One Pair One Heart

With thousands of shoes being connected from America to Africa, it is very difficult to know the story behind every pair of shoes that is given. During these past five months, I have taken five pairs of shoes from specific donors in America and strategically placed them on some amazing inspiring people that I have met here. Below is my attempt to directly connect two donors to the people who received their shoes because it truly is one heart behind every pair.

Here are the stories behind the shoes…
 

 

Tyler is one of my sister’s friends who loves serving other people around the world. He loves kids from all around the world, and loves different languages and cultures. He wore these shoes first while running for his college then later while teaching in both Costa Rica and Uganda.

Tyler meet Mark.

Mark is a leader in the Massai tribe. (I know it’s pretty ridiculously cool!) As I sat and listened to his stories about elephants, lions, and the many cultural shock experiences, I realized the most amazing thing about Mark is his passion for his people. He has overcome a lot from the beginning with his dad having lots of wives creating a huge family. The cultural and ritual ties within the tribe are pretty binding as well. He became a translator between Swahili and Massai language, and through that he met a man who changed his life. Mark wanted to track down the man who had been shining Christ’s light, so through dreams and travels to Kenya to meet the man, he in return met His Savior. Coming back to a tribe where everything is ruled by traditions was hard, but he stayed true to his heart. He met his wife in Kenya, and then spent a few weeks at a sports training where he learned to speak English. His heart is to see a change in his people and through his dedication and passion I wouldn’t be surprised if he was the guy who ends up in the history stories of the Massai’s.

 

Harold is my older brother, and one of the most influential leaders I have met. From West Point baseball leading his team to now heading up a team of military guys climbing Mt Everest to his dream of being a leader in politics one day. He is what you would call crazy, and crazy is what changes the world. A while back my brother proposed to me his desire to go visit the Massai people and help create some political changes to benefit their tribe. In the end things didn’t line up, but Harold’s passion to make a difference hasn’t changed. His servant leadership is what will make impacting thousands of people one day possible.

Harold meet Teresa.

Teresa is my hero. She came to Zambia for sports training and spoke absolutely no English. I was surprised to greet her at the end of the training with a small conversation in English. We were able to hear her story through Mark. Teresa is also from the Massai tribe, and could be the definition of women empowerment. She comes from Mark’s huge family growing up, and is a teacher at the school of his family members (YES they have enough kids within their family to create a school…) Women’s circumcision is a huge traditional hold on the girls in the Massai tribe, and until recently it was completely legal for the girls to be forced into it. Now a law has passed and the girls have the choice. Teresa is leading a camp and mentoring the girls in the tribe to make sure they know they have a choice and to walk with them through the decision. She is empowering these girls with the freedom to choose. Her leadership with the girls in the tribe is simply outstanding, which is why I knew Harold’s shoes should go to her.

These are two of the incredible people the shoes have impacted here. There are hundreds of more stories… some we will never hear. Within the next few months, I will be posting the other three stories behind shoes.

Impacted

Finally… words are flooding my head again! It’s been weeks since I have been able to write a cohesive piece about anything, and even longer since I have felt such peace.

I have wanted to write about the people I have been serving, but no words seemed to adequately display who they are. The group of people that God has specifically laid on my heart for this year are extraordinary women to say the least.

They aren’t in a remote African village, but their community is strong and somehow makes you stronger by being a part of it. They aren’t from the Zambian culture for the most part, but their cultures are unique and shine through in really awesome ways. They don’t spend all day in fields working or building things, but they are some of the hardest workers I have ever met in my life. They don’t always think they are making a difference in a lot of people’s lives, but their lives are inspiring and radiate love and joy and peace.

These are the ladies I get to spend every day serving in some way or another. They are the most humble inspiring group of women I have ever been around. They all have unique gifts that are needed throughout the community at very specific times. They somehow have figured out how to make a home out of a place so foreign to a lot of them. They are an incredible blessing to all the people that pass through their homes and this community. They have the wisdom, patience, and love that motherhood alone can give. They are steadfast in their love for the Lord. They are incredible.

It’s been three months, and most days have felt like they are loving on me more than the other way around. But every day I walk away completely bewildered at their energy, patience, and overflowing love.

Some days I still find it hard. How best to serve in this community and who to serve in this community. They all are doing an amazing job raising a family in a culture not their own, and God simply called me here to love on them whether through taking a class of homeschooling off their plate, giving them a five minute break to use the bathroom in peace, or babysitting for a date night out. It is nothing, but what I am learning from the ways they walk out their lives is everything.

You see I don’t know if they realize the huge impact they are making on a daily basis. Most of them have a purpose to serve their family and love on them. But what they don’t take into account are the countless number of guests they show their hospitality towards every year. The days they spend cooking for a big event, or the hours they spend mentoring and loving on their Zambian house workers. The impact their smile has in the market place or the magnitude of them serving their families selflessly. The effect their dozens of chocolate chip brownies, handmade gifts, or dinners for their friends to have a date night will make. The extent of their impact on my own life.

Humbled to be learning so much from these ladies, blessed by His Faithfulness in bringing me back to Zambia, and overwhelmed by His patient and persistent love.

1,2,3... JUMP

Such a mix of emotions fill my head as I sit down to type the first of many updates about my journey to Africa that begins tomorrow morning: peace, thankfulness, joy, and a tad bit of anxiousness. I apologize for what is about to be a jumble of words.

I just first want to start off by saying THANK YOU! To every single person that has taken the time to meet up with me, drive to see me, send me a letter, pray over me, have coffee with me, supported me, provided last minute doctor advice, and for all the little details that SO many incredible people have helped with! One of my favorite things in African villages are the way they come together and support each other: in sickness, in health, in joy, and in sorrow. They are always there. I couldn’t be more thankful for my “American village” these past couple weeks! I truly am blessed!

About a year and a half ago, I boarded a plane to Zambia for the first time and posted a picture with the statement “This is about to be the biggest leap of faith that I’ve ever taken. Can’t wait to see what is about to happen!” I obviously didn’t know what was coming on January 15^th at 6:45 am. Tomorrow will be the biggest jump I have taken.

Am I nervous? A little. The unknown is a scary yet beautiful place.

Am I stressed? Well travelling is stressful (especially in Africa), so yes a little.

Am I overwhelmed? With His love and faithfulness, yes.

Am I sad to say goodbye? Obviously. But they are definitely just “see you laters.”

Am I excited?! YESSS!!! I can’t wait to call Africa my “home” for a while.

So for everyone who is worried or scared or nervous for me, don’t be. I’ve got the GREATEST Travel Buddy around J But you can feel free to pray for travelling safety and successful layovers and no missed flights! Talk to you guys soon!!

Painful Obedience

Want in on a secret? I am not excited to move to Africa. I am not jumping up and down ready to move halfway around the world. I am not packing already or have one foot out the door at work. I have literally sat on the floor crying to my best friend about the move.

“What?” “Is she sure this is where God has asked her to go?” “Maybe she needs to rethink her decision!” “This is a typical 20 year old move. She is just searching for something”

I know… I shouldn’t had said anything. Except I did. Because there’s something I'm slowly beginning to learn about.

Painful Obedience.

Like when God asks you to do something, and you know without a shadow of a doubt that it is what He’s asking. The peace that surpasses all understanding is in every situation. It perfectly aligns with His Word and your heart. Confirmation and the tiniest of details have been provided as a reminder this is HIS will.

But yet you still are kind of shaking in your boots. You still are wanting so badly to hold onto comfort and familiarity and family and friends. You want what everyone else wants for you.

So when the questions flow and the surprised looks and the disapproving comments come, you don’t really have the heart to back it up. Because you know it’s what God has asked you to do. You know the timeframe is right. You know it is His will and HE needs you in Africa.

But yet it’s painful. It’s not easy. It’s not what you selfishly would have picked. Not this timing. Not in this way.

So you put on your boots and give the best answers you can to the thousands of questions coming at you, and you lean on the group of people that encourage you despite how hard it is when times get too difficult. And then you TRUST that HE has a perfect plan for all of this, and despite how painful it is, HE knows best.

Clinging to His Hand,

Liz

Where my Trust is Without Borders

So here's the story...

Summer before my senior year of high school I took a trip to Uganda. The summer was amazing, but the true work in my heart started when I returned. 5 months later, God was asking me to start a nonprofit to send thousands of shoes to Africa. He opened all the doors, literally if you want to hear lots of incredible stories, just ask about LovethruShoes. It's all Him. A year and a half later, I was a freshman in college and our first container of 5,000 shoes shipped to Zambia. Summer after my freshman year in college with ten days before I left, God asked my ten day trip to be 4 months. I withdrew from college for the semester, said some hard goodbyes, and flew halfway around the world for the Ultimate adventure with Jesus. Resulting in helping to place shoes on hundreds of people's feet and spending lots of days foot washing. Also meeting some of the most impactful people in my life, including some that I came to love like my own family. 4 months later, I arrived back in the States and the harsh reality I was thousands of miles away from my heart hit hard. Then I got a really incredible, perfect timing job in corporate America being put in an administrative assistant type role. My dream. That was before my heart was stolen by Africa. 4 months later, I found out I had an illness that resulted in lots of things including chronic pain, 2 weeks later I was having surgery and 3 weeks later I was headed back to Zambia to surprise my South African mom for her birthday. 4 months later I sit here writing this.

He’s faithful, He’s faithful, He IS faithful. I keep repeating this in my head over and over lately. I sit here looking back in complete shock of what HE has decided to do these past 4 years through and around me.

Before I share what God has decided is my next step in this crazy journey, I want to first say that this is by far the most difficult decision I have made in my life thus far. Not because I didn’t know it was coming or because I didn’t know what I was supposed to do, but rather because I was stubborn and comfortable and love my family and friends a whole lot. It took a LOT of pillow throwing and teeth pulling to get me to say this “yes.” I don’t like disappointing people. I don’t like letting people down. And I absolutely hate goodbyes.

BUT… there’s this question that seemed to come up daily for the past month that changed my perspective completely. And so all of those things I didn’t like or didn’t want to do seemed so small in retrospect of this question.

My flight leaves January 15th. It's a one way ticket. Not because I will never return to the States, but because Africa will now be my home. If you want to know of ways you can join the journey: there's a small list of actual items I need before I leave, specific prayer requests, roles that need to be filled here in the States, and financially supporting of His story.

I am open to questions, concerns, advice, or anything else you may be thinking of. But I ask before you ask or give advice, you get on your knees first. Trust me, this is hard for me too.

Truth is, I am the most organized, planned out, sticky note lover that is letting it all go because I believe in an incredibly radical Savior that has asked me for some pretty crazy movements because He is the Ultimate Steady in my life.

In a sea of "I don't knows"

What will you do after one year? When are you leaving? What about stateside? When will you finish school? What about the finances to get/stay there? How will you get back for the wedding? What about your health?

I don't know. I don't know. And I still don't know. But I am slowly becoming okay with not knowing, simply because I realized some much greater answers that I do know.

My One True Love literally knows exactly how many breaths I will take on this earth, how many steps I will take until I am at home in heaven, and exactly which step will come next. My Ultimate Travel Buddy already has every single detail planned out from where I will live to what I will do hourly to how it will happen. He even has a certain seat number picked out for me on my plane headed across the oceans. He knows the most perfect timing for all of this to happen as well.

AND My Savior also knows exactly when they need me most over there. He is slowly preparing the heart of the most perfect person to take over things here on the States side: preparing their lives and growing the vision for His ministry inside of them as I type. He also knows exactly which plane will arrive on time so I can be there to watch my brother say "I do." He knows exactly which direction I will go after one year.

The reason I am becoming completely okay with all of my "I don't knows" is because I am absolutely positive of a couple of things.

1. My Savior, One True Love, and Ultimate Travel Buddy cares for and loves me deeply. He has every single detail planned out for the rest of my life (HE understands I am obsessed with details, and He promises He's taken care of every single one of them!) He also promises that as long as I cling to Him and let go of myself, He will always, always, always make my paths straight, direction clear, and His will be done.
2. No matter what, my heart lies across those seas. Always. That isn't going away. Ever. I deeply love and care for people I have never even met in a continent that lies halfway across the world. I believe in them and hope one day they believe in themselves and their potential. I love my family and friends over there (not more or less than my family and friends in the States), and I want to spend my time investing in them.
3. America will always be my origin. The place where I come to rest, regroup, and regain my focus. My safety net. My birth family and friends. I will always feel comfortable here and America will always hold a piece of my heart. It is very hard for me to walk away from this place as well.
4. Where God is taking me is much, much better for me. If there is one thing I have learned this past year it's that running from Ninevah will always get me stuck in a whale (I know cheesy, but oh so true) I wholeheartedly believe what He has planned is so much better than anything I could think of! Sometimes I just look back to remind myself how true this is.

So while I hate as much as everybody around me not knowing, I do value everyone's concerned, thoughtful, love driven advice. I know without doubt that this is where I need to be. When? I don't know. For how long? I don't know. What plane and what seat and what day? I don't know. But what about stateside? I don't know. And your health? I don't know.

But He does. He does. He does. Every single detail. Every single answer to our thousands of questions. He does.

Clinging to the steady answers in my life,
Liz

Letter to My Future Sister-in-Law

To My Future Sister-In-Law (which let’s just keep it at sister),

I have been thinking lately about gaining you as a sister. I have been thinking about how blessed my brother is to have met you. And I have some things I want to make sure you know about our family, my brother, and our relationship before you get married to the guy who will always be my big brother.

I remember the first day my brother told me about you. He called while I was at school, and the first words out of his mouth were “You have to meet her. You would love her.” And quickly followed was “Liz, I know this sounds crazy, but I am going to marry this girl.” To be honest, I believed him right away before ever meeting you. The way my brother talked about you was different than any other person he had ever told me about. I knew you were the most perfect girl for my brother to marry.

I know our relationship kind of went through some tough patches, which I take full responsibility for a lot of them. I just want you to know that the reason it was so hard for me to let you in is because we are so similar in so many ways. My parents always said my brother would marry someone a lot like me. And in a lot of ways that is so true. But I also felt like I was losing my best friend and the one guy who has literally looked out for me and loved me since birth. I was losing my big brother. Thing is, I now realize I am gaining a sister, not losing a brother.

With that being said, I know you know that our family is crazy ridiculous at times, but we also ridiculously love each other a lot. I just want to make sure you know that from the day you marry my brother, our family is now yours. All the craziness, all the hardships, you are now a part of that. I know my brother and you will have a family of your own, but just know that we are always there for support, love, and help when needed. You guys are never doing this alone.

Coming from his little sister, I feel like there are some things I just want to make sure you know about my brother, so here they come…

First of all, I promise he will always keep you laughing. Always keep you on your toes, and always make sure you know he loves you. He might sometimes be annoying and you guys will probably eventually get in some fights, but when that happens remember the promise he made to you forever.

Secondly, don’t always do his laundry. But seriously. Make him learn to iron and cook and bake brownies and do his own freaking laundry. I know you won’t but don’t let that smirk fool you.

I also know that when my brother sets his mind to something, it will happen. Still kind of attempting to believe in his dream of being president, but seriously he will give whatever it takes to get where he wants to be. I encourage you to always support and walk alongside him, but also have your own dreams and goals. Don’t ever let your dreams get squashed in the sight of his. I care about both of you too much to see that happen. I promise you that he will always support your heart because that is what he fell in love with.

Lastly, he is incredibly weird and strange and some days you may come home to find him climbing up the side of the house or running with 100 lbs on his back in the heat of the day or jumping in a pool with weights blind folded. But really.  I never thought he’d find someone that could be weird with him J

I know marrying my brother doesn’t mean we automatically have to be friends, but I want you to know how incredibly blessed I am to be able to call you my sister-in-law. There’s just a couple things I feel like you should always know about having me as a sister.

First of all, I know I am in no way the easiest person to get along with. I know I shut people out, can be super confusing, and cannot promise nice words without sleep and caffeine. Just know that no matter what I say or how I feel at times, I will always love you. I don’t take the definition of family lightly, and becoming my sister is something that cannot go away. Ever.

Secondly, know that there will be many more adventurous days ahead. Whether it’s with weddings or babies or teenage kids or when we are old grannies, just know that crazy adventures awaits for the rest of our life. Thankful that no matter where we end up on the road map, we can always end up laughing and encouraging each other.

Lastly, know that your journey and passions and goals are always on my prayer list. My brother and you will always be in my prayers, because I strongly believe prayer is the strongest support in any and every journey God takes you on. Also know that I am rooting for your passions and loves to come to life as you continue on this incredible adventure called life.

With all that being said, I want you to know how excited I am that my brother and you are getting married! Also how incredibly blessed and thankful I am that my brother sent that crazy facebook message a couple years ago. Just know that I am always rooting for you guys, you are always in my prayers, and I cannot wait to stand by you guys as you get married in a few months.

From Your Soon to be Sister for Life