Adventures in Missions

cambodia has ramen?

Yep. Technically it’s not called “Ramen Noodles”, but, there’s this fascinating pre-packaged over-seasoned noodly substance that we eat here for breakfast sometimes. And it tastes pretty darn similar to the beloved 25 cent college staple we all know from home. Oh Ramen. And sitting here at the breakfast table, my hands clutching chop sticks that put up a most heroic struggle against my steaming bowl of broth and noodles which in turn makes my face steamy and sweaty, I am filled with bittersweet emotions. I think fondly of...

Empowered Through The Hurt

2nd Timothy 1:7: " For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." Early on this trip, Satan tried to use something from my past to bring me down. Instead of bringing me down, it empowered me. God told me he wanted me to share part of my testimony with the women. I was nervous but I also wanted to do it. God told me he would let me know when it was time. Last Sunday he told me it would be this week. I was going to tell my leader Brittany that I wanted to share. Funny thing is, before...

The Art of Getting Excited

I have never been so excited for the Fourth of July in my entire life. With each day being similar to the others, something different and out of the ordinary is a big deal. We decided we would take the girls to the “Asia Hotel” aka the only place we can get fries and a “chocolate shake.” BP had ordered red, white and blue drinks beforehand and we were going to go and celebrate this glorious day. When we showed up covered head to toe in red, white and blue and were handed red, white and green drinks. I knew this would be the best-and only- Fourth of July these...

Two weeks at a glance!

It’s amazing how much God works in our lives, day by day, week by week. During my day so far in Cambodia I have noticed that God will put a theme or a person on my heart. Last week, the week of June 24th, God took something from our team. Now I can see that it is a blessing in disguise, but two weeks ago it broke my heart. The children that we have gotten so close with unexpectedly went home to families we had no idea they had, or moved in with other relatives. Within three days seven out...

Broken to the point of Redemption

July 2, 2012
Adventures
Guatemala

I think it’s time to call out the truth. If we’re honest there are people in this world that aren’t easy to love. That are termed ‘Unreachable’. There are people out there that we have decided don’t deserve Gods mercy, that don’t need our time or ministry. Well newsflash…YOU don’t deserve Gods mercy. I don’t deserve it. My neighbor’s sister does not deserve and that is why Gods mercy is so beautiful. It’s time we call out the hidden places in our hearts that have determined who is worthy or more deserving. We say that...

a kingdom that cannot be shaken

June 30, 2012
Adventures
Guatemala

“Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29 This week has been incredible. I could write a novel about all the specific things God is doing, but I feel like there’s a theme to what He has been doing and teaching us lately – and this verse in Hebrews has been on my heart all week! There have been a few times when we have felt like there has been a lot working against us, but other times God has shown up in...

Turning

June 30, 2012
Adventures
Guatemala

The longer I’m here, the more and more difficult it is for me to remember life before Guatemala and imagine life after Guatemala. My conception of time has stilled completely, like dust suspended in the thick Central American heat. I am here, and God is here, and that’s all I know and feel and want. The past two weeks have been filled with ministry! Although our schedule varies daily, here’s a general idea of what a day in the life of a missionary in Guatemala looks like: 7:30. Wake up (without an alarm clock—a true miracle!) 8. Breakfast (normally Corn...

Small Things Done with Lots of Love

June 30, 2012
Adventures
Guatemala

The past two weeks have been a blur. We have done so many ministries, but also had a lot of free time. We have been to the special needs school, the nursing home, the park, the Children’s hospital, the garbage dump, the orphanage, and prostitute ministry. We have also gotten to go to lots of churches here and lead a few worship songs and share testimonies. We went to one church in the mountains and I was so encouraged by their joy for the Lord. They danced and laughed during their worship and were so welcoming to us! I love the joy people have here despite...

Soy una mercenaria

June 30, 2012
Adventures
Guatemala

Funny fact of the week: I went around the markets telling people that I am a mercenary and that I would like to pray with them. The word for missionary is misionero and the word I said was misioneria which is close to mercenaria which is the word in Spanish for mercenary. That was quite funny and learning Spanish is an embarrassing but beautiful process. This past couples of weeks has been amazing and my love for God and these people just continues to grow. I am dreading the day that we leave with my whole heart and I never want to leave this place! God is so good. My Spanish...

Keep on shining

Throughout our weeks here so far, my team has been able to communicate the story of Jesus to this community. These people of Cambodia have become our family. We have spent time individually explaining the relationship with God to the women and depicting who God is and why He is a God worth worshipping every day of your life. We have also spent time with the women washing clothes in the dark in buckets, using a broomstick as a microphone singing Justin Bieber cleaning the kitchen, killing large bugs, laughing at ridiculous make up and outfits for our music video, and hiking...

Wave Your Flag

I was feeling discouraged because of the language barrier between myself and the women. Our translator, Ratana, was not able to be with us this week. So instead of having English class—we decided to make a music video. It was SO fun to do with the girls. Because they take cosmetology classes, there is a salon and full hair and make up staff available at the snap of a finger. The first day we filmed- in the morning we scouted out locations. This consisted of Sengdy making us climbing a surprise mountain. We survived—barely. The first day of filming everyone did each others...

Every heart will see this hope we have in You

June 30, 2012
Adventures
Guatemala

Everyday I grow to love Guatemala more and more; the people, the culture, the language, it's just beautiful. While we get to experience the great things of Guatemala we also get to experience the hurt and brokenness of Guatemala. Last Wednesday we got to visit the special needs school, i wasn't particularly excited to go nor was i not excited. We got there and I felt like immediately there was a kid latched onto everyone in our group except me. I stood back and watched everyone play with the kids for a few minutes and that's when a joyful, tiny, 9 year old girl...

Author: Adventures