God Cares

I was driving back to Indiana from Ohio on Sunday night.  I left my mom's at around 3:30 that afternoon and it was rainy, cloudy, dreary...I'm sure you remember the nasty weather.  Anyways, as I was getting close to Columbus, I felt the urge to pray.  I prayed that God would give me safe travels, that I would not get in an accident and that I would make good time.  

When I was going South on 270 in Columbus right by the Easton exit I was driving in the left lane and there was a big pickup truck in the center lane. My exit was coming up so I was getting ready to merge into the center lane when all of the sudden this BIG white thing flew out of the truck and was coming towards me!  I quickly swerved back completely into the left lane and the thing hit the front passenger side of my car.  I was literally freaking out cause it made a loud bang.  My car continued running fine and my lights were working so I didn't pull off the road--and the truck didn't stop either.  I finally calmed down and continued my drive.  When I stopped to get gas 2 hours later, I forgot about checking out my car...so I didn't get to check it until I got home.  When I opened my passenger door, it made a loud crack!  It was too dark to really assess the damage, so it wasn't until Monday morning that I got to get a good look at it.  It hit at the edge of my fender--about 1 inch from my tire.  If it would have hit my tire, it would have busted it and I most likely would have gotten into a serious accident because I was driving about 65 MPH.  God protected me!  I also realized that if I would have been in the center lane or had not swerved back into the left lane, it most likely would have hit my windshield.  It made a large dent in my car, I can't imagine what would have happened to me if it had hit my windshield.  God protected me.  I was truly thankful that God put it on my heart to pray for His protection so He could answer that prayer.  

Another praise...I called my insurance agent on Monday morning and explained what happened and it is covered under my comprehensive insurance.  He instructed me about which body shop to take my car to and that the body shop would arrange for my rental car.  I took the car in Monday afternoon and the estimate was $711 and would take 3-4 days.  The best part is that I have a zero deductible and 80/20 rental insurance.  I don't have to pay anything for my car to get fixed and the rental car is costing me $6.18/day.  

This whole experience was a nice reminder that God is our protecter, provider and that He cares about what happens each day!  God is good!

My Apartment

I decided to rearrange my apartment and I got rid of some things at a garage sale and got some new furniture at Ikea. I also finally found a place to display all my souvenirs from across the world.  I wish I would have taken some before pictures, but I didn't think about it until after I had moved out my big furniture...oh well:)  Here are some pictures of my "new" place.

My new lamp and a mat that was made by this wonderful family in Africa!

My new bookshelf

My new kitchen cart--I LOVE that I can fit all my baking stuff on it--including my cookbooks.

My New desk and chair.

I am not completely finished, but it does feel like a whole new apartment--which is nice!

Dog-Sitting

So I'm currently dog-sitting for my co-worker, Kara and I thought I would share a little story of what happened last time I was here:)  The dogs, Emerson (boxer) and Izzy (lab-mix) are very active!  Izzy makes Emerson do what she wants and one evening while they were out in the backyard, I noticed that Emerson's collar was off.  It was already dark outside, but I went out anyways and tried to find his collar.  I gave up after a pass through the yard and decided I would find it the next morning when I let the dogs out. 

The next morning (Sunday) the dogs woke me up at 6am to be let outside, so I came downstairs and let them out.  I remembered that I needed to find Emerson's collar, so I went upstairs and got my shoes then as I was going out, the dogs were ready to be let in.  I went out, the dogs came in.  I searched the yard for about 10-15 minutes and finally found Emerson's collar, Izzy had actually broke it!  I went back to the door and the door was LOCKED!  The dogs had somehow locked the door!  I tried to get them to unlock the door by following my hand up, but it didn't work.  It was at that moment that I realized that my key and cell phone were inside on the kitchen island.  I had no way to contact anyone and no way in the house.  Kara's parent's (my boss) live about 15 minutes away, but they were out of town together! 

I walked around the house trying to find a way inside and I saw the garage door opener and got excited!  I didn't know their code, but I do know their number...so all I needed was a phone.  I decided to just wake up their neighbor, who is hispanic and doesn't really speak english.  I was able to ask her to borrow her phone quite easily, thank you high school spanish:)...I called and asked the garage code to find out that it didn't work!  I started freaking out thinking that I would have to break a window or something to get in!  I found out that Kara's mom had a spare key at her house, so I just needed to find a way there!  It was looking good.  I got off the phone with them and then I was ready to call a friend to take me to get the key. 

Then I hit the next roadblock...I don't have anyone's phone number memorized!  I asked to use a phone book, but who has a land line anymore!?!  The neighbor had woke up her daughter by this time and she spoke perfect english, so we no longer had a language barrier.  After a few minutes of me searching frantically for someone's phone number, they offered to drive me!  So these people that I woke up at 6am on a Sunday morning saved me by letting me use their phone and taking me to get the key. 

Thankfully when I got back, the dogs hadn't gotten into much--there was just a few pieces of paper shredded on the floor and a rug from one room in another room. 

This time, I have not gone anywhere without my phone and the house keys!  Oh and Kara mentioned after they got back that the dogs had done that to her husband, Jeremiah...it would have been nice to know before it happened:) 

Ethiopia

Today I had the honor of joining a family at the airport as they welcomed their two new children/siblings home!  A wonderful family from church has 3 biological children and now 5 adopted children--and it was so fun to be able to welcome them back!  The new kids are from Ethiopia and are a beautiful brother and sister and I know they have a lot of adjusting to do, but they couldn't have found a better family to join:)  I'm just glad I could be a part of it and see the joy on their faces!

Baja, Mexico

I am getting excited for my mission trip with Global Expeditions to Mexico in 83 short days!  Wow there is so much to be done before then!  I was able to book my flight and it was less than I was planning, which is an answer to prayer!  I still need $822 to pay off this trip, but I know God will provide.  If you would like to donate, you can click here and search for me by my Missionary ID #2215584.  (Thank you!)

Earlier today I posted on facebook that I need a few supplies for the trip...an air mattress, hammer, paint roller covers and a paint brush and within a few minutes the air mattress was provided - PRAISE GOD!  Now, a few hours later, the other supplies are provided as well:)  God is GOOD!

I've decided to do a fundraiser with MudLove.  A guy I went to college with started a pottery business and he builds wells in Africa with a portion of the profits, so this fundraiser will not only help me get on the mission field again, but it will provide water for Africans...truly a win-win situation! 

I'm also participating in a contest on facebook so if you haven't yet, you should go like my picture!  I have a chance to win $750 towards my next mission trip! Click here to vote for my photo!

I'm definitely feeling blessed because I know God is in this and the support I am receiving from my family, friends and church family is awesome!

South African Safari and Lion Park

While in South Africa, we had the opportunity to do two pretty fun things during our free time.  We got to go on a safari and to the Lion Park.  Since this was my second time in South Africa, it was also my second time visiting each of these places.   

While we were on our safari...

we were about 20 minutes in and we hadn't seen any animals--besides deer (impala, spring buck...) and who really cares about deer on a safari! Anyways, one of the students on my team decided to pray that we would see giraffe and no lie, as soon as we turned the corner there were three young giraffe standing there. 

We thought it was cool and continued on the way. We saw a rino WAY off in the distance (basically it looked like a rock...) anyways, someone else said lets pray to see one up close--so someone did and we all agreed. We met a truck carrying another group and our drivers stopped to talk--the driver said there weren't any animals this way and we would be wasting our time to go there. Our driver went anyway and we turned the corner and there was a

RINO and BABY! It was so awesome. Then we prayed for elephants and we had the same thing happen with another truck, but we turned the corner and

saw a big group of elephants! We did the same thing wtih Hippos and we saw hippos. The one of them prayed for lions. I was thinking, yeah right...we will not see lions--they said there were only 2 prides living there, so the odds of seeing them is SLIM. Well right before we got to the place we have our barbeque, we saw 2 lionnesses! It was so awesome--seeing how God answered even those simple prayers.  We also got to see zebra, a warthog and hyena!

About a week into the trip we went to a lion park where they have lots of lions and other animals that you can drive through their habitats. 

Our Experienced Driver

There are also some wild cubs that you can touch/take pictures with. Well...I was posing for a picture and there was a lion right beside me and...

 it BIT ME! I GOT BIT BY A LION! It hurt a little, but didn't really bleed, so that was good....but who can say they got bit by a lion cub in Africa?!?

Kwandebele

We spent the second half of the trip in Kwandebele--a more remote village/area. Since it was more spread out, we didn't get the chance to do children's ministry there. We did door to door each morning and afternoon and then we did a revival in the evenings. I PREACHED AT A REVIVAL IN AFRICA! I never thought I would do that, but God spoke through me and I believe it was good and touched some lives. I don't rememeber everything I shared, but it's better that way right--cause that means God was talking not me!

We met many people who after answer many questions gave up worshipping their ancestors and chose to follow Christ. It was awesome to be a part of that. We also met many Christians who were discouraged and we were able to encourage them and pray for them. Some of the families we ministered to we were able to go back and visit them before we left--I really felt connected there--and I wanted to stay.

We spent one morning visiting a clinic where we shared the gospel and laid hands on the sick to pray for them - many were aids patients, so that was sad. We also went to an old person home where we shared the gospel and prayed for them as well. God was working and we were just extensions of His hands.

One story from Kwandebele that stands out is about my new friend Julia. She walked up to me while I was at another house and she asked me how to get Satan out of her mind. I began talking with her but she had to go to a meeting so she made me promise to stop by her house that day. I made it there right after lunch. She was under some intense spiritual warfare. She was depressed and had often contemplated suicide. She had been abused in her past and just had a rough life. Her parents didn't want her, so she had grown up with her grandparents and she still lived with them. She had an 8-year old daughter and her daughter was the only reason she was still living. My heart broke for her and I shared from my heart. I told her about how I struggled with spiritual warfare in college and how through proclaiming the Word of God it went away. I shared the gospel with her and the authority Christians have as HIS children and that Satan has to listen to us. She committed her life to Jesus right then. It was so awesome to hear her cry out to God in her own words, why she needed him and wanted to change. Then I instructed her to read the Bible out loud and if she ever had those feelings that she was being attacked to speak out loud that she is God's daughter and that Satan needs to leave her alone. I made her say it out loud with me. She was shy/hesitant at first, but after my leading a few times, she was proclaiming it. She ended up coming to the revival that evening and she told me that she had already started saying that and reading the Bible out loud and it was helping. She also asked me to counsel her to help her work through her problems, but I was leaving in a few days, so I connected her with the Pastor's wife and she was going to disciple and counsel her. It was t that point that my desire to be full time in missions hit me more. I deeply desired to stay and disciple her. I wanted to see what God was going to do in her life.

I have heard from the missionaries and our translators that followup/discipleship and Bible studies have already started with the people we met/led to Christ/prayed for. God is still working and it's awesome.

A family from my church made hats for me to take and distribute to the children I met in Africa.  I had 36 hats and these are a few of the beautiful kids who now have warm heads:)

I was so blessed to have a great team and awesome translators!

South Africa

I got a co-leader, Cory, the day of the trip, he was a complete rookie. He had never even heard of Teen Mania before...but we worked well together!

We had a great team of 23 high school/college students and throughout the trip, many of them had the chance to lead someone to the Lord for the first time. We even had a guy come on the trip who wasn't a Christian (he thought it was a humanitarian trip), but halfway through he committed his life to Jesus:) It was truly awesome! 

Before we left Texas, one of my girls, Sara, was short $2,000. You don't get to go on the trip if you don't have all your money. Sara is from NYC. Her family doesn't have extra money and she wasn't sure if their family was going to still have a place to live when she got home.  She came to Texas for the training because she wanted a small vacation away from the reality of her life. Our team came together and prayed for her and within 24 hours, she had ALL the money she needed! It was so awesome for the team to witness God's provision/miracle because they were all expecting more when we got on the field.

We spent the first half of the trip in Johannesburg working in the squatter camps. We would have one group stay at a central location to do Jabulani Kids (VBS) and the other groups would go out door to door. We did this in the morning and afternoon. We switched the groups going out and staying for Jabulani Kids and my coleader and I switched between Jabulani Kids and door to door. At Jabulani Kids, either Cory or I would give the gospel message after the team led songs, story, games...it was awesome! One afternoon we had over 400 kids show up! Over the whole time in Johannesburg we saw 335 children commit their lives to Jesus. 

The door to door ministry was also amazing...we would help the people with whatever they needed - dishes, laundry, sweeping...and we would talk with them about life and what they believe.

We prayed for people to be healed, to get jobs, for salvation...the list goes on and on...and we saw God answer those prayers. There were two guys that got phone calls for jobs right after we finished praying for them--and they quickly called back and took the jobs. We had a pregnant woman who was on bed rest and couldn't do anything get cleared from her Doctor the next day and return to work. We saw people who had trouble walking start dancing and praising Jesus. We saw people who were stuck in bondage get set free. We saw a child who was possessed, be freed. We saw the lost surrender to Jesus.

One of the most exciting things that happened was while we were doing Jabulani Kids at Kya Sands (Squattercamp) the second day of ministry and there was an older lady there the whole time. After I gave the net I was going to talk to the mommies and that lady was gone. A few minutes later the woman was back and she came up to me and asked me to pray for this child that was hobbling behind with the use of a walker. A second ministry group (MIG) had shown up a few minutes earlier, so I gathered both MIGs over and we prayed for Lillian. The woman was praying with us, which was neat. While we were praying, Sara (one of the missionaries) had her hands on Lillian's knees and she felt her bones shifting. When we had finished praying, another Sarah grabbed Lillian's hands and pulled her away from the walker and then she let go of her hands and I stayed behind Lillian--in case she fell--and we asked her to walk.

Lillian's first step was VERY hesitant, but when she saw she could do it, she got this HUGE smile on her face and she walked quickly over to Sarah. 

We spent a day learning about how to minister to Muslims and went to an area of Johannesburg where there are MANY Muslims. We got to tour a Mosque and ask questions. There are so many similarities between Christianity and Islam, but they miss out on the Love aspect of God. It really is sad. We were able to have some conversations with Muslims, and the missionaries are continuing to develop relationships and they are seeing God do some pretty incredible things in the lives of those people.

Then we went to Kwandebele for our village trip...

World's Worst Blogger

It's official.  I'm the worst blogger.  South Africa was an amazing trip!  God did so much in the lives of the South Africans and in the hearts of my team.  It was incredible to be the hands and feet of God.  We saw sick people healed, the lame walk, captives set free, believers encouraged and the dead in Christ find LIFE!  More specific stories and pictures will follow...but thank you for praying for me and my team, it truly was a life changing trip!

And I'm Off!

I am leaving for training in Texas tomorrow morning and will be there a few days before my team heads to South Africa!  A few things to leave you with...

• I found out today that I don't have a coleader yet.  The guy who was going to be my co, is now going on another trip--and not as a Team Leader.  Please PRAY that I get a new co-leader tomorrow so we can spend our time training/planning wisely as we are in Texas a few days before the rest of our team arrives. 

• There is a way you can send me messages while I'm gone--I would LOVE to hear from you!  You can go to http://www.globalexpeditions.com/index.cfm/pageid/4857/index.html and my trip is South Africa B.  The rest is pretty self explanatory. I may not be able to respond to your messages, but it is always nice to get some encouragement while on the mission field!

• I'll try to update my blog as often as I can, not really sure about internet access, but you can follow my team's page on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Global-Expeditions-South-Africa-B-2011/117613414987810?ref=ts

• Please pray for my team as we meet and train together in Texas.  Pray that we would be united and be ready to serve each other and the South Africans. 

2 Weeks!

I leave for my South Africa trip in 2 weeks...yet there is still so much to do!  I still don't officially have a co-leader, so I haven't been able to nail down plans for our team...but I'm learning patience:)  I'm supposed to find out my co-leader today, so hopefully that happens!

I'm getting really excited.  I keep hearing stories of what is currently happening in the ministry of the missionaries that we will be working with.  Yesterday a blind, lame man received sight and he is able to walk!  God is definitely working!!!! 

Introducing...Rajeswari and Sumayiya

Last winter I felt the urge to sponsor a child.  It kept coming up and I kept putting it off.  I was at Acquire the Fire in Muncie and I just knew that I needed to do it!  I went to the Compassion booth and that's where I found Rajeswari.

She is a twelve year old girl in India - and she lives really close to where I went on my mission trip in 2005.  I have loved getting mail from her and it is such an honor to pray for her.  I got an updated picture of her last week...and I'm so excited to see how she is changing:)

The promting for sponsoring a child came back this winter.  I wasn't sure if it was God leading me to sponsoring another child or if it was just a thought running through my mind.  Compassion had a booth at ATF again, but I decided I couldn't afford another sponsored child.  I couldn't get it out of my mind that I should sponsor another child.  I found myself browsing the Compassion website looking at children, but for some reason, I never took the step of sponsoring one of them. 

Then in March I was at the Revolve Tour and there was a presentation by World Vision about sponsoring a child and I knew that I had to do it.  I went to the table and that's when I found Sumayiya! 

She is a beautiful 9 year old girl in Uganda!  She has unsatisfactory health and I'm pretty sure she's an orphan since she lives with her grandmother and sister.  I can't wait to start writing to her and to get my first letter from her.  I know that God wanted me to sponsor Sumayiya and that's why I put it off:)  I had talked wtih World Vision and there was a chance I could meet her while in Uganda, but since my trip is cancelled, that won't be happening now!

Someday I would love to meet both Rajeswari and Sumayiya...

Change of Plans...

So I have been planning to go to Uganda on a mission trip since October when I was placed there as a Team Leader.  I've wanted to go to Uganda for about 7 years now and have had a few opportunities that just haven't worked out.  I have had such a great time preparing and praying for Uganda over the past months.  Then Friday happened.  On Friday the people of Uganda rioted by burning tires and trees in the streets among other things.  The police and military came in for crowd control and using tear gas and guns and some people were killed.  Therefore, it was deemed unsafe to take a team of 25-30 high school students.  I'm disappointed that I won't be going to Uganda, but also thankful to be a part of a ministry that is always looking out for the safety of the missionaries!

So where will I be going?  Monday I was told there were no longer any Team Leader spots open and I would be going to the Philippines as a Country Assistant.  (Country Assistant in the Philippines does all the cooking and is basically an assistant to the leaders--doing whatever needs done!)  That was a major curve ball since I've been preparing to lead a team to Africa since October!  All that changed yesterday!  I got the call and I'm now leading the same students that were going to Uganda, to SOUTH AFRICA!  I'm pretty excited about it.  I went to South Africa in 2007, so it will be good to go back.  I have never gone on a trip to the same location, but I'm excited about going back and I am bringing the experience from my last trip--and all my warm clothes as it will be winter in South Africa!

Off to South Carolina!

I'm heading to South Carolina to visit some family for the long weekend!  I've been talking to my aunt and uncle for the past few months and we were keeping my visit a secret from my cousins...but they are smart kids and 2 of the 3 have guessed that I'm coming.  Oh well--it may not be a surprise, but it sure will be a fun time!  I love these guys:)

Last spring they visited me in Indy...at the top of the Monument with my cousins.

My wonderful aunt and uncle!



Saturday Evening with the Chin

The Chin people are a Christian people group in Myanmar and are being persecuted for their faith.  They are fleeing Myanmar and are sent to various communities around the world.  I am lucky enough to live close to a growing Chin community!  My church has been partnering with a Chin church and there are various opportunities to serve: clothing drive, household goods drive and partnering with a family to help them get used to life in the US.  When these families arrive in Indy, they have the clothes on their back and whatever belongings they could get out with.  They don't speak English, have a job, a home or know about the US culture. 

I've had a desire to get involved some way, but didn't know what that was...until a few months ago when our young adult group decided we wanted to partner with the Chin young adult group from our partner church.  We had a meeting with their leadership group and decided to meet once a month.

Our  first meeting with the Chin group was Saturday night and it was so awesome!  It wasn't exactly as we expected, there were many more teenagers than 18-30 year olds like we asked them to bring, but it was fun.  We learned some Chin dances and then taught them some classic American dances like the electric slide and the macarena...haha.  We played games and got to know one another.  I'm pretty excited for future events and more fellowship time with them!

Grandpa George

Today would have been my Grandpa's 75th birthday...I miss him so much!

 He was such a stud...

and he loved his cars...

This is the last picture I have with him...taken last February, three short weeks before he went to meet Jesus. I sure do miss him...

God is Good!

My Uganda trip is PAID IN FULL!  I just love how God provides--all $3,300 is in my account:)  This summer will be my 9th Global Expeditions mission trip and each year I'm reminded of how God provides!  I estimated the amount I've fundraised over the years...God has provided $24,626!!!  There were some years that the money came in very early and other years it came in the DAY BEFORE I left!  However, every year, by the time I got on the plane to head to training, I have had everything I needed.  It is nice to not have to worry about raising funds right now, but work on preparing myself spiritually to lead my team. 

I'm so anxious to learn who my co-leader is!  I want to start talking, planning and praying with him for our team!  Pray that I get a co-leader soon and that many more students will sign up and that their funds will come in.  I just want to go to Uganda!  Only 81 days:)

Gifts for MAs

I love making things.  A little over a year ago, I purchased a sewing machine and I had great aspirations to make lots of things with it.  However, I get busy and that is one thing that gets pushed aside.  This weekend, I had some free time and was able to sew. 

I'm making little drawstring bags for each of my MAs (Missionary Advisors) for my Uganda trip.  MAs are what make the team work well.  They are over a small group of same gender missionaries and their job is to encourage, challenge and hold their groups accountable on the mission field.  I was able to serve three times as a MA and one time my Team Leader gave us little gifts of inexpensive, practical items that were a major blessing while overseas.  Since I've been a Team Leader, I've done something small for each of my MAs to make sure they know how much they are appreciated.  This year, they are getting these bags filled with small goodies to make the trip easier. 

I'm so pleased at how they turned out!  I only have one completely finished, but the rest will be done in no time...I do still have 85 days until I leave, so I think I'm ok!

Missions

I went on my first mission trip in 2003 to the United Kingdom.  I went with a group called Global Expeditions (GE).  It was a great trip and I had a lot of fun, but when I got back I said I wasn't going on another trip.  I love missions, but I just didn't think that another GE trip was for me.  God had other plans...

The following summer I went to Panama.  Then in 2005, after the tsunami, I went to India.  That was the most incredible, challenging, life-changing trip I've ever been on.  I also went to Peru that year with IWU.  The next spring break I went again with IWU to Mississippi on a Katrina Relief Trip.  That summer was my first opportunity to serve as a Team Leader to Costa Rica then in 2007 to South Africa.  In 2008 I didn't get to go on a trip because I had just started a new job and I used my vacation time to visit my friend in the Czech Republic.  In 2009, I went to Italy then Panama over New Years.  Last summer, I went to Scotland and in a few short months I will be heading to Uganda!  I'm so excited for what is to come!

I've had so many opportunities to serve God overseas, and hopefully will have many more in the future.  I'm blessed to have a company that allows me to have time off work for missions! 

Who I am...

I've decided to start blogging and I thought it would be fitting to tell about myself in my first post--in case someone happens to read it. I work full-time for a company that helps wealthy Christians be good stewards with their money. I'm passionate about missions, teenagers, coaching and crafting. I go on mission trips whenever I get the chance. I am a youth leader/small group leader and a children's worker at my church and I love it! I coach Upward basketball in the winter and baseball in the summer/fall. I love making things (sewing, scrapbooking, baking) to give away. I also love watching football - both college (OSU) and professional (Colts).

I spent four of the best years of my life at Indiana Wesleyan University and have incredible friends to prove it. I also got a degree in Management, Business Administration and Intercultural Studies and student loans...but that's another story.

My goal is to post about my life and to share some of the amazing experiences I've had overseas.