Melissa Brooks

Why do I feel I am to go to Uganda?

It’s not something I feel its something I know. There is no desire for me to run, get on a plane, fly 8,000 miles away to have my heart ripped out, etc. The Lord has CALLED me to do it. Trust me my flesh would be most content and comfortable to just stay right where I am. BUT GOD….

Close to 4 years or so ago, unknowing to me, my pastor had a woman from Kenya, Africa in his office. As I walked by one day He said, “Mel would go to Africa; wouldn’t you Mel?” Like Sarah I laughed and said, “yeah right. Not a chance.” As I peered around the door Pastor introduced me to this woman from Africa. This is the moment I wanted to ‘open mouth insert foot’…. My pastor looked across his desk at me pointed his finger and said, “don’t ever laugh and tell God you won’t do something. You don’t know what He will call you to do.” It stung a little bit but I went on with the thought it’s not for me. I’m called to be in Children’s ministry teaching Preschoolers about Jesus being their forever friend. Fast-forward 3 years…

Well so much for what I know. I’m no longer teaching Children’s ministry I’m connecting Adults. During this season, I was in church on a Sunday sitting on the front row and at the end of my Pastors message he had a moment of commitment. He closed it by saying to stand if you promise God that in the next 3 years you will go to a foreign land. I sat there. I reasoned and rationalized all the very reasons I was not to stand up. I began telling God this isn’t for me and I know how serious a promise is to Him. God I’m not going to stand because I’m not going to break a promise to you. I can’t do this I have 2 girls at home…the next thing I knew I was standing and it was not of my own will. It was as if someone yanked my shirt collar and stood me up. In that moment, I sobbed. I tried to reason, “well it’s the next 3 years I have time.” I said, “God this has to be you all I want to do is run the other way”.

A short time later, Pastor Mukambi Johnson, from Uganda, came to our church (The Gathering) and had a divinely appointed meeting with our pastor. I was invited into this meeting. What developed is now the reason for the Mission Trip with The Lord’s Child and the building of an orphanage and a village there. My heart sank; I felt the tug from God saying, “Listen up Daughter”. It was then that my 3 year plan started to come crashing down. This was the beginning of talks that we were going to go to Uganda.

Another meeting took place later when God told me plainly I was to go because He has something for me there. There is something He will tell me there. I began to cry again in that very meeting wrestling with God over this. It took weeks and even months for me to submit to the fact that I’m going. Now like Paul, “…I feel bound by the Spirit to go to [Uganda]. I don’t know what awaits me…” (Acts 20:22) If I take one step in the other direction I feel as if I may be torn in two. The ironic part of all of this is when I first laughed at God and reasoned that I couldn’t go to Africa, it was because I was called to teach children that Jesus wants to be their forever friend. Now, that is the very thing I get to be a part of in Uganda teaching children about Jesus.

God has definitely been stretching my faith farther than he ever has (to date) during this season. I have to admit it has been very challenging. I have encountered many distractions and endured many tactics of the enemy which reinforces to me that I am to go or why the fight? I have no way to get there except God making a way. A Holy Spirit divine breakthrough is the only way I can make it with no time to spare. I don’t have the resources to get passports, shots or plane tickets, BUT GOD go before me…

NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. Hebrews 11:1 amp

Dear Friends & Family I have shared with many of you a trip that Ralph and I are planning to take that would hopefully be a life changing experience for the people we come in contact with, as well as Ralph and myself.

I announced that we have the opportunity to participate in a mission trip with about 40 other adults & youth from my church, The Gathering. Our team will be traveling to the country of Uganda from Sept 9th to Sept 17th. While we are in Uganda, we will be ministering to the people of Kampala through construction at The LORD’S Child orphanage. We will also be helping a local church with a three-day evangelistic crusade and “Bible School” for the Children. I KNOW God is calling me to this mission but We STILL need your help to get there.

1ST AND FOREMOST – We need your prayers. I am excited for the opportunity to serve God’s people. Matthew 25:40 “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me”.

2ND – We are asking for your financial support in this mission. We have been praying for at least 75 people to sponsor us for $75 toward this once in a lifetime experience. However we realize that this amount may not be possible, so any amount that you might be able to give would be greatly appreciated. All donations are tax deductible, made payable to The LORD’s Child. We believe that with prayer and God’s help our financial needs will be met!! NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL. $1, $10, $20, $100. Anything that you can give will be greatly appreciated. We CANNOT DO THIS WITHOUT YOU!

Please pray for us as I prepare for this mission and while we are there. Please pray that people will see the love of Jesus through us and will be touched in some way. I thank you in advance for your prayers and your financial support. It is my fervent prayer that all I do will be pleasing in His sight. Thank you for letting me share my heart! Thank you for letting us share with you what will be one of the most meaningful experiences of our lives.

Please mail your donation to the following address and be sure to include our last name (Brooks) in the memo line of the check.
The Lord’s Child
P.O. Box 6120
Sevierville TN 37864

http://www.thelordschild.com/ugandahttp://www.thegatheringfamily.com/

If you prefer to give my debit/credit I can give you the contact for that as well. Our deadline is close.

Ralph & Melissa Brooks

Isaiah 6:8, “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”’

The Lord’s Child | National

As former Children’s Ministry Director and current Communications Director at The Gathering, I’m writing just a short note to say be looking for a new updated blog to read in these upcoming weeks. It’s been awhile since I’ve written and it’s welled up inside of me so it may be in parts. Looking forward to sharing it.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matt 19:14)

Recently, we had an awesome KIDZPLAYCE 2010 KICK OFF MEETING.  I opened with some statistics from The Barna Group.  This basically boils down to the fact that ‘the years prior to age 12 are when a majority of children make their decision as to whether or not they will follow Christ.‘  And ‘that the greatest evangelistic window currently available is among young children.‘

For those of us entrusted with teaching children, we have a great opportunity and challenge before us.  We are building and teaching an army.   We are the building blocks in these children’s lives along with the parents.  I didn’t sign up to babysit and  I hope that none of you did either.  ’Instead, to be a leader of talented people all working together to change the Kingdom of God one child at a time!’  ’Always be on guard against the Babysitting mindset of our ministry.  It’s not just childcare, it’s foundational care.  We need to start laying the groundwork for kids to find Christ as clearly as possible.’

I’ve said it many times, we are here to plant little seeds for a harvest we may never see. We want to equip parents to be able to ensure continued learning at home.  You will experience the personal satisfaction of knowing you have done your best to share the love of Christ with a child.  You will make an eternal impact in the lives of many children by laying a spiritual foundation upon which, God willing, they will one day accept Christ and build a relationship with Him.

These children are very important to Him and this should be that important to us. Priority one is to ‘work as unto the Lord’.  I desire to make 2010 a banner year for KIDZPLAYCE to bring honor and glory to our Father.  I want us to be on fire with excitement to teach our children- your children.

Give, love and teach these children we are entrusted with for an hour a week, as you would want someone to teach your very own child about Jesus.  No matter the age of the child entrusted to your care we are teaching them about Jesus. The foundation that you would love for your child to have, take that and plant a seed and pour into someone else’s child.  Make an investment.  Make an impact.  We are raising up a unique generation.  I believe warriors for His Kingdom.  I feel it deep in my soul.

I have been asking God to Breath on our ministry.  That he would breath fresh wind on us, and we would be a magnet to families and future team members.  May we have a spirit of Joy that is so contagious!

I just have to say we have the BEST Family Ministry Team ever!!!  Thank you to all that were able to make it out to our Volunteer Banquet and Softball game!  I love it when we all get to have fun together and celebrate!

Thank you so much for everyone that serves in our Nursery, Preschool, Elementary and 4:Twelve.  Thank you for your dedication and hard work in ministering to our children and their families.  Thank you for your willingness to serve our children.  Through thick and thin you are always there willing to show children the Love of Jesus!

You are the backbone and we could not do what we do if we were not together as a team!  You are the building blocks, along side of their parents, for the future of these children.  You are making deposits not only into their lives but also into their children’s children. You are appointed to touch their lives. You must see this as the passion that drives you.

Remember, God tenderly and uniquely designed you just the way He wanted you to be. He made you for Himself. He made you in a way that can never be duplicated. He has given each of us a script that only we can act out. He has given us the privilege of painting the picture of who God is in these children’s minds at their earliest impression. Please Keep mindful that He trusts us with these kids. We need to have the attitude that the greatest kids in the world walk through our doors every single week. I believe with that attitude we will continue to have a major impact on their lives in JESUS NAME!!

“When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” God‘s Decree. “I’ll turn things around for you.  Jeremiah 29:12-14 (The Message) This is my verse!!  Talk about what is your level of faith.  The verse says, “When [you] get serious about finding [God] and [you] want it more than anything else, [He] will make sure that [you] will not be disappointed.”  I need to ask the question again, when you pray what is the level of your faith?  Do you ask shyly?  Do you ask really expecting Him to listen? Are you serious about finding Him and want it more than anything else?  It clearly says here when you get serious you won’t be disappointed. Are you serious?  Get serious!  Make this your desire, your only desire… seeking Him.    Desiring His presence, His Glory, His voice, His Everything!!  Chase hard after Him.  

I love the way He loves me, I love the way He Comforts me.  I Love the way He chases after me.  I Love the Way He holds me and even the way He scolds me.  He alone is God and above Him there is no other!!

Question… When you pray what is the level of your faith?  When you have a need, a desire, a pain what is your faith that backs it up.  Is it something that you give to God and then take it right back?  Do you really have faith that He will do what he says he will do?  Do you trust Him with EVERYTHING!!!???  No matter the cost??  Do you believe and understand God’s very character? The word says that Faithfulness is His very character.  (Psalm 89:8)  When you pray, sacrifice and fast do you eagerly await his response?  Are you impatient?  When His timing doesn’t match up with our timing do you throw in the towel?  When God doesn’t answer the way you thought He should do you get discouraged?

God is faithful!!  All the time.  Those who wait patiently will receive what He has promised.(Heb 10: 36)

Ask Abraham (Heb 6:15).  God…always does just what He says…(1 Cor 1:9)  What kind of faith do you have?  Are you willing and open to allow God to test your faith?  Are you willing to put all your complete trust in Him?  Are you willing to let go and let God?

Let’s look at what Faith is… “Faith is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.  It is the evidence of things we cannot YET see.  God gave his approval to people in days of old because of their faith….It is impossible to please God without faith (Heb 11:1-2,6).  The word says Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS.  Remember the great reward it brings you.”(Heb 10:35)

He is our heavenly father and He knows how to answer our prayers!!  ALL OF THEM!!  We may not always understand His ways but we must never stop believing and trusting in Him.  He does whatever is necessary to catch our attention and to draw us closer to Him.

You may ask how I can be so sure of these things.  I’ve had the opportunity for my faith to be tested time and time again. I’ve had the reassurance and the peace of God flood over me when I have trusted and sought hard after Him.  There have been many prayers that I have prayed that were not answered in the way I had it figured out and in the time that I had planned out.  In it He has taught me patience. I’ve learned first hand what it means in Romans 5 :3-5 about rejoicing in problems and trials because they are good for us.  They help us to learn to endure; endurance develops strength of character and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.  This expectation will not disappoint us.

I’ve been bold enough to pray the prayers I want to hunger and thirst more after you God.  Show me your glory Lord as Moses asked you.  Not knowing in a million years what that would bring.  God showed me that true hunger and thirst is painful.  It’s not, “Oh I’m thirsty let me get a drink” “Oh I’m hungry, let me get a snack”.  He has shown me how faithful He is over the years.  He has given me this statement early this year …”It’s not the lack of your faith that got you into it but the strength of your faith that will get you out of it.”

I lost my stepfather completely unexpectedly a few weeks ago.  There’s no reason except it was God’s timing.  But God has been so good, so faithful and so comforting.  I’ve never experienced such peace.  The peace you can only receive through him. The peace that passes all understanding.  But He is so faithful that he has prepared me for it before hand.  I call them His little Kisses.    He loves us so much that He takes care of everything.  He answered many prayers, One for thirst and hunger, showing me His glory, and others I cannot reveal at this time.  This was in no way the way I had thought or had planned but He chose from the beginning of time.  I will leave this part with this thought:

“Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;                                                                                                   all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I’d even lived one day.”(Psalm 139:16 The Message Translation)

Part 2 coming soon.

I am ever so grateful to have the privilege of spending some extra time off with my girls this week.  They are growing so very fast before my eyes and I’ve been allowed time to make more memories.  They are growing into little ladies and into their own. My Lexi is definitely at the “tween” age as they call it.  She’s very into her hair and fashion these days.  My Ellie is prissy girl in a dress but will beat up a boy at the drop of a hat.  This girl would wear a dress or skirt every day of her life if allowed.  They are really a joy to me.  They are extremely funny.  They make me laugh and smile all the time.   Ellie is now in the stage that she understands that she is funny and witty.  She no longer gets upset or embarrassed thinking that you are laughing at her.  She cracks me up.  She is very magnetic and hilarious. I’ve been catching Lexi dancing and singing around the house with her mp3 player.  She has definitely grown up.  See, Alexia was my extremely shy child.  Has panic attacks at the thought of strangers and the unknown; always glued to my side.  (I tell people Lexi {Shy} is me as a child and Ellie {Not so much} is me grown up.)   Well my “big” girl just recently went off to camp in Georgia for 4 DAYS!!!  She had an awesome time, says she wishes she could have stayed longer and wants to go back next year!!  (WHAT??) Talk about breaking out of the box for her.  I’m so stinkin’ proud of her I cannot stand it.  I smiled for days every time I thought of her being brave; away from me and enjoying herself.  WAY TO GO!!! What a summer this is turning out to be!!  We have been soaking up the sun, the pool water and each other and enjoying every minute of it!!  I pray that you are finding the time to do the same with your family.  

One of my favorite things to do as a mom is to spend “jammie” time with my girls.  Every Saturday morning we “sleep in” (which around here anything past 6am is sleeping in).  Then we usually watch cartoons or a movie and we hang out in our jammies on the couch with comfy blankets waiting for cinnamon rolls to get out of the oven.  Saturday just isn’t Saturday without cinnamon rolls.   It’s so nice to sit and listen to my girls laugh and to have them cuddle with me on our couch.  I enjoy the 4-5 hours we spend in our jammies before we have to get ready for a 5 service weekend at church.   This is just one our little “traditions” together that I pray one day will trickle into their houses when they have a family of their own.   Gotta go oven is beeping… Next time more “traditions with Mom.” 

That’s an excellent question.  My reply to that is WHY NOT?  Why would you not want to be a part of introducing children of all ages to Jesus!! There is nothing greater!!  We get to partner with parents to lead children to their Forever Friend Jesus!!  We get to show kids God’s love!!   God has blessed me with an awesome team of people to work beside that have such an awesome heart for kids.  It is a joy and a privilege to walk with these people.  They take pride in knowing that when they volunteer that God is using them to plant a seed in the life of a child and then get to watch it grow.  I’m truly thankful for those surrounding me that have such a servants heart and have joy overflowing!! I could never EVER do what we do in KIDZPLAYCE without one on them.