Jackson May 2019

This season, God has taught me to wait on Him and to trust Him more than my own strength. Last week, I publicly announced that I will be resigning at the end of this softball season to join the mission field. To my surprise, my players—although surprised and saddened—were happy for me. What is more pleasing is that my Delaware State University family is being supportive. I am so grateful for that, because I was so worried about my team’s response. However, the Lord works in mysterious ways. For instance, my new Athletic Director’s wife, Ginger, has been traveling with the Rafiki Foundation for years. The Lord so graciously planted another missionary in my life for guidance and to confirm where He is sending me. God continues to direct my steps as He has from the beginning.

From the moment I heard the great commission to “ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age ” (Matthew 28:19-20), I have come to know Him and all I have wanted is to share that with others so they would know the freedom, joy, and saving grace of God. God’s desire is for all of creation to know Him and He has cleverly revealed His purpose for me by aligning my heart with the vision and mission of the Rafiki Foundation.

The Rafiki Foundation is committed to helping Africans know God through Bible study while also providing education, teacher training, and more to orphans, widows, and others in order to raise their standard of living. The mission of Rafiki is to train Africans to transform Africa for Christ. My mission, the calling that the Lord has called me to, is the same charge God gave to Adam and Eve. From the beginning, God’s desire was for Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply; they were charged with expanding the dominion where God dwelt among His people. We were commissioned from the beginning to share God with the nations. God wants to dwell with us.

I plan to serve with Rafiki for a year and a half as an Athletic Director and teacher focusing on physical education. My assignment with Rafiki is based on the needs of Rafiki across their ten Villages, needs that are subject to change. With that said, originally I was planning to be in Nigeria. However, I may be needed in another African country, like Kenya, Zambia, or Uganda. At first this saddened my heart but God in His faithfulness reminded me of His sovereignty, that He has gone before me and wants to use me as He sees fit, not as I see fit. He also reminded me of my truest heart’s desire, His will, not my own. Through it all my love for the Lord has increased abundantly and my faith grows stronger daily.

Lastly, the Lord has shown me that I cannot do this alone. I need others around me for prayer, wisdom, financial support, guidance, and more. My default has always been to go after things on my own, BUT GOD in His graciousness has brought me to my knees again and again, and showed me my need for community, the body of Christ. So I invite you all to join me through prayer, financial donations, and monthly partnerships, I cannot do this without you. Please take the time to visit my site www.rafikifoundation.org/missionary/amber-jackson-245 and sign up for newsletters, donate, see prayer requests, and learn more about what God is doing through the Rafiki Foundation.

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