Africa or Bust!

Can you believe it? In less than 24hrs I will be on a plane bound for N’Djamena, Chad! Thank you for all of your prayers and support! Thanks to your financial contributions, I am now 100% supported! What a tremendous blessing!  This trip has already called me to grow and expand my faith as I trust in the Lord for all his provisions.

I am so eager to touch down and just breathe in the hot African air. I know the heat will confirm my arrival and I look forward to starting my journey. Please pray for my health since I won’t be accustomed to the climate, food, and local germs. I’m coming prepared with antibiotics but am hoping to not need them! Once again, similar to Haiti, I will be taking Malaria medications daily as a precaution in addition to my meds for migraines. I feel prepared!

I’ve been told that there will be internet in Chad and I hope I’m able to access my blog to update you all on my adventures! I’m sure I’ll be overflowing with stories and new experiences. Please feel free to email me while I’m abroad, I’d love to hear from you: heaston84@gmail.com

I appreciate and love you all tremendously! I must run off to finish packing and preparing for tomorrow!

God Bless,

Charlene

CHAD UPDATE!

Many of you know that I’ve been presented with a unique opportunity to serve in N'Djamena, Chad in Africa this April/May. This is a very special trip because I will be traveling alone (yikes!) and meeting up with other Golden Hills Community Church missionaries as well as members of The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM). 

 

This Fall I start an entry level masters program for Nursing where I will train to become a Nurse Practitioner. How does my education and a trip to Chad coincide? Through my experiences in missions and my love for nursing/helping people, I’ve been struck with the idea of serving overseas when finished with school. This trip will further cement my knowledge of mission work abroad and will give insight to a future career in long-term missions with an emphasis in nursing.

The details for my trip have been confirmed! I leave March 31^st for four weeks. This will be a chance for me to really connect with the people and learn about their culture and way of life. God has presented me with a truly unique experience as I will not only be traveling alone but will also be relying on my French language skills to communicate. Luckily, I will have guidance from TEAM and Golden Hills missionaries. I know Christ will use this trip for personal growth because it calls me to be independent and trust in His provisions. 

 I would love to ask you all for prayer support as I continue this journey. Please pray for God’s will during this trip and that I might meet my financial needs (I’m currently 66% funded). If you feel led to give financially, that would be great and much appreciated! However prayer warriors are wonderful too! 

If you would like to donate, please make checks payable to Golden Hills Community Church. In the memo line please write: Charlene Heaston Missions #09. You can either drop it off/mail it to the church at: 

Global Outreach
Golden Hills Community Church
2401 Shady Willow Lane
Brentwood, CA 94513

Thank you all for your prayers in advance! I appreciate the support from family in Christ with missionary hearts!  

Thankful,

Charlene

God is good…All the time!

Last week at Golden Hills Community Church we gathered together, prayed, and packed up the cars for the airport. Our second team of short-term missionaries prepared to leave for Haiti and off they went with our prayers for good health, safe travels, and willing hearts. It was wonderful to send off my brothers and sisters knowing they would experience a week filled with abundant growth and Christ’s love. Short-term mission trips allow believers to embrace every moment working in the field and forget the job back home as well as responsibilities that cause stress. (At least that’s what I experience!) Please continue to pray that the Haitians would have open, receptive hearts in addition to a safe journey home for our loved ones (who return this Friday)!  

Jeff & Judy Heath (Wycliffe Bible Translators)

In other news…I began my orientation/training for N'Djamena last Friday! Thankfully, I’ve been blessed to have mentors within our church body who worked in Chad for 7 years. In addition, I had the pleasure of meeting a missionary family (the Heath’s) living in Chad who were in town visiting this past week. What a blessing that turned out to be! I was able to spend some time learning Chadian Arabic with Judy Heath, who is a linguist with Wycliffe. The official languages of Chad are French and Arabic however the majority of people speak Chadian Arabic. Boy, oh boy do I have some work to do!

Up until recently, my trip to Chad has been somewhat conditional. It can be tough getting in touch with people on the other side of the globe and coordinating everyone’s schedule. Also, I’ll be staying with missionaries and want to make sure I come when I can be a blessing in their lives, not a burden. My attitude has been optimistic and hopeful yet cautious in case this isn’t the right time for a voyage to Africa! I’ve prayed for God to open doors and make it very clear if He wants me to go, or slam them shut! 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1068700.stm

A few days ago, I received an email from the director of The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM) with a letter of invitation for my stay. Doors open! She explained that this trip will be an orientation to Chadian culture, history, church, and ministry. There will be many ministry opportunities like: spending time at a rural clinic at Djimtilo (outside of N’Djamena), outreach to prostitutes, and working with AIDS patients. I’m overjoyed and amazed with all the diverse opportunities God is presenting me with. God is good…all the time! 

Can you believe it’s March already!?! To think that I will be leaving within a few weeks sends my mind spinning! I want to thank all of the people who have been praying for me over the last few days/weeks/months. This trip has been an intense faith builder not only because I’m preparing to go alone but because this trip is costly. Praise God for all the support He has provided! Currently, my trip is approximately 50% funded thanks to all of your donations. Please pray that during the next 2-3 weeks I will meet my financial goal! God will provide!  

Please contact me if you’d like to hear more about my upcoming journey! 

Blessings!

Charlene