Happiest Place on Earth

I know its been a couple of weeks. A few people from my church family reminded me today that they haven't heard from me in a while. Things have been kinda crazy for me the past couple of weeks.

The 22nd was my birthday and a few of my friends planned to take me to Disneyland for three days. I had an amazing time with them. I know a lot of you are from the east coast so just to compare....Disneyland is a lot like Disneyworld, but a lot more fun and what seems like a lot more spread out. We did a lot of laughing, A LOT of walking, and a lot of sharing life with one another. I'm close with all three of them, but being in close quarters together for three and a half days, you get to know one another even better.

We were on our 8 hour drive back to Napa and I realized something as I was driving. Two of my friends were sleeping and the other one was reading his book, the music was turned down pretty low and it hit me. I'm so happy right now. I'm so happy to think that in just a few months time, I will be on a plane headed toward my destiny. I'm happy that I'm walking right toward God's purpose and plan for my life. I'm happy that I'm getting to spend these precious last moments with my friends. I'm happy that I'm getting a chance to take a break to go back east and spend some real time with my family. Most of all, I'm happy that I found a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Without Him, I wouldn't have any of these things. Without Him, I wouldn't be headed where I'm headed. Without Him, I would be trying to live my life on my own and would be failing miserably. I give God all the honor and glory for where He has brought me from and where I am headed, for who He has surrounded me with and all the support systems He has put in place for me. Without Him, I wouldn't have any of you.

They say Disneyland is the happiest place on earth. I say that can't be possible because the happiest place on earth is knowing Jesus as my personal Savior and walking in His will for my life.

Riding in the passenger seat,
Gina :)

Making the Impossible....Possible

I had a pretty sweet conversation with two of my best friends last week. The three of us are in seasons of major change in our lives. We were sharing with each other how God can turn an impossible situation into a possible opportunity.

When I first made the step to knock on the door God had put in front of me to go to Africa, I couldn't see how it was going to work. I still have some school debt, lots of responsibilities here that I have had to rethink, a car to get rid of, a job that I love to leave behind, a church that has become my home that I have to leave, solid and deep relationships that won't be in my everyday life anymore...and the list goes on. I couldn't see how God was going to work all of that out, plus work out my finances to be able to get me to Africa. In my eyes, it was impossible. Even as I write this, I am still in awe of the awesome things He has done to start fitting all the pieces of the puzzle together.

This made me think of the story in Luke 18 after the parable of the rich ruler when the people who heard Jesus speak to the rich ruler asked how anyone can be saved. Jesus then told them in verse 27 that what is impossible with men is possible with God. These things may seem like an impossibility to me. Leaving all I know and everyone I love to follow the call God has put on my life, but because I have heard God's voice and obeyed His command to go, He is letting everything fall into place for me.

I realized during this conversation with my friends that in a month's time, I will solely be financially supported by God's voice in people's lives. The sacrifice you are making to obey God's voice is what I will be living off of. That is awesome and scary and exciting all at the same time. It is building my faith, giving me strength, and making me so thankful. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for who each of you are to me and for the sacrifice you are making to support me. Sometimes it may look impossible, but know that with God, all things are possible. Keep hearing and obeying God and all the pieces will fall into place.

Riding in the passenger seat,
Gina :)

Amazing....and some God thoughts

I just read over my last blog entry and became so thankful to God for where he has brought me in a short week's time. My last update informed you that I was at $600/month in pledges and at $1,645 in one-time donations. Over this weekend, I raised another $100 in monthly pledges which takes me to $700/month as well as $450 in one-time donations which brought me to $2,095. I will still need another $400 in monthly pledges and $1,500 in one-time donations however, I am very happy to inform you that my plane ticket will most likely be purchased by the end of the week. All I can say is thank you!! Thank you to God and thank you to all of you. WOW. I am overwhelmed. Keep those prayers coming!!

My official leave date will probably be September 3rd. I will let you know for sure as soon as I get my ticket bought because we are still looking for the best deal....pray for favor with the airlines because I would really love my ticket to be under $2,000.

As I've been thinking over this last weekend, which was filled with amazing God moments and confirming words from Him about my call to Africa, I realize that I have no words to describe how I'm feeling right now. Grateful doesn't even begin to explain to you how I have been feeling toward the Lord. A few months back, my Pastor spoke from a scripture passage in 2 Samuel 7 and when I started to ponder my current situation, this passage came to mind and I want to share it with you. This passage is King David's prayer after the prophet Nathan prophesied over him concerning God's promises to King David about his kingdom.

"Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign LORD, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD?" 2 Samuel 7:18-19

So I started thinking, yeah.....Who am I? Who am I that God would call me to do this amazing thing for Him? I am just a sheltered girl from a small town in western Pennsylvania. I never really had street smarts. I was a nerd and a band geek that attended theater school. I could never make up my mind what activities I wanted to be involved in while in school so I tried a little of everything. I went off to college convinced I wanted to be a chef but was unaware of what I would have to go through to make it. I spent 3 and a half years making really unhealthy decisions for myself and then moved to California, like a crazy person, chasing a dream that I wasn't even sure would work out.
Who am I, God? Is this your usual way of dealing with man? That you would take a broken young girl and make her new again? But not only that....that you would make her new AND call her not only into ministry full-time, but send her out on to the mission field to serve You in a spiritually dark place? That You would confirm over and over again through others that she is called to Africa and that there are children waiting for her specifically? God, how can this be? Who am I that You would have brought me this far AND have spoken to me about my future?

I can't wrap my mind around it, but I'm humbled to think that through it all, He is going to use me in a mighty way. He is going to take the dirty rags from my past and turn them in to bright white linen handkerchiefs for my future. I'll tell you one thing, I can't wait to see what He is going to show me when I get to the top of the next hill on this roller coaster of a life that I'm living.

Riding in the passenger seat,
Gina :)

Good stuff

Lots of good news to share with you. I didn't update last week because I was still trying to figure some number stuff out before I shared anything with you.

Here is the first piece of good news...
I am at $600 in monthly pledges and $1,645 in one-time pledges. PRAISE GOD!! I just heard from Pastor Alan last week and its looking like I won't need as much monthly as I thought I was going to need in order to live there. So I will only need to raise another $500 in monthly pledges to make my budget. I am well on my way in one-time pledges as well. The $1,645 I already have will go toward my plane ticket. I still need to raise $2,400 in one-time pledges for the rest of my plane ticket as well as some extra expenditures I will have when I first get to Africa. God is providing, family!! Thank you for listening to God and obeying His leading to help me!

If you are still praying about the amount, whether it is a one-time donation or a monthly pledge, I thank you in advance and can't wait to hear what God speaks to you. Some of you have already indicated that is what is happening and I appreciate that. It is always good to know that you have decided to support me, even if you don't know the amount, that way I can hope for it and know what to look forward to.

Another piece of good news is...
Pastor Alan wrote me an email today letting me know that they just painted my room and it is ready and waiting for me. I asked him to send me a picture so you can see it. I also let him know that I plan to arrive there the first week of September. It will be a perfect time to get there because schools will be back in session and their ministry events start back up in full swing around that time. I will hit the ground running, but I'm EXTREMELY excited to know that I will be needed and busy. I'm VERY ready for new challenges and a new part of my life to start.

One last piece of good news...
I am doing great. God has been speaking some new things to me. He is revealing some strengths I never thought I had and some spiritual gifts that I need to start developing. I realize that my last few blog entries have been pretty intense and have sounded kind of down, but just know that you are on an intense journey with me. It is better if I am honest about how I am feeling and what I'm going through so you know specifically how to pray for me. Your encouragement during those times helps me get through the hard days...you are the ones, along with Jesus, who help me refocus on the bigger picture of what I'm doing. It helps me to be real with you because I know that you are fighting for me in prayer...so don't be discouraged, because I'm not.

Standing firm,
Gina :)

The Orphanage

I heard from Pastor Alan this week. I'm not sure I mentioned this before, but he has been feeling a leading from the Lord to start his own orphanage. Because of the horrendous inflation and AIDS epidemic, mothers are now having babies and throwing them down the sewers because they are either sick or don't have enough money to feed another child. Pastor Alan has had a vision of saving these particular babies through the orphanage he wants to start.

Once he got back to Zimbabwe after his long itineration in Ireland, he got right to work putting together a board of directors and trustees to handle the purchase of the land, and the initial inquiries/decisions of the orphanage. He had to do this because in his own words he is "the wrong color". The government of Zimbabwe would never let a white man start an orphanage in their country. The great news is, they have found the perfect building for the orphanage. It is a 12 bedroom, 7 bath home with a large yard, a swimming pool, and several other great amenities. Pastor Alan will have to raise $450,000 U.S. dollars to purchase the land and building. He is asking for our prayers, because he will have to come up with the money in a VERY short amount of time. Please join me in crying out to God for Pastor Alan and this very important project he is getting under way. It is a much needed orphanage and would benefit the innocent babies of Zimbabwe in an immense way.

As for me, my nights have been filled with tossing and turning. When I'm not doing that, I'm waking up every hour. I wake up every morning feeling exhausted and drained. I am getting tired earlier every day. This is not good. I need my rest to stay healthy. Please pray that my sleep will return to me and I start waking up feeling refreshed again. Feeling tired all the time is making me feel discouraged and making small situations seem worse than they actually are.

I appreciate each of you. I will be getting an up to date report on my monthly and one-time support soon so I can keep you informed! Thanks for celebrating with me and praying for me.

Staying in the battle,
Gina :)

Purifying My Heart

This past week was a battle. The enemy has been prowling around me like a roaring lion looking to devour me. I have been feeling like there is a war raging all around me and I am standing in the middle of it fighting all by myself. The devil wants me to feel like I'm all alone, that I'm all by myself and he is threatening that when I grow tired, he will strike.....he has been trying to take my relationships from me and is using the mistakes I have made against me. I've been feeling like I'm failing everyone around me and that by the time I'm ready to leave, I won't have any friends here or any support.

BUT....I AM WINNING!! We don't fight against flesh and blood but against principalities and the dark forces of this world. I have finally recognized these feelings for what they are....GIGANTIC LIES. I will stand firm. I will pray on the armor God has fitted me with and I will not stop fighting. I am not fighting alone....God reminded me this week that He has surrounded me with all of you. When I am weak, He is strong. His grace is enough for me, His power is made perfect in my weakness. I am apologizing for my mistakes and cleaning up the relationship messes I have made. I will not let the enemy win. I pray against him in the name of Jesus!!....he has no hold over my life. I stand on the neck of the oppression that I am all alone, that I'm failing everyone around me and that I'm getting tired.

We are in the midst of a spiritual battle, but we reign with Jesus. He has equipped us with everything we need to win. We need only to hold on to the truth that we are victorious in Him.

I thank God for you everyday. Your prayers are what have been keeping me strong. Thank you for being my prayer warriors.

Standing in battle with you,
Gina :)

Vacation...

I had a chance to take a vacation this week with one of my best friends. We flew to Las Vegas and spent a few nights there then rented a car and drove to Colorado to visit a friend. I had an amazing time just hanging out and getting away.

The best part was spending time with my friend. She and I have become pretty close over the last year. She has been a solid part of my life. I was thinking about how it will be for me when I leave for Zimbabwe and it made me sad to think that I'm going to have to start all over with making friends and starting what feels like a new life.

I have said before that change is hard, but it is good. God uses change to stretch us and move us into new beginnings in Him. I'm clinging to God as I take these new steps and I know that He is always there to catch me when I fall.

Please pray for me as I continue to process change and hold on to the promises God has made me. He will never leave me or forsake me and I know that what He has promised me will come to pass.

Thank you so much for all of your support and prayers. I love each of you.

Living in His Will,
Gina :)

Challenges...

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:28-31

This past week was a real challenge for me. There are many things going on around me that I haven't understood. Changes that are happening that I'm having trouble processing.....BUT God is on His throne. The prohet Isaiah writes that no one can fathom His understanding. I've been tired and weary. I've been downcast and troubled....BUT my hope is in the Lord!! If I stay teachable and have an open heart to allow the Lord to increase my power, I will soar high above the clouds. God will renew my strength as I run toward what He has for my life. He will not allow me get weary if I continue to hold on to His word and the promises He has made to me.

Hebrews 13:8 promises us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Live for today, we are not promised tomorrow....but even if we don't see tomorrow, God never changes. His love is greater than we could ever imagine. He longs for our praise and worship. He never leaves us and never disappoints us. God is awesome. He is the giver of all good things. He holds back no good thing from those whose walk is blameless.

Pray for me that I will start having an easier time processing all the changes. Pray that my strength will be renewed as I hope in the Lord....that I won't grow tired and weary because of the changes and that I will continue to trust Him for a miracle in my finances for my trip.

I love each of you! Thank you for lifting me up in prayer. I wouldn't be able to do it without you.

Living in His Will,
Gina :)

When I get there.

Family,
I heard from Pastor Alan this week and I'm so excited to share with you what I know that I couldn't wait to update my blog!

Pastor Alan is back in Zimbabwe after a long vacation in Ireland (where he is from) with his family. He had a great time of connecting with people back home and seeing his grand kids. He contacted me when he got back to let me know that they returned to a difficult situation in Zimbabwe. The presidency of Zimbabwe is up for grabs at the moment. We are hoping and praying that there will be a change of leadership so some major economic changes can take place. I wrote to you some of the significant issues the people are having right now in my initial blog posting. Please continue to pray for God's will in Zimbabwe.

Pastor Alan also let me know that he was in the process of trying to find a house for me to live in along with some of his other staff members. I just heard today that he found one! It is bought and paid for and there is a room waiting for me! It is a three bedroom, 2 bath house with an electric fence and gate around it, a large yard, and even a swimming pool! I think I'm going to be spoiled! :) However, due to the food shortage, Pastor Alan said he and Dorothy have been eating a lot of vegetable stir-fry.....which is fine by me. Hopefully, I'll occasionally get some rice!! :) It'll be okay, as I understand it, we will probably be taking a trip or two to South Africa to stock up on food.

I'm just excited that things are falling into place. God has always been faithful and will continue to be faithful while I am there and as I prepare to go. He will provide for all of my needs beyond what I could ever imagine. I can't wait.

I still need to talk to Pastor Alan about my final budget numbers, but I wanted to let you know where I'm at so far so that we can celebrate together and also continue to pray that my finances will continue to come in. As of now, I have raised in initial cash (one-time gifts) $885. In monthly pledges, I have raised $470. Tentatively, I will probably need to raise another $3,115 in one-time gifts and another $730 in monthly pledges before I leave.....but again, that is tentative. I will continue to update you as I know more.

I'm not worried at all, I have peace in my heart that all will be raised by the time I go. It is an amazing feeling knowing that I'm walking right in the middle of God's will and because of that, I have no worries about the future.

Thank you for your faithfulness and prayers. I'm already seeing the benefit of them.

With Love, Gina Klug

A Crazy Life...

Hey Everyone!

I guess I didn't realize how hard leaving Napa would be. Its been a roller coaster of emotions lately as I am making plans for the summer and preparing to go to Africa.

Oh! As an update, Global Passion Ministries has cancelled my trip to Uganda the first two weeks of July. The trip wasn't receiving enough sign-ups, so no more trip. I was a little disappointed at first, but then was reminded that God is in control and He always has a plan. Apparently, He has other plans for my summer. What is good about not going to Uganda is that I will now be able to go with the students of our youth group to Colorado in July. I wasn't going to get to go because of Uganda and was totally bummed, but now I will be able to take the roadtrip and attend an amazing youth conference at New Life Church in Colorado Springs. I'm really excited!!

I'm trying to stay focused on my job and the ministries I'm involved with at Hillside. It has been a struggle to try and balance everything, but I am doing my best....with God's help. I have the greatest friends and family.....they are sticking with me and helping me snap out of it when I get caught up in the moment and get crazy.

Thank you for the awesome response I have gotten about this blog. For all of you who have promised to be a prayer partner and have made pledges to support me. I am humbled and grateful to God for placing that on your heart.

Please continue to pray that God will bring in the finances. Also, pray for all the changes that are not only happening in my life, but are happening around Hillside. We are moving into a new season at my church and it seems like everyone is going through a lot of changes right now. Please pray for our leadership team and staff as we continue to seek the Lord.

God is teaching me a lot right now. He is speaking to me so much about His love and affection for me. Pray that He will continue to keep my eyes focused on Him and that I will continue to learn how to rely on Him and Him alone.

I love you all so much. Again, thank you for joining with me....my excitment is growing by the day!!

Living in His Will,
Gina :)

My Upcoming Adventure

Family and Friends,

I'm so excited to share with you about my next adventure. I have recently been given an opportunity to travel to Zimbabwe for 6 months to work with Pastor Alan Graham.

I know that many of you received my follow-up letter after I returned from China last summer stating that my plans were to travel to India & Bangladesh in the summer of 2008, but plans have changed. God is on the move my friends and He has moved me in another direction.

Unfortunately, India and Bangladesh didn't work out, but Global Passion Ministries has given me a chance to lead a team into Uganda, Africa the first two weeks of July. When I return, I will be preparing to leave Napa and head to Zimbabwe, Africa for six months. I'm not sure what will happen after 6 months, but I know God has a plan for my life (Jeremiah 29:11-13) and I am confident that He will continue to lead me down the right path. For now, I'm anxious to see what He has for me in Zimbabwe!

So now you are probably asking yourself how this happened? Well, Pastor Alan was at my home church (Hillside Christian Center) at the end of December 2007. He spent a few weeks in the office and spoke on a Sunday morning. During his message, God spoke to me about offering to serve Pastor Alan for a term of six months. After speaking with Pastor Alan the following week about that very possibility, God opened the door He asked me to knock on.

I will be leaving Napa and my position at Hillside to pursue long-term missions work in Zimbabwe starting in September of this year. I will be doing a lot of the work I did when I was there two years ago, but this time Pastor Alan has asked me to help him build an office for his growing staff. I will be collecting office supplies and computer programs to take with me. I am also looking forward to building relationships with the orphans and students in the schools we will be ministering in.

Through all of my travels, Africa has always been in my heart. The frist time I was there, Pastor Alan told us that we would always remember the sights, sounds, and smells of Africa. He was right. Every night I go to bed, I can still see the faces of the babies I held. I see the school children smiling as my team performed dramas and played soccer with them. I can hear the little girls laughing as we tickled them and gave them candy. I can still hear the children in each of the schools singing in their sweet African accents as they praised the Lord. I can hear the wood chimes they played for us as we started each assembly and I can still smell all the wonderful food we were able to eat.

However, I can still see the AIDS warning signs that each school hung around their campuses and I can hear the crys of the children in the hospital we visited. Crys from missing their parents or from the pain of the disease they were carrying. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is spreading so rapidly in Zimbabwe that the life expectancy is expected to lower to 25 years old for men and 15 years old for women in the next ten years. The country is also fighting a very corrupt government, a food shortage that has almost eliminated all basic necessities, and an economy that is so bad, the inflation rate is now over 100,000% with an 80% unemployment rate.

The overwhelming need of the Zimbabwean people grieves my heart. I am desperate to get there and share the hope that I carry. The hope of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands us to "...go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..." Will you help me go? Will you help me reach a lost and dying people with the Gospel of Jesus? Will you be God's Hand extended to the children and orphans of Zimbabwe?

Six months is a big committment. My largest need is prayer. If I didn't have prayer partners at home praying for me, then I might as well not go. Prayer and intercession for myself and the people of Zimbabwe is what is going to get me through good days, hard days, and challenging days. If you can, please be diligent in your prayers for me. God will bless you and me through those prayers. If you are wanting to make that committment, then please send an email to: ginaklug@gmail.com so I can keep you updated as I continue my journey to get there as well as while I am in Zimbabwe.

My second need is financial support. I am unsure of what my monthly budget will be, but whatever funds you feel God is placing on your heart to give, every amount will help. If you feel you would have an easier time spreading the support out, I would also like to give you the option of being a monthly supporter. If I can get 10 people to send $100/month or 20 people to send $50/month, then my needs would be more than met. However, it doesn't have to be either of these amounts if you would like to be a monthly supporter. Again, any amount will help.

To send support/donations, please write your check to Global Passion Ministries then send it to 100 Anderson Road; Napa, CA 94558. Please make sure my name does NOT appear on the check. Also, if you could include in the envelope a note letting Global Passion know if the amount is monthly support or a one time gift, I would appreciate it. That way I will know when I have met my goal.

Thank you so much for all the prayers I know you have already been sending my way. The Lord has blessed my life beyond anything I could have imagined. My family back east as well as my Napa family has been the best support system anyone could ask for. God has directed my steps even when I was unaware that He was. My desire is to now spend the rest of my life overseas winning people to the God in Heaven that has saved my life and given me abundant hope.

Living in His Will,
Gina Klug

P.S. I will continue to update this blog as my trip gets closer. I will also update it when I arrive in Zimbabwe and during the six months I will be living there. Please continue to check back!!