To All Who Are Struggling, Discouraged, and Feel Alone

Dear Weary Travelers,

Life seems to have been turned upside down, especially this week. Bombings, earthquakes, and attacks all seemed to collide together, and stun the world. Perhaps you are weary of all this seemingly never ending violence and tragedy. Perhaps your heart is breaking for those victims of these tragedies. Or, maybe it's things in your personal life. Maybe you are trying to find purpose in life, or what God has called you to. Possibly, you feel lonely and feel like no one understands what you are going through. Or, perhaps you are afraid. Afraid of life and the trials it brings.

I want to make it clear, fellow readers, that I have not writing about these things because I have learned how to deal with them. In fact, it's just the opposite. Discouragement and weariness are probably two of the biggest obstacles (if not the largest) that I am facing in my life as I write this. So why should I be writing about this? Well, I pray that God will use my words, and that I will be able to learn how to face these difficulties right alongside you to whom I am writing.

First off, you are not alone. Many of us (including myself) are weary, discouraged, and faint.  Loneliness is very easy to feel when we are discouraged. But you are not alone. God is there for you. At least for me, this is difficult, because physically, we can't see God, can't receive hugs from Him when we need them, and sometimes it's difficult to talk to God without His physical presence. But we must look for ways in our life for how He is with us. Thank Him for people He has given you in your life, whom you can trust; He put them in your life for a reason! Look for how God is with us through things He tells you in His Word, for how He uses other people in your life to encourage you, and for the everyday blessings He gives you. If we take notice of those things and keep our eyes more open to that, we will clearly see God's presence with us and come to an even deeper conclusion that we are not alone.

Secondly, the road will not always be easy. You might be rolling your eyes at this statement and saying, "Great. Thanks, Hannah, for stating the obvious." And you're right! It is obvious, I mean, why am I writing this blog post? Because life is spectacular and perfect right now? Far from it. This quote came across my newsfeed on Facebook, and I'd like to share it with you all:

"What counts the most is our response to everything. It is not what happens to us, but how we respond and how we look to God for strength and guidance."
~Elisabeth Elliot

So while trials come our way, what matters is how we respond to them. Trials shape who we are and help us become the people we are today. When I moved to Africa, I was a wreck. I wanted to stay in my comfortable, suburban neighborhood, doing theatre on the weekends and church on Sunday. But God had different plans and changed my life. Moving to Africa was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I have had many trials since being here and have felt the pain of things only experienced on the mission field, such as constantly saying goodbye to people throughout the year. But God has been abundantly faithful. He has given me so much and has shaped me in the short time I've been here. I am more than grateful to Him for flipping my world upside down, and while there were trials on the way, I can see that through the pain He has also molded me and given me so many blessings. Am I saying that if you go through trials that you will receive blessings? Unfortunately, not always. But, trials shape who we are today and can mold us into who God has us to be- if we allow Him to.

Finally, don't give up when trials come. Dwell on that for a moment. Don't give up on where God has called you. Don't give up to what He has called you to do. Don't give up. Nothing that happens to you as you journey through life is a surprise to God. He knows all, and if you ask Him, He will strengthen you to get through the valleys in your life. My mentor last year shared this verse with me:

Isaiah 43:2
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

I love this verse because while it doesn't promise that our lives will be easy as believers, it does tell us that God will be with us in our trials (and in everything!). He will keep us afloat and will be our Rock. Trust in that. Trust that God is using trials in your life to mold you and that He is always with you, even when you feel confused, alone, worthless, or discouraged. I love the analogy that our lives are like a beautiful painting that God has created and God is the painter. We can only see so much of the painting (our lives) because we're inside it. But God is the painter who sees all and has the whole picture. Trust Him and know that He sees what will happen in our lives. He's got it in His control. Don't give up on His plans for you.

Prayers to you my fellow readers, as we go through this life together. As we all face difficulties, I encourage you to pray for all those who are also facing trials in this world. Though life won't always be sunshine and roses, remember God is there right beside you and please, don't give up.

Joyfully His,
Hannah Lynn

The Gift Giver

 The Drama Evangelism Baka Trip, November 2014



"I just stained my white shirt with tomato sauce!"

"The 'W' key on my laptop is breaking."
"The power is out again? Really?"
"Our cable TV isn't working!"
"My iPhone isn't the latest generation; I'm so behind with technology!"

This is a list of "problems" and I'm sure all of us can agree that at least one of these complaints (or a similar complaint) has left our mouths at at least one time or another; I know I have. But I think one thing we need to be careful of is remembering how good we have it.

A little under a year ago, I had one of the most amazing opportunities that I will never forget. I traveled out to the village, or to the east region of Cameroon to be more specific. I went with my Drama Evangelism team (where we perform skits that display the Gospel to people). It was stunning to see how little these people had. I remember seeing children the evening before, and then seeing them the next day- wearing the same clothes. I remember telling my parents after the trip how I saw one child whose shirt we wouldn't even have used for a rag. These people literally lived in mud houses and had very little; it puts a lot of our problems (and my problems) in perspective.

We should be praising God for the gifts He has given us! Praise Him for family and friends, for health, and for cool, autumn mornings. Gifts from God don't mean that they have to be materialistic. One of the most recent gifts God has given me was a run I took recently.

About once a week, I'll run with some friends to school in the morning. It's great and refreshing, and one morning in particular made me very happy. A few weeks ago, I ran with one of my good friends and as we were cooling down and walking a bit, a group of little, elementary-aged Cameroonian students were walking to one of the local schools. As we began to start running again, they ran along beside us. As we all ran, my friend and I began to play around and goof off with them as we ran. He and I spoke to them with the little French we knew, and I so enjoyed this experience.

I read in my devotions recently that we should focus on God, and not cling to the gifts and blessings He's given us. We should be thankful for the blessings and delight in them, but remember that God's gifts point directly back to Him. The gifts reflect what an awesome God we serve! He has blessed each and every one of us abundantly, even if it may not always seem that way. He has blessed us with His gift of love and of eternal life; that's a gift He offers to all! So be on the lookout for the gifts God has given you, but remember to praise the Gift Giver for them!

James 1:17
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

Joyfully His,
           Hannah

encouragement.

word

wərd/

noun

1.

 a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing, used with others (or sometimes alone) to form a sentence and typically shown with a space on either side when written or printed.

Words. They can send us soaring to the clouds or falling in despair. They can make us rejoice or make our hearts wrench with sadness. They can be the cause of joy and celebration, or the cause of sorrow and tears. These little black marks on white paper and the small tonal inflections we make carry so much meaning, and can so easily be the cause of our emotions! 

Over the past few weeks, I've really come to realize the effects of words- good and bad. I really like the definition of 'word' because it includes the word meaningful in it. Words are meaningful. They can carry good or bad. I think everyone would agree that when words are spoken to them, good and encouraging words are the words that are received most readily. When bad and discouraging words are spoken to us, however, I think everyone would again agree that they are hard to take in- and aren't desired or wanted.

Now I quickly want to take a moment to clarify something. I don't want it to come off that I'm saying we should all speak love and kindness to each other at all costs, meaning we lie to people in trying to be kind and avoid telling the truth... because now THAT'S a problem. We always have to be telling the truth, and sometimes the truth-bearing words we have to speak could be taken in offense. But, there is a way to tell people the truth, by doing it in kindness and love. Truth doesn't mean you tell people the truth by hitting them over the head with your words; you can tell people the truth by showing them grace and care.

A couple weeks ago, I was pretty upset by things some people had done and said to me, and was feeling discouraged in general. I noticed something, however, at school as I was walking up to where the lockers are. Bright, yellow sticky notes were stuck onto random lockers. As I looked closer, written on them were uplifting phrases, like "You are loved." I was so happy with how the school was encouraging each other, and how even just seeing evidence of others being encouraged, encouraged me! Now, there are more sticky notes up on the lockers in our school, not just written by one person, but multiple people! Blue and yellow notes bear phrases like "You are God's beloved," or "God chose You" are now on random lockers, and they are encouraging and uplifting people! These words are not only encouraging, but also full of truth found in God's word!

I'd like to challenge you, dear readers, and myself to something this week. We should look around and see how we can encourage someone or some people this week. Maybe it's through a note or maybe it's by making someone cookies who's having a rough day. Perhaps it's by encouraging people with words and paying people genuine complements or by leaving an encouraging sticky note on their locker.  Encouragement can take many forms. Believe me, something small like that can encourage someone so much. Let us use our words and actions to uplift people, as Christ wants us to!

Ephesians 4:29
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

Joyfully His,
             Hannah

One Life to Give

Africa. When you hear that word, what do you think of? You may think of a desolate, lonely place. Or you may think of children dressed in colorful fabric, balancing heavy jugs of water on their heads. You may think of dust, heat, and a scorching sun. Or perhaps, you think of shabby mud huts, with no running water or electricity. For me, I think of Africa as my home.

For the most part, I'm a pretty average teenager. States side, I'm from the suburbs of Chicago. I have a wonderful family, and awesome friends. I enjoy music, theater, playing soccer, dancing, and singing. But in a lot of ways, I'm different. I am a TCK and an MK (stands for Third Culture Kid and Missionary Kid) in Cameroon, Central Africa. I go to Rain Forest International School, and have had a lot of "missionary experiences." I am also a follower of Jesus Christ, who saved my soul.

People often say you have one life to live, so do all you can to enjoy it; after all, you only live once. The world tells us to do all you can to get what you want, so that you can be happy. I think the phrase should be one life to give. You have one life to give to bless others; you can change peoples lives for the better; and you can take up your cross and follow Jesus and live radically for Him. Life is full of choices. Do we give our lives to Christ, trusting Him with it... or do we ignore Christ and choose to do what we want? Do we choose to follow Christ... or not?

I am certainly not saying that living in the suburbs or that having possessions is wrong. I am also not saying that you have to give up all you have, move to Africa, and live in a mud hut. But I am saying that we should live radically for Christ and shine our lights brightly wherever he has us. God calls each of us to different places at just the right time. That could be living in a foreign country as a missionary, or living in the suburbs of Chicago. Wherever God wants you, that's where He has planned you to be a light for others to see. Some believers want to hide the light that has been given to them by Christ. This saddens me, because what is your faith then? As believers in Christ, we can choose to give our light out and make a difference for Him...or not.

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

God has called me and my family to Africa. It has not always been easy, and I honestly struggle with giving my life to Christ and living radically for Him. I want you to know, fellow readers, that I am not a perfect human, and that I have by no means, always lived my life out for Christ. I have made many mistakes, and need to learn how to trust God more. I hope you realize I am learning right beside you. Giving our all to God is within the choices we make every day. So I challenge us to question if we are giving our all to God. Are we shining for Him and not conforming to what the world wants us to be? Are we giving ourselves to God, to be used to bless others? Are we living radically for Christ through the daily decisions of how we react to things and what we expose ourselves to (ex: music, media, etc.)? Are we giving all we have to Him? These are the questions I want to leave you with for this first blog post.

I chose the title, Songs from the Rain Forest because God has given me a passion for music and theater; and because my family and I are following His call to the rain forests of Cameroon. On this blog, I hope to share what I have been learning in my life and also stories about life here in Africa. So stay tuned! :)

Joyfully His,
Hannah Lynn