But God Caused the Growth

I enjoyed the moments that I got to travel around the beautiful landscape of Kenya and appreciate the culture as a tourist. I went to the Equator (and I have a cool certificate to prove it). I went to the 9600 km long Great Rift Valley. I rode a camel at Thomson Falls. One thing that I was fortunate enough to do was plant a tree. I planted a TREE in the soil of Kenya. How many can say that they physically planted a tree on another continent? I named the tree maisha which means life in Swahili. (Quick shoutout to all the Maisha's I know). I named the tree maisha because I knew that it would continue to bring forth life without my interference. 

Thinking back about that joyful experience in the NBOI forest, I am reminding of the verse from 1 Corinthians 3: 6-9:

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Without my interference, the tree would grow and continue to be a living thing not because of my planting or watering. It would grow because God was in control. In the same way, we have a responsibility as Christians, as believers. Sometimes God will call us to plant the seed. Other times, you will be Apollos and water the seed. But we must always remember that apart from God, we are useless. We must remind ourselves that God in His sovereignty causes the growth. Our planting and our watering only has purpose when we work alongside of God's plan. 

Be obedient to God in whether He has commanded you to plant or water. Humble yourselves before God, also recognizing that He causes the growth.

Special thanks to Jayne and Edward with Flying Fish Mission Tours. Check them out for your next trip: http://flyingfishmissiontours.com

African Safari

Them: Do you know Swahili?

Me: I know the Lion King…Hakuna Matata

I literally saw the Lion King in real life. We drove to the watering hole. I went through the elephant graveyard. I saw Simba, Nala, Zazu, Rafiki. I saw the stampede that killed Mufasa. I saw the stars in the sky of the lion ancestry. I even saw Whoopi Goldberg’s hyena. My heart was full.

I have always loved to see God through nature. With humans out of the way, nature continues as it was created and praises God. Going on a safari and seeing animals in their natural habitat, living and breathing just as God intended left me speechless.

We stayed in THE most amazing place on the Masai Mara: Mara Engai. The view was incredible. The hospitality was 5 star and the food…OMG! Let’s just say, I kept requesting for our bread basket to be refilled.

In our 6-wheel truck, we went on a few game drives. I just wanted to see one lion. Other animals were great, but I just wanted to see one lion…I saw 25 lions! Even caught one eating a baby giraffe. I felt like I was for sure on animal planet. I personally can relate to the lion’s lifestyle: sleep and chill ALL day and only get up for food. If only…

We also saw baboons, hyenas, hippos, large birds (that will eat babies), giraffes, elephants, ostriches, topis, antelopes, mongoose, wart hogs, zebra, cape buffalo and wildebeest. We arrived on the Mara in the middle of the migration from Tanzania to Kenya and were able to ride in the midst of the migration.

Only one thing truly took my breath away…the sunset. God in all His infinite power decorated the sky and it was simply beautiful!

Less is SO much More!

Jambo!

I’ve been back in The States now for 11 days and jet lag is still the enemy. It’s always tea time in Africa so I naturally want to have hot tea all day with samosas (God’s gift to mankind…seriously, everyone needs them). However, I remind myself that I live in Texas and it’s too hot for that lol. But at last, here is the first blog after my mission trip to Kenya…where do I begin? Let’s start with the kids.

Less is SO much more

During our stay, we visited two orphanages and two day care centers that NBOI sponsors: Jamii Center in Kibera, Bowels of Love, Jamii Orphanage and Joy Care Center. These facilities were located in some of the largest slums of Kenya. We threw the children a birthday party. I was able to teach a song and get hype with a birthday cheer (KAA style). Many of the children do not know when they were born and have never had a birthday party. Seeing the joy on the faces for one small toy, cookies and punch was overwhelmingly. I was so humbled by their abundance of gratitude realizing that gifts and celebrations were things that I have grown to expect.

The children gave performances; sharing memory verses, poems, songs and dances. Many of the kids did not have shoes. Many did not have parents. Many did not have hot water. It did not matter that their toilet is a hole in the ground. It did not matter that their facilities were falling apart. It did not matter that their living conditions were not up to American standards because they had each other. Yes, their “lack” of things I take for granted gave them an opportunity for more love and joy. This was the joy that so many of us long for. This joy is not conditional on our circumstances, but built on the simple fact that God is good. They knew deep down that God loved them and brought them together to help, comfort and love one another.

The kids say, “God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good…and that’s His nature wow!”

Many times I find myself so distracted by materialism. I have upgraded things to necessities and complain when I am lacking. Through these kids, God has shown me that He truly is enough. His love, his love joy, his grace is sufficient for me.

Mungu akubariki (God Bless you)

23 Days, 22 Hours and 8 Minutes

The Lord has been gracious and my goal has been met! With the love, support and prayers of family and friends, I raised $4,200 for my mission trip to Kenya with NBOI.

There are some that are travelling with me that are still raising. If you wish to support them, you can contact me and I will provide you with the best way to proceed.

I'm currently trying the handle all the requests for gifts (i.e. fabric, memorabilia, even a baby) lol but I am so excited! Thank you for being a part of this journey with me.

So, let's go through my checklist:

- Prayers (Keep them coming!)

- Plane Ticket Purchased (check!)

- Visa Purchased (check!)

- Shots (Ouch...but check!)

- Bags packed (well...I'm still procrastinating lol)

- Complete Funds for the trip (Won't He Do It...cue shouting music!)

I am still accepting donations if you would still love to contribute.

Go to paypal.me/Aaqila

or Mail a check to:

900 Shiloh Dr.
DeSoto, TX 75115

The Countdown Continues...

I am officially 42 days, 19 hours and 46 minutes away from embarking on my first mission trip to Nairobi, Kenya. I have heard a lot of questions pertaining to this trip.

- Are you nervous about flying for that long?

- Are you concerned about knowing what to share?

- Are you scared of seeing people living in conditions that you are not accustomed to?

- Do you think you'll catch a disease?

I appreciate the concern from all my friends and family. Of one thing I am sure, I am not anxious because I know God is in control. I am comforted by one of my favorite passages.

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

His peace is made available to me because of the Prince of Peace, and I am relieved knowing that I am just the vessel that He is using. All I need to do is surrender to the Holy Spirit working through me. Whatever happens, we will be able to look back and give God all the glory. I am expecting God to do exceedingly above all that I could ever imagine. I am anticipating that He will reveal Himself to me in a new way and that I will have a stronger connection to Him because of it.

So, let's go through my checklist:

- Prayers (check!)

- Plane Ticket Purchased (check!)

- Visa Purchased (check!)

- Shots (Ouch...but check!)

- Bags packed (well...I'm a procrastinating packer lol)

- Complete Funds for the trip (Here's where you can help!)


I have raised almost 80% of the total funds! Praise the Lord! I still need financial support with the remaining ~20% ($900). Will you partner with me?

If you'd like to support me through your donations, feel free to do so via:

Paypal: www.paypal.me/Aaqila

Venmo: @Aaqila-Rasheed

Or if you would like to mail a check, you may send it to:

Aaqila Rasheed

900 Shiloh Dr.

DeSoto, TX 75115

Thank you in advance for your support, either through prayers, financial contributions or both – both are incredibly valuable.  To learn more about NBOI and the work that they do, please visit www.nboi.org.  

Kingdom Building in Africa

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

It's been a while since I've blogged, but God is really doing some wonderful things in my life and I want to share some of them with you. Since graduating from Baylor University in 2013, I have been afforded the opportunity to put my Marketing degree to work at The Bobbi Schwartz Group as Marketing Director; it is a consulting firm that provides personal styling for business professionals. Outside of my employment, I have committed to serving in my home church, CrossRoads Covenant Church. The past couple of years I have participated in the Worship Ministry and wherever else I am needed. However this year, I begin a new role as Leader of the Public Engagement Team. This team is charged with keeping the lines of communication open between the church, our members and the community at large via social media accounts, church website, weekly announcements, and other marketing channels.

And, if that is not enough, God has provided me an opportunity to go on my very first mission trip. I will travel to Nairobi, Kenya – June 17 thru July 2, 2016 with New Beginnings Orphanages International (NBOI). During our stay, I will assist in conducting medical clinics for the community surrounding the orphanage, teach dance worship workshops to the children, provide practical support and spiritual encouragement to the orphans and their caregivers, and most importantly, share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I am writing this to ask for your support. There are two ways that you can support me, first through prayer (Mark 11:24). Our 15 person team will need the prayers of the saints as the Lord guides us and prepares us for His work in Nairobi. As well, I personally ask prayer for strength to do the work before us, courage to endure the challenges we may face, and patience to be open, loving and prepared to learn and work.

The second way is through a financial donation. The cost of this mission experience is approximately $4,200.00, which includes airfare, lodging, vaccinations, Visa and two meals per day. I am asking 100 people to donate $50 toward this trip. Will you consider being one of the 100?  

The first installment is due March 25, 2016 - $1,500.00, with the remaining balance of $2,700 due on May 17, 2016. And, if you know of anyone who has a heart for missions please share my story with them and share this information.

If you'd like to support me through your donations, feel free to do so via:

Paypal: www.paypal.me/Aaqila

Venmo: @Aaqila-Rasheed

Or if you would like to mail a check, you may send it to:

Aaqila Rasheed

900 Shiloh Dr.

DeSoto, TX 75115

Thank you in advance for your support, either through prayers, financial contributions or both – both are incredibly valuable.  To learn more about NBOI and the work that they do, please visit www.nboi.org.  

God Bless,

Aaqila Rasheed