Adventures in Missions

Haiti: Two Years Later, We Tarry On

January 12, 2012
Adventures
Haiti Missions

I want to say Haiti has changed a lot over the past two years. But I can’t. The emergency aid effort and the donations that flooded into Haiti after the quake undeniably helped save lives and provided basic and essential services, including food and water, to millions. But rapid progress in Haiti’s reconstruction and rebuilding has been quite another issue. Yet the thing that struck me when I first visited and continues to strike me today is the energy, creativity, and the intelligent spirit of Haiti’s people – despite the daily difficulties and the...

Expect Nothing But the Miraculous

January 9, 2012
Adventures
World Race

We often begin a new year with expectations, some new and some carried over from the previous year. Maybe we begin without any because we can’t bear the possibility of disappointment of unmet expectations. We approach ministry and missions similarly. Is there a discrepancy between what you anticipate from missions and what you read of Jesus’ ministry in the gospels, e.g. Matthew 10? When you think about being a part of a church community, is it like the early church as described in Acts? Stephanie May of the September 2011 A squad shares what she’s learned...

Going on a Matthew 10 Mission Trip

December 16, 2011
Adventures
Short Term Missions

When Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph had no place to stay so Jesus sleeps in a trough. Could you imagine then, over thirty years later, Mary being surprised at the way Jesus leads? We read in Matthew 10 how Jesus sends out the twelve disciples; similarly, Jesus sends out another seventy or so followers, as found in Luke 10. Both times he instructs them to: proclaim that the kingdom of God is near heal the sick travel light. He also tells the twelve to cast out demons, cleanse people from leprosy, and raise the dead. Do you wonder what it’d be like to...

I AM HIS BELOVED AND HE IS MINE

December 12, 2011
Adventures
Guatemala

After three and a half incredible months in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, our time has come to an end. What a blessed journey it has been. My life will never be the same. Before this trip if you had told me how hard it was going to be, I most likely would not have come…but praise God I had no idea, because I am so thankful for God’s work in my life. My life will never be the same. God truly transformed my life and my love for Him has blossomed into something so beautiful. The Christian journey is not always easy, but it is so rewarding. If...

Following His Will with JOY in my Heart

December 11, 2011
Adventures
Guatemala

It’s hard for me to grasp the concept that my time in Puerto Barrios is done, at least for a little while. I won’t be holding orphans, teaching them how to walk, and playing with Dalia every Monday. I won’t be at the Children’s Hospital every Tuesday coloring with sick kids and talking with concerned parents. I won’t be talking to prostitutes or walking through garbage dumps every week anymore. Some things I’m happy are coming to an end- cold showers, constantly sweating, power outages, water shortages, rice and beans, pila washing, and language...

Alllrriggghttt Sistaa Time to Go!!

December 11, 2011
Adventures
Adventures Updates

Tomorrow at 11:40 p.m. I start my journey back to the United States.It seems so surreal that tonight is my last night in Cambodia, that tonight was our final team dinner, and that tomorrow morning will be my last morning waking up next to my teammate Amy in our fort at the YWAM Base. It seems like yesterday I was having a mental breakdown trying to pack for this trip and now I am all packed up to go home to Prescott, AZ. I am excited to go home to a lot of love, snow, and Christmastime! But the next few days are going to be very bittersweet. The coming days will involve some of the...

Shine Your Light for the World to See

December 8, 2011
Adventures
Guatemala

“We know that if the life we live here on earth is ever taken down like a tent, we still have a building from God. It is an eternal house in heaven that isn’t made by human hands. In our present tent-like existence we sigh, since we long to put on the house we will have in heaven. After we have put it on, we won’t be naked. While we are in this tent, we sigh. Then eternal life will put an end to our mortal existence. God has prepared us for this and given us his Spirit to guarantee it.” These past three and a half months have been the craziest, hardest, most...

Two Ways to Get Youth Involved This Summer

Your youth are looking for an incredible experience this summer. And we know that you want to help them make memories, and grow in their faith while serving people around the world. We can help. Want to take your group on a trip where they can grow in their relationship with the Lord? We have urban, rural, and international sites where your youth will lead, coach, and serve. Through ministry with kids, sports outreach and serving local ministries, these students will see the value of their presence and observe first hand the move of God through their contribution....

my orphan

December 5, 2011
Adventures
Guatemala

Dear Maria Clara, In a few weeks you probably won't remember me anymore, but I'll never forget you. I still remember the first time I saw you. Pastor Rony said they had babies in a nursery and I snuck off quickly to find me one. From the first time I laid eyes on you, I knew you were "My One." The one person I wanted to love on each week, to pour into and pray for, to cuddle with and snuggle and let you know you are loved. Granted, you were six months old when I met you, and now you're eight months. You still don't really walk or...

Learning to Remember

December 5, 2011
Adventures
Adventures Updates

God does such good work. With only one more week in Cambodia, I am reflecting a lot on all the things that God has done and I am amazed. I have seen healing, seen friendships develop and grow, lives have been restored, the word of God proclaimed, I have experienced personal growth, and I have seen love lived out in the most beautiful ways—life in Cambodia has been incredible. And there is still more life to bring—but, God was faithful through all of this and I know He will be until it is finished. It’s challenging to concisely put into words...

The missing piece

December 5, 2011
Adventures
Adventures Updates

Welp, this is a post that seems surreal to write. This is my last blog post! So in the spirit of lasts…here are the some things that I will have my 'last' of this week that I will miss: – Having the time to have extremely lengthy times in the Word – Wandring through streets exploring – Fresh, sweet pineapple and mango – Eating lunch and dinner at one long table with my team – The kids I built relationships with at the orphanage – That I can afford things in Cambodia – Conversations with my friend who works at a...

HOME & Final Blog!

December 4, 2011
Adventures
Adventures Updates

Hello All! First off, due to illness (mainly mono) I had to come home from Cambodia two weeks early. It was really hard to leave ministry and my AMAZING team early, but I am also very thankful to be able to rest and get well in the comforts of home. I’m also thankful to have made it as far as I did in my journey in Cambodia! Cambodia was really hard for me in a lot of different ways, but man, I wouldn’t change a thing! I’m serious! The “trials” by FAR outweigh all of the lessons I learned and all of the love I got to give and receive. In Cambodia I learned that...

Author: Adventures