Better late than never?!

First let me apologize for the complete radio silence the last few months! It's hard to believe another FEW months have come and gone, I can't believe how quickly this year is flying by!

May was full of amazing ministry and lots of hard goodbyes.
I'll start with the exciting ministry events that happened this month! At t he beginning of May we officially launched our weekly kids club, for kids aged 5-10, called Community Kids. We weren't sure how many kids from our Holiday Bible Club would join us on a weekly basis but God is faithful and we had 16 kids show up the first week!! We are maintaining around 14-16 weekly, please keep this new and growing ministry in your prayers!! We are also beginning to see lots of deepened relationships and opportunity for one on one bible studies coming from our mom and tots group and our youth club!  In May we also started a 6 week bible study on Fridays for our youth called Tastebuds, it was created by Jamie and is similar to the Alpha course for kids. It was a small group of about 7 kids but some great conversations came out of it, we finished Tastebuds off last week with a trip bowling and McDonald's for dinner (some things are universal!). Please pray for the 7 kids that attended and that they will spend the summer really reflecting on what they have learned and that as we reach out to them over the summer and in September when they return we can see what God is doing in their hearts and lives. May was topped off with our big Box up Crime event! It was a joint effort between our centre and a couple local churches to reach the youth in the Dagenham area through a boxing event! It was a great night with a great turnout and we are already looking ahead to the next event we can do together!

May was also a month of goodbyes :-( as several of the other interns who lived in my building were finishing their year here. The silver lining is that my roommate Hannah and my fellow FBC McKinneyer Patrick will be back in September!! It was a blessing to find out that my friend Nathan is also returning to London this month! It was a little easier to bear knowing the goodbyes were really just see you laters! There was one goodbye that had to happen but I'm praying for my housemate Shannon and all that God has in store for her as she starts university in Austin this Fall!

June was a month full of prep as we began preparing for our last month of term in our ministries. School here goes on summer break in the middle of July-September and most of our ministries close down over the summer. July has been a whirlwind because of that! Not only have we had our last mom and toddler group, last youth Hub, last kids club and last Tastebuds meeting, but I also had my last lecture of the term this month. On the upside, during the summer break I will be able to attend the Community Lounge we do on Thursdays! July has also been busy getting to catch up with friends from all over! Over the last several weeks I've had the opportunity to meet up with friends from Mckinney, friends from the World Race and friends from Europe! I was even able to expose some of my new British friends to a real 4th of July bar b que and 'fireworks'. . . or sparklers, since that was all we were able to find! July provided my first regional team day with LCM as well! It was a great day of being encouraged, hearing from God and just being able to kick back and play games and fellowship with fellow LCMers from our region!!

As July comes to a close and I begin the back half of my year here in London (WHAT?!!?) here are some things I would ask that you pray about for me:

1. A sweet contact here at Bethel named 'A'. A is 90 years old and although he attends church, he struggles with faith and belief and is growing more and more scared as he realizes that he is inevitably drawing nearer to the end of his time here on earth. Pray for peace, comfort and most of all an unshakable faith in Christ and the price that was paid for A.
   
2. I'm working on material for a women's tea and bible study that I will be starting here at Bethel in September. Pray for wisdom as I prepare the study and for the hearts of the women who will be coming along.
3. For most LCMers, September starts a new term/year, there will be lots of changes happening on the Bethel team as some of us stay here, some of us move to new LCM projects and some of us move on from LCM. Please keep our team in your prayers as we maneuver these transitions.
4. Lastly, but certainly not least, please pray for wisdom and guidance in my life as I begin to look forward to December and what the Lord would have for me next.  

As always, thank you so much for all your love, encouragement and support as I navigate this beautiful and wonderful journey God has placed me on. "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,  always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.  And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.  It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.  For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.  And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,  so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."
-Philippians 1:3-11

Clubs, HUBS and Weddings!!

It's hard to believe it's already the end of April and my third month here on the Bethel team! It's been a great month at the centre as we welcomed our newest team member, Jayne, and kicked off our new kids club ministry with a Holiday Bible Club( think VBS) at the beginning of the month.

Our Holiday Club, and our newest ministry, is for kids ages 5-10. Over the three day Holiday Club we explored the bible with the kids, from creation to resurrection. Each day more kids showed up and by the end of the week we had over 20 kids! On May 11 we will officially kick off our weekly Kids Club and are hoping for lots of the same kids to join and bring friends so please keep this new ministry in your prayers! Here are a few shots from the Holiday Club!

 

April also brought another two week half term break which meant I was able to join in on the weekly Thursday Community Lounge that we do for the community! Although I love lectures, it was so nice to be able and meet new people and see what a Thursday at Bethel looks like. One of the most exciting happenings in April for me so far was my opportunity to share some of my testimony with the kids at The HUB. We had the largest turn out the HUB has seen in quite a while with 35 kids there! I'd love for you all to join me in prayer and ask God to use that small 5 minutes of my story for His glory and that it would speak to some of the kids that were there that night. Here are a few pictures from my talk at the HUB.

On a personal note, April 16 I was able to live stream and watch my sister get married!!! It was a beautiful day filled with lots of family and friends! Not only was my sister a beautiful bride, but my nephew was definitely a lady killer in his little tux!! :-) Enjoy this pic of my sister, brother and nephew!

April was definitely a whirlwind and I'm excited for all the Lord has in store for May!! Thank you all again for your love, encouragement and prayer as I walk this beautiful and wonderful journey God allows me to be a part of!! 

xx

Jenn 

Introducing. . .

It's hard to believe it's already March! Last month I was able to share with you guys a little about what our weeks look like here at Bethel and this month I wanted to take some time to introduce you to the team here at Bethel that makes it possible to do all of those events. It's been such a blessing to be part of such an amazing team that loves, respects and honors each other so well, all while working as the hands and feet of Jesus to reach the community of Dagenham together!

First up is our center director Jeff. Jeff has been with LCM for 25 years and just took over at Bethel about a year ago. He's the backbone of the centre and is amazing at empowering us as a team to step out in new ministries and areas of Dagenham and encouraging us as a team. It's great to sit and listen to his stories of railroad chaplaincy with LCM over the last 25 years and all that God has done through him!
My line supervisor at the centre, who is also the lead in our youth ministries, is Brandon. Brandon has been with LCM for 8 years and started with their homeless ministry and had never even given youth work a thought, but you know how God likes to pull us out of our comfort zone! He also oversees day to day items at the centre as Jeff's right hand man. The youth have a real connection with him and although it's not what he started out thinking he would do, God is really using him to impact the youth here in Dagenham.
Our Tuesday morning Community Tots, and our soon to be kids club for kids ages 5-10, is headed up by the lovely Wendy! Wendy has been with LCM for 15 years and has such a gift for connecting with the moms that come in and just has such a warm and welcoming spirit. It's such a joy to get to work with her on those projects and we're looking forward to starting a women's ministry at Bethel after Easter!
On Wednesday mornings I get a chance to get out into the community by doing doors with Neil, a LCM missionary attached to St. Elisabeth's Church here in Dagenham and just around the corner from Bethel. Neil has been with LCM for 21 years and is a wealth of knowledge! I love walking the streets of Dagenham with him and learning more about his time with LCM and all that God has done in his life. Neil also runs the Friday morning drop in that I help with at St. Elisabeth's with Ray, who is still in his first year with LCM. It's been such a great ministry and I'm making some really strong connections! I'm so thankful for Neil and Ray's leadership at the drop in!
Friday nights we have our Deeper bible study with the youth at Bethel and that is headed up by Jaime. Jaime is in his second year with LCM and is an amazing leader who is able to break down and explain the gospel to the kids in fun and creative ways that really connect with them. It's been such a blessing to work with and watch Jaime's strong leadership!
The rest of the team is made up of Dan, a 13 year LCM missionary who coordinates our doors ministry, helps at Community tots and is even willing to step into youth work when needed! He's always got a song and a firm handshake waiting for you! Andy has been with LCM for just about 2 years and is the cook who prepares the meals each Thursday for our Community Lounge. It's not an easy job feeding so many people on a weekly basis but Andy makes it look that way! Peter has also been with LCM for about 2 years and is the centre's IT guru! If it's not working, he can fix it! Peter has an amazing heart for the Lord and on top of working on all our IT needs, also goes out on doors with us occasionally and is always finding new verses to hang on the walls around the centre to encourage everyone who enters!
The other LCM 'interns' (there are different intern programs available at LCM and we are all on different programs at the moment) are Mishael, Lawrence and Jan. Mishael has an incredible graphic design talent, one of his many, and makes most of the fliers and posters for events happening at the centre. Mishael is also passionate about ministering to the Muslim community in Dagenham. Lawrence is a jack of all trades! In his short time at Bethel he has started several one on one bible studies with youth and young adults in the area, a monthly men's breakfast as well as helping with Community Tots, The Hub (our Tuesday night youth gathering), doors and Deeper. Jan is our German LCM intern and has been awesome to get to know! Unfortunately for us, Jan was just here for a six month program and so we sadly say goodbye to him this month! :-(  He's been such a blessing to all of us and a huge help with Community Tots, The Hub, doors and Deeper. We will miss him greatly! Last but certainly not least is our amazing volunteer Jackie!! Jackie is married to Ray but doesn't work for LCM officially but you can always find her here helping out on Tuesday and Friday nights when we are having youth activities! The kids love her, as do we, and she is always willing and ready to sit and chat with the kids about God, life and even give some homework help!

Now that you know a little more about the incredible team God has assembled here at Bethel, I'd love to ask you to remember all of them whenever you pray for me and all that God is doing here in Dagenham! Thank you again for all your encouragement, support and prayers as you journey with me on this beautiful, wonderful adventure!

Jenn

Hello from the other side!

It seems like forever since I've had the time to sit down and actually get a blog out, for that I am sorry and promise to get better! I've been in the UK now for 2 weeks! It's hard to believe so much has happened in such a short period of time! I've settled in nicely at my new flat (aka apartment!) in South London (Bermondsey for all of you familiar with this part of the world!) and have amazing flat mates! It takes me about 45 minutes (2 trains and 1 bus) to get to work in Dagenham each day but the commute feels shorter and shorter every day. God is doing amazing things in Dagenham and here at Bethel Christian Centre! There are lots of outreach activities going on geared at reaching the community. On a typical week we have staff bible study/prayer time on Mondays until lunch time, then we work on the craft and bible story for Community Tots that happens on Tuesday mornings. Community tots is similar to MOPS back in the states and is a great time for us to connect and share the gospel with the moms that come! Please be praying for the growing relationships we have with the moms and that more moms in the area would join us. Tuesday evenings is when we have a youth gathering called The Hub, it's a safe place for kids 11-16 to come and hang out and we share a 5-10 minute bible story with them. Please be praying for this activity as a majority of the teens who attend do not know the Lord, but we know His word never returns void, so even though they may not be coming specifically to hear the word, seeds are being planted! Wednesdays we do "Doors", this is when we walk through the community surrounding our Centre and knock on doors to tell people about the activities we offer at the Centre and begin to try and build relationships with our neighbors. We would love for you to be praying for all the contacts we meet on doors and that through relationship we might have the opportunity to share the gospel with them. Specifically I'd love for you to pray for "W" with me, he is a man I met while doing doors who is struggling with depression and a curiosity of the occult. He was open to talking about the gospel with us and we are hoping he will start joining us on Thursdays at our community lounge. Community lounge is a gathering on Thursdays that is a basic time of fellowship, we provide a meal and conversation to all our neighbors, as an LCM intern, I spend Thursdays at HQ having lectures. It's an amazing time of learning and growing in my faith. Friday mornings I attend a church drop in at a local church here in Dagenham. The drop in is basically just like our Community Lounge except we only have coffee, tea and biscuits. I love getting to know all the people here and was even taught a new card game, Whot!, last week by several of the ladies in attendance! Friday night it's back over to Bethel for Deeper, a bible study with any of the youth from Tuesday night who want to learn more about God, the bible and a personal relationship with Jesus.
I'm loving my time here already and can't wait for all that lies ahead! Thank you for all the love and support that was given to get me here! As you think of me in the coming days, please be praying for my health (my Texas body is still adjusting to a cold and wet climate!), the ministry and outreach at Bethel as we begin to brainstorm a new kid's club geared to engage kids ages 5-10 and finally for my family back home. Thank you again for walking this beautiful and wonderful journey alongside of me!

Jenn

As 2015 comes to a close and I prepare to head to Dagenham in just 3 short weeks, I wanted to share a little more about how I got here! Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!!

Exactly seven years ago God began opening my eyes to the broken and hurting world around me that only He can redeem.  As I felt my heart breaking for people I had never met and places I had never seen, I also began to feel the tug to be a part of God’s plan. In 2008 God lead me to East London, South Africa where I was able to be a part of His work at First City Church, then in 2012 God allowed me to be a part of the amazing acts He is doing in Cochabamba Bolivia through the Casa De Amor orphanage. Since then I have been actively pursuing God here in Mckinney and seeking what He would have for me next and after much prayer and counsel, God has called me to Dagenham, England. 

Dagenham is a working class community in east London that, in the past, has had an average population of aging residents who found their way to Dagenham after the destruction of London at the end of WWII. However, over the past decade Dagenham has seen a huge influx of younger immigrant families from all over the world. This increase in families has boosted the population in Dagenham up to 180,000 residents. Bethel Christian Centre makes it a goal to visit 1500 homes throughout the course of the year to try and reach these families with the love of Christ. The changing demographic in the Dagenham area presents new obstacles to reaching the community. Over the years the area has become a somewhat impoverished area which has led to lower levels of education for the children, who in most cases don’t continue on into college and University, and as a result teen pregnancy, hopelessness and domestic violence are on the rise in this once thriving area.

It is undeniable that darkness and despair have covered the landscape of Dagenham.   However, the Lord has begun to move powerfully in this region.  Bethel Christian Centre, through London City Mission, is working to share the hope of life found in Christ by offering children’s, teen and family programming in the community center weekly.

            I believe God has uniquely prepared me to join Bethel and London City Mission and I want to invite you to go with me on this journey. Even though this might feel like a calling specific to me, I would never be able to do it without the prayer and support of fellow believers who want to see the fire of Christ's salvation spread to all nations and to all people. Your prayers for me and for the people of Dagenham as I begin this journey are the heartbeat of this entire mission and your financial gift will become the feet that make this mission possible! I’d like to take this opportunity to ask you to prayerfully consider partnering with me financially at $25, $50 or $100 a month. You can make your tax deductible donations at https://secure-q.net/Donations/gemissionorg/9241 . You can also find my blog at http://thebeautyandwonderwithin.blogspot.com , I’d love for you to follow me as I work with LCM and Bethel over the next year.

Saved to serve,

Jenn

The days are long. . . .

Most parents know the saying, "The days are long but the years are short."
Well, I'm not a parent but in this season I feel like I'm learning the truth in that statement. As I prepare for my year in London with LCM and Bethel Christian Centre, as I watch more and more pics of gatherings and outings that they take I feel like January is a lifetime away! Then there are other days when I stop and think, 'Oh my gosh! It's already November!!!'
As I ready myself to join Bethel in January 2016 please continue to pray for the families in the Dagenham area and all the last minute details I have to take care of here before I leave, finances, visas, packing and trying to be present in the time I have left with my friends and family! Here are a few pics of some of the happenings at Bethel in the last few months and some of the things I'll be helping with upon my arrival!






Saved to serve
Jenn

Anticipation

As most of you know by now, my gap year internship with Greater Europe Mission has been moved to January 2016. As I use the extra time at home the Lord has given me to prepare for the year ahead, I continue to stay in touch with the staff of Bethel Christian Centre and grow more anxious by the day to join them in the incredible kingdom work they are doing there in Dagenham. If you don't already, I'd love for you to like their Facebook page so you can share in my excitement and journey next year! They have some great pictures up of recent outings and a picture I LOVE that illustrates the shared anticipation we have for my January 2016 arrival that I'm sharing in this post! If you'd like to know more about my internship or would be interested in partnering with me either financially or in prayer you can check out my GEM page at gemadventure.com/donate (ministry number 09955) or my TYW page at fbcmckinney.com/give TYW13. You can also comment here or email me directly at jmc2180@gmail.com! Can't wait to share this kingdom journey with you all in the coming year!!

  My inbox set up and waiting patiently for me at Bethel Christian Centre in Dagenham!!!!

A Match Made in Heaven!

Updates, updates, updates! Even though it's only been a few weeks since my last blog this one is full of all kinds of fun updates!! 

God continues to humble and bless me as I walk this journey with Him. On top of being a GEM intern, I'm excited to announce that my home church, FBC Mckinney, has re-activated my TYW missionary number with them! I am beyond ecstatic to prepare and leave for the next year with the full support and encouragement of my home church body! 

In my last blog I gave some background information on LCM, I'm thrilled to now be able and give everyone even more details about the specific ministry I've been matched with while in London! And as the title of this blog states, I truly believe it is a match made in Heaven! Bethel Christian Centre has been working in the Dagenham area of London for over 10 years with a wide range of established outreach activities. The ministry has recently been resourced with more team members who are excited with the possibilities of taking the ministry forward and I can not wait to join them! I was able to speak with Jeff, the team leader at Bethel this past week and throughout our conversation God showed Himself in amazing ways! As we talked about the needs they are looking to address and the strengths God has blessed me with, it was as if I was specifically made to fit into this ministry, which is probably more true than even I realize at this point! I'm excited to be able and use all the experience I've had over the past 11 years working with children's and youth ministry and apply them to the awesome work God is already doing at Bethel!

Thank you for praying for me, keep it up! God has blessed me beyond belief so far in this journey and I don't expect Him to stop anytime soon! I'd like to ask for continued prayer for funding, for preparations and Visa procedures and for the hearts and minds of all the people who have and will be affected by the ministry at Bethel and my time there. 

If you'd like to partner with me monthly at $25, $50 or $100 (or provide a one time gift) you can donate in 2 ways, both tax deductible,  either through GEM at www.gemadventure.com/donate and use my # 09955 or through FBC Mckinney at www.fbcmissionallife.com/missionaries and use my name or my TYW #, TYW13.

Thank you again to everyone who supports me in so many ways as I attempt to ". . .run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." -Hebrews 12:1b-2 

New beginnings. . .

"When God gives you a new beginning, it starts with an ending. Be thankful for closed doors, they often guide us to the right one."

I'm not sure where I heard that quote, but man does it hit home! If you've read my previous blogs or talked to me at all in the last year, you might know why. Just in case you don't fall into one of those two groups, let me catch you up.

It was just about a year ago that I began the process of applying for the World Race, I would get accepted, I would fund-raise, I would attend training camp, I would fund-raise some more and in January 2015 I would leave on the race. . . at least that's what I thought. I did get accepted, I did fund-raise, I did go to training camp. . . and then something changed. I wasn't sure what to do, I had said yes, I had come this far, surely God wanted me to continue and leave on the race, at least that's what I wanted. From that point on things got harder and complicated, you see, that's what happens when you try to push open a door God is closing. Finally in December 2014, 4 weeks before launch for the World Race, I said yes to God again and stepped away.

That was the ending, this is the beginning. Shortly before I stepped away from the World Race I was having a conversation with someone at Greater Europe Mission (GEM) about my journey with the World Race, they told me they looked forward to seeing me the day after what would be my launch date. What? Really? I'll be gone! Those are things I thought during that conversation. . . a few weeks later though, I found myself in his office, the day before my would be launch. I thought, it's too soon to be here, I need time to "grieve". But Bryan (the best dreamer of Kingdom dreams I've ever met) told me something that day that struck me, "Missions doesn't happen on accident" in that moment, everything that God had been teaching me through my World Race journey came into focus, intentionality. I left that day and began praying about GEM and all the different countries and ministries they work with and if I fit into one of those. A couple weeks later I went back into the GEM office with 3 ministries God had really drawn me to, to my surprise GEM had a ministry in mind that they felt would be a fit for me as well, but didn't want to place me somewhere God wasn't calling me to so they asked about my 3 ministries first. . . and because God is an amazing and good God. .  the ministry GEM had in mind was also one of the 3 ministries God had shown me!

So here I am, at the beginning of this new journey with God! I'm taking the lessons I learned through the World Race and am being very intentional in all my preparations with GEM. I'll be partnering with London City Mission (LCM) in London starting in August. LCM is an amazing ministry working in London to see more people across the city come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord by serving the least reached of London. You can learn more about LCM at their website, www.lcm.org.uk

Thank you for reading my ramblings, thank you for praying for me and thank you for being on this God journey with me! If you'd like to donate to my GEM partnership you can visit the GEM website at http://www.gemission.org/ and click the Donate tab, you can find me by my name or my ministry number of 09955. Excited for what God has ahead and excited to be able and share it with you. . . and remember, before you can have a new beginning, there has to be an ending!

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." - Lamentations 3:22-24

The gift of letting go. . .

There doesn't seem to be a good way to start this blog so I'll just jump right in!
Yesterday was Christmas and I hope everyone had an amazing day spent with family and friends, fun new "toys" and relaxing from the craziness that leads up to the day. I also hope you had an opportunity to reflect on the true reason we celebrate and rejoice in the grace and mercy that we can enjoy that was made possible by the birth and death of our savior!
If you've followed my blog at all, I hope one thing you have taken away from it is how much God has been growing, stretching and teaching me through this World Race journey. Yesterday was no exception. My last blog touched on the revelation of just how independent God has showed me I can be, this week He has blessed me with the gift of peace for letting go of something I really, REALLY wanted to hold on to. The World Race.
Although finances definitely played a role in my decision, it is not the lack of funds that lead me to let go, as I know I serve the God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills and He can provide far beyond anything I may need. I struggled with losing/leaving the amazing family I have in Q sQuad but even in that God has shown His love and provision over the last few days in all of the texts, calls and messages I have received from them letting me know that World Race or not, they are still my family and I am forever grateful for that!
God has been amazing in giving me a real peace, one that surpasses all understanding (at least on my part!) in this decision. God has a plan for my life so much bigger than anything I could ever even dream of and I believe that every revelation in this process, every person He brought into my life and every situation I faced and overcame (I'm looking at you training camp!) are preparing me for what He has in store.
To everyone who partnered with me in this journey either through prayer, gear or financial support, thank you again! Rest assured that everything you gave did and will be used to build up and expand the kingdom of God with or without my involvement and God will bless your faithfulness to His calling.
I pray that you will continue to follow and pray for my God journey through my personal blog (as this one will soon be no more) which can be found at http://thebeautyandwonderwithin.blogspot.com/
Thank you again, I love you all!
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." ~ James 1:2
"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those that love him." ~James 1:12

Alive and well. . . Maybe

Alive, yes. Well. . . that's harder to answer. It's been 6 months since I've updated this blog and the reason is. . . knowing what I want to say and how to say it has been harder than usual. 6 months in Bolivia, anywhere really, has this way of completely changing your world, your life, your perspective, you. A different you means different feelings and different ways of communicating those feelings. "How is it being back?" "Did you love it?" "Tell me all about it", these are a few of the questions that seem nice and harmless to most, but send me into a spiraling panic. . . sounds weird right? 6 months, in the grand scheme of things, doesn't seem like it would be all that long, but when I'm faced with compressing it down into 'small talk' it feels like an eternity. The faces, the people, the places, the kids. . . it's all too much. All of those things, and so much more were used by God in those 6 months to show me a lifetime of revelations. He showed me things about myself, about His word, His plan and where I fit into it, His people and most importantly, He showed me more of Himself. I realized not only what I can do and what I am capable of, but what I can do in Him and what He can accomplish through me when I step out of the way and let Him. So, am I well? Yes, I feel that I am, what I'm not is comfortable and in all honesty, I kinda love that! It lets me know that standing still is not what God is calling me to, that He is calling me out and waiting for me to respond. So although the first step in my journey has come to an end, I continue to pray, and ask for yours, as I seek the next step God already has planned for me in this beautiful and wonderful adventure called life.
"No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He may give it to you." -John 15:15-16

April Fools. . . .

Not a "holiday" I enjoy! I've never understood the fun in making someone believe one thing and then making them realize it's really something else. Unfortunately for me, I feel like I'm trapped in the biggest April Fool's joke ever, and can't figure out the punchline. 3 years ago I decided to seriously consider this missions "thing", 2 years ago I decided to quit my job to follow through, 1 year ago I began preparing for a life of missions and 2 months ago I fell in love with a sweet little boy that changed everything. I thought I knew why I was coming to Bolivia, I thought I knew what the purpose of this trip was, I thought I knew what I was ready for. . . but just like He always does, God reminded me, it's not about what I know or want, it's about His plan, His will and His way. So after much prayer, and a deep breathe, I went to the staff of Casa de Amor, as a single woman, and asked about the steps I needed to take towards a Bolivian adoption (you see, the thought of walking away from my sweet boy in 4 short months seemed agonizing and unbearable). Once again I'm in a place where I am facing my desires and wants and God's, and distinguishing the two are much more difficult than I thought. Think of every negative a country could have in the adoption guidelines and I have that here. . . I'm single, I'm American, I'm a volunteer at the orphanage where he lives and I already have a relationship with him. . .all huge red flags for the Bolivian government that cut my approval chances down to less than 50%. So everyday seems a little harder now, a little shorter and I worry a little more about the day when I have to look precious "S" in the face and walk away. I wonder, what am I missing? What lesson or plan is God trying to convey that I keep confusing? What I keep coming back to is this, I don't have to trust the plan, I don't have to trust the situation, I just have to trust Him. He is bigger than this, He is bigger than the hurt I may feel in leaving and He has only His best in store, whatever that may be. If you would, could you pray for me, for baby "S" and his forever family whoever they may be, for the other 29 kids currently in Casa de Amor houses and for all the staff and volunteers that love on these kids and bond and grow attached and then have to leave, may we all be reminded of the greatest love that has been given to us and know that He never fails, He's never late and He ALWAYS provides just what we need, just when we need it!
A few pics of my sweet baby "S", you know, so you can see how adorable he is! :-)

I can't help falling in love. . .

. . .with every single child here! It's hard to believe I'm starting my fourth week here already, that's a month! There is still some major settling in to do, next week I start my Spanish lessons so that I can communicate better with the Bolivian Tia's and the kiddos. Excited and nervous about that all at the same time, my Texas tongue appreciates any and all prayers as I try and master this new language! As for getting around town. . . I'm beginning to think I may never fully grasp the bus/truffi system, but taxi drivers love me! haha! It's a little more expensive, in terms of B's (the currency here) but in terms of dollars is only costing me about $10-$15 a week and it's also much safer than some of the other forms of transportation. Now. . . .back to the kids! Currently I'm working two days at House 1 with 12 babies and two days at House 3 with 5 of the older kids (and The Mitchell's!). Have I mentioned that I love all them yet?! haha! Not that I play favorites, but there is one baby in particular that has stolen my heart. We'll call him Baby "S" , Baby "S" arrived in the world on Feb 12, just 2 days after I arrived in Bolivia. It was a rough start for "S" as his mother tried to smother him right after birth but by God's unfailing grace, she was unsuccessful, I can't help but imagine the HUGE plan and path God already has mapped out for this little guy! If you ever stop by House 1, chances are you will find me holding or loving on "S", I've given serious thought about how I might bring him back with me in 6 months! Through all the homesickness, all the fears, all the struggles with language and transportation and culture it amazes me how holding one of these sweet kids puts everything back in focus, everything about why I'm here, why I left my friends and family seems so clear again. I remember that it all comes back to this, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." -James 1:27

Me and sweet Baby "S" :-)

Good things come to those that wait. . .

And wait I did, for 3 very long days in the Miami Airport! My trek to Cochabamba began Tuesday Feb 7th as I departed DFW and headed on my way! After a a 3 hour plane ride, God gracing me with a very nice, very helpful seat mate and a mad dash from one end of the airport to the other (with ALL my luggage and said seat mate helping me) I arrived at the gate of my second flight to find out. . . they had closed the flight and I had missed my connection! NOT what I wanted to hear. After a few hours it was decided that the best course of action was to. . . wait it out in Miami until the next flight offered by the airline took off... at 10pm Thurs night! After becoming very familiar with the international terminal in Miami and what felt like a TON of waiting, I was finally on my way! A quick 6 hour flight to Santa Cruz, a stop through customs and one last 45 min flight and I was finally in Cochabamba!! Once I passed through immigration, I saw the best sight I had seen in days. . . familiar faces!!! :-) So thankful for T.J and Tammy Mitchell!!
After a quick stop for a traditional Bolivian breakfast (pastels and api, the jury is still out on the api!) I was headed for my new home for the next 6 months! I was able to meet my roommate, some of the Tia's and then finally. . . the KIDS!!!!! It was without doubt, love at first sight! :-)

A week in and I'm still getting my bearings as far as the city and public transportation goes, still struggling some and learning the language (the kids and tia's are a HUGE help there!) and adjusting to the altitude! Overall I'm loving being with the kids, grateful for built in friendships and encouragement from the Mitchell's and excited about the new friendships to be made with the international volunteers that are here now!  There was lots of waiting. . . but I can already tell there will be lots of reward! Excited for the next 6 months! " Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord." -Psalm 27:14

T-Minus 7 days!!

One week, seven days, 168 hours, 10,080 minutes or 604,800 seconds. . . . anyway you look at it, I don't have long before I board a plane and head south for six months! It's funny how over the past week or so, I've had this feeling of,
"Oh my gosh, this is happening SO fast!". . .then I think about it and remember that I've been pursuing this for almost 2 straight years now! I guess it's not quite as fast as it feels! ;-)
What I have been blown away by these last few weeks is just how faithful and amazing God has been to me. That sounds funny, I know. He always shows Himself faithful and amazing so why would that blow me away? The only answer I can come up with is. . . . I'm sinful and human and I forget really easily. God has provided time and time again in these last few weeks, through friends, through supporters, through new and renewed bonds and relationships. He's even showed off a little by supplying some very unexpected but much appreciated "extras" (thanks JL and AL!).
It's been a great reminder that all of this has very little to do with me and EVERYTHING to do with Him, so thank you to everyone who has supported, encouraged, loved and prayed for me these last few weeks! You all mean more to me than I could ever express or show and I look forward to continuing on this journey with you and keeping you updated on all the amazing things that I am confident He will continue to do in Bolivia! My prayer as I leave is an echo of the words in James 2:18 "But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds." Praying that my deeds will always be a reflection of my faith, and that my faith will always bring glory to the one and only God.
See ya on the other side!!

Going without Knowing!

Today in my devotion time I read something that brought such comfort and peace, I knew I had to share! As I get closer and closer to my departure date (February 7th as of today!!! Watch out Bolivia I'm on my way!!) I keep hearing the same questions from people around me. . . don't get me wrong, they are good questions, accounatable questions but questions that send me into a mini panick as I start thinking about what the "right" answer should be. The one that for whatever reason I have struggled with the most is "What do you expect to do?". . . . I just never thought "I have no idea" was a very good response. . . until today! This was what I read today, "You do not know what you are going to do; the only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually revise your attitude towards God and see if it is going out of everything, trusting in God entirely. It's this attitude that keeps you in perpertual wonder - you do not know what God is going to do next." WOW! This put a peace in my spirit that calmed all those panicks. As I began to meditate on that and look at the 31 years that lead to today, and more recently the 2 very focused years that lead to this journey, I began to see just how intentional He has been in trying to show me time and time again, that He knows what He is doing and that just because I don't always see the whole picture, my obedience to His voice accomplishes His will. It's overwhelming and humbling to be where I am, to be loved by the Creator of all I see and to be called out for His purpose. My prayer is that I never lose sight of the reality that He knows His plan and that I don't need to. Excited to see what plans He has waiting for me on the ground in Bolivia, excited to be going without knowing!!!

The time is NOW. . . . almost!

You know that feeling you get right before a big vacation? You start counting down each day, you have a hard time sleeping, your mind feels like it's already at your destination just waiting for the rest of you to catch up? That is exactly where I am these days! At just about a month away from my departure, I find myself more and more "out of it" here and ready for the next stage in this adventure that God has called me to! It's funny how a couple months ago I thought this time would never come, I was weighed down with all the "hurdles" of the process that were ahead of me. . . and as cliche as it sounds, as I look back I realize now that those "hurdles" were preparing me for the things to come. I don't feel relieved now that they are done, I feel prepared(although there is a certain amount of relief in knowing that they are done!). As I finish up loose ends here and there, all I can do is thank God for the amazing, supportive, encouraging and loving people He has placed around me. . . . friends who challenge me, push me and walk beside me in this journey. Friends who reminded me of the words of Isaiah 64:4 . . ."(He) acts for those who wait for Him.". . . . As I move forward towards whatever He may lead me to I always remember that no matter the perceived challenges I face or nagging thoughts that creep in, when I stand before God I want to know that I was faithful to His calling on my life because nothing else matters in this world! . . . . Let the countdown begin!!!

Just When I Needed It Most. . .

Have you ever been walking or driving somewhere, not paying attention and all of a sudden you look up and wonder, How did I get here? Well, I have that problem in life sometimes! As hard as I try to avoid it and stay alert.  . . sometimes I let frustrations, doubts and circumstances get the best of me and before I know it I look around and wonder how I got where I am. And then something happens and God reminds me that He is always there, ready to save me.
The last several months have been a blur of trying to get ready for the next chapter in my life abroad and just when things started falling in place. . . all of a sudden it began to feel like they just as quickly started falling apart. Frustration and doubt began to flood my mind and distract me. I woke up a couple weeks ago with this horrible feeling, I was mad, I was sad, I was frustrated and confused, everyday seemed to be a never ending barrage of problem after problem and I just didn't want to deal with it anymore. As I began to think about where I was I realized something. . . it had been weeks since I had just sat down and had real, honest prayer/quiet time with God. It's a really tough place to be when you're getting ready to leave on His mission and you're not talking to Him. I was crushed, how did I get here again? How could I loose sight of Him in the middle of trying to do His work? How could He want ME to be a part of His mission?
Just as He always does, He stepped in just when I needed Him most! He reminded me that all the problems. . . He knew them, He knew they were coming and more importantly, He is bigger than all of them. The doubts, the frustration. . . He's got it all! As I started to get back on track in my prayer/quiet time everything began to fall back into focus, how easily I forget that it will always be in focus so long as I keep mine!
It hasn't been a cake walk since then, but we're back in this together, Him leading and me following and I can not wait for the journey that we are embarking on! And just to top it off , He reminded me again this weekend of His presence and peace that I can find in Him through some friends who I got a chance to visit with, they are great guys who love God and love using their music and talent to show Him to others! They have a song that has always spoke to me. . . but really YELLED this time! Here's some of the lyrics, I hope they speak to you just as they do to me and that you are reading them just when you need them most!
       "When did you stop believing there was hope for you? When will you realize you will make it through? There is a love, you've been waiting for, there is an answer, there is a cure. There is a healer who's ready to save you, He's ready to save. . . . .  . Break down, break down let it out. Don't hold the hand of another doubt. You gotta know, yeah you gotta know, there's something more to this life if you let go."  - Ready to Save by Satellites & Sirens

A Big Fat YES. . .

Who ever thought such a short unassuming word could have such impact on your life? Sitting tonight and chatting with a friend, I thought back to when my life began to take the turn that would eventually lead to where I am today and remembered that it all started with three little letters. . .Y - E - S.
During that conversation, my very wise friend reminded me of something very important that I had almost lost sight of. . . that yes trumps every other circumstance in my life.
I remember how easy that first yes was, how I stepped back and allowed God to step in and overflow in my life and how that moved me on to the next yes and the next. . . . but somewhere along the line, I forgot about the yes' and just started seeing the frustrations. I got swept up in the road blocks, I froze in the face of adversity and became lazy in the journey. I allowed other people and other circumstances to pull my focus away from the yes. For the first time I had an all new understanding of Luke 9:23.
"Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."
I had always looked at that verse and thought about burdens, troubles, sorrow. . . .I had never humbled myself enough to realize that my "cross" could be something as common as sticking to a decision to say yes and all that comes with that, like sitting down and filling out paperwork. So, where does that leave me? Right here, right in the middle of my big fat YES!
I said yes 3 years ago and I continue to say yes today.God continues to work in my life, revealing areas that He wants to stretch and grow and reminding me that I have been called, set apart and equipped. Regardless of confusion, frustration or doubt in my life from myself or others around me, I am pushing forward, answering the call with a yes and moving towards the goal which has been put before me!
Praying that you all hear the call that He has placed in your lives and answer with a big fat YES! :-)

You gotta have faith. . .

"And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”  - Mark 5:25-34

Faith, something I think about often and yet this story is not one that immediately jumps to memory when I do. As God drew me to this story, repeatedly. . . and in all three gospels, I really began to look at and think about it and began to wonder why it doesn't come to mind more often? This is a story about a woman who had faith to do unconventional, courageous and extreme things. Sure to us, pushing through a crowd to touch Christ's cloak may not sound that outrageous. . . but in the context of her time, it was huge! In Leviticus if anyone touched a woman in her "condition" they were deemed unclean, and here she is fighting to touch Christ. She knew, her faith wasn't a huge leap, hoping that maybe He could help, maybe He could lighten the load. Her faith was knowing that He would completely heal, completely comfort and completely love her, in spite of everything else. As I compare this story to my own, my fear of the future, my confusion of the next step. . . I realize, my faith is in Him, and that faith is a knowledge that He is guiding my steps, He is in every detail and He is my rock, my redeemer, my comfort, my King. . . . He is my God.