Going to Africa with Fear and Great Joy

Last Updated on December 18, 2025 by Stacy Averette

Sometimes God plants a seed in our hearts that takes years to grow. He is the Master Gardener sowing, fertilizing, watering, and harvesting when and where he chooses. The results of His work are always extraordinary. I’ve been reminded of this truth lately, and I want to share what I’ve learned about God’s timing with you.

Truth be told, His ways don’t always make sense to me. I’ve questioned His timing on many occasions. He and I have had many a conversation in which I ask lots of questions, and sometimes He answers. I can almost see Him chuckle when I ask, “Are you sure about this, Father?” Many times, He says, “You’re just gonna have to trust me.”

In my late teens, I wanted to go to Africa. Going to Africa seemed like a God-sized task for this small-town country girl. Eric was ready and willing to go, too. Over the years we had several opportunities to talk with representatives from the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and we always expressed our desire to be missionaries—-especially to Africa.

That door never opened. Time passed, our family grew, stuff happened, and life went on. I’m not sure exactly when, but at some point I stopped thinking about going to Africa. My wild obedience consisted not of going, but staying, right where God planted us.

The 30 Year Plan

Fifteen years after the seed was planted, a friend began talking to me about going to Africa. He had been at least 20 times. I gave him all the good reasons I couldn’t go. I knew it wasn’t the time.

Fifteen more years pass. It’s February 2015. My friend brings up Africa again. I was surprised and very unprepared when the dormant seed broke through the fertile soil of my heart. I committed to pray about it, not because I needed an answer, but because I needed time to process with the Lord what He was doing in me. A few months later, there’s another conversation.  “It’s time,” I tell him, “and I’m ready.”

In two months (June 16 2016), I’ll set foot in Johannesburg, South Africa. We’ll spend most of our two-week trip in Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Zambezi River Valley, working alongside a local pastor/missionary. We’ll show the Jesus film, handout water filters, and share the gospel.

It’s been 30 years since the seed was planted. I thought it had died. But the Master Gardener was tending it—and preparing me—all along.

With Fear and Great Joy

In some ways, it would have been easier to go to Africa when I was 20. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I was bold, fearless, and very naive.

Now I know.

I’ve seen a few things. I’ve heard more. I’ve imagined much.

And I am afraid.

But I am also filled with great joy.

So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Matthew 28:8

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It is not uncommon in this life that unexpected good news brings fear and joy together.

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I am going to Africa with fear and great joy.

Here’s a photo of me with a few members of the mission trip team:

Will You Go With Me?

3 ways to go with me to Africa

1. Pray for the team and me beginning now. If you’ll commit to pray, I’d love to know.
2. Buy a water filter through Filter of Hope. You can go here to donate and state that you’re giving on behalf of the Africa Mission Trip.
3. Subscribe to my blog here and stay updated via email. I’ll share more in the coming weeks, and I’m planning to blog throughout the trip and share lots of photos.

Can you relate to this “fear and great joy”? I’d love to hear your story.

Here are two follow-up posts to my trip to Africa in 2016:

What I Haven’t Told You About My Trip to Africa

Favorite Photos of My Trip to Africa

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