How You Love Others Is How You Love God - Martha Ellen

Such Significance in an "Insignificant" Life

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Beatrice means bringer of joy...

Such an appropriate name for this little girl; I believe it wasn't by accident that we came to know her by this name, even though her real name was Melissa.

**For those of you who are newer to my blog and may not know the story of Beatrice, you can click on the beginnings of the following blogs respectively to read about our journey together:

Blog 1: Beatrice: I spotted her from a distance sitting in the sun all alone. Right away I could tell something was not right. I approached the little girl to find her sitting in her own urine, bottomless wearing only a torn, dirty shirt. She was so, so tiny. I bent down to touch her. All I knew to do was call on the name of Jesus in desperation. Her body so frail and little, I thought she was maybe between 1 and 2. Who is this little girl? Why is she all alone?....

Blog 2: Beatrice Update: Beatrice is doing well. Each time I see her she seems to be more aware and have more energy. Her father seems to be doing well also. He looks different, brighter, more at peace. As you know we have been trying to find a better situation for Beatrice so she can get well. We looked at a couple of orphanages, and they were great, but we kept praying about it. We have taken her to see a pediatrician and a physical therapist. She will be going to the physical therapist three days a week to build her muscles in her legs and arms. She will also be going to a speech therapist. She needs a lot of care, a lot of attention and a lot of love. But the doctors are hopeful and so are we!...

Blog 3: Update on Beatrice: Quite a bit has happened since I left Kenya and said goodbye to Beatrice...she has been staying with Phillip, the youth pastor, who had been helping me with her while I was there. He and his wife took her in and had been caring for her and taking her to her medical appointments. She was showing improvement and put on weight...

Blog 4: Walk My Beloved: I am so thrilled to update you on Beatrice (Melissa)! It is clear God has been continuing the work He started in that precious little girl. I received a message from Philip the other day stating that Beatrice is now WALKING!!!!! This once malnourished little girl is now well fed and able to walk when she holds on to things around her!!! Praise God!...

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I don't know how to say this, and it has been a struggle the past few days to be able to get this out. Sweet, little Beatrice has suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. Despite all the positive reports and care she has been receiving, it seems as though her tiny little body just couldn't take the years of malnourishment.

So many different emotions and thoughts have been racing through me. There are so many things I could say. This little girl had an impact that probably no one would have expected from her.

For most of her years on this earth, she was hungry, alone, and fighting. When I found her, she was seven years old, twelve pounds, abandoned by her mother, sitting in the dirt in her own urine, extremely malnourished and weak. For so long people had been passing her by as she sat by herself, just a child. For the past year, however, she has been getting cared for in a loving home, with amazing foster parents, receiving much deserved attention, love and care, and had been improving in her health.

Oh Beatrice, I'm so sorry this world was so tough on you. You stayed so strong. You were such a fighter. And yet you somehow brought so much joy; your little high-pitched whimper of a laugh, the way you would just point your little finger at things around you and smile. You laughed so often, and it was the most precious thing I have ever heard. I'm so proud of you. I am so, so proud of you. Just a little girl, body and development devastated by years of lack of nourishment. The world gave you nothing, but somehow you managed to give the world so much.

I hope you know the impact you left here, you made a huge dent in this world just by being. Little girl, your story has been spread all over the world and it has touched so many lives. Many people have been inspired by you, inspired to action and inspired to hope. You have touched the hearts of many. I hope you know all the tears that have been shed for you-across continents-and your death in this world has been felt and you are missed.

At your funeral, little one, SEVEN people gave their lives to Jesus. That is ONE life for EACH year you spent abandoned. You are a hero, and you saved those people's lives.

Because of you, your little brother has a chance at life. Because of you he was found. He was so malnourished, but since he is younger than you, he had a chance to get cared for before it was too late. Now he is a healthy, talking little boy who is going to school. You saved him Beatrice!

This picture is from July, 2010 with Beatrice(8) and her brother Patrick(4)

(This picture is from February, 2011 Beatrice and Patrick)

I am so blessed that God would allow my path to cross yours. It was a privilege to hold you and kiss you. You have blessed my life. Your smile has brought me life. Your laugh has brought me joy. And you have forever changed this heart of mine.

I am so sad that I don't get to see you again on this earth, but I know you are now free. You are not restricted by the limited functions of your body and mind. You are free. God has set you free, and now you are living abundantly in the fullness of His presence and Glory. You are being loved to the full. I thought I was going to hold you in my arms again, but instead we will be singing and dancing together at the appointed time.

I love you so much. I will never, ever forget you. You have drastically changed my life. And it is because of you, that I am coming for them, those like you, and like your brother. I am coming for your inheritance baby girl, and together we will share in His glory.

Sometimes a Hug is Enough

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT

I just posted a blog on my new blog site, www.marthalemke.com, from my time of ministering to the women in the sex trade here in Spain. Click here to read the blog.

You can subscribe to my new blog site, receiving email notifications when I post a new blog by entering your email in the space provided.

God bless and happy valentines day!

(Eventually I will stop posting on this blog)

Sometimes A Hug Is Enough:

You know those moments when you know, that you know, that you know, you are in the exact place at the exact time, doing the exact thing that you are meant to be doing, and nothing in the world could take its place? The other day I had one of those moments...

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Stepping out of the train station, the atmosphere was immediately different, it was dark and eerie. Some of my housemates and I gathered to cover ourselves and the area in prayer, then separated with colorful flowers in hand, homemade cookies, and muffins to go talk to women on the streets selling themselves. The streets were staggered with women, and only men were scanning the pavement in their cars, rolling down their windows and looking over their selection. The area was dead, with rundown warehouses and lonely streets that seemed to be going nowhere. My friend and I began to walk, not knowing exactly what this time was going to look like; not having an agenda, prayerfully we walked, waiting on God to show up in this place of prostitution. (Spain, along with Italy, are the top two destination countries in Europe for sex trafficked women, and during my time here I am working on doing something about it)

In between talking to women on the streets, men would slow down their cars to see if they could buy time with us...I can't begin to explain what that felt like...while being disgusted and angry, I had a deep sense of compassion and heartbreak for these men who are looking for something in all the wrong places.

I met young women from Romania who hate what they are doing, and have dreams of being hairdressers and manicurists, one of the girls was 19 years old, she's been doing this for 4 years...

My friend and I exhausted all of our flowers except the one I had in my hand.

We approached a woman and asked how she was doing and asked if she wanted a flower, she accepted it. With my limited Spanish, this is a small part of her story:

She told us her name was *Patricia* She's Brazilian and has been working the streets for over 14 years. She hates what she does, she would rather do anything, but her lack of education makes finding other work impossible. She has two children and a husband, who she met three years ago, a client of hers. Her dream is to do something in law. As she talked I felt her hunger for something more, something deeper.

After about 30 minutes of conversation, my friend asked if she could pray for her, she said yes and so my friend prayed. I felt I was just suppose to look into her eyes and tell her she is beautiful over and over again...

Eres bonita

Eres bonita...

It came time for us to catch our train back to Mijas. I hugged her and in that moment tears began to stream down her face and she covered me with kisses. With every breath I let out, her hold grew stronger and stronger, and my embrace grew the same. This went on for several minutes and I realized what was happening, I began to let out long, smooth breaths of peace. God showed up. I felt my spirit, and the Christ Spirit in me releasing, I felt something in my gut, in the inside of me turning and going out into her. I knew I was right where I was suppose to be, doing just what I was meant to do. I know it sounds funny, but that's the best way I can explain what happened.

So we hugged. We kissed countless kisses, and then we hugged again, and again and again, with intensity and strength. Neither of us could say goodbye. She cried, I cried, we cried. Our time was so...holy.

With tears running down her face she picked at her flowers and smiled down at them, she talked of the abusive men who paid for her body, she talked of how nice it was to just embrace. And as she held on to me and to my friend, I could feel her deep hunger for affection. She was holding on to me for deeper life.

But it came time that we finally had to leave. And as my friend and I were walking away, we were about 50 feet from her when she called out to us and beckoned us back as she began to run toward us. With hope and joy in her eyes she said, "My real name is ..."

We told her we would be back, and she said she will be looking forward to it, anxiously waiting for next time...

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If you would like to help me continue to go to the streets, total transportation costs to get to the area of prostitution for the remaining of my time here is $150. If you would like to contribute to enable me to continue going to the streets and ministering to women in prostitution, you can send a check to:

Martha Lemke

14095 Ohio Avenue

Cologne, MN 55322

I am still in need of financial support to stay here at G42, so far I am funded through the end of February, however this is a 6 month school and I still need funds to say here through June. To support me and help me stay as I prepare for a lifetime of missions you can donate online by clicking here or if you prefer to pay by check, you can make checks payable to G42 and send to:

G42

P.O. Box 130611
Houston, TX 77219-0611

You Are the Will of God

Sun, 6 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT

I posted this blog yesterday on my new website, www.marthalemke.com, but in case you haven't checked it out yet, here is that blog:

For a lot of my life, some of my daily interactions with God would be:

"What do you want me to do?"

"Where do you want me to go?"

"What is your will for me?"

"Just tell me what to do and I will do it."

"I just need to hear you tell me what to do."

I thought those were the questions I needed to ask and the things I needed to say. I so desperately wanted to be IN the will of God. But when you ask and ask and don't hear a clear answer, well I found myself just sitting around.

While those are all legitimate, good questions to ask, I have been grasping a new level of freedom within it all.

I AM the will of God.

When I heard those words, the weights fell off. Relief set in. I experienced a freedom and a creativity that I wasn't really walking in before.

So now, as I seek the direction God wants me to take, I know ultimately that I am the will of God, and while He very well might tell me where to go and what to do before I step, if I don't hear Him before it's time to move, I know I can make a decision, go somewhere with pure motives and a pure heart, knowing I can't make a mistake. I trust that I am in tuned to the Holy Spirit, that I will hear Him whisper guiding my path along the way.

So rest and BE, know that you ARE the will of God. Trust that you will hear Him along your journey. He will nudge you a little left or a little right. But relax, You are the Will of God!!

New Blog Site!

Sat, 5 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT

I have a new blog site up! Please continue on this journey with me at www.marthalemke.com. I just posted a new blog

on that site, and will be using that site for the majority of my writing. There are tons of things I want to share, and will be blogging much more often now that I have the site pretty much done!

I really appreciate you taking the time to read my blogs! Your comments and additions are wanted and welcome to the posts! :)

Hope you are all well. Much love!

Mijas

Sun, 30 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

One month has passed since leaving home once again, this time to attend G42 Leadership Academy in Spain. I still cannot believe I am here.

I live in a small village called Mijas Pueblo in southern Spain. It is a beautiful sight; all the white buildings randomly gathered on the side of the mountain; continuing down the mountain brings you to the Mediterranean Sea. On a clear day you can see the coast of Morocco. The streets are windy and narrow, built of old stone and brick. Beautiful bright green plants stick out from every window, making a fantastic contrast against the white walls. It is a beauty and a blessing.

Classes are going really well; the teachings are incredible, which I intend to share with you here. I am learning so much, and growing in ways I did not expect. I will be sharing more about what exactly I am doing here, the things I am learning, and fill you in on what this is all really about. Continue to walk with me as I walk through this new season of life and into the things God has in store!

He Said Go

Sun, 2 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

My teammate from the World Race, Jennifer Mitchell, has been a huge encouragement and support to me. She is an amazing photographer and has captured the most beautiful sights from all over the world. In her support of me she wrote and posted the following blog, donating her photography towards my cause. God has already blessed me with generous donations from people back home and it is such a blessing to be here and to have a entire month covered! I need to continue raising support to be able to stay here the five months following!

Jennifer's blog (or to read from her blog click here):

"Where you go, I go. What you say, I say."

These are words that Martha Lemke has sung and prayed countless times. It was her anthem as she packed up her life and traveled the world doing missions work for an entire year. It was her mantra as she went to the broken, the hurting, the outcasts of the world and brought them the Hope of God. Martha has decided that laying down her own desires are worth the Cost of Christ. As she traveled the world this year, Martha followed the Lord as he told her to go to some of the darkest places. She went - and as a result, countless people now know the Love of God.

And now God is telling her to go again. In January, Martha will be going to Spain for a 6-month training school called G42. This school specializes in equipping and empowering missionaries and then helping them get to the place on the field God has called them to.

While I traveled with Martha this year, I watched as the Lord broke Martha's heart for the "least of these". Martha has one of the most tender hearts I have ever met. She often stopped to talk and help people whom others past by. I watched as the Lord used Martha to show his love to people who had never experienced it before. In the countless times we preached that year - Martha's message remained the same: "God loves each of you so much. He wants you to experience that love and grace. You are worth it. Nothing compares to the love of God." Martha was the one who first stopped and saw Melissa on the side of the road. Many had passed by her, but Martha refused to let this injustice continue. Melissa and her brother Patrick were dying of malnutrition and did not have adequate caretakers. Because of Martha's love, both Melissa and Patrick are now healthy and living with an amazing Christian family.

G42 will be a launching pad for Martha. While at the school, the teachers will work together to help Martha achieve her Kingdom Dream. I simply cannot wait to see what the Lord does through Martha while at G42 and after. I write Martha's story to share with you an opportunity for 2011. Martha will be gone for 6 months and needs to raise support during this time. Retouch is partnering with Martha to help her achieve her dream and be equipped to touch the nations. We are launching a new sponsorship program for the next six months. Below are the different sponsorship options - with each one you receive a different level of collectible photographs. This is a great cause to donate to this holiday season, and the photographs make great gifts!! To join the program, simply select which option you want and follow the below instructions. Thank you for all of your continued support and encouragement!

Option 1 - $10 a month. You will receive two collectible, signed photographs from Retouch Studios.

Option 2 - $25 a month. You will receive one collectible, signed photograph from Retouch Studios every other month while Martha is at school.

Option 3 - $50 a month. You will receive one collectible, signed photograph from Retouch Studios every month while Martha is at school.

Option 4 - $100 a month. You will receive two collectible, signed photographs from Retouch Studios every month while Martha is at school!

How to join the program:

1. Go to: http://www.g42leadershipacademy.org/donate

2. Under "Monthly Donation" select the desired monthly support amount.

3. Very important! Be sure to write Martha Lemke under "Name of Staff or Intern".

4. Complete the Paypal information.

5. Email Jennifer - RetouchingtheWorld@gmail.com . I will then send you a confirmation email and you can even choose which photographs you would like to receive!

Thank you so much! Looking forward to hearing from you!

The Journey Begins...

Sat, 1 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Well I made it to Spain!

Here are some thoughts from last night:

Two months ago I put an airplane ticket on a credit card, knowing I had a whisper from God telling me to go to G42 in Spain. Weighing the possible outcomes, it was a scary decision. Having zero dollars in my bank account and student loan payments each month; picking up pennies off the sidewalk became necessary.

I didn't know how I would even get $1.00 towards this trip. Well I am excited to report that one month's support has been raised!

Currently I am on a plane over the Atlantic Ocean, a few hours before midnight on New Year's Eve. I cannot believe I am sitting here. Is this actually happening?

I have never before welcomed a New Year without being surrounded by ones I love. It is a quiet night; no free champagne like I was hoping for...the lights are low and the stars are bright. But tonight I am overwhelmed and overcome by the love of my Father. I have felt Him covering me through this journey of saying more goodbyes to my family and heading in to the unknown. I feel His grace, His peace, His comfort, and His love surrounding me and I am satisfied.

Happy New Year!

Be Blessed.

Violated Part 2

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

You Might Break My Bones But You Will Never Break Me Down

I DID end up going to the doctor because the pain in my face was becoming more intense (to read the background story click here) only to find out my nose is broken and it is past the point of being able to be fixed without surgery. Eeeeeeek.

Thank God we are just talking about a nose here. I have intense pain in my face that lasts all day long, but I pray it is only temporary while my nose is mending itself.

But if the enemy thinks he was going to use this to bring me down, discourage me, make me think and say bad things about another human being, he better think again.

For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

The crooked nose is now just going to be a reminder to pray for the woman who broke it!

I wonder what effect we could have on this woman's life if everyone who reads this blog says a little prayer for her. I ask you to take a few moments and with sincere hearts read these words as a prayer to our Father on her behalf...

"Father God, bless this woman who is broken and hurting. Come to her rescue, defeat her enemies, and raise her up. Pour into her Your Spirit of truth and life. Flow Your joy and Your hope through her veins. May she know she is deeply and passionately loved by You. I break all chains trying to hold her down, and I speak freedom and healing in her heart and life. And may her life be a testimony to Your goodness and faithfulness. For she has been created for greatness. Amen."

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

Violated

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Last week I was standing on a sidewalk in downtown Minneapolis when out of nowhere a complete stranger, whom I had no interaction with, swung her elbow into my face in intended force. In complete shock I just stood there as she continued to walk by. My friend confusedly called out, "Why did you do that?" Then I saw her turn around, her face filled with anger, and for a second time hit me in the face.

At the moment I wasn't angry, and perhaps from the shock of what happened I just stood there and didn't do anything, I just prayed blessing over her as she walked away.

That night and the few days that followed, I didn't think it was that big of a deal aside from the pain. But after a few days I was really hurt about it, and I couldn't understand why; for some odd reason it would bring me to the point where I was fighting tears.

I now have a crooked nose; I assume it is broken, and without health insurance I won't be going to the doctor. While my crooked nose is frustrating, it is not the reason why I am hurt. I was talking with my sister to process why I was emotional about it. She said, "It is because you were violated...maybe God will use this in a way you will be able to relate just a little bit with the people who you will come in contact with and serve, those who are innocent and have been violated." Her words just clicked and I knew they were truth.

The other day I was wondering if God would ever straighten my nose. Then I felt God tell me the innocent are living with the scars left from their oppressors. My nose didn't matter as much after that, it took the focus off of me and on to those out there living with the reminders of their pain.

I know what happened to me is on a very, very small scale. Millions of people are being violated in extreme ways that I cannot even begin to imagine, complete evil entering their paths. So in no way am I saying my nose is anything important. God just showed me a tiny, tiny, tiny, glimpse of what some people go through.

God is going to somehow use even this small incident for His good and His glory, and I am excited to see it. Because I know He uses everything evil that happens ultimately for good. Because God is victorious, because He conquered evil, every evil act has to be followed by His victory.

I guess I am writing this to encourage myself and hopefully you, to not focus on the bad that has happened, the job lost, the relationship that went sour, or the blow to the face, instead look to and look for the glorious victory that God has in response right around the corner. I wonder how many times I missed seeing Him conquer evil by focusing on the bad instead of looking for His redemption.

And so while my nose throbs as I write this, I refuse to give satan any satisfaction by focusing on his evil instead of being excited for God's glory.

God redeems ALL things! YAY!!

Jombi

Thu, 9 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In Bungoma, Kenya, I met a little boy named Jombi. From the moment I saw him, he would be in my heart and thoughts forever. I met hundreds of kids, and I loved them all, but little Jombi stuck out to me for some reason. He was my little boy.

Any chance I had, any free time in between ministry, I would go find him; I would hold him, play with him, and sing to him.

He was so precious and so cute. He didn't talk, he had a really bloated belly, and he was always with his older sister, Anna, who was maybe twelve or thirteen. I don't know exactly how old he was, he could run around but he didn't talk yet, so my guess was around 2.

Jombi captured my heart and not one day has gone by without thinking about him. That boy is always in my mind and on my heart. I would give anything to have him here with me.

While I was in Kenya, due to some wonderful people back home donating extra money, I was able to buy food and some clothes for the kids, including Jombi. I gave him and his sister some flour, beans, and rice and some clothes; I picked out a special outfit for him, knowing he would look killer in the plaid cargo shorts and blue polo shirt (not like he would ever care), and he even got a little teddy bear.

The day I had to say goodbye to him was one of the hardest. I didn't want to let him down out of my arms, it hurt walking away, knowing that he didn't know I wouldn't be back the next day to hold him.

But even months after being back home in the States; he is just as prevalent in my thoughts. I know there is a reason why this boy is so strongly on my heart. I thought of ways I could help him, maybe start raising money to pay for his way through school (as he was part of a family whose kids weren't going to school).

Meanwhile, I had been talking back and forth with Phillip, a man I worked with there who is taking care of Melissa. I asked him to go check on Jombi and let me know how he was doing. Phillip informed me that Jombi's mother moved to a city about 10 hours away to find work, and he and his sister were left with their stepfather and his children. A week or so later and I talked to Phillip again. He said that now the stepfather brought his own children to his mothers to be taken care of, but left Jombi and his sister to fend for themselves for food and care. At this point I believe he was still living in the house but just wasn't being cared for or fed. I learned his sister would try to get food for Jombi and her from neighbors.

Now just a few days ago, I learned more bad news. I don't have all the details yet, but Jombi has been evicted from where he was staying and now he is supposedly with a well wisher, whatever that means, but no longer with his step dad.

He is by now probably no more than three years old. He is malnourished as evidenced by his bloated belly. My mind wonders...What does he think about this world? His mom and dad are walking out of his life at such a young age; he is scrounging for food. It is not ok that a three year old should lose his mother, get denied food from his stepfather, and then be kicked out of his home.

Where are you Jombi? Are you staying warm at night? Are you getting enough to eat? Know that I love you so much, and I am praying that our Abba God is surrounding you and ravishing His love on you. I will see you again my sweet boy.

Please keep Jombi and Anna in your prayers.

The Next Step

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

For sometime now God has been impressing on my heart, home. In some way I want to create or become a home to the homeless, the lonely, and the hurting. I want to be and create a safe place for a lost and oppressed people; be a friend to the friendless; show hope to the hopeless; bring love to the unloved; touch the untouched.

I cannot ignore this pounding, with its beat getting louder and faster. It is a constant, daily yearning inside of me that is screaming out. I can almost feel it trying to crawl out of my own skin. There is urgency, a passion, and a hope brewing and with joy it wants to gather the hurting in its arms and whisper, "it's ok, Jesus loves you, I love you."

I don't know exactly how this will manifest into a ministry or where God will send me. But I do know that I will be used for His purposes.

The need is great, and the need is now.

I have seen the ways God's power has poured down all over this earth in forms of redemption, freedom, healings, and love and it has given me the faith to say, "Yes Lord...Here I am."

And so in less than five weeks I will be moving to Spain to attend G42 Leadership Academy. There I will sit at the feet of experienced and skilled men and women of God who will disciple me and help birth home into fruition.

The 42nd generation is a network of Christ-followers with the mission to plant churches & ministries and to spread the Kingdom of God around the world-to inspire & develop leaders & radicals who are passionate about the poor, orphans, & laying their lives down for Christ.

I have heard God's call to G42 over and over again and I can no longer ignore it. God, in His great plan, has placed G42 in my path as the launching point for a lifetime of missions.

Here at G42 we have a dream to raise an army of 100,000 to plant the Kingdom of God across the globe. We want to see a glorious church arise and bring dominion to the empty and desperate places on earth. That is why the leadership academy is not simply a leadership school or ministerial training center, it is also a jumping off point for people who have committed to giving their lives for Christ.

But I can't do this alone. I need partners to come along side of me and invest in the Kingdom God is planning to bring through me. I know God has called me to do this, and therefore He will meet my needs. But I need the body of Christ whom God is prompting, to join me in this vision and calling.

If you feel led to partner with me and give toward this mission you can make a donation online by clicking here. I need to raise $8000 to cover expenses while the 6 months in Spain. Any support and prayers you can offer me are greatly appreciated.

It is NOT OK that there are so many people living in bondage to fear, hopelessness, despair, homelessness and loneliness and so many people don't know the love of Christ that brings freedom. God has made it my heart's cry to love and serve these people. Will you join me?

May Your Kingdom come on Earth as it is in Heaven.

This Is My Declaration

Sat, 6 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I am the precious daughter of the Most High. I am the treasure in the heart of the Lord.
The Lord sings to me from the heavens, and His words of truth pierce my soul.
I know who I am because Christ has whispered in my ear.

I have a voice that will not be silenced and I will not back down nor run for cover.
I will sing at the top of my lungs of the goodness of my God.

I will not accept the lies of the enemy nor the impossibilities the world tries to plant in my head; for I know that nothing is impossible with God.

I have counted all the costs and I have made up my mind; all that I am and all that I will be is the Lord's.
I will not be complacent and I will not settle for mediocrity.

The Lord is my only truth. Hope found in Him is my reality.

I will press on, I will lean in; I will jump off the cliff so I can fly on the wings of the wind with my Savior.

No walls can be put up around me, for I was born to fly, and fly is what I will do to expand the glory of God to the ends of the earth.

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What is your declaration?

"Walk, My Beloved"

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I am so thrilled to update you on Melissa (Beatrice)! It is clear God has been continuing the work He started in that precious little girl. I received a message from Philip the other day stating that Melissa is now WALKING!!!!! If you haven't heard Melissa's (Beatrice's) story you can click here. This once malnourished little girl is now well fed and able to walk when she holds on to things around her!!! Praise God!

(Photo taken January of 2010, Melissa was 7 in this photo and unable to use her legs)

God has taught me so much through this little girl. We often have such a messed up value system where we determine people's worth by what they can do or achieve. That wealthy person must really be something to accomplish so much, right? What about the homeless man, what do we really think about him?

God is so above any human judgment scale. Where we don't see much, He sees a treasure worth so much; so much that our sin was put on His Holy Son. God doesn't look at titles, accomplishments, or what we are able to do for Him, or what He is going to get out of us...He is able to see us stripped down from everything, and in that place is where we are valued. Just by being you, is where you are truly, madly and deeply loved by God. I thank God that He doesn't value us as we often, and maybe subconsciously, do each other...

To Him, Melissa, by herself, is worth dying for; I, by myself, am worth dying for; you, by yourself, are worth dying for...

God is fighting for Melissa. He is crazy in love with her. And I am trusting in Him for her complete healing in Jesus' name!

Missing and Searching

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I miss waking up with the sole purpose of the day being to go out and show love and peace and joy to those around me. I miss serving others in such a clear and tangible way. I miss holding babies and playing with children who are so desperate for someone to love on them. If I could I would go to Africa tomorrow and just walk the streets until God told me to stop, love, serve, speak.

My heart screams missions. Whatever I end up doing, wherever I end up living, I know that I will be trying to show the love of Christ while declaring the good things He has done!

I know there are waiting periods, but I don't think those waiting periods are supposed to be void of your passions. I don't want to live in the past, missing the world race (it is hard not to miss it). What am I doing today, so I won't miss yesterday, 4 months ago, or 1 year ago? God did not take me on an incredible journey that was only suppose to last 11 months. I believe He was showing me the rest of my life. So now what?

It gets hard when I know what is out there. The injustice, the loneliness, the hopelessness, the depression, the oppression, the hunger, the pain; I want to be fighting it, all of it, right now. I refuse to be quiet and complacent, because I know the truth that is available to everyone because of the grace and love of our Father who so passionately cares for us! We do not have to live or operate out of anything but pure joy, hope, love, compassion, passion and trust all of which comes from God! He has such a better way for all of us. I intend to shed light and truth to every lie that says otherwise!

I know God has big plans and an important purpose for me and for you. And with excited anticipation I look forward to following His callings.

And in these quiet times I am so grateful that I can say I serve a great God, that everything is going to be ok, that it is a beautiful day, and that He has good things in store for those who love Him!

Update on Beatrice (Melissa)

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Quite a bit has happened since I left Kenya and said goodbye to Beatrice. While in Kenya I wrote two blogs about her, you can read those by clicking on Beatrice and Beatrice Update. In the Beatrice Update blog, I wrote that Beatrice would be staying with a woman from the church and would also be receiving medical care and therapy sessions. Things did not work out with her staying with that woman and instead she has been staying with Phillip, the youth pastor, who had been helping me with her while I was there. He and his wife took her in and had been caring for her and taking her to her medical appointments. She was showing improvement and put on weight.

One day while people from the church were going to visit John, Beatrice's father, they didn't find him there, but instead found a little boy sitting outside crying. It turns out he was Beatrice's little brother, Patrick. He was in terribly bad shape, clearly neglected and starving.

Here is a recent email from Bishop Emmanuel, the pastor from the church I worked with, updating us on Beatrice and her brother.

Melissa has improved so much though she has physical deficiency. She cannot talk, neither walk, but there are some improvement after attending physiotherapy regularly in the hospital. She had a leg fracture but now she is healed, doing her normal exercises.

Patrick has improved much better than Melissa; previously he was emaciated due to lack of food and care. You remember informing you that he was staying with his grandmother who had no source of income and since John the father of the two was not assisting at all, the grandmother decided to abandon Patrick at the house of his father. When we were visiting John for spiritual assistance, we did not find him but for our surprise, we found Patrick crying outside the house and nobody helping. We had no otherwise but compelled to take Patrick as well regardless of financial limitation.

So far Patrick has improved a lot and has begun to exercise the talking. Even physically, he is healthier than Melissa. Martha and Jennifer had previously did some basic shopping for them before leaving our city but now both of them will need some more shopping of beddings and normal clothes.

Their father John has not yet changed from alcoholic habits. We have tried our level best to draw him closer, especially attending church services but he did it for a little while and later went back. Please keep praying for him as well. -----

Beatrice and her brother Patrick are in a loving home, receiving attention, food, and care.

I want to thank my parents and the parents of Jennifer Mitchell for taking these two little children on financially and giving them the ability to receive care, nourishment, medical attention they needed, and giving them hope. You guys saved their lives. Thank you also to those of you who have donated to Beatrice, it is needed and appreciated. And my prayers go out to Phillip and his wife, Idah, for taking the children into their home.

Here are recent pictures of Beatrice and Patrick

Beatrice is now 8 years old and Patrick is 4

Please keep Beatrice and Patrick in your prayers for their full recovery.

God is good, all the time.

Back Home

Fri, 9 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Well I am back home now. Its good, its strange, its surreal. Seeing my family again has been more than amazing, and I got to meet my niece, Zayda, for the first time. She is beautiful.

The transition has been tough, my heart is in so many places! But I have learned to soak up where I am, because that is what God has gifted me with at the moment. So I am thoroughly enjoying my amazing family. They are my greatest gift. They have supported me, loved me, prayed for me, and been with me every step of the way on this incredible journey. I thank God for this time I have with them!

But my heart is all over the place. So much is going on inside of me, its hard to even begin to explain.

To give you a glimpse, here is a recent journal entry of mine:

It's 3:00 a.m., another sleepless night. My mind won't quit. I still can't believe I am back home. Did this past year really happen? I'm already back to my insanely comfortable bed, my huge closet filled with more clothes than I know what to do with, and the kitchen pantry is filled with choices. I just grabbed a handful of peanut m&ms, they were pretty good, but I only ate them because I could. My mind is taking me to a hundred different places at once; to the children's hospital ward in Kenya...the image of over a hundred kids piled several to a bed, IV's every where filling the crowded room, some just skin and bones as though they are staring death in the face, the streets at night walking and talking with the street boys, Melissa's (Beatrice) tiny little mud hut room of a house, I can still hear her amazing little laugh, I miss her, I want to hold her, I have to go back there. I can still see Jomby (my little Oscar baby from Kenya) seeing me coming from afar and sprinting into my arms. The two little beggar girls I hung out with on one of my last nights in Cambodia, those two were filled with joy even though they were out begging for anything they could get. The hospital where I held a man as we cried over his dead wife, sitting on the ground in the heat of africa laughing and talking with the ladies as we shared the love of Jesus, walking a sweet old Irish lady home carrying her groceries, painting the Gipsy girls finger nails, playing with the beautiful children at the disabled home in Vietnam, laying hands on the sick, declaring God's truth over the oppressed, preaching God's grace and love to His people, seeing people come to the realization of God's realness and love.

So many things my fingers can't keep up with.

They are all still there. Jomby is still in Kenya, although just a toddler, he's from a family that can't afford to go to school, what does his future hold? God created him for greatness, he has a huge purpose, who is going to help him get there?

The street boys are still motherless and fatherless, waiting for the next meal.

As I sit here, I feel a deep passion and pounding in my soul as tears build up and stream down my face. I know home is only temporary (Not by choice, but by call). I have seen too much. I can't shake the things I have seen, the people I have met, the children I have held. But I don't want to. I have tasted too much, and I am left hungry and thirsty for more. Above all, I want to chase God, and I will go after Him, and I will follow Him wherever He tells me to go.

I want to love the unloved. I want to befriend the lonely. That is my heart's cry; that is my desire. I want to hold the orphan child and attempt to show him a glimpse of God's love. I want to declare God's victory through grace, hope, love, patience, kindness, and laughter.

I know this past year was just the beginning. Just a glimpse into the life God has in store for me. Now I say before my God...I'M ALL IN.

Pilgrims (Video)

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This is a glimpse of the end of the year video my squad mate, Ashley Higgins, created; a snapshot of our year. Enjoy!

A Great Friend

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

It wouldn't be right to end this race without telling you about one of the most incredible things from this year...

Jennifer Mitchell

Last May, at training camp, when it came down to the wire in team choices, AIM staff asked me if I could pick one person to be with for the year who would it be. I said Jennifer Mitchell. We had only been together a few days, and we were not even that close, but something inside of me just made me say her name. A day later teams were announced, and we were placed on the same team.

Three months into the race team changes were made. I was heart broken at the split of our team, but Jennifer and I were not separated. The three other girls on my team got placed on other teams, but Jennifer stayed with me. I knew that I needed to be with Jennifer in order to become closer to the woman God wanted me to be.

In Thailand, a month where our ministries were individually prayed into, and not organized by team, Jennifer and I still ended up on the same team for the month.

So for the past 11 months, Jennifer and I have been together. We have slept next to each other, worked together, ate together, played together, you name it and we have done it...together.

Jennifer is one of my best friends and one of the most amazing people I have ever known. She is a mighty woman of God with a high calling on her life. She is hungry and thirsty for God. She is sold out 100% and will not relent or back down. She is fierce, passionate, available and seeking. She is a woman of integrity, purity, humility, worship, prayer, encouragement, wisdom, knowledge, surrender, and deep love for her Father.

--------Some Fun Facts--------

She loves the Middle East, and God has given her a huge heart for Muslims.

She is generous and giving and sacrifices for the ones she loves. One time she gave our teammate Lindsay her computer when she got separated from us for a month. She gave me her bomb Nikon to take to Zanzibar so my pictures could be really great. She has made it clear, what's hers is ours.

She is fun and hilarious. We laugh to the point of tears and stomach aches.

She is crazy smart with computers, I don't know how she knows so much, but she always there to solve my problems.

Not much stresses me out, but one thing that does is when it comes time to pack all of my things in my pack when we move from one country to the next. Jennifer, out of her love for me and bomb organizational skills, often packs my bag just so I don't have to worry about it.

She is the craftiest person I have ever known, and she is incredible with a needle and thread...she has made several repairs to my ripped up clothing.

This girl can preach like I have never heard a woman preach before. The Spirit has used her mouth to touch hundreds of people, me included.

Sensitive and aware of my heart for animals, she always comes around me and reassures me in the many instances I have witnessed hurting animals.

She has held me as I balled in her arms.

She has wiped my tears and nose with the clothes on her back.

She gets me. But more importantly she gets what this life is all about, and through that has encouraged me to go after my dreams and my calling.

We go on bike rides in the pouring rain.

We sit on the rooftops and gaze at the stars.

We have dance parties and photo shoots.

We explore.

We speak life and truth to each other.

We laugh, we hold hands, we rebuke the devil, we prophesy, we worship.

In every country we have been to, we have walked hand in hand, speaking life and praying for one another as we walked the streets.

One time in Vietnam, this poor little innocent monkey was force fed a really hot pepper. Jennifer immediately got her water bottle and kept giving it water to sooth its mouth.

Snakes were always her biggest fear. Just the word snake and she would quiver. You could say she has a snake phobia. Then I saw this picture of her looking her biggest fear in the eyes and refusing to let it have a place any longer. I am so proud of her and the enormous amount of courage she has to face her fears.

She is quite the photographer, extremely gifted. She finds beauty and creativity in things that many people overlook. You should check out her photography website. You will be blessed.

It is so great when you find someone who doesn't have to tell you how to be better, but by being around that person you are drawn to betterment. That is Jennifer. We have not had to feedback each other at all over the course of this year, but that doesn't mean that we haven't made each other grow. I have become a better person by witnessing who she is. Being around her demands greatness.

One thing I really wanted out of this trip was great, lifelong girlfriends.

God has done it again, folks.

Fully Funded!

Mon, 7 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Praise God...

Every penny of the $13,800 needed for my world race trip has been raised!!!!!

It's crazy to think that number almost stopped me from coming on this trip. I remember when I first found out about the race, everything inside of me knew it was for me, but the money stopped me from going forward. How could I possibly come up with that much money? So I put the trip aside. But after a few months I signed up anyway, thinking, well other people are on this trip, so why not me? There must be a way to get the money...if this is what God is really calling me to do...He will take care of it.

And that He did. Now here I am, just weeks from being home, and a huge weight is lifted from my shoulders. God. provided. every. penny.

I want you to know what a huge deal this is to me. It is more than money. It shows sacrifice, trust, love, obedience, encouragement, and hope...

God knows my needs and He is big enough to take care of them...

God is not going to call you to something and then leave you hanging...

There are people who care enough about me and believe in me to sacrificially give their hard earned money...

There are people who care about the needs of this world enough to give...

I want to thank all of my supporters for investing in me, for trusting me, and for enabling me to serve and love people across the world. I know many lives, including my own, have been touched and will never be the same because of you.

Thank you.

May God bless you abundantly...

I still have squad mates, mighty men and women of God who are serious about bringing Kingdom, who need financial support as seen in my last blog. I encourage you to check them out and give if being led!

Update: Cambodia

Mon, 7 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I just want to fill you in on where I am and what I am doing...

This month I am in Kampong Cham, Cambodia. It is one of my favorite places on the race I have been. It is a quiet, slow paced town, and happens to also be the third largest city in Cambodia. It is right on the Mekong river, and its filled with palm trees. It kind of reminds me of Africa. I ride my bike (yeah we have our own bikes, mine's a yellow cruiser with a basket) through the streets and children yell out "hello, hello, hello". I'm going to miss that.

The people are beautiful, kind and really friendly. Horses pull buggies, people ride bikes, hammocks are hanging at every house, you literally drip sweat all day long, and I found a place with bomb spring rolls. There are tons of Buddhist temples and statues, although this province has a large Muslim population.

I am teaching English. From 9 to 6 my group teaches different types and levels of English classes from beginning to advanced, to Business, and through those the Bible also gets taught. We are also doing different projects for the organization we are working with, like marketing, website development, and creating new textbooks. The English classes are free for the students, they just need to come up with the $1-$3 for the books, which for most is still a struggle. The students want to learn English for better job opportunities. It is a privilege to be a part of that.

I only have two more weeks here...

Carpe Diem...

Standing In The Gap...

Tue, 25 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Family and friends,

You've loved and supported me in my journey of obedience to God's call on my life and for that I am truly grateful. There will never, ever be words that I can share that give true meaning to who you've allowed me to become by faithfully contributing to my life. My life is forever changed because of your willingness to support me. And it's with a ton of humility and thanksgiving that I am sure I will be able to be the change in the world we all want to see.

There is another opportunity at hand and I believe we can come together and be the change in someone else's life. Someone's life who has supported me over the last year. Someone who you may or may not have even heard of. Nonetheless, they are someone I call family and I'm proud to be on the front lines with them this year.

Over the last year I have traveled the world and seen workings and miracles that I will never be able to fully explain. I believe another miracle is at hand. As we transition home we are believing to have everyone fully supported by July 1, 2010. We believe God for this and ask that you prayerfully consider how you can be a part of this miracle.

Below you will find pictures, names and support amount with direct links to online support accounts. Will you ask God how and who He would like you to partner with in being the change in this persons life. No one deserves to come off the field after serving the Lord's abundant kingdom with debt from a mission trip. And we believe God is asking us to step up, stand out and make a way for someone who will make a way for many others.

Will you join us in making a way? Will you join us in making a difference in someone's life who has impacted the world? Will you make a contribution, no matter how large or small, to a generation that will not stand for the sick going without, the homeless not being loved on or the orphans having no place to call home? Let us stand in the gap together as brother and sisters believing there are greater things in store for those who believe.

We believe in you and thank you for believing in us so that we may be life to someone else!

Please review names below and amounts. Click on a link to view that persons story and walk with God and ask God whom He wants you to partner with to make a difference in the world today!

Lauren Maldonado - $3666.30
Casey and Erin Scritchfield - $3542.60
Mike and Denise Murphy - $3306.03
Tres Washington - $2,282.50
Tamica Sloan - $2111.50
Joe Bunting - $1841.68
Bambi Bigley - $1532.50
Matt Patton - $977.00
David Hepting - $860.72
Martha Lemke - $795.50
Julia Luu - 678.53
Joel Williams - $360.00
Kristin Seidensticker - $351.44
Dez Loeppky - $210.59
Hollis Johnson - $150.30

Every Moment is a Privilege

Sun, 16 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Here in Vietnam I have been given so many moments I consider a privilege. We have been doing different types of service such as: visiting the children at the school for the blind, many who also have autism, visiting the elderly and doing jewelry making with them to raise funds for them, working with orphanages, doing children services, leading conferences and workshops on different topics like communication, visiting disabled homes for children, building relationships with students by going to English talk nights for people to come and practice English, and taking different trips to churches around Vietnam and working alongside of them there.

There are only 6 weeks left out on the field for me and I am determined to finish strong, giving it my all until the very last day. And one way God has been helping me press in to every moment is by showing me what an honor and privilege each moment is.

Each person I have the privilege to meet is a son or daughter of the King, and it is as if God is showing him or her off to me. It is a gift to me to be able to meet that person, hold that person's hand, sit with them, and talk with them.

It's a privilege to meet men and see their Kingdom dreams being fulfilled: like a man who bought land and is in the process of building houses so very poor people can move in and have a place to call home. Or the man who started a disabled children's home and to raise support they creatively make masterpieces out of beautiful stones and rocks.

Beautiful, precious moments happen all around me. Like a woman who took me all through her fruit orchard and proudly showed me all her different fruit trees and picked mangos, mandarins, and other fruits I won't attempt to spell and put in my bag. She was so happy and delighted to share her prized fruit.

I don't even know if this is making sense. But to me, I think the world becomes so much more beautiful when you look at each moment, each opportunity, and each person as a gift from God and as a privilege to witness and meet.

Who am I to meet that beautiful baby and hold her in my arms? Who am I to sit with that tiny elderly woman and just smile at each other as we hold hands? Who am I to lead these precious orphans in song and dance, laughing together?

But then I hear God say, "It is because I love you so much that I want you to have the privilege to meet these beloved sons and daughters of mine. I trust you enough to love them in this moment. It is my gift to you."

Thank You

Mon, 3 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

It is almost overwhelming, the love one person can get from so many people.

These past nine months have been an exciting, intense, tough, incredible, heart breaking, freedom bringing, and amazing journey. The blind have seen, the deaf have heard, the lame have walked, those with aches and pains have been cured, people have been freed, people have given their hearts to God, and people have felt the love of God. I have been blessed abundantly to be able to witness these things first hand, and it has changed me, it has grown a faith in me that has seen God provide, God heal, God free, God love over and over again and now I won't ever settle for a life that isn't calling out to God in every situation. And this is all because of YOU! Your kindness, your compassionate heart and your love has compelled you to love me and also love every person that I have loved, have talked to, have prayed for all over the world for the past nine months. Through your support, your prayers, your thoughts, your comments and encouragement, I have been blessed, encouraged, loved and energized, to keep loving, to keep praying, to keep walking, to keep talking, to keep going. Thank you. Thank you. I cannot say it enough. No words can express the gratitude and emotions that I feel to all of you and for all you have done for me.

I know I have prayer warriors back home that are consistently praying for me. Your prayers are needed and appreciated, and for them I am so grateful!

And thank you to all of you who have supported me financially! What an incredible blessing you have been. Thank you for your sacrifice. It is amazing how generous you have been to me and this cause! Thank you for all you have donated and how you have supported me! I pray God blesses you abundantly for how greatly you have blessed me!

I am excited for these next two months and the opportunities I have to serve and love the people of Vietnam and Cambodia!

I am still in need of $1.910 to complete all of my funding. If you feel led in any way to continue supporting me that would be greatly appreciated! If not, I thank you for reading this and I hope you continue to come along with me on this journey!

I love you all so much. I thank God for you. God bless you!

Just The Beginning...

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In EXACTLY 2 months from today I will be landing in AMERICA.

Already my insides are churning. My eyes are filled with tears as a result of so many different emotions. 1) Gratitude to GOD for this amazing year. 2) All of the people I have met along the way that I have fallen in love with and miss. 3) Thinking of this season of life coming to an end. 4)Thinking of the amazing brothers and sisters in Christ God has placed in my life that I can't imagine not waking up to, eating with, working with, falling asleep with EVERY day. 5) Excitement for getting to see my family and friends back home.
6) Excitement for what's next in my life.

In the beginning of the race I didn't think of this trip as the "beginning" despite what others said. I started my life back home, and this is just a year out of my life, and after 11 months I would go home to the rest of my life. But I realize now that it IS a beginning. This is the beginning of a new way of life and a life I want to lead.

I see the world and life so differently than I did before. I see a life full of so many possibilities. I have seen so much, I have tasted so much, I have adapted to so much, it feels as though nothing is impossible. I have big dreams. I know I am young and one may say I am "naive" because I haven't dealt with all the hardships and realities of life. But I have seen so many people's realities all across the world. I know there is disappointment, dreams unreached, pain, and "limitations."

But a faith is growing inside of me that says, "screw that". That's not how God meant life to be, and when you live FROM Heaven TOWARDS earth, that's not how it should be. I say I am hopeful, optimistic, and I BELIEVE what God said when He said He came to give life and give it ABUNDANTLY.

I don't know why God picked me to go on this 11 month pilgrimage of service and self discovery around the world, but I am so glad He did. There have been my moments, very seldomly, where I thought I just can't wait to be home, but for the most part, on a daily basis I find myself thinking, "I can't believe this is MY life!" I mean, who gets to do this?! Who goes to 5 different countries in less than a week? Who skydives in Turkey? Who rides camels in Israel? Who rafts the Nile? Who swims under waterfalls in Thailand? Who sweats and sweats under a mosquito net that won't get off your feet in Tanzania, laughing, while your teammate is commanding all the mosquitoes to die? Who sits under trees with Africans telling them about the LOVE of Jesus?

I have cried with a Tanzanian man in my arms who just lost his wife to AIDS. I have cried with Thai women inmates over the redemption and love of Jesus. I have cried with Romanian gypsies over saying goodbye. I have cried with parents of sick and dying children in Africa.

I have danced with the Irish, Gypsies, Croatians, Turks, Kenyans, Ugandans, Tanzanians, Thais.

I have laughed with children all over the world.

Peeing on my feet is normal. I don't mind it when I drop my soap on the dirt ground in Africa because it has just become a much needed exfoliator. It's raining???...perfect, I can go shave my legs. You need me to give a word of encouragement and a message to the people in this over crowded African hospital ward? Ok.

To be honest, I don't want this trip to end. One thing I have learned about myself is that I am not good at goodbyes. Each country I have left, I left balling. I know that I love to love, and with that comes tears and heartache in saying goodbye to the ones I have fallen in love with. And the last one, 2 months from now, is going to be the hardest. Because throughout all of the other goodbyes I have had to deal with, I have had my teammates by my side, holding me and loving me. But the people I have fallen in love with the most along this journey is who I have to say goodbye to in just 2 short months.

I don't know what is in store for me in this next season of life, but I fully intend to listen and obey my Father, wherever that leads me. God has asked me to surrender EVERYTHING to Him. My hopes, my dreams, my family, my relationships, my future husband, everything. I will go where He says go. I will say what He tells me to say. I am sold out for Jesus. He is my everything.

But I am so excited for what is next. I know life will only continue to get sweeter and sweeter.

This Is Just The Beginning...

Update-Thailand!

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I have been in Thailand for about 3 weeks now. For Thailand ministries we have new teams, so I am working with 4 other girls in the town of Nan. We have been running an English camp, going to the jungle mountains and visiting different tribes, visiting people in their homes and today we went to a prison and shared testimonies and messages with the inmates.

Thailand is hot. There are 3 "seasons" in Thailand and that is hot, hotter and hottest. April just happens to be the hottest month of the year! So I am constantly sweating, but it is worth every drop!

The food is amazing. Coming from Africa where the meals are pretty much the same each day, Thailand is a playground with fresh and new tastes!

The people! The people are so, so sweet. They are polite and kind. Quiet, but love to laugh.

You take your shoes off before entering stores and houses, you bow with your hands in a prayer position to greet one another. You hide your feet, as showing someone your feet is rude, and you never point at someone or touch their heads. Buddhist temples and Buddha statues are everywhere. And last week was Thai New Year where you celebrate by riding around in the back of trucks throwing water on each other!

I just wanted to give you a little taste of Thailand and let you know what I have been up to here!

39 Years...

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Today, Saturday the 24th, is my parent's 39^th wedding anniversary.

I am so proud of my parents, and so honored and privileged to be called their daughter.

Mom and Dad,

Thank you.

Thank you for being so in love.

For modeling a marriage that is centered around Christ.

For holding hands.

For laughing.

For preferring each other.

For choosing each other every day.

For wanting each other.

Mom, you always say that the best thing you have ever given us, your kids, is each other. And that is true. But equally the best thing you have ever given me is Dad. And Dad the best thing you have ever given me is Mom.

Mom, thank you for respecting Dad. Thank you for serving Dad every day. Thank you for letting him be who he is, and encouraging him as a man. Thank you for all the times you made him ice cold lemonade and brought it to him in the fields when he was working so hard in the heat. Thank you for making all those apple pies just because you know he loves them. Thank you for standing behind him in the decisions he has made. Thank you for supporting him and his interests and passions. Thank you for still getting butterflies in your stomach when he walks into the room or when you hear his voice.

Dad, thank you for cherishing Mom. I have witnessed that she is the most precious thing in your life; I can feel it when you look at her. Thank you for being gentle and loving to her. Thank you for honoring her femininity, for standing behind her and for defending her. Thank you for providing for her. Thank you for rubbing her feet because you know she loves it. Thank you for dropping her off at the door so she doesn't have to walk in the cold.

Thank you for being best friends who truly enjoy each other's company.

Thank you for all those nights I fell asleep with a smile on my face to your laughter as you cracked up together.

Thank you for all the loud smooches you have given each other.

Thank you for waiting for each other to go to bed.

Thank you for always putting each other first.

I have witnessed your love and your marriage for 23 years, and it has not wavered or diminished. You are more in love now than ever before.

I await in excited anticipation for when it will be my privilege to honor, respect, encourage, love, cherish and serve my husband as you have modeled to me.

I love you.

Happy Anniversary!

Africa Video

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

It has been a huge desire all of my life to go to Africa. God granted that desire, and for the past 3 months Africa has blown my mind. I have fallen in love with everything about Africa: the land, the joy, the laughter, the dancing, the people, the sun, but most of all, the children. There is nothing in the world like African children. Hopefully this video gives you a little taste of what Africa was like. I did not want to leave Africa. And I miss the kids every day...

Catching Up...

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I know I have gone a long time without writing a blog (aside from Who You Are...). I haven't written one blog from my time in Tanzania, and there are tons more I could write from Uganda, and even Kenya. And it isn't due to a lack of blogging material, quite the opposite actually. So much has happened. So many stories could be told. I just got so overwhelmed with everything that was happening, it was hard to stop and try to put the stories into words on a computer. But although you haven't been hearing from me, and for that I apologize, God has still been moving, miracles have been happening, people are coming to Jesus, people are being set free, and my community is blossoming into something so uniquely beautiful.

I want to direct you to a few of my favorite blogs from my teammates and squad mates who I have been working with. Amazing things have been happening. I don't want to cheat you out of hearing about incredible ways God has been moving.

Some are about ministry, some are about time outside of ministry, and some are personal, but all displaying the work and wonders God has been doing in us and through us in Tanzania.

Here are a few, please check them out:

To hear how God is working in us: Ashley Higgins, messy church.

Get a taste of a day in hospital ministry in Tanzania: Lindsay Nelson(my teammate), freedom fighters

Birkleigh bringing Kingdom outside the confines of ministry: Birkleigh Foreman, Jesus Loves Barack (Video), Breaking the Rules & Gordon Finds Jesus

I still want to share stories and sort out everything God has been doing, but these four blogs give you a taste of what has been happening around me in the mean time!

God bless you!

Who You Are...

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Do you know who you are?

Do you know who God knows you to be?

When you begin to understand whom God knows you as, you begin walking into the person you were always meant to be.

Way too many of us are trapped in the lies of the enemy who tries to stop us from seeing ourselves as God sees us. The devil knows what happens when people begin to really know who they are in God's eyes, and it is not favorable for him. So he tries to keep us from getting there by throwing lies and thoughts in our minds that distorts our views of ourselves. He uses society and people around us to confirm those lies, just pushing us back into believing a distorted, messed up view of ourselves. We find ourselves operating out of a complete misconception of who we really are. This world condemns us, this world connects our sins with our identity telling us what we do is who we are.

But that is so far from the truth.

I wish you would know, truly know, who you are.

It was Easter just a few days ago, and we know Jesus died for us, but why? Because to Him YOU ARE WORTH IT. You mean something to Him. You are of value to Him. You are a treasure to Him. If not, He wouldn't have done it.

In Christ your identity is no longer a sinner, but a saint. You are holy, you are righteous, you are blameless, you are pure. You are perfect in His eyes. You are cared for, thought about, understood, delighted over, enjoyable, lovable, and so, so beautiful.

Stop disrespecting God, the one who made you, by believing you are anything other than who HE says you are and who He created you to be.

The church does a really good job at preaching humility sermons, which is great. But equally we need to be taught and told about our worth, that when we humble ourselves God promises to lift us up, exalting us. There is something good in you. There is a treasure in you. And God sees it. No matter what muck and dirt starts to cover that treasure, God has the ability to see past it all and focus on the treasure that you are.

What would this world look like if people started coming to a realization of who they really are, and that God really does love them?

I pray that you would have an encounter with the living God in such a way that you begin to realize who you really are. If God says you are something, how dare anything else tell you anything different.

May you walk with your head up, and shoulders back, with the confidence and conviction that you are deeply, deeply loved, just as you are, as who you are in the moment, and nothing, nothing can hide the treasure of who you are from God. He always sees you for who He created you to be. And He wants you to see yourself the way He sees you.

Reason To Celebrate

Wed, 3 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The word spread that miracles were happening. While in Muterere, a beautiful bush village in Uganda, people flocked to us asking for prayer for healing.

An older woman came to where we were staying and asked for prayer. She showed us the swelling all around her belly and going to her back. She has been afflicted with this pain for 18 years. We asked her if she was a Christian and she said no, and that she was only going to believe in Jesus if she got healed. We said alright, and Ashley went on to tell her of the love that Jesus has for her. Then we prayed. After we prayed we asked how she was feeling and she explained how she felt moving inside of her and that some of the pain went away as we prayed. I asked if she believed that what she felt was the power of Jesus that took away some of the pain, she said yes, but still refused to accept Jesus until she was totally healed.

I shared with her that the pain she is feeling in her body, while it is awful and very unfortunate, is only temporary. Our lives on earth are just a short time. It is awful to have pain, and I am sorry it has been afflicting her for so long, but it would only be for a short time while she is alive on this earth. But I told her that our souls are eternal. Our souls are always going to feel, for all of eternity. She has a choice. Jesus offers our soul life, love, joy, peace, comfort, hope, and every good thing. She has a choice for her soul. Her soul can either be with Jesus after this life and experience pure joy and love, or she can choose to not have her soul with Jesus. And that other place is a place where she will feel eternal pain and agony, much worse than any pain she is feeling now. She still didn't want to accept Jesus, and I just told her to think about it. And then she left.

A few hours later I heard some commotion outside so I went to check it out. I saw the woman we had prayed for earlier. She came back to us saying she wanted to accept Jesus. The commotion I heard was celebration and cheering because she came back and gave her life to Jesus. There was a young boy, 13 years old, who came running, with the biggest smile I have ever seen, he came arms out and jumped into that woman's arms. We all started praising Jesus. It turns out that boy was her nephew and a strong Christian. He has been pursuing his aunt for some time and said that if he can get her to us, the Mzungus, that she would be saved. That day she was saved.

I shared that testimony in church and it hit me that we don't always see the results of what we do or say. There are many people who receive what we tell them about Jesus and want what Jesus has to offer. But there are others that turn us down. It is hard in those moments because we want them to feel the love of Jesus, and we want them to experience the truth and the freedom that Jesus offers. But this story gives hope. We don't know the end result, we don't know what they decide an hour, a day, or a week after we leave them. God didn't have to show us that this woman ended up accepting Him. But I believe He showed us to give us hope. That even when we share His story and people deny it, they may accept it later on. So keep sharing the Love that IS God, keep telling of the Freedom God has to offer, keep spreading the Good News, that He loves more than we will understand, that there is so much grace, that He is just wanting our acceptance and love because He loves US so much!