Blessings abound

 

Blessings abound, all around us, no matter where we are. You just have to open your eyes and soak it all in. I found some of these blessings while in Honduras. A small butterfly on a bright colored flower. The sunrise through clouds one morning...So beautiful and so blessed to have this given to me to experience.

Some other things that I was SO thankful for while in Honduras, the amazing newly paved roads! The last time I was there, the roads we traveled to Lacampa were all dirt roads. Roads with many holes and hard to drive on. We have to drive super slow and it took a long time to get to where we needed to be. This trip, the roads are now paved and it only took us 30 minutes from Gracias to LaCampa where before it took like an hour. Such a more better ride too. Less bumps on the bum.

One blessing that really touched me this trip, was all love and greetings of people who I have not seen in 4 years coming to me to talk and hug me. I was not sure if anyone would remember me. But it was an amazing feeling when they would come up and hug me, or see me across the room and point to me and smile, then we would embrace! It's a good feeling knowing that I have made a difference and mark in their lives. My friends, Olympia, Antonio, Rina, Omar. They have touched my life so much and I am so blessed to know them. 

Proverbs 11:25: "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."

2 Corinthians 9:8; "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

Blessings to all,

Mission update, finally

 I am finally home. Sorry it has taken me a while to get an update to you on my trip. You see, I arrived home late Sunday night, and was resting up on Monday. I had every intent to update you Tuesday, but guess what! I got sick. And I tested positive for Covid! It was an experience that you will have to read about later.  But I wanted to share with you about the mission. It was a great mission. God was moving, for sure!

First, I'll start with the views. Look at the beautiful sunrise God gave us each morning. It was more amazing in person! This is the view from the hotel we stayed in.

This was on the trip to one of the clinics up the mountain, an hour drive. The roads were rough and very bumpy. Thank goodness for handles in the truck to hold onto so you wouldn't be sloshed around and hitting your head on the windows!

I saw lots of animals, cow train in the roads, horses walking around the town, and yes spiders! yikes. I don't like those!

We had a total of 3 clinics and saw a total of 408 people. Each clinic had a minister there that each and every patient was prayed over and told about the promise of Jesus. We had 8 give their life to Christ! 

At the clinics, we saw a lot of people with cough, cold and fever. But the last clinic, we cleaned a lot of ears! People would come in and say they were having hearing loss. Well, when you look in their ears, they needed cleaning. Once cleaned, the smile on their face because they could hear better again, made all the difference!

Another story I liked is when they would come in and say they couldn't see well. We had some reader glasses to give out. I would have them try on the different strengths of glasses and once they found one they could see with, they would just smile the biggest smile because they could now see!

Some of my favorite patients at the clinics were the babies! I would always ask the mom, "can I hold your baby?" and they would always say yes. That is a highlight of the clinic to be able to play with them even if for a short time.

I had a great interpreter for my clinics. She was spot on and I hope to work with again!

This is a picture of the GPS, the road disappeared! I guess the road we were on was not yet registered in GPS yet! Thank goodness we knew where we were going.

This is the kiln/oven that Mrs. O. uses for her pottery. It was so cool to see it and how she does her pottery.

Matthew 25:35-40; For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Blessings to all,

God is so good!

It has been an awesome week so far. I just wanted to send a message of thanks for everyone praying for us. I will have more pictures once I get back. It seems the internet is slow for me here so I can’t get my pictures uploaded!! 

But clinics are going great. I have some great stories for you. Seen lots of cows! Got to see the best parade ever for the community celebration. The construction team is getting their project done. God is so good. 

I did have a struggle with one of my patients and let fear set in because I doubted myself and what to do. God stepped in through my interpreter and we worked together to help her. So the word for today is do not fear. Let God lead you. 

Blessing to all,

 

Isaiah 41:10

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.

Psalm 27:1

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?

I made it!

 

Well we made it. It was a very long travel day with flying and driving, but we are here. My feet are swollen from all the sitting and flying yesterday and my toes look like little sausages but hopefully today that will go away with all the walking we will be doing.  

And I’m excited for today because we get to experience Lemperia day. The community is celebrating their heritage with a parade and having booths in the town square. The kids in the parade are dressing up and doing skits. It is going to be amazing! Then we have church tonight which is always great. 

And I heard my rooster this morning in the distance. I don’t know why, but I just love hearing them crow! So that is the update for now. I will try to keep you up on the goings on while I’m here but the internet is so spotty. And trying to down load pictures is pretty nil. So I may have to do that when I get back. Just a big photo dump! 

Blessing to all, 

One more week

 

I have started packing. Yes this early. I don't want to forget anything. Because it never fails, when I take a trip, I always forget something. And this trip, there are no stores to go to pick up something. You just do without it! I am getting all the things I need for clinics, for my travels. Also getting my heart ready for whatever God has in store for me and the team. 

Our first team left this morning. They are going to Tela to work with Pastor Franklin and his church. His church is doing so many great things in that community and he is planting churches there. God is definitely using him in so many ways. His church even sponsored their own medical clinic in the neighborhood with local doctors and nurses. So much is happening there.

I am on team 2 and we will leave next week. Pray for us to have safe travels and get through customs without any hiccups. Customs always makes me nervous. I don't know what to expect when we get there, I don't think I ever know what to expect, but I do know I will be helping those that come to the clinics to know Jesus and his love. 

What I am not looking forward to? TSA..Atlanta airport...customs.

What I am looking forward to? Seeing old friends...back to basic nursing...being immersed in their culture..seeing the mountains and beautiful communities/people. And another good thing, I heard the roads are starting to get paved. So not as many dirt, muddy roads this trip. 

I encourage you to look into missions if this has been on your heart. You will not only bless others, but you will also be blessed through the work you do for others.

1 Chronicles 16:24 ESV; "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!"

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

Blessings to all,

Countdown has started!

 

It is getting close to our team departure! I have already started to look at my packing list to see if I have everything, which I don't! But it will all come together soon. I was looking through some of the old pictures of previous trips. I came across 2019, my last time I worked in the medical clinics. I remember each of those pictures and experiences like it was yesterday. And it is also bitter sweet. It was the last year me and my dad went on a mission trip together. We have gone on so many trips together, and he has put the spirit of missions in my soul. So many stories he has of his trips has encouraged me to to want to do this. Not everyone can GO, but you can go out in your workplace, community, or locally with your church. You can also support your missions through church or just independently. 

I am looking forward to getting back into the clinics. I have to admit, I have a little fear. It has been a while. But God's got this!

Just volunteering is a show of God's love and grace. It just takes courage to step out and speak up. Trust me, that is not always easy and I have to defeat this fear everyday. Sometimes it is easy, but sometimes it can be scary. But God's got your back!

I usually have a prayer partner but the last few trips, I have not had a dedicated one. So as I prepare my heart for this trip, please be my prayer partner and pray for courage to speak, the words to say and the actions to move forward. Pray for our team to be safe while there and keep the illnesses away and for our return home. 

1 Chronicles 16:24; “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!”

Romans 10:13-15; “For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?  And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 

Blessings to all,

Not perfect

 

Not Perfect. God knows that is soooo true about me. I am not perfect. I would have to say that I am the "perfect" human. Yes. Humans make mistakes, everyday. I mess up daily, and more than one time a day. I hate that I am not perfect and that I mess up. And sometimes I beat myself up over the things that comes out of my mouth before my mind can say STOP!! Or those negative thoughts about me or someone else that pop into my head. (Especially when I am driving!). We all are human and mess up, no matter if you are a believer or not. The only difference.....

                I am forgiven. I am saved. We all are, but you have to believe. 

Just because I am a mess sometimes, doesn't mean that God can't use me. Believe it or not, He uses the unqualified more than the qualified. And when He calls you, I guarantee your response will be like mine...PANIC! I panic everytime God calls me to do something. And you may be like me too when you tell God, you got the wrong guy. Isn't that funny, telling God he's got the wrong guy when he knows all along who he wants in each task he has for us. 

When God calls you, you go. You don't need to figure it out. Just go and He will guide you. There are so many people that God is trying to reach and it just may be you that will reach them. And you are just the person to reach that one, the one God leads you to. Ephesians 2:10 says; "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

God's got you and me, through all the panic, through all scary times, but the reward is on the other side. To be part of the big plan, which we already know the ending too!

Blessings to all,

Faith

 

Every trip our team makes, we have a verse we stand on, mediated on to prepare our hearts for whatever God has in store for us. This year is Hebrews 11:1; "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

Walking by faith is hard, because you do not see faith, the promises that God has for us. But you just know and trust they are there. That is faith. You don't see it, but know it's there. And it is a good feeling knowing that God is on your side. That he is with you every step of the way in life. 

This verse is true to our mission. We have to have faith that God will use us. They he will give us courage to speak the words to say, strength to do the work, and willingness to keep going. Sometimes that can be hard, not just in everydaylife, but even in Honduras. It is so easy to get caught up in whatever you are doing and not slow down to hear what God has to say and what he wants you do. So you want an example, well, my whole life is an example!

One example is on one of my trips, I got so caught up in the medical clinics, in all the "legalities" of running the clinics, I didn't think to slow down and just look at the people I was serving. I was caught up on all the work that I lost sight of why we were there...to help people and tell them of Jesus love. One way that God is able to get my attention is when the little kids and babies come to the clinics. They are so precious and the mommas welcome us to hold and love on them. It is very special to me to do that because my kids are adults now. And to hold a little one, well, that is special. 

Another example is that when I go back, I see people that I have built relationships with. I enjoy seeing them and talking with them to build onto that friendship that we have made. I am looking forward to this trip because I have not been in the LaCampa area in a few years. And thank goodness for social media. Because I am able to keep up with them when we are not together. One special lady I am looking forward to seeing again is our friend that runs her pottery business out of her home. She opens her home, makes us coffee and we just sit and visit. (and I may or may not buy some pottery!). This is how you show God's love, just be there. Have faith (that you do not see) that God will use you. Because he will!

So my word to you all, keep the faith, even when you don't see it, because it is there, and God is with you. He will guide you, give you the words you need and strength to move forward. He is always with us.

Blessings to all,

Where are you?

 

Have you ever thought, what in the world am I doing here? Well I do, a lot! Think about where you are and why you are there/here, where-ever. 

You are not there by accident. That place...That store...That job...That mission. It isn't an accident. You are right where God has planted you, you may just not see it yet. 

Next question...Are YOU willing to be used by God? I know, It's scary. It is very intimidating to follow God, and not know how things will turn out. You may hear God tell you to go somewhere and think, why? You may be thinking- This is silly. 

Example...I had someone tell me that they felt God direct him to a different way home and he stopped at a gas station to fill up. He went in to pay, (yes this was before there was pay at the pump!) and there was a girl who was needing to get milk and diapers for her baby and didn't have enough money. He listened, felt that nudge, and helped that girl get those things she needed. If he didn't go that way home, he would have never stopped and she would have not been on the receiving end of grace and love. 

It's the small things, that show God's love, that add up to the bigger things. 

If you are feeling this, ask God, "would you create an opportunity for me in this place?" Ask him to give you the courage to use those opportunities, for his glory. 

You ask, how do you know what to do?  Make time for the quiet moments. The world is loud, so loud. God comes in the whispers, the wind. So when he says, "Be still" he means it. Quiet your mind, your heart and just.....listen. You will learn to discern the voice of God. 

1 Thessalonians 2:8; "So we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well."

Psalm 46:10; "Be still, and know that I am God"  

Love to all,

Meeting one...getting started

We had our first team meeting this morning to review our plans for this summer in Honduras!! We got to see who was all on the team and we have 23 total! I am getting excited about all the wonderful things we will be doing. July will be here soon. 

Planning and preparation is underway for the children and women's ministries both weeks. We will soon be cutting out the activities for the children's ministries to take with us. We will have to make some new costumes for our play we do for the bible story.  Our story is the healing of the Centurion's servant. Children's ministry is always fun. Coloring, putting on plays, songs! 

I am going the second week of the team's mission trip. I will be assisting with the 3 medical clinics. I am happy to get back into helping with the clinics. It has been a long time. I feel a little nervous about being on the clinic team since it has been a while. But I have the knowledge to care for people, it is just getting there and doing it! I am so glad that God can use me in this way. This will be my 8th trip to Honduras, and 5 of those have been with medical clinics.  I was going through my storage box with my mission essentials and sorting through it all. I have "mission clothes" that I have stored up that I wear just on these trips. Skirts, scrubs, t-shirts. I think I need to renew some of them. They are looking a little worn. My clinic medical equipment is still working. And I still know how to use my trusty stethoscope. Hubs is having me practice on him taking BP checks!

Please, Keep praying for our team as we prepare our hearts, minds and spirit for the trip. Pray for our families too that help support us state side. 

Jesus Heals a Centurion's Servant; Luke 7:1-10

7 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 Now a centurion had a servant[a] who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3 When the centurion[b] heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

Blessing to all,

Getting prepared for Honduras 2026

 

I have been working on preparing my heart, my mind for our trip this summer. It has been a few years since I have been there, and I have to say.. I miss it. I miss being there. I miss being able to be a part of something so much bigger than me. I think I got a little burned out on trying to manage the medical clinics, that I lost sight of what we were doing. I was concentrating on what had to be done and not on what we were doing.

So now that I have taken a step back, I can see what our true purpose is. To help others. Their spirit, mind and body. I am getting excited about going back into the medical clinics. I am not sure what to expect, but I am being flexible. I will be there to do whatever job is handed to me. I know God can use me in whatever he leads me to. 

And I am sure God will place me right where he wants me to be. And I know it will probably be something that is definitely out of my comfort zone, that will challenge me and will definitely scare me!

So as I prepare my heart, mind and spirit, I am preparing my inner anxiety to anticipate something big and to train myself to give it to God. 

Isaiah 41:10 ESV; "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Blessing to all, 

I have an answer...

 

I am sorry to keep you all waiting to see what my answer is regarding going back to Honduras in 2026. I have prayed a lot, and have looked internally at why I want to go, what I can do and is it what God wants, not me. After much thought, and talking it out with the hubs, I SAID YES, I AM GOING!

It helps so much that I have so much support from my hubs. So you ask, what helped me decide? Well, glad you asked. It was like God was talking right to me. Everything from the songs I heard on the radio to my daily devotions, seemed to point me in the direction to serving others. But it was like my personal prayers were getting answered, right there in front of me. I was kinda shocked, but not sure why. Because God will speak to you in ways only you understand, ways he can get through to you.

One devotion was about being fully committed. Not halfway committed, not when it is convenient for you or when you feel like it. Full commitment is a direction. "It means you have set your heart fully toward God and you're pursuing Him with all you have."

Then I got the email, the email with the application. Just before this, I was leaning toward not going. I was talking myself out of it. A lot of things came to mind....time (I am getting ready to move to a new house and my parents are moving in with us), money (it will take all my mission money I have saved, I was thinking I could do 2 send relief tours with it), and then there is traveling internationally. But that application, reading it, put a spark in my heart. A spark that couldn't be ignored. So I mustered up the courage to talk to the hubs, and with his support and blessing, I sent it in.

What will I be doing? I signed up to be a nurse! haha, yes I am a nurse, but it has been a few years since I have worked with the medical clinics. The last time was in 2023, and I kinda of miss it. So I am going back. And I am so excited to see what work we will be doing. Our trip is in July 2026. It will be for one week in LaCampa Honduras.

God can use anyone, no matter what our past is like. God is using me to do something great in my life and he can do the same for you. Now it is time for me to brush up on my Spanish. I have 7 months!

1 Kings 8:61; "And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.”

Blessings to you all, 

Should I stay or should I go?

 That is the question I am asking myself....should I stay or should I go? You see, now is the time for me to decide if I am going back to Honduras this July. I am torn. I want to go, but I want to start something new with missions in the states, close to home.

You see, our team does some great things in Honduras. I want to do those great things here in the US too. 

I just don't know what to do! I have so many great memories of God leading me in Honduras through so many different ministries. I have helped with the medical team, the children's ministry and prayed over people on our prayer walks. It is so rewarding to see and feel God working through me. To have people I have met one year, then go back and see them again, in church, happy and trusting in God. All because our team listened to that voice of God and went when he said GO.

I hear ya God. I want to make sure I am going for the right reasons, to be the light of Jesus, to be the hands and feet of God. I don't want to go just because I love going, I love the people there, and want to see them again, like a family reunion. I need to go because God has more plans for me to be part of the team.

You see my dilemma? My brain is crazy! But you know what I am going to do? I am going to pray. Pray that God will lead me and guide me in my decision. I know he has plans for me, no matter where I am.

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"

Blessing to all, 

Mission at home

(faces blocked for safety)

Today I had the honor to join and volunteer with the Women on Mission group! These ladies represent 2 Baptist churches in our area and work hard with gifts God has given them, to be able to sew!

Me and the amazing 5 ladies of this group packed 354 pkgs of washable, reusable sanitary pads and underwear along with 31 pillow case dresses. Each package had 4 pads and 3 underwear for the Samaritan purse shoeboxes. All of these (except the underwear, of course) were hand sewn by these ladies!

I am thrilled to be invited to be a part of their group today and be a blessing on the kids that will receive these gifts in their shoeboxes. Total completed by these ladies are 6,262 reusable pads for Africa &  Honduras mission teams, Samaritan's Purse and Operation Christmas Child.  Not everyone is able or can go on mission trips, but these ladies lead by example to show us, and me, that you do not have to go somewhere. Your mission is your gift God gave you and how you use it, will be your mission. 

What a blessing today was for me! And the fellowship with these ladies is something that I am glad I didn't miss out on. The small things you do, will be a blessing for others, whether directly or indirectly.

Acts 1:8; "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 13:47; "For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

Romans 10: 13-14; 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? "

Blessings to you all, 

 

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,