We all have been given a mission

 

I just love when I find the little, subtle things in the Bible that only God can do. Like the verse John 3:16 and 1 John 3:16.  See if you can see what I see.

John 3:16; "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life"

1 John 3:16; "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters"

Do you see it? First is that they are both chapter 3, vs 16. Second it refers to: Jesus came and laid his life down for us. I love when I am reading and I am shown these little things that only God can do. But not everyone knows this, that Jesus came for us and laid down his life to give us life. We must be the ones to go out and tell the story. We are all on mission. We all have been given a mission for God. And through faith, we will complete our mission that God has given us.

Pray, and ask God where he can use you. But when you ask, be prepared for the answer. Because God can and will use you. And it is scary once God answers you. I asked God 12 yrs ago where he can use me and guess what? He sent me out to Honduras working at medical clinics. I had no idea what to do , but I just let God lead me and it worked. He gave us the tools (we had nothing to start out with and I needed to find out what type of supplies and medications we needed), people (I was the only nurse but he used the local nurses and doctors for us to work alongside to give care), knowledge (I am an ICU nurse, with monitors and equipment, clinics do not have those, so I had to rely on basic skills) and guidance to help others through those clinics (God worked through everyone from nurses to our pharmacy to our runners). And we were able to lead people to Christ through the clinics. 

Don't be afraid to try something new. I know I had the fear deep in my gut, shaking fear, of working in the clinics. But I did it.  You can do it too. Ask where you can be used, listen and GO. God will use you to Go, support others that can go or to help with the much needed supplies for the mission. Do what you can, God will make it work for his good.

Blessings to all,

Craft time!

It's fall and that means Craft fairs! I use craft fairs to help me fundraise for my mission trips. I do not do many and I am hoping to be able to participate in 2 this year. I love doing crafts and this gives me an avenue to show off and sell my "goods". 

I make bracelets and essential oil roller balls. (see pictures above). But this year, I learned a new craft, dog necklaces. I have a bougie dog and thought that I can't be the only one. So I made some beaded and paracord doggie necklaces. Hopefully, everyone will like them!

And I can't forget PICKLES! I always have pickles since that is my biggest fundraiser I do. I do not have many jars left from my pickle making season, but what I have left, they will be there for sale! They are always a favorite.

Whatever you are called for, just know you can do it! I save money throughout the year but also raise funds to help. Use your gifts you have to help you raise funds for your mission. Don't be afraid to do something. Even though I am not a "professional" crafter, I get out there. This opens the door and gives me the opportunity to talk about what I do, what my team is doing and to tell the stories of the people that we help and touch. 

So get out there! Dig deep for that courage to go and do!

1 Peter 4:10: "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's varied grace".

Romans 12:6: "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us".

Blessings to all,

Why missions?

This time of year is when we as a church, look at missions and help to encourage support for our missionaries. This may be supporting those who have answered the call to go abroad and live in another country to teach and spread the Good News of Jesus. It may be missionaries, like myself, who take those short term trips to work alongside those missionaries in other countries or stateside. Or it may be those that do missions right here, in their own community, state or neighborhood. Wherever you are, when you speak truth to someone about Jesus and the gift he has given us, you are a missionary. 

I have done both abroad and at home. No matter where you are, it is scary to talk to people about your beliefs and what Jesus has to give them. You don't know how they will react to what you say or what they will say to you. But you have to have the courage to do it and it only comes from God.  I have talked before about why I feel drawn to go on mission. I am asked why do I go abroad and not stay in my own country, state and speak of the good news. Look at the picture above. This is one of the homes on our prayer walk in Honduras. I went out into the remote parts of Honduras, the countryside, to meet and talk with them about the gospel. I have been in some small communities in Honduras that have never heard of Jesus or the gospel. Some people stay in the states while others feel compelled to go abroad. Some cannot afford to take the short-term mission trips abroad, but are able to go within the states to mission. Every interaction is a mission with people and is an opportunity to tell the good news. But today at church, we were given numbers of people in countries and how many believers. I was shocked. This is why those that feel the pull of God to go and answer the call to be sent, THEY GO. Let me break it down for you. 

• United States 341,419,000 people; 90,419,667 believers  
• China 1,407,652,000 people; 106,418,491 believers
• South Korea 51,663,000 people; 8,452,066 believers
• France 64,704,000 people; 795,859 believers
• Somalia 18,643,000 people; 156,601 believers
• Lebanon 5,176,000 people; 36,749 believers
• Tajikistan 10,281,000 people, 7,196 believers
• Oromo people, Somalia 104,000 people; 312 believers
• Wolof people, Senegal 246,000 people, 246 believers
• Bedovin people, Lebanon 52,000 people; 52 believers
• Malay people, Madagascar 37,000 people, 37 believers
• Bunu people China 428,000 people; no know believers.
• Uzbek people, Kazakhstan 558,000 people, no know believers
• Arora people, India 4,532,000 people, no know believers

NO KNOWN BELIEVERS!!! Is it because they have heard and do not believe OR could it be because THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD THE GOSPEL? This is why missions is so important. To GO, teach and spread the news of Jesus. If you know Jesus, then we are his disciples and we need to be the first, second, 10th person to speak to that one person and let them know the gospel.

The bible says to be strong and courageous. This is for everything we do. Life is scary and when God calls you, it is even more scarier because when HE calls, it is something that will take you out of your comfort zone into the unknown. Believe me, God has taken me out of my comfort zone many times! When you feel called, be strong and courageous, trust and have faith, then GO!

Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go". 

Matthew 28:19-20 ESV "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

1 Peter 2:21 ESV "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps."

NOW, GO BE THE CHURCH 

Blessings to all,

I'm back from my mission trip!

 

I am back! If you ever have gone on a mission trip, you know the excitement of preparing to go and the anticipation of the day you will arrive. But there is also the excitement of when you return, just wanting to tell everyone of your experience. Going on mission is about leading others to Christ and being that person, the door, the one that introduces others to Jesus. It may be their first introduction, and it is just as important as any other interaction. You may not say a lot, but trust me, they are watching you. Watching to see how you act, speak, work. 

Our mission was Friday and Saturday, all day, but I planned my trip so I would get there early on Thursday and leave late on Sunday. This way I could experience the community that I was going to serve. Just to recap, I went to Columbia, SC to serve the River District area. My project was at the Northside Middle school and we were tasked with the teachers workroom and the care closet. It was a job. And with any mission trip, you have TO BE FLEXIBLE! So, we found out Friday morning, that we were going to also work on the playground too. Lots of jobs for our small group, but we took the challenge and did any amazing job!

We re-worked the teachers room, with a new table, took down the boards on the wall and painted and hung pictures, and cleaned out the kitchen area, organized it and even was able to give them some new appliances. We couldn't get to all the playground because it rained! But we were able to get the gaga pit built, new soccer goals made and hung the basket ball nets. 

We did such an amazing job, that we got 80% of it completed Friday. Only God was working with us to get this done, because you know God has a plan. Again, we had to be flexible, because one of the teams needed help getting their project completed and since we were almost done, we volunteered to go with them Saturday to get it done. That job was HUGE and was at the Transitions shelter for the unhoused. We did a lot of painting!! A LOT. But we wanted to make this area a nice, beautiful area for the residents. It was great to talk with some of the residents there and even a few helped with painting and giving us pointers.

I am so glad that I had this opportunity to go and serve with so many other people from around the states. Over all we had about 1,000 volunteers, that were represented by 14 states, 80 churches for 49 projects. I am not sure when my next trip will be, but I can tell you, there will be another one, and another one...... Check out the pictures below. If you are interested in missions, this is a great way to get started. Go to the Send Relief link on my page. 

The care closet before and after

     

The teachers workroom:

   

                                                                    

Shelter painting: 

      

Romans 10:13-15 NIV; for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 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!”

Blessings to all, 

Pickle season is over!

 As you know, I make pickles every year to help fundraise for my mission trips. I have been doing this for the last 10 years. WOW, I can't believe it has been that long! While I don't make a huge amount of money, I am able to raise enough to help with expenses for my trips. This year, drumroll......I made 235 jars!!! I can't believe my little garden was able to make enough cucumbers for that many jars! I only had 7 plants and was able to get enough for that many jars! 

Thank you all for the support you have given me and for those that have had the opportunity to experience my pickles, I hope you are enjoying them because it will be another year before there will be any more!!! They are definitely a seasonal item, kinda like the pumpkin spice lattes! 

As I get rested from the the last 6 weeks of cooking pickles, I am preparing my heart and mind for my next trip. I can't believe it is in 2 weeks!!! I will be going to Columbia South Carolina with the Send Relief Tour. The task assigned to me for the weekend will be the job of refreshing a middle school teacher workroom and care closet. I am excited to be helping out this community and giving back to the kids and teachers there. When you don't have the space or resources, it is hard to work and do your job to teach the kids. My prayer is our work there will inspire them and excite them. For them to see the love of God through us. 

Last May, I worked with a team at a middle school playground. To see the kids faces and excited of knowing what we were doing, made a huge difference in the work we did. I can still see the face of the kids through the fence asking what we were going to do. When we told them about the playground and basketball courts, they squealed with excitement and happiness. When you give your time and energy to others to help, you will get the reward as well. You know you helped someone, even if it was indirectly. 

Our team consist of many different people, from different states, different backgrounds. I am excited to have my daughter join me on this trip. We have done missions together in the past and I love working alongside her. She loves the Lord and is an inspiration to me and to others around her. 

I encourage you today, that if you are thinking about missions, you do not have to travel far. Look in your community, your city, your state. There is always someone in need. Who will go, if not you? Pray about it, ask for courage to take that step of faith.

John 20:21 reads, "Again Jesus said to them, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.'"

Blessings to you,

spread happiness

 

"Whoever is happy will make others happy too." Anne Frank

Have you been spreading happiness and joy to others? What? You say you are trying to find your happiness and joy. Well let me give you some of mine. Here is a smile and good vibes coming your way!

That's all it takes, put a smile on your face, even when you don't feel like it. It will change you whole demeanor and did you know that when you smile when you talk, you even sound positive! Try it. 

Well team one came home yesterday from Honduras. I hope they had an uneventful trip home. I have not talked to anyone yet. And team 2 arrived to Honduras yesterday. Last week, the pictures of the construction team was awesome. They worked so hard and got so much done on the church in Tela. Congratulations guys! I have to admit, some of the pictures were a little scary seeing you all hanging around and sitting on the rafters on the roof. All I can say is that I was holding my breath! And it is good to know that no one fell off the rafters or ladders way up high on the roof!

This week, team 2 will be concentrating on medical clinics for well check ups and prenatal checks w/ultrasounds. It is amazing to see the team work on the OB pts and give them a look and picture of their little one before they are born. We take these things for granted here because they are readily available for us. Not so much available in other parts of the world. 

In addition to the medical clinics, construction work, the team also conducts children ministries and prayer walks around the neighborhoods. It is a lot to put into one week, but somehow it always seems to get done...every year. The team touches so many hearts and lives through it all. Please join me in praying for them this week for safety, health and for them to touch the people they are helping. 

I have to say it again, I miss going with the team. I am really praying hard and it seems like God is directing me back. I thought I was moving on from going to Honduras, but I have been so much that it has become part of my life. Missions will do that. Even if you go to different places, you just can't stop working for God and doing his mission work. 

So who knows, I may be returning to Honduras next year. And I feel that tug to get back into medical missions again. I don't want to lead it like I did before, but I would love to be part of the team, seeing people and providing that healing touch.

Whatever trial you are going through, take time to work through it then get back out there. I had to take a break because of some personal things going on with me a few times, but God always leads me back. He will find a way.

Mark 16:15 reads: "And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'

John 20:21 states, "Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.'

Blessings to all,

Honduras team made it!

 

They made it! The team made it to Tela yesterday. I am so happy the travels were uneventful. You just never know when you go out of the US with getting through customs and the flight itself. I know they are going to have an amazing time in Tela and touch so many women and kids through those ministries, but also the men will be working alongside the locals on construction projects. This gives them the opportunities to create new friendships but also build up the ones already created over the years.

And this may take time and a lot of prayer for God to touch someone's heart and for them to listen and accept it and then follow that voice. A few years ago, in Tela, we were going on our prayer walks through a neighborhood. It was me and 3 others on our team. One of them was one of the men that had been on construction projects in the past. This lady invited us into her home and we always ask what we can pray for and she was telling us about her family. Her husband was in the states working and sending back money for her because he couldn't find work there. One of her children was gone and she had not heard from him in months and she was so worried that something had happened to them. We prayed for her and hugged and gave her some encouragement with the word of God. She was a believer and went to church, but as you know, when hard times come, it can be hard to trust God. Our group spoke with the local pastor we were working with about our experience and he said he would follow up with her.

Later that week, her husband came home and she told him about her experience with us and that we were praying for them. The local pastor went out to visit with them and he accepted Christ and started to go to church with her!! AND.........This man we were praying for is one of the local workers that was helping us on our past construction projects! WE KNEW HIM and was already praying for him!!! You see, you never know how God is going to use you and work through you. You have to trust and have faith that HE knows what he is doing. Oh, her son did call her back before we left for home and he was safe. 

This is why I love missions....to be a part of something bigger. You just never know what God will do!

Romans 8:28 (NIV): "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." 

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV): "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." 

Blessings to all,