Leah

Noni

Early September 2014, our church choir was having their annual off-site retreat. I had decided to attend this retreat and I was willing to share a room with whomever I would be assigned simply because I did not know anyone in choir well enough to have a preference.  I walked into my shared room hoping I would be alone for a while before my room-mate arrived. I was surprised to find this tall, beautiful woman sitting on one of the beds reading. "Hi." "I am your room-mate this weekend," she announced before I even had time to put down my bags. "My name is Leah. I am an alto," she continued as I put my bags down as I quickly did an analysis of my situation. "Hi, my name is Noni." I introduced myself as I weighed my options.You see, I was beginning my second year of teaching a Bible Study class as well training women in leadership and this was still an intimidating endeavor. I had a lot of reading and planning to do in preparation for the trainings and lectures each week. I did not have time to chat. So I took a couple of books and figured I should leave and sit outside somewhere quiet. But Leah continued to chat. She had such a warm and lovely personality, I felt it would be rude to walk out. So, I just stood there holding my books -still wrestling with the thought of leaving. I needed to start on my reading before the retreat began and all our time would be on working on Christmas music for the December concert.

"So, what do you do?" Leah asked. This may be my opportunity to let her know that I teach so I need to step out and find a place to read. "I am the Teaching Leader for a BSF class in Fairfax Station." I said, now holding my books like this was my excuse to go read. "I have a lot of reading to get to before we start the retreat." I said, with a face begging to leave. "Wow! You teach?" "I had the opportunity to teach and if you don't mind I would love for you to give me feedback on this study I am working on." Leah shared with excitement. My first reaction was "PANIC!" She thinks I am an expert! I was hardly qualified to give anyone feedback on a study they were working on. Secondly I had my own study I was struggling each week to put together and it was only by God's grace that I would have a coherent lecture each week. Thirdly, I would not get to my reading.

"I am the last person you want to give you feedback." "I am very new at this and do not have the qualifications to help you." I think Leah sensed my apprehension and fret. "I don't mean to take up your time, I know you need to get to your work." I was embarrassed by my self-centered attitude. "I am so sorry, I would like to work with you on your study. Please read it to me." I praise God for that turnaround because when Leah finished reading her draft to me, I was blown away! "Where do you teach this study?" The Holy Spirit was clearly speaking to me through this study. Leah had only taught one piece of this study and only once. I could not believe that no one was inviting her to share this incredible Precious Jewels Study. So ... without hesitation I blurted out "women in Africa need to hear this message.!" Now it was Leah's turn to panic. "Are you crazy?" She blurted out. All she had wanted was for me to give her feedback on these new  Jewel studies she had been working on ... not prophetic announcements of going to Africa."Africa???" Leah has never been to Africa and it was not exactly on her "bucket list." But God has a way of changing the trajectory of our lives. "I don't know how God will do it, but I know one day, women in Africa will hear this study and their lives will be changed." "Perhaps we will begin in Kenya - because that is my home country." Leah was really tickled and she burst out laughing ... a laugh that was mixed with excitement, hesitation and nervousness. That afternoon, God brought two most unlikely women together but of kindred spirit. Our friendship has grown since that day and each year we wondered if the "Africa plan" would ever become a reality.

After five years of prayerfully waiting for the opportunity to take this study to Africa, we believe the LORD has opened the way. Precious Jewels Study will mark its debut in Nairobi when we arrive on Wednesday, November 20th ... on my birthday! I could not ask for a better birthday gift. This trip has been made possible by amazing people in our churches, Bible study groups, friends and family who are coming alongside us to partner with us as we fulfill Matthew 28:19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations ... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

I will be blogging each day on this 12-day trip to Nairobi, which begins on Tuesday, November 19, 2019. We don't know what is ahead ... but you can experience it with us as you follow us on this blog. Count down begins ...