A little something....can make a difference

It's been such an incredible, inspiring, and indescribable 12 days in Greece.  We left our hometowns not truly knowing what to expect.  We left with unanswered questions to what we were going to be doing over there, and still a little scared at what we might be in for.  

I can say that I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity.  For the opportunity to get to go to this refugee camp in Greece.  Even though I was a little bummed I couldn't be in both Moria and Gateways2Life at the same time through out the week, I know that God placed me in the exact spot He wanted me to be.  

My heart truly broke for the people in Moria, for the women and for the children who entered Gateways2Life each day and found a safe area outside the walls of the camp.  

When the women and children first walked into Gateways, you could see the look of uncertainty on their faces, not sure what to expect here.  You could see and feel the drained looks on their faces, the tiredness of being in camp for so long and the longing to want to be out and move on to their next place. They endure the fight through patience each day they are in the camp wondering when or if they will get to move on.  What a great opportunity we had here to give them a little bit of comfort and peace when they walked through these doors.

After they sat down, got comfortable, were able to take their showers, and see their children playing and being cared for....by the time they left Gateways they had the biggest smile on their faces and couldn't wait to be back next time.  It was great to be apart of their lives, even if it was for a short time. It was in the times that I sometimes felt as if I was wanting to be able to do more, when a little girl reminded me that all I had to do was simply smile at her and she ran to my arms.  The feeling of just wanting to know that people were there who cared about them, even if was just a simple smile or hug.   


Gateways2Life is an amazing organization that allows the women in Moria to come, relax, and be able to take clean showers in a safe environment.  There is so much that this organization plans to accomplish as they continue with their mission and calling, one step at a time.  I feel so blessed to have been apart of their grand opening week, to be able to help them get this ministry off the ground and going strong.  The people we met that operate this place will forever be in my heart and prayers.  They are doing great things and I can't wait to see how God works in this place in the days, weeks, months, and years to come. 








We experienced joy and many tears, we endured the hardships and seen several God moments we will never forget.  We were able to see God move in so many ways during our stay here and even though we couldn't "fix" everything, we left our mark.  We were able to shine a little light in the darkness and make their world a little brighter.  In the times that I felt like I could have done more, feeling like I only got to touch the surface of many issues that the people in this place face each and everyday, the different acts that each one of us were able to encounter I have come to realize that we were only meant to do and encounter certain people and help with certain things.  Although it may have seemed like a small part to play in our minds, it was just what was needed in the hearts of the people there.  

"But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession.  As a result, you can show others the goodness of God for he called you out of the darkness into this wonderful light. "'Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God's people.  Once you received no mercy; now you received God's mercy." 1 Peter 2:9-10

It was hard to leave the people there knowing that most of them still had a long stay to go and many trials to endure during their stay.  I, for one, am one who likes to be able to finish a project that I've started, so it was hard to have to leave knowing that the work wasn't finished yet.  My prayers are with the next team of people who come to help, to continue the work we started and to water the seeds that we planted, to continue to pave the way for the next team that comes and the team after that and so on.  I pray for each team that comes will leave there own unique mark on the people there. That if any of us ever get a chance to come back to this place, we get to see how our one small act had a huge impact for those to come.  

Even the smallest gesture can reap a harvest!

Blessings,

Embrace the Unexpected

Adventure Awaits!

When you are about to embark on your next adventure and the time to leave is closing in, your heart is racing and your head is spinning, and the fear of the unexpected creeps in. 

Well, here it is... FOUR days before leaving for the refugee camp in Greece. So many emotions happening right now.  Thinking about preparations to make and plans to lay out.  It's only that I realize I can only plan so much and the rest...well...stay tuned for how this adventure plays out in the coming weeks.

Excited, nervous, a little scared. Am I really supposed to do this? What did I sign up for?  All legitimate questions going through my head right now.

I’m terrified of not being fully prepared for what I may encounter over there, but it was in my devotional time this week when I was reading about choosing peace. The storm of life rages all around us. Fear creeps into our lives on a daily basis. It is when we choose to take a stand against this fear and look fear in the eye and say, “you don’t own me!” “You have no business inferring in the plans that have been set before me!” “We are through!”

Fear can't exist when our mind is fully focused on and filled with God.  When the storm is all around us and we are trying to weather the chaos, we often get discouraged.  When circumstances change and unexpected things get thrown at us, we feel helpless and confused, not knowing which way to go.  We are not meant to go through the storms of this life alone. Jesus is always there and will always be there for us, He is the true peace and comfort that we need and long so much for.  

In Matthew 14:22-36, we read about the disciples seeing Jesus in the storm while they are out on a boat.  They were terrified at the storm raging all around them.  Peter, being the one to walk toward Jesus on water even got scared and began to sink into the rough waves.  Peter started sinking when he took his eyes off of Jesus and began focusing on his fear. When we keep our eyes on Jesus and focus on Him even in the tough times, when the storm is raging, and the waves are high we can feel peace and comfort in the midst of the storm and we can release our fears to The One who can carry us through our storms.  

As we are traveling overseas, I pray for our team as we draw closer to God in prayer and in relationships with each other, that we can be vulnerable as we talk to and do life together in the coming weeks.  As we come together to be the hands and feet of Jesus, let us also remember that we need to fill ourselves up as well in God's Word.  Fill us with passion and the strength to keep going when things are going to get difficult and rough. The waves will eventually calm and the sun will shine through the clouds again.  When we remain strong and confident in the Lord we can make it through.  We may get bruised along the way, but it's through the bruises that tell an amazing story.

Matthew 25:25-36

For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.

Through out these next few weeks I want to share about what's happening.  I want to give a greater knowledge to what is not spoken a lot about. I want to spread awareness by writing about these experiences, corresponding about life circumstances in a foreign country, and to be able to bring a little hope to those who need it.  I can't wait to see everything God has for us over in Greece.

Francesca Battistelli - The Break Up Song

Blessings, 

A Piece of My Heart!

"...so you want to change the world, what are you waiting for?  

Say, you're gonna start right now what are you waiting for...

I've been thinking a lot lately about my past mission trips.  Even though it's been a few years since I've last traveled to Honduras, it always seem like just yesterday I was there.  I most certainly left with a piece of Honduras and Faith Home in my heart, I most certainly left a piece of my heart there.  Through all the pictures that I took, that are scattered on the walls each place I have lived, I have that visual of what I brought back with me. Although, it will never compare to the memories I have within me that have changed my world forever.


While each time I was there I kept a journal for every trip.  Each night writing about the amazing things that we experienced, and yes, sometimes some of the trials and tribulations that occurred as well.  Although with every trial we may have experience God always brought us through it, seeing an amazing turn out.  As I go back through my journals, I read about the amazing friendships I made on these trips! I got to develop deeper friendships through our common focus.  Whether we were out on the field or back at the house gathered around talking about our day and experiences, or just relaxing playing cards and games.  It's amazing the smallest things that you can remember, sometimes are the funniest.  

When I first started these trips, I didn't know anyone!  And, by the time the week was up I felt like I had a another new family I never wanted to leave.  My first couple of trips being on a Medical/Dental team and a trip where we put together a VBS/Construction team.
Looking back over my journals, my first day I can still remember getting off the plane in San Pedro Sula and thinking it's really hot here!  This coming from a born and raised California (Central Valley) girl, before I moved back to the Mid-West.  So the humidity experience took some getting used to. :-)   That and riding the bus from the airport to Faith Home.  Seeing the culture and the way of living just by driving down the road.  It's enough to know that we have so much where we live.  Granted that there are the 'bad' areas of our country, but seeing the shacks by the side of the road that people are living in, are real eye openers.  Sometimes we don't tend to think of certain things as luxuries.  How we can get in our car, start the engine and drive down to Starbucks for a coffee, knowing that we get back home we have an air conditioned/heated house to come back to.

But not only are we here to bring them some medical attention but were here to share the Good News of Christ to those who may have never even heard anything about Salvation.  We can be the hands and feet, the light that shines the love of Christ to so many people!

Likewise, the same goes for the people we see daily here in our country.  We don't know where they come from, what they have been taught or haven't been taught or what they're going through.  This is why I love Christian Drama!  I can share the message of Christ through performing a skit or a dance.  When I'm rehearsing a drama that I feel led to, I have no idea who is going to see it or hear it.  I may never meet the person affected by my outreach from performing in large crowds.  But if my words could reach that one person and that one person could take that to heart and share with another and so on, then God's Word can spread through our Nation.

God has blessed us in so many ways, using each an everyone of us in the way that He feels best.  Even though we may not always tend to see it or it may not seem as it's happening when WE want it to happen.  God has are ROAD MAP planned out an HE has HIS own timing planned out for each and everyone of us.  Don't we sometimes tend to ask God 'Why?' or 'When?'  'Why does this happen?' 'When is this going to happen for me?'  I still love that verse from Jerimiah 29:11, 'for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord....'  Because God does have a plan for each and everyone of us.  He uses each of us differently in what He see's best for us.  If your just willing.....willing to be used by God, willing to let God use you.  Willing to let God make you a blessing to someone else.
Thank you God for using me, help me continue to show your love to others!

Sometime patience is always an issue isn't it?  Although we tend to not want to wait for the 'right' timing, we know that there's a plan for us and when we let ourselves in on God's plan for us, things tend to fall into place a whole lot better.

Father God, you know I don't like to wait, you know I'm not good at waiting.  Please cultivate in my heart the patience to WAIT and to trust YOU.  God give me the strength to lean on you and give it to you.  It's your time, you know the plans that you have for me.


And now just a few of my favorite pictures I found from my past trips!

My first roommates on
the Med/Dental Team! :-)

Surrounded by children we helped treat on the Med Team

my med team-mates from my 2nd yr!

Christina and I worked the Vitamin/Worming Station

Oh how I do wish I could remember the
silly songs we made for being the worm girls!!! :-)
There were so many!!!!

Me, Jami and Kristina from '07

me with my construction team-mates, kenna and chalae!

VBS

What are you waiting for?

So you want to change to the world? What are you waiting for?  


Probably one of the most challenging questions for us to answer, right?  As this month I have read so much about human trafficking and how so much of the world is affected by it.  I can't help but wonder, as my heart cries out for these girls who are taken and sold, what can I do to help?  It's been on my heart for several years now since I first heard about this cause, and it's astonishing how this is not only happening overseas but right here in our own states.  The United States is probably one of the largest grounds for human trafficking existence.  There are many victims who are crying out for freedom out there.  If we can be aware of our surrounding and aware of what is happening in our own country, we can be looking to see what we can do about it.

As Galatians 3:26 says that, 'For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.'

I just love the words to this song by Natalie Grant (What are you waiting for?)  The words to the song just make you really stop and think about, is there a different you can make?  Sometimes I get that overwhelming feeling, So sad those faces on TV, If I tried to make a difference would it help anyway...

Do you ever look at those faces your see on TV or in a video and wonder, what can you do?  Well starting off what are your gifts?  Are you gifted in prayer?  Do you long to go out into the community and get your hands dirty?  Where are you being called to serve? There are so many areas to serve in.

But then I stop and to myself I say So you wanna change the world What are you waiting for You say you're gonna start right now What are you waiting for it only takes once voice So come on now and shout it out Give a little more What are you waiting for...
Isn't it so true?  It really only takes one of us to speak up, just one to take a stand and say I want to do something...I want to be involved!  


Then there's time we just don't know if we can do it by ourselves, I mean, we're just one person.  You can always find someone else who holds a similar interest and passion for serving as you.  Get involved in your local church or local mission group.  Sometimes I feel a little helpless Seems like I can't do a thing But anything is possible just you wait and see Good things happen if you just believe... 
BUT, that's right ANYTHING is POSSIBLE with God on our side.  
Someday somehow I'm Gonna take that step Cause time is ticking away Right here right now Before it's too late Gonna face tomorrow today....
When we take a stand, things start to happen!  Are you up for the challenge?


My challenge I want to end with is what can each one of us do for each one of our communities we live in.  Where can we start to make a difference?  It's not about being well known or it may not even seem like a real big deal to some, but the smallest of things we can do can sometimes make a huge impact in the world.  

************************************************

I found this video about a year ago, though it may be a little graphic and some points in the video, it points out that girls like this just need some one to believe in them, to offer a helping hand, to be shown love.                 

                 

**More information can be found about Human Trafficking from www.abolitioninternation.org  (The Home Foundation) about ways to get involved and host events.

Honduras! :)

Wow, I can’t believe it’s been almost 4 years since I last went to Honduras.  Going there was such an amazing part of my life.  Being able to go, help and serve these wonderful people who are longing to hear the Good News that Christ has to offer them, giving them hope for their future.
A couple of years ago I was incredibly blessed to be able to sponsor a child who lived on the outskirts of Tegucigalpa, Honduras.  Her name is Josselin.  We prayed together through letters back and forth and we sent pictures to each other.  It was so breath-taking to see how just a couple of dollars could feed, clothe and provide medical attention and an education for this little girl. When I was at Faith Home, our General Baptist care center for children, I met this little girl, her name was Emerita.  She was one of the cutest little girls (of course at Faith Home, they are all so adorable, you just want to take them all home with you, if you could).  She was attached to me that week when we were around the kids.  I just wanted to stay longer just to keep being there for her.  It was  fun just to be able to hang out with the children and play with them.

Going on the medical teams were so amazing to be apart of I’m so glad I was able to experience that.  Being able to see how these people live, but yet  how grateful that they are when they are provided medical treatment for, maybe even, the first time in their lives.  Even to be able to provide a church service for them and to be able to share with them the gospel for possible the first time in their lives. 
Then, going on a Vacation Bible School/Construction team we got to teach the kids and play with them during VBS time and then help with much needed repairs, maintenance and chores around Faith Home.  It was so awesome just to be able to be helpful and to be able to accomplish “much needed tasks and repairs”  around the property.  Being able to share the Love of Christ with children in the schools off-campus in the smaller towns was great, just to see their smiling faces when we walked in to teach and play with them.
I loved being able to travel to Honduras and I hope to be able to return and be able help out again.  It was such an amazing experience!!!
“Shine your light let the whole world see…”