Stepping out of my comfort zone

    Yesterday morning I was privileged enough to be able to speak at Bayou Harvest Church about what God has put in my heart about the mission field. As nervous as I was when I woke up, I walked straight up to the podium as calm as could be, only the Holy Spirit. Since not everyone knows my story, I will share.
    I will start of with my first mission trip. I was 13 years old and went with a small group from my church. We went to El Carmen, Mexico for one week during Easter. I had no idea that this would be the single most life changing week of my life! Two days of the entire week stood out to me the most, and I can remember the details as if it were yesterday. The first day I will share was entering the slums off the street. It was what seemed like a garbage dump site, but with people living there. These makeshift shacks out of garbage no one wanted like card board boxes and broken doors. The stench was horrifying. They were eating and drinking out of old rusted tin cans. Truly the most heart breaking site I've ever laid my eyes on. The next day we went visit the local orphanage out in the middle of no where. These children had literally nothing! We came with clothes, toys, toothpaste and brushes, and powdered milk. As much as they loved their new toys, they were intrigued with the toothpaste, eating it as if it were candy. So sad! We take tooth paste for granted, and here these kids have never tasted anything so good. Before we left, we unloaded these huge bags of powdered milk that we cautiously smuggled over the border for the kids to enjoy. As we were bringing the bags inside, one busted and the powder spilled to the ground. These poor orphans were lying on the ground licking the powder off the ground. What a horrific sight! I have never seen anything like it in all my 13 years of living. Living in America, I have never had to worry about where my next meal would come from, where my next outfit would come from, or even where my next toy would come from. I had no idea there were people in the world living in such a way. Even though we couldn't verbally communicate with people on the trip, nothing has ever impacted my life in such a way before or since.
     Shortly after that trip, a missionary came speak to our church about life on the mission field, his experience, and he wanted to pray for those who feel called to that area. This was Steven Nicaud with Moved With Compassion Ministries- where I will be this summer!! I had no idea at the time, almost 10 years ago, that I would have the honor and privilege to actually be out with this man of God on the mission field, but God made a way. Before he left, he played a song with the lyrics "Send me, I will go. Send me, I will go. To this city, to this nation, and to the nations of the world", and I can remember standing there worshipping in his presence speaking to Him saying "Father, I will go. I will do it. I will live the rest of my life on the mission field if that is what you would have me do. I am willing". He took an alter call for those who felt called to missions, and without hesitation I ran up there.
      Fast forward, and life happens. I entered high school. Moved away for college. Got "busy". In December, I graduated from college and got a job selling insurance. It didn't take me long to figure out that this was not for me! On my way to quit, I sat in my car praying in the spirit about direction, guidance, and what God would have me do. And it was extremely clear - "Singapore". So internally I am arguing "Singapore? That's during the summer. This is February. I don't have time to sit and wait for this summer to get here". But my God provides. I quit the job. Called my previous boss where I worked throughout college and asked for my job back. They graciously agreed to give it back until I found something more permanent, or in my case leaving for the summer. I applied for the internship, got accepted, booked my flight and here I am getting ready to leave for the most exciting 3 months of my entire life!
    I can't express enough how good the God I serve is. He is always faithful. He always provides. He will always open the right doors. He will always take care of his children, always.

Scripture of the day!

I just love how I can read a scripture hundreds of times, and right when you need it, it jumps out at you like never before. I know I've read this same scripture so many times, however after reading it today in a morning devotion, it was as if I had never read it before at all. And boy does it apply to me right now in my life:
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14, 15 NIV)

I know I am being sent. And I can't wait to contribute to His kingdom. I will change people into believers who call on His name! I am so blessed to have this opportunity. Thank you Father for opening these doors for me and the boldness to step out. My God is good!

T minus 35 days!

    In just one month and five days I will be leaving my life as I know it behind and embarking on the most incredible journey yet. I feel like I have soo many things to do from now until then! Time is flying.
    Last week I found out that our time in Singapore will be cut in half. We will spend half of the summer in Singapore doing classes, and the other half in Cambodia doing classes (not just the last few weeks). This is very exciting, especially since they sent pictures of where we will be staying in Phnom Penh, Cambodia- its called Alma Café. How cute!

The café will be on the first floor, classrooms on the second floor, boys dorms on the third, and girls on the fourth. Love it!


    I also was asked to speak to a church in my hometown about my heart for the mission field and what I will be doing this summer. If anyone really knows me, I am terrrrrified of public speaking! Like super terrified! Initially when asked, I was polite but deep down wanted to do anything in the world other than share from my heart in front of a group of strangers. But once it was brought up to me again, my heart softened and I began to actually want to. That is most certainly the Holy Spirit working in me. I will speak this coming Sunday about my first mission trip and the desire that the Lord put in my heart for missions since then. I don't plan on writing a speech, just speaking from the heart. As nervous as I am, I know the Lord will speak through me having me say the things he wants me to share. This will be a very monumental moment in my life, speaking in front of a church for the first time!! I am looking at this opportunity as a chance to grow and overcome my fear!
  I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me! Philippians 4:13

T minus 1.5 months!

    I can't believe I am leaving in a month and a half. Our flight leaves Houston on May 28th! As crazy as it seems to completely leave my life behind for 3 months, I know it will be incredibly rewarding. Me and fifteen other students will be spending the summer overseas with Steven Nicaud, founder of Moved With Compassion Ministries. While here, I will be doing a missionary internship where I will have classroom training as well as the opportunity to do hands on ministry and outreach. We will be attending classes in Singapore as well as in Cambodia, and traveling to other surrounding areas such as Indonesia and Malaysia.
    I am incredibly excited to have this opportunity to further my walk with my Father while doing his work. I know this will be a life changing trip, and I cannot wait to see how much I will learn and how far I grow!
    I must raise $4,000 before I leave to cover my expenses there. My God is faithful. He will supply all of my needs. I will reap what I sow. Thank you Father for providing, you always do. If you are interested in giving, please let me know. You can give directly to me, or to my home church Metro Life Church for a tax deduction. If you choose to give through MLC for tax purposes, please make sure to list my name to ensure the money will be given to me. Thank you thank you thank you for investing into His kingdom and into my life.  Luke 6:38 says "Give and it shall be given back to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together shall men give into your bosom.”