Homeless Ministry

  

This past Friday night was the second time I have been able to go downtown and minister to the homeless. It definitely will not be the last. Meeting people and hearing their stories, hearing their struggles and their obstacles, it is hard to take all of it in. You want so badly to reach out and help every single person on the streets. But only God can change a heart. Only God can help them conquer these addictions. Only God can piece back together a broken life. These people on the streets need Jesus just as much as the rest of the world does. Least of These Ministry goes downtown every Friday night with sandwiches and water to minister to the homeless. They take time to talk to every homeless person that reaches out for food. We were able to talk to them, hear their stories and tell them about Jesus. Many would ask, "Why are you out here?" or "Don't you know this is dangerous?" And the response would always be the same. Christ. We're out here because God Loves you. We are not scared because God is our protection. We trust Him to keep us safe. This ministry is so amazing. God is going to use it in so many ways to reach out to the homeless community in downtown Memphis. I am so excited to see what God will do with this ministry. I can't wait to go back next Friday and see familiar faces and talk to new people. God is truly working in downtown Memphis.

Faithful

This week at kid's camp we went through Job. We talked about all the illness and sufferings that he had to endure. We saw that he lost everything, yet was still faithful and dependent on God.
Last Friday night we went downtown and served the homeless from 9-3a.m. We passed out water, bug spray, and sandwiches and talked to those who were willing to talk with us. We asked them about life. What were they going through, where had they been, and how could we pray for them. Our team split into three groups. I was with Sam and the director of the homeless ministry, Chris. On our walk through the streets, we ran into a homeless man who stopped us. He asked us what we were doing. Wondering why we were out at night in the city of Memphis. Told us how dangerous it was. We explained to him what we were doing and told him about Jesus. As we spoke to him, he stopped us and told us that he is a follower of Christ. He began to share his story with us. Told us how he is trying to get the money to move back to Chicago to be with his family. He told us about his struggles, addictions and the destructive path he took that put him on the streets. He called us his angels. He told us that if we had not talked to him that night, he would have done something bad and dangerous to get the money he needed to see his family. But not only did we get to impact his life, he also impacted ours. There is one thing that he said that I will never forget. "I am alone 90% of the time, (points to the sky) but I am with my Best Friend 100% of the time." This man has lost everything, yet he still is joyful and hopeful because he still has his Best Friend. He gets it. His joy comes from the Lord and it is contagious. As we left, none of us could stop smiling. This man may sleep on the streets, but he has Jesus in his heart. He has lost everything but yet he has all that he need. He knew God would provide. He reminds me of Job.  Loving God not just when things seem to be good, but also when everything seems to be falling apart. Depending on God and knowing that He will provide in all situations. I want to be like Job and my homeless friend. Always depending and relying on God in the good times and bad. I pray that if I lose everything I remember that I have all I need in Christ. In my Best Friend.

fearless

                                                           
I feel like I learn something new every day working in the inner city. I am trying to learn to be fearless. Fearless is my favorite word in the Bible. Ephesians 6:19-20 says "Pray for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will FEARLESSLY make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it FEARLESSLY, as I should."

A few weeks ago I began to see the dangers of being in the inner city. Our team of five went downtown to the apartments. We talked to people outside of their rooms and handed out tracks and promoted the Bible study that would be held in these apartment complexes on Wednesday nights. Our team got the chance to meet a lot of new people. We talked to a group of people outside of their rooms when all of the sudden one of the women had a panicked expression. She pointed behind us and yelled "That man has a gun!!!"and ran behind the door of her apartment. My heart seemed to stop instantly but I remained calm. I was not panicked, I didn't even feel scared. I looked at my friends expressions and they were all calm and acted as if nothing had happened. When the armed man drove away, we simply walked around to talk to others for a bit longer and left the apartments.

A few days after this incident happened, I talked to Shannon (girl who works with me) about it. I told her that our reaction was shocking. Thinking about it, I feel like my first instinct would be to run or to duck down or at least cover my head. But instead, I remained calm. She agreed and told me that she had been thinking about the way we reacted and knew it was because of God. Instead of panicking, we were all filled with peace and comfort. We became Fearless. And that fearlessness was only because of God. I got so excited talking to Shannon about it. In times of trouble, He is there. He is always there and He always will be there. I know God gave us the courage to trust Him that day. He took care of us.  He will continue to take care of us.

I want to be like Paul. An ambassador in chains for Christ. A servant. Fearlessly preaching the gospel. Fearlessly stepping out and proclaiming what He believes. Telling others even when it means he will be severely persecuted. I want to have that kind of faith. Live that kind of life. Not caring if others will judge me or think i'm crazy for following Christ. Living by example not just preaching the gospel. I have so much more to learn, but this is a great start. My new job is teaching me to be fearless. It is teaching me to trust God and know He will provide.

A New Journey

This is my second week back in Memphis! It seems like it has been longer because so much has happened in the past two weeks. I got the job I have been wanting at my church! I am an intern, along with three other amazing people, for Ryan who is head over the missions dept. at my church. My job is amazing. I get to go to the inner city of Memphis and serve the people. I have met so many amazing people this week. People that risk their lives daily to follow Christ and provide for their city. I have met guys that use to be in gangs but are now in programs to help them graduate and get a secure job. Guys that have thrown away addictions and their old lives to follow Christ. These men have changed and are now examples to everyone they see out on the streets. It represents God's love. How we are broken by our sins and addictions and He accepts us as we are. Broken. How He can restore a shattered life and make it whole again. All He asks is that we accept Him and follow Him. There is so much beauty in grace. It shows the love of our creator. It doesn't matter what color we are, where we live, where we have been, He accepts us and loves us all. I was reminded of that this week and I felt so much joy. I am so excited about what God is doing in Memphis.

The Beginning of a New Chapter

 

I have learned so much this year. It would take days for me to go through all the life lessons I could now apply to my life. I am not the same person I was coming into this program. God led me here to grow. To learn about myself. To learn about Him. This is the last week I will be here at Trek-X and realizing that is almost overwhelming. I am going to miss Nashville, the morning Bible studies, the people. Some of the people here have made a huge impact in my life and it is sad to leave them. I will definitely stay in touch with all of them because I know they are going to do amazing things with their lives. I am really excited to see how God is going to use each of them. Although it is sad to leave, I know it is the right decision. So many opportunities have opened up for me in Memphis. It's scary and exciting to see each step I take leading me closer to my goal. In the next few years I could be living in Guatemala. I could be working in an orphanage. I just have to finish school. Yes, I have a long way to go but I will have many opportunities to make a difference right where I live. Working downtown, working soup kitchens, starting Bible studies...there is so much that I could do just in my hometown. Yes, I can't wait for the future but I will not be stagnant. I am closing one chapter of my life but opening a new one.

Problem? or blessing?

  

I think my problem is I care too much. But honestly, when I think about it, is that really a problem? Some might say it is but we are called to love our neighbors (Mark 12:31) and we are called to imitate Christ, (Ephesians 5:1) who loved those who most people thought were unloveable. So maybe caring too much is not a problem as much as it is a blessing. A blessing that comes with a burden for others. I would rather care too much than not care at all. There are days where I feel burdened for the people in my life. Friends and family members that I know do not have a relationship with Christ. People I could witness to all day and they would still act as if I hadn't said a word. Sometimes our words and not needed. God's word is enough. His Spirit is enough. I could rant for days about my relationship with Christ and it have no affect. Then God could show Himself through nature and their eyes could instantly be opened and they become a believer. I AM NOT NEEDED. He chooses to use me. Just because I cant "save" all my friends and family members doesn't mean God can't. I can't give up. No matter how many times I am turned down. No matter how many doors are slammed in my face. As a follower of Christ, I am committed to telling others about Him. And maybe that is just by living my life. Being the example. I have messed up so much in the past but I am forgiven. I can't dwell on my past mistakes. The only thing I can do is learn from it and continue to pursue Him in all that I do. Maybe others will see that change in my life and they will see Christ through it. There is no limit to what God can do. And that, in itself, is so encouraging.

Change of Plans

           

I constantly have to remind myself to let go and give everything to Christ. I hold on so tightly to worldly things, to people and unorganized plans I can't imagine getting rid of. In my eyes my plan works, so why would I want anything else? I'm in control, why would I want to change that? But when it fails, I am back to square one. I think God sometimes lets my plans fail just to remind me that I need Him. And it works. I can't see the big picture, but He can. My heart breaks when I long for something that is unreachable. But maybe that is God's way of telling me no, or at least not now. Maybe that's His way of saying wait, I have something better in store for you. In the process of waiting for what is to come, He is teaching me Patience; something I most definitely lack. Realizing this gives me a reason to rely on Him even more. In the areas that I fall short, He is sufficient. I love Jeremiah 29:11- "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" I have heard this verse many times, but lately it stands out. God has a plan for my life. Even when I find myself distressed over a changed schedule, I have to realize God sees the bigger picture, even when I cannot. But it does not stop at Jeremiah 29:11. Verses 12-13 say, "Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart." Not only does He have a plan for my life, He listens to me when I cry out to Him. He hears His children who seek Him and I find that so encouraging. I don't serve a silent God. I just have to be patient and serve Him and watch what He does with my life. That excites me to no end. I have no idea where I will be in the next five years. But what I do know is that I am willing to go anywhere God leads me.

My Prayer for You

"I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together will all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." -Ephesians 5:16-19

Waiting

I have worked alot of camps the past few weeks and have been able to talk to alot of girls about what they are going through and what problems they are facing today. One of the main problems I kept hearing about was problems in relationships. I tried to tell my girls that they need to make sure the guys they are picking put God first. He cannot truly love you until he truly loves God. So wait for the right one. Do not settle for less. God has someone out there for everyone; we just have to be willing to wait. 

I found a prayer a girl wrote for her future husband that I absolutely love:
                            
                              "I pray that we be wise. I pray that we be patient. I pray that we be steady. I pray for guidance that only comes from having a foundation in Christ. I pray that we explore life in what God has for us together, that I may know deeper of His love because of you. I pray that you love me as Christ loved the church. I pray that you will fight for me like no other, and that I may comfort you like I never have another. I pray that God makes this clear. I pray that you are His will for me."

This prayer is what I pray and I hope that all my girls will pray this as well. Know that you are worth it. That Christ has the best for you. All we have to do is wait. Let it be God's will not our own. Realize that you are beautiful. You are not defined by your clothes, your makeup or hair. Be you, don't try to be anyone else. You are beautiful no matter what anyone tells you. God created you and you are his Masterpiece. Someone is going to find you captivating. You deserve the absolute best, so do not settle for anything less.

DNOW Lavaca

Since we left Sunday, I still feel the burden of what was said this weekend. As I loaded my stuff in the van, I dreaded leaving. The small town of Lavaca had a huge impact on me. Maybe it was the sermon or possibly the music. Maybe it was when one of my girls came to me crying minutes before I left asking me not to go. What do you do in that moment? My heart broke because in all honesty, I was just as upset about leaving as she was. I'm aware that this DNow was only a weekend event, but it only took a day for me to realize that I love these girls. God definitely brought us close together and worked in all of us. I had six 9th graders. All of them were full of energy and very talkative, which I absolutely loved. It did not take long for me to realize that it would be a fantastic weekend. This weekend I acted like a kid. I stayed up and talked till 2a.m. and we even had a dance party. We played paint dodge ball and in the group picture, you can see everyone smiling but Chris Comstock and I. He looks like a duck and I'm doing the creeper face. We were all able to hang out and have fun but in our group times, we calmed down and talked about the sermons. I shared my testimony Friday night and the girls really opened up and were honest with me. They told me what they were struggling with and shared that many of them struggled with the things I shared in my testimony. My heart really went out to these girls. They are so young, yet many are struggling with problems beyond their control. But they gave it to God. I was so encouraged when I heard them say "Im struggling with this, but Im giving it to God." At such a young age they understood what it meant when Jesus died on the cross. They saw the grace God gives and the freedom in confession. I was inspired by how much I saw God move in my group this weekend. I pray that God will continue to move in their lives and help them to see that their identity is in none other than Christ.

Ephesians 3:16-19

Texas Tornadoes Football Team

There are some games in which cheering for the other side feels better than winning.

by Rick Reilly

Gainesville State players douse head coach Mark Williams in celebration.

They played the oddest game in high school football history last month down in Grapevine, Texas.

It was Grapevine Faith vs. Gainesville State School and everything about it was upside down. For instance, when Gainesville came out to take the field, the Faith fans made a 40-yard spirit line for them to run through.

Did you hear that? The other team's fans?

They even made a banner for players to crash through at the end. It said, "Go Tornadoes!" Which is also weird, because Faith is the Lions.

"I WOULDN'T EXPECT ANOTHER PARENT TO TELL SOMEBODY TO HIT THEIR KIDS. BUT THEY WANTED US TO!"

It was rivers running uphill and cats petting dogs. More than 200 Faith fans sat on the Gainesville side and kept cheering the Gainesville players on—by name.

"I never in my life thought I'd hear people cheering for us to hit their kids," recalls Gainesville's QB and middle linebacker, Isaiah. "I wouldn't expect another parent to tell somebody to hit their kids. But they wanted us to!"

And even though Faith walloped them 33-14, the Gainesville kids were so happy that after the game they gave head coach Mark Williams a sideline squirt-bottle shower like he'd just won state. Gotta be the first Gatorade bath in history for an 0-9 coach.

But then you saw the 12 uniformed officers escorting the 14 Gainesville players off the field and two and two started to make four. They lined the players up in groups of five—handcuffs ready in their back pockets—and marched them to the team bus. That's because Gainesville is a maximum-security correctional facility 75 miles north of Dallas. Every game it plays is on the road.

This all started when Faith's head coach, Kris Hogan, wanted to do something kind for the Gainesville team. Faith had never played Gainesville, but he already knew the score. After all, Faith was 7-2 going into the game, Gainesville 0-8 with 2 TDs all year. Faith has 70 kids, 11 coaches, the latest equipment and involved parents. Gainesville has a lot of kids with convictions for drugs, assault and robbery—many of whose families had disowned them—wearing seven-year-old shoulder pads and ancient helmets.

So Hogan had this idea. What if half of our fans—for one night only—cheered for the other team? He sent out an email asking the Faithful to do just that. "Here's the message I want you to send:" Hogan wrote. "You are just as valuable as any other person on planet Earth."

Some people were naturally confused. One Faith player walked into Hogan's office and asked, "Coach, why are we doing this?"

And Hogan said, "Imagine if you didn't have a home life. Imagine if everybody had pretty much given up on you. Now imagine what it would mean for hundreds of people to suddenly believe in you."

Next thing you know, the Gainesville Tornadoes were turning around on their bench to see something they never had before. Hundreds of fans. And actual cheerleaders!

"I thought maybe they were confused," said Alex, a Gainesville lineman (only first names are released by the prison). "They started yelling 'DEE-fense!' when their team had the ball. I said, 'What? Why they cheerin' for us?'"

It was a strange experience for boys who most people cross the street to avoid. "We can tell people are a little afraid of us when we come to the games," says Gerald, a lineman who will wind up doing more than three years. "You can see it in their eyes. They're lookin' at us like we're criminals. But these people, they were yellin' for us! By our names!"

Maybe it figures that Gainesville played better than it had all season, scoring the game's last two touchdowns. Of course, this might be because Hogan put his third-string nose guard at safety and his third-string cornerback at defensive end. Still.

After the game, both teams gathered in the middle of the field to pray and that's when Isaiah surprised everybody by asking to lead. "We had no idea what the kid was going to say," remembers Coach Hogan. But Isaiah said this: "Lord, I don't know how this happened, so I don't know how to say thank You, but I never would've known there was so many people in the world that cared about us."

And it was a good thing everybody's heads were bowed because they might've seen Hogan wiping away tears.

As the Tornadoes walked back to their bus under guard, they each were handed a bag for the ride home—a burger, some fries, a soda, some candy, a Bible and an encouraging letter from a Faith player.

The Gainesville coach saw Hogan, grabbed him hard by the shoulders and said, "You'll never know what your people did for these kids tonight. You'll never, ever know."

And as the bus pulled away, all the Gainesville players crammed to one side and pressed their hands to the window, staring at these people they'd never met before, watching their waves and smiles disappearing into the night.

Anyway, with the economy six feet under and Christmas running on about three and a half reindeer, it's nice to know that one of the best presents you can give is still absolutely free.

Hope.

A great believer is small enough to let God be great in their life

❝ As David did with his psalms, use prayer to ventilate vertically. Tell God your frustrations. Cry out to him. He’s never surprised or upset by your anger, hurt, insecurity, or any other emotions. So tell him exactly how you feel. Most conflict is rooted in unmet needs. Some of these needs can only be met by God. To meet a need that only God can fulfill, you are setting yourself up for disappointment and bitterness. No one can meet all of your needs except God."

— Rick Warren (The Purpose Driven Life)

I have found this to be so true. This week has been difficult for me. I had a lot of things from my past brought back up to the surface and it was hard to face some of it. Instead of first going to God, I talked to friends and family about the problems and struggles I was facing. This seemed to only magnify my worries and build to the pain I already felt. But God taught me something through all of it. I can trust Him. Because He is Faithful. So many times I fall on my face and He is there to pick me back up. Psalm 121:3 says, "He will not let your foot slip- He who watches over you will not slumber." It's a beautiful Love story. Christ gave His life so that we may dwell with Him for eternity; IF we chose to follow Him. The Love of the Father for His children is unfathomable. I get so stressed and worried sometimes that I forget to remember what is really important. I forget the pray and read scripture. I run to others instead of my Creator. Where is my faith?? Can't the God who created the Heavens and Earth take care of my small problems? I so often look at situations in such a narrow view. If I step back and look at it as a whole, my situation no longer seems so important. It is ok to vent to God. It's ok to let out my anger, frustrations and pain. It's called being Genuine. Not everything is always Rainbows and Butterflies. If I thought it was, then I'd be lying to myself. Life can be hard. But when I trust God and pray for Joy and Peace, it becomes bearable; Even in hard times. Being real with God helps create a Bond that is unbreakable. If He is my everything, what can hurt me? Who can knock me down?"The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?" -Psalm 27:1. I talked to one of my mentors about the things I was struggling with. She pointed out that my past does not define who I am today. There is so much truth in these words. Not only does it not define me, but it could also be used to glorify God and expand His kingdom. I can relate to those who have gone through the same situations that I have. I can point them towards what helped me. I can show Christ's love through understanding what others are going through. Maybe it is a struggle now, but God can take it and make it part of my testimony. And if that's the case then I thank Him for everything. The good and the bad. Whatever has happened in the past, it doesn't define you. When you follow Christ, he makes you a new creation. All sin yesterday, today and tomorrow is on the cross. He accepts us as broken and turns us into a new creation. I love the beauty and simplicity of this. 

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." -Isaiah 41:10

photography

So I have a new hobby. 

THIS WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK.

LETTER FROM AN ATHEIST TO RAY COMFORT

A resource from "Way of the Master" Ministries.

Ray,

You are really convinced that you've got all the answers. You've really got yourself tricked into believing that you're 100% right. Well, let me tell you one thing. Do you consider yourself to be compassionate of other humans? If you're right, as you say you are, and believe that, then how can you sleep at night? When you speak with me you are speaking with someone who you believe is walking directly into eternal damnation, into an endless onslaught of horrendous pain which your 'loving' god created, yet you stand by and do nothing.

If you believe one bit that thousands every day were falling into an eternal and unreachable fate, you should be running the streets mad with rage at their blindness. That's the equivalent to standing on a street corner and watching every person that passes you walk blindly into the path of a bus and die, yet you stand idly by and do nothing. You're just twiddling your thumbs, happy in the knowledge that one day the 'walk' signal will shine your way across the road.

Think about it. Imagine the horrors Hell must have in store if the bible is true. You're just going to allow that to happen and not care about saving anyone but yourself? If you're right, then you're uncaring, unemotional and purely selfish (expletive) that has no right to talk about subjects such as love and caring.

James Franz


                            

My Journey

"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" -Jeremiah 29:11. 

Last week was difficult. I had to stand in front of the man who has poured into me this past year and who has taught me how to walk with Christ and tell him that I am not coming back next year. Not only did I have to tell him, but the rest of the group. The people that I have learned so much from, who have helped me in my walk with Christ. Who have been my role models. It breaks my heart to leave, but I know it is the right decision. God has given me so many opportunities to serve back in Memphis. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to be in this mission program. I learned so much just in this year alone. Looking back at my life, how it use to be, even a year ago...I was a completely different person. I didn't truly know what it meant to die to self and live for Christ. Going through Romans with a group of such strong believers helped me realize that I was not where I needed to be. Not at all. It has been a struggle to keep up and try to be at "their level." But God taught me something through this. He has taught (and is continually teaching) me patience. He taught me to slow down. I don't have to be "caught up", that doesn't make me any less of a Christian. I realized I needed to slow down and enjoy God and learn from His word rather than trying to cram scripture in my head that I would forget a day later. I started writing in a journal...writing out my prayers, my dreams, desires and my future plans. I decided to wake up an hour earlier each morning and read scripture and write in my journal. Which was weird to me at first because I hate silence. I like being around alot of people. I like to talk...alot. But in the mornings, when I had this time with God, I became silent. I read scripture, I prayed and I listened. After doing this for a few months, I started seeing small changes in my life. When we pray, we aren't doing it for God's benefit, he already knows everything, but we are doing it for our own. Prayer syncs our hearts with His will, His plan. My life is not about me. I have to die to self daily and live for Christ. If it ever becomes all about me, then it is a waste. I would hate to get to Heaven one day and have to admit, "Oh hey God, I lived my life for myself..." It would be completely meaningless. 

Going back to Memphis is just the beginning of my journey. I want and desire for God to use me to do great things in life. What amazes me, is that He will. I just have to trust Him and be willing to go wherever He calls me to go. So in the words of Matt Papa, "Here and I send me, I'll follow wherever You lead."

 If you want to live a life of adventure and purpose, then I dare you to follow Christ. 

Our God is Love.

My summer trip to Guatemala in 2010 changed my life. And it all started with an orphanage. I woke up that morning preparing myself for the last full day in the place I had grown so attached to. We headed to the orphanage. This would be our last stop on our journey before heading back to the States. When we got there, we saw many little faces light up with excitement. We introduced ourselves and Stephen, our youth pastor/leader of the trip, spoke to the children. He asked for a volunteer and a little boy raised his hand. This little boy looked as if he was probably around the age of  four, he was shy and adorable. As he came to the front of the room, Stephen scooped him up. I will never forget what happened next. He did not listen when Stephen talked, he did not care about the words coming out of his mouth...instead, he clung to him. He laid his head on Stephen's shoulder and held onto him as if he were his own father. My heart broke in that moment.  These kids do not have parents. They don't have someone to tuck them in every night and tell them that they love them. But yet, they still smile. They still laugh and are full of joy. It amazed me seeing how happy and wonderful all of these children were. Our God is Love. He takes care of His children. Those who do not have an earthly Father, still have God. He watches over His children. The joy on their beautiful, smiling faces reflects the beauty of their Creator.

Blessings and Woes

Blessings and Woes

I have never looked at Luke 6:20-26 this way. I love how Matt Chandler is so blunt and honest. This sermon really spoke to me.

"Lord break my heart until it moves my hands and feet."

"Great men and women of God have a sense mission that expands beyond their own life" - John MacArthur.

Everyone has a calling. As Christians, our calling is to Christ. I use to always get excited before a mission trip. I couldn't wait to get out of the states and tell others about Christ. I remember my first mission trip was to Brazil. I remember being so nervous the first time I shared my testimony. I remember being sad the day I had to pack my bags and leave this place I had grown so attached to. It seemed to become even more difficult each time I went somewhere new. I remember the first time I arrived in Guatemala, it felt like home. I cannot fully explain the feelings I felt, but I knew it was where I was suppose to be. I have been back twice since my first visit, and each time I pack my bags to leave, it becomes harder to say goodbye. My heart is in Guatemala. As I flew back to the states, I looked through my pictures and cried over the place I had fallen in love with. My first few weeks back were miserable. I felt as if I didn't belong. I knew I had left my heart in a different country. Through being miserable, God showed me something I will never forget. As I was reading my morning devotion, two verses really stuck out to me. Ephesians 5:1-2 says, "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Was I really imitating Christ? Why was I waiting to show Christ to others in different countries? Can't the God who saves nations use me right where I am? Why am I waiting to show others Christ's love when I can do that right here in Nashville? I may not be exactly where I desire to be, but why should that deter me from showing Christ's love right where I am? My calling is to Christ. My mission is to share the gospel with the world. No matter where I am. The place you are NOW is your mission field. Whether that is your workplace, your house or even on the streets. There is no limit to what God can do through us when we have complete and total faith in Him. I want to be in Guatemala one day, and I am sure that will happen but until then, I refuse to be stagnant.
Be the Example. Be the Light. "Be the Change You Wish to See in the World."

This is Discipleship

This video amazed me. It is so simple, but yet we can sometimes make is so complicated.

DNow Weekend!

two weeks ago I had the chance to be a leader at a DNow in Alabama. Autumn (my roommate) and I led 10th grade girls. I had never been a leader at DNow before so this was all very new to me. The theme for this weekend retreat was Tupos, which means example. The theme was centered around 1 Timothy 4:12. We were blessed with an amazing group. We had seven girls and they were all fun and talkative. After service each night we would all pile up on the couches or on the floor and talk about what God is doing in our lives and how we are growing and can continue to grow. They taught us just as much as we taught them. It was so cool to see how God was and is working in their lives. I love and miss my group!

Meet Kristofer!

Meet Kristofer! He is the little boy I am sponsoring through Loving Arms. He is five years old and he is the sweetest kid I know. I first met him this past summer on a missionary trip with my church. I saw that he needed a sponsor and I quickly signed up. . My friend Kelsey also sponsors a little boy, Emerson, who is from the same village. We went back to Guatemala this past December and realized that the seminary we stayed at was only thirty minutes from where Emerson and Kristofer live. We called Loving Arms and asked if there was any way that we could see them before heading back to the States. They agreed to meet us with Kristofer and Emerson at the park. Kelsey and I put together backpacks full of gifts to give to our boys. We met them at the park and gave them their gifts. It was so amazing seeing the smiles on their faces. I cannot wait to see him again!