Oh my! It’s October!

You may have noticed that I have not been posting many portrait sessions lately. Strange, since I am a portrait photographer, right. Well, there is an explanation. It’s banquet time, people! Saturday, October 25 is our 2nd Annual Toloha Partnership Banquet & Auction!

Almost 4 years ago, I began thinking about Toloha a lot. I started to press for answers about what was being done for the people there. I began to meet with others and pray about what God would do there. I came along about a decade after God brought Daniel Makoko to Kinston and planted a seed in the hearts of the people here to help his people in Toloha. I would guess nearly a thousand people have prayed for about 13 years for his village. God called me and continues to call others to join this huge force of prayer and move to action in a way we could not even fathom.

In 2012, I joined a group of 7 people to form a board which eventually would become a non-profit corporation called Toloha Partnership. We pour out our hearts in prayer, spend every single day problem-solving, constantly spread the word, stick out our necks to awkwardly ask everyone from loved ones to complete strangers for money. We are working to partner with a village of 10,000 people across the world. Now hundreds, maybe over a thousand, people from our community, other states and even Germany have started to work with us to help this village. It’s awe-inspiring. Seriously.

We are currently in the process of renovating a 60 year-old dilapidated gravity-fed water system. Two years ago, I had never even heard of that term. Two years ago, I knew there was a problem, but could not fathom a solution. Two years ago, I was scared and unwilling. Then, God showed me Toloha. God reached into my heart and touched it sending a love for a people I had never met and may never meet until eternity. I fought at first. “I can’t do that, God! I have 2 children and I’m pregnant with my third. I want to take pictures, that’s all. I’m happy at home doing my little thing. That’s too big. There’s no way I have anything to bring to the table.”

But he wanted me and all the people he has brought together for this ministry at the table to feast on this amazing blessing. All we had to do is say yes. He has used our strengths and weaknesses for his glory. I have had to learn to come to each day unknowing what was going to happen. I have had to give up what I thought was best and lean on his understanding. I have worked, yes, tirelessly into the night. But it is not because of me. I am not worth more to God because of what I have done or sacrificed. I’ve always been worth exactly the same to him. His life. His sacrifice. His love.

Without him I am nothing, but with him…wow…He is amazing. I never in a million years thought I would have a part to play in affecting so many souls for eternity. Yet, every single person has the opportunity to say yes to God. He wants us all at the table. He wants to share his amazing work with us. He wants us to be his hands and feet. He does not need us. He wants us.

I do not say any of this because I think I or any other human that is a part in this is awesome, cuz I really don’t. I am depraved. I fight constantly with God about what I should do with my time. I have secrets that I’m ashamed of. But his light comes streaming down over me reminding me that he knows my secrets and has chosen to love me anyway. I’m constantly having to loosen my fist and open my palms to him. I’ve run away and grown bitter, only to run back to him, face down and hands over my face in shame. I’ve felt proud and even boasted at times when I had no right to. Yet, he loves me so much. He never gives up and even if I left the table, his work would get accomplished. I am not more special than anyone out there. I don’t have anything that is better than anyone else. But I will boast in God’s work, and I will encourage all to be a part of it. It is not easy, smooth sailing. There are always storms to battle. It’s not always clear. Sometimes the world muddles up the vision and goal.

Toloha was not my dream. But God showed me what I really wanted. He showed me what was better.

So for October, I’m gonna just be open to what comes. Last year, during the last few weeks before the banquet, I felt like I was flying. Things came at me from every direction and seriously, I don’t know how it all came to fruition. I just did one thing at a time and all the sudden it was over. I’ve planned and met with the committee. I’ve delegated so much more this year. Our committee is freakin awesome this year. These ladies are solid. There is a TON more to do and I know things will come up that I haven’t even thought of yet.

So this month, the big goal – make it to the banquet and shine brightly on the way.

There are some exciting things that already happened in these first 2 days of October.

1. We received our letter from the IRS approving our 501(c)3 application!!! I yelled out loud in praise to God for that one.What a burden lifted!
2. I registered for the next Pursuit 31 Conference! My heart soars when I think of it!
3. I found out we will have the opportunity to share about Toloha with pastors from over 50 churches next week at our local Association of Congregations meeting!

So it’s started out with excitement, we’ll see how it goes from here! Happy Fall!

Photo Credit: Joshua Spear