Day 1: wow....i came here with no expectations at all! It has truly been a joy and blessing the few short hours that we've been here. Coming on this trip I was extremely scared for the devastation and oppression I would see. It was a new place that'd I'd never been and I was extremely unsure about it! I am already overwhelmed by the greatness and beauty of this place. Here's the day in review: we landed in Port Au Prince and got all of our bags and headed to the bus! The drive from the airport to the orphanage where we are staying was about 25 minutes. I have been in some pretty poverty stricken communities and I have never seen or felt the devastation and oppression I felt while riding on that bus. There were times I couldn't even look at out the window because of the darkness I felt. It was an overwhelming feeling of darkness. I was getting really nervous and unsure about my safety for the week. Stan(guy who works for mission discovery) said, "Wait until we arrive at New Life Children's Home." I overheard him and had a little bit of hope! Well after the drive and darkness I was not feeling at peace, then this large gate opened and I was amazed at what I saw. It was like we were entering heaven. We got off the bus and there were kids everywhere. I was so excited! We got all settled in and then we were free to hang with the kids! I was just walking around checking it all out. There are several kids who are severally disabled and I knew they just needed love! We all were surrounding them and loving on them! I felt the presence of the Lord in a whole new way! My heart was melting for each kid! I loved seeing everyone on our team just interact with the kids! I was walking around playing with kids but didn't really connect with any of them. Then, I found the most precious little girl, Islande! She is about 2 and so adorable! We played on the swing, played on the ground with a ball, and just walked around! I sat down for a rest for my hurt knee and she fell asleep in my arms! I looked down and just felt so much love! I saw the picture of what it looks like when Christ holds us in His arms! I got up and walked around and Kristin said, "how many times do you think she's every felt asleep in someone else's arms?" That question broke my heart! I was forever connected with this sweet precious child of God! I already can't wait to see her tomorrow! Then we had dinner and just hung out! After that we had worship and then small groups! We broke up into girls and guys and the girls had some good discussion! Loved hearing how God provided for everyone to get here and what they were already feeling after being here for a few hours! I am excited and expectant for what God has in store! Please continue to pray for our team and I will try to blog as much as I can! Pictures will be posted to facebook on my page!
Our verse for the week: "God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us." Ephesians 3:20
.:peace. Love. And hancakes:.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
.:Haiti:.
Well, tomorrow morning we leave for Haiti! I am really looking forward to this incredible week. I know God has so much in story for me and the rest of my team! As you all know, my heart beats for the opportunity to love on those who are less fortunate than we are. There are 30 of us from Heritage Christian Church going. The team will consist of high school students, college students, and several adults. This trip provides an opportunity to meet the physical and spiritual needs of a community that is desperately in need. We will spend a lot of time at the New Life Children's home in Port Au Prince. There are over 100 kids at the orphanage and 25 of them are severally handicapped. We will also be doing some construction and putting on VBS for the community! As our team heads to Haiti in the morning e would value your prayers for us and those whose lives will be touched by God. I believe that God answers prayers, and I’m asking you to pray for safety, good health, smooth travel, and for God to reveal Himself. As the week goes on I will try my very best to blog throughout the week. Thank you for your prayers and support! Our team is grateful for all your prayers!
.:peace. love. and hancakes:.
.:peace. love. and hancakes:.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
My Latest Adventure
First of all, I would like to say that I am committing today to start blogging consistently about my latest adventure and for the future adventures to come!
Most of you know that I have recently resigned from my position as the Associate Children's minister at Heritage Christian Church! For the last 6 months God has been calling me to be bold in my faith and live audaciously each and every day. At first I had no idea what that looked like at that moment. After some time in prayer and in the word this verse was etched on my heart, "But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Exodus 9:16. My whole life I have lived in the same house, gone to the same church, and done the same things. I have become very comfortable and feel very safe in Peachtree City. When the Lord laid that verse on my heart I had no idea what He wanted to do with me. So, I started praying, "Lord, is this where you want me?" and in a matter of a few short hours He started to make it very clear to me that my time here is done. Now let me just be honest here and tell you that when you feel that answer from the Lord it is very scary, but my heart was overflowing with excitement. I knew that whatever was going to come next was going to be amazing. As I felt that my time here was done I didn't want to resign without a plan. But God had a different plan, as always. I felt like He was calling me to resign now and take a step out in faith and TRUST Him with my next adventure. That was very hard for me but the very next day I got a call about and opportunity to go to a third world country for a year.Not sure if that is where I am suppose to go but I took that as a sign that it's time to get up out of the comfy chair and take a leap of faith! So I did and knew in my heart that I was doing exactly what God had called me to do.
As I am finishing up my time here at Heritage until the summer ends I am desperately seeking God and all that He is to open a door for me and I will easily and confidently walk through it. He has already given me some incredible opportunities and I am praying for confirmation and direction in where He wants me. It is my heart's desire to go on the mission field for a little while. I am not sure what capacity or where or how long but know that I am called to "go." Over the last two weeks I have seen God reveal Himself to me in ways I never knew were possible and it has left me in absolute amazement! I am beyond excited to see where the Lord is going to take me next. I am a risk taker and love a new challenge and adventure. It is my heart's desire to serve my church faithfully until that time comes.
I would like to take a moment to share a little bit more of what Heritage Christian Church means to me and how the people here have encouraged me in my walk:
I have grown up in this church, I have been loved on, I have been challenged, I have been encouraged, I have walked away from, I have been baptized, I have witnessed growth, disappointment, miracles, and more. For all of these growth opportunities I am and always will be eternally grateful. However, I feel strongly that it is time for me to move on. I am not angry, I am not disgruntled, I am simply feeling called to stretch myself. I feel called to be bold in my faith and pray about exactly what God’s plan for my life is.
To understand my heart at this moment in my life, I can’t help but quote Ephesians 3:20: “God can do anything, you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us.” This perfectly describes my heart as I am trusting God to open a door and I will walk easily and confidently through it.
I am beyond blessed to get to do what I do and to be a part of the community here. I have some INCREDIBLE people who are walking along side of me who have faithfully committed to praying and pouring in to me. I am who I am today because of the grace and love of Christ and the people He has surrounded me with. It is my hope and prayer that wherever the Lord takes me you guys will be able to follow me here on this blog! Thank you to all of you who have invested time, prayer, tears, and challenges in my life to help continue to mold me into the woman God has called me to be! My life is forever changed!
peace. love. and hancakes.
Most of you know that I have recently resigned from my position as the Associate Children's minister at Heritage Christian Church! For the last 6 months God has been calling me to be bold in my faith and live audaciously each and every day. At first I had no idea what that looked like at that moment. After some time in prayer and in the word this verse was etched on my heart, "But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Exodus 9:16. My whole life I have lived in the same house, gone to the same church, and done the same things. I have become very comfortable and feel very safe in Peachtree City. When the Lord laid that verse on my heart I had no idea what He wanted to do with me. So, I started praying, "Lord, is this where you want me?" and in a matter of a few short hours He started to make it very clear to me that my time here is done. Now let me just be honest here and tell you that when you feel that answer from the Lord it is very scary, but my heart was overflowing with excitement. I knew that whatever was going to come next was going to be amazing. As I felt that my time here was done I didn't want to resign without a plan. But God had a different plan, as always. I felt like He was calling me to resign now and take a step out in faith and TRUST Him with my next adventure. That was very hard for me but the very next day I got a call about and opportunity to go to a third world country for a year.Not sure if that is where I am suppose to go but I took that as a sign that it's time to get up out of the comfy chair and take a leap of faith! So I did and knew in my heart that I was doing exactly what God had called me to do.
As I am finishing up my time here at Heritage until the summer ends I am desperately seeking God and all that He is to open a door for me and I will easily and confidently walk through it. He has already given me some incredible opportunities and I am praying for confirmation and direction in where He wants me. It is my heart's desire to go on the mission field for a little while. I am not sure what capacity or where or how long but know that I am called to "go." Over the last two weeks I have seen God reveal Himself to me in ways I never knew were possible and it has left me in absolute amazement! I am beyond excited to see where the Lord is going to take me next. I am a risk taker and love a new challenge and adventure. It is my heart's desire to serve my church faithfully until that time comes.
I would like to take a moment to share a little bit more of what Heritage Christian Church means to me and how the people here have encouraged me in my walk:
I have grown up in this church, I have been loved on, I have been challenged, I have been encouraged, I have walked away from, I have been baptized, I have witnessed growth, disappointment, miracles, and more. For all of these growth opportunities I am and always will be eternally grateful. However, I feel strongly that it is time for me to move on. I am not angry, I am not disgruntled, I am simply feeling called to stretch myself. I feel called to be bold in my faith and pray about exactly what God’s plan for my life is.
To understand my heart at this moment in my life, I can’t help but quote Ephesians 3:20: “God can do anything, you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us.” This perfectly describes my heart as I am trusting God to open a door and I will walk easily and confidently through it.
I am beyond blessed to get to do what I do and to be a part of the community here. I have some INCREDIBLE people who are walking along side of me who have faithfully committed to praying and pouring in to me. I am who I am today because of the grace and love of Christ and the people He has surrounded me with. It is my hope and prayer that wherever the Lord takes me you guys will be able to follow me here on this blog! Thank you to all of you who have invested time, prayer, tears, and challenges in my life to help continue to mold me into the woman God has called me to be! My life is forever changed!
peace. love. and hancakes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)