As I write, I am moments away from packing the last bits of my bag for my trip to Coffeyfille, KS. We’ll gather to remember CJ Hunter in just a matter of hours. It’s hard for me to take any trip abroad or domestically without thinking of the name CJ gave me.
Here’s the story:
Back in 2011 when I lacked the knowledge of how to prepare for my first international trip, I reached out to him first. I knew that he recently visited the UK and I was a fumbling and stumbling mess, in need of help.
I’d later reach out to Bishop Maurice Green of Bryan, TX. He graciously linked me to the Blackman family and the COGIC UK tribe. It was all divine.
CJ’s messages still bring a smile to my face.
I believe we Skyped that night too and I got a severe tongue lashing from him. We laughed until we cried that night because of my lack of planning. This was in September of 2011. My first trip abroad to England was in September of 2011. That’s when he first called me Karissa “No Plans” Johnson.
🍃While living and working abroad, both companies in #China and #SaudiArabia provided lodging for me free of charge. I simply had to steward what I received.🌿
🌿Five years ago, while teaching in China, I paid off the commercial debt that I had which was less than $1,000. My trip to #Antarctica cost $5,000+. I used savings to pay for it. Responsible stewardship is critical.🍃
🍃After my first year of teaching English in China, I returned home for a vacation and sold my luxury car (Volkswagen Eos, hardtop convertible) in order to achieve my seven by 30 goal. I simply broke even with that sell.🌿
The honor was all mine when Charity Fisher invited me on her show, Fresh Start LIVE! If you’ve never heard my testimony of seeing all seven continents before 30, now is the time. My first trip abroad was at 26 and I made it to Antarctica at 29. Possibilities await you. Start now!
Over 3,000 have watched this interview on Facebook with over 30 shares. Watch the full video from Charity’s YouTube page below and feel free to comment and subscribe!
👵🏾 On the #WashingtonDeluxe 🚌 #bus from #NYC to #DC and I’m grateful for the last rest stop. I just took one of the #bracelets that my 103 year-old Great-Grandma Brown left behind after transitioning in February (She departed on #Superbowl Sunday and during Black History Month. She did nothing small even in her departure! 😂) and moved it closer to my #heart. ❤️
COGIC WORLD MISSIONS’ YOUTH EMBARK UPON A TRANSFORMATIVE TRIP TO ISRAEL
June 14, 2017(Memphis, TN) The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) World Missions Department has sent 40 youth leaders to Israel for an eleven-day tour.
The Church Of God In Christ (COGIC), under the leadership of Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr., has deployed 40 youth and young adults from the World Missions Department to a tour of Israel. The trip is a partnership between COGIC World Missions, the Hobby Lobby retail chain, and Passages, an organization that offers educational tours of Israel.
With each attendee under the age of forty, the goal of the trip is to invest in the emerging leaders of the Church Of God In Christ. During the trip, participants will explore the roots of their biblical faith and will be introduced to the complex landscape of modern Israel.
Bishop Vincent Mathews, President of COGIC World Missions says, “I have learned so much from Presiding Bishop Blake, and one thing is collaboration. This collaboration with Hobby Lobby and Passages is valued at over $160k! It is worth it to invest in our emerging leaders in the Church Of God In Christ. Exposure is the greatest education that an individual can receive. This will prepare our leaders for future ministry in challenging places.”
The itinerary includes visits to foundational biblical sites, as well as sites relevant to the history of the modern Jewish state. Participants will hear from a diverse set of speakers and local people throughout the region who will help the students understand Israeli culture, government and economy, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and geopolitical and security issues surrounding Israel.
This sponsored trip to Israel begins an unprecedented summer that seeks to leverage the energy and passion of COGIC’s emerging leaders to literally touch the world.
The World Missions Department has three additional mission trips planned in July for youth and young adult members, including Tanzania, East Africa, Columbia, South America and Belize.
In August, youth and young adults will engage in transformative ministry on a mission’s trip to America called, “The Awakening.” Hundreds of young people will serve 12 cities simultaneously across America.
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The Church Of God In Christ is one of the oldest Pentecostal denominations in the world and the 4th largest Protestant group in the United States, with churches in 87 countries worldwide and a membership of nearly 6.5 million adherents.
And while you’re celebrating, someone somewhere is suffering.
There’s very little grace that accompanies mourning, I’d say. Plenty of grit with it, paired with sorrow. That’s the natural bit.
But Grace. She’s enviable in my opinion. How she holds her head high while most hold theirs low. I envy her. She grabs tissue for others while tears simultaneously stream down her face. Oh, Grace.
💋
And then there’s Grit. Courageous enough to cry–wail even, openly. Falling in laps continuously to exhale, moan, and weep. Flailing arms high in question and bowing at reality. You’re so over the top, Grit. I know you well.
My time in Saudi Arabia was sweetened by the people. Both the students and staff from the universities and the members of my church home in Riyadh added sweetness to each day.
Below you’ll find one of the treasures of my trek. This song, until this very hour, held lyrics that I never understood, but always enjoyed hearing members of my church sing at various points in the service. Asking invites answers. It’s just that simple. Google invites answers too. But it’s always fresher to get it straight from the source.
This Zulu song and is truly music to my ears. Now the lyrics ring even louder in my soul.
(Jesus is gracious towards me)
Have you ever heard a song in a foreign language that spoke to you although you didn’t know the meaning? How long did it take you to find the meaning? I hope I’ll never wait this long to dig into the meaning of a song.
(The video is NOT from Grace Outreach Global Church in Riyadh. All details are on the link to the Youtube channel.)
Some things need words. Other things can just be shown.
The pictures you’ll see below are from my trip to Malindi, Kenya in the fall of 2014. These stunning photos are taken by Evans Maina of Nairobi, Kenya who I attended church with in Hangzhou, China from 2012-2013.
Scripture focus:
Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” NIV
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