Join me in my trip to Gabon this summer

Haven't you ever wanted to with your own eyes and experience for yourself what Great things God has been doing through the hands of his servants in Gabon? Well if you do, we invite you to come and join us in His ministry serving with Envision in Gabon, West Africa.

What can you do? - well here's a list of the many things are available:
-Work Project Ministry (basic needs, home repair, construction projects for churches, Hope House Ministry)
-Outreach Ministry (Evangelism)
-Compassion/Medical Ministry (loving children at Hope House, being the hands and feet of God, medical assistance)
-Community Development Ministry
-Church Development Ministry (ESL classes)
-Sports outreach ministries
-Mobile Medical Clinics

How you can Help:
1.Pray for God's guidance as I lead short-term mission teams
2.Pray that God will provide for all my finances of this trip
3.Pray for safety
4.Pray that my team members and I will develop healthy relationships
5.Pray that God stirs your heart to pray for me daily

Romans 10:14-15 "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!' "

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Give Me Faith...

As I was driving up with my girlfriend to Pennsylvania to spend Thanksgiving with her family, I listened to this song that captured my attention.  The song started out like this "Give me Faith, for You're all I am. I may be weak, but Your Spirit is strong within me, My flesh may fail, but your love will never let me go."  What powerful words! If there was a song that could sum up my thoughts, this would be it!  I left a week ago from a spiritual retreat figuring out what my role was as an individual for this summer working with Envision, and I was encouraged by others like myself sharing the same passion that this is truly what He desires of me.  I left also with the reminder that I need to support myself during this time.  Finances are never something easy to deal with, let alone talk about.  I have to come up with a large amount before I head off in May, but I'm not worried at the same time because if this is His desire for me, than He will provide.  "Father give me faith, for You ARE ALL I AM!"  In me alone I cannot come up with this amount before May, but through Him and your help, all things are possible.  Please, if you have the time to check every once in a while at my blog, take the time to read my updates and needs, requests, and prayers.  I can you all the prayer I can get :)
God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Strength in Numbers!

Oh. For those who haven't heard, I am going to be in Gabon this summer working for Envision (short term mission for the C&MA).  I am the Summer Team Coordinator in Libreville and will be heading out sometime in May after school.  Please keep me in your prayers as I have to raise all my support for this summer.  I will be sending out letters soon with clearer descriptions.

I shared earlier that I spent the weekend in Atlanta with the rest of the Gabon Team for Envision for a spiritual retreat.  God's presence was overwhelming and I was sad to leave to "reality"-back to school.  However, this doesn't have to end like this.  How do I maintain that Spirit-filled environment that was present with the rest of the team this weekend?  It was such a great time of sharing, reflecting, praising God, meditating- and Joe who was our worship leader did such a great job with music.  Before going to bed last night I knew that my morning to come would not be the same as I spend the time with the Lord.  In short, I understand how effective it is to be in numbers in the Lord.  To have a brother or sister in Christ by your side allows confession, sharing, comfort, and input that isn't always easily done when you're alone.  Strength in numbers is harder to be broken than if one were alone.
-Take advantage of meeting with your brothers and sisters in Christ to draw closer to Him.

Being Lead by His Spirit

This past weekend I was down in Atlanta for a spiritual retreat with the new Gabon team serving with Envision.  This weekend was probably the highlight so far into this year!  I needed to be broken and that is exactly what God did.  I felt so close to the Lord that I didn't want that weekend to end and I just want more of you oh LORD!  I was reminded during this time that I need to constantly be focusing and setting my mind on Christ and living out my actions in Him all the time.  It's not about having the little bit of time in God's Word and later forgetting all that I read, what the purpose if we don't retain and live out what He teaches?  Christ never says in His word that we need to have "devos" everyday.  He doesn't say to make sure that we read his Word every morning!  The practice of pondering, meditating and living out God's word is what's important. Being a true living testimony all the time!  That's why it's important to come at the end of the day and reflect and share what the Holy Spirit has been speaking to you about.  I left last summer from Gabon with an entire new view of God's Spirit.  I tended to just rely on God's Spirit for basic needs such as comfort, conviction, and understanding.  But Tim Brokopp challenged me to embrace the Holy Spirit daily in every movement.  Using our 5 senses (smell, see, hear, taste, touch, feel) to sense His Spirit and be guided.  The practice of intentionally reflecting on what He is speaking to us through His Spirit will allow us to more easily be guided and understand what He wants from us.

So this is my challenge to you; embrace God's gift of his Spirit and be lead.  The only way to accept this gift is by asking Him to allow us to be moved and transformed by his Spirit.  Take the time to reflect and sense his Spirit speaking to you.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

His Way is Perfect

I was reminded in my readings this morning from Psalms that "God's way is perfect!"  I may not understand or know my future, but I do know that with God all is well, and there should not be any need of worry or doubt.  You know what's amazing to me, is that I can have the worst day going on, but that one little moment with God can change my whole perspective.  It may not affect the difficulties in the moment, I still will have deal with them, but with my faith in Him, I don't worry about the outcome; for "God's way is perfect."  If you're feeling like that right now and are having one those frustrating days, take a moment and allow yourself to bring drawn back to God and let him take control and overwhelm you in his peace and comfort.  Cause his was is always perfect.

Psalms 18:30 "As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him."

Sunday, November 14, 2010

What's God Speaking to me about?

It was a few months ago that I met with Matt Peace and Tim Brokkop about working with Envision this summer and further in the future.  Last summer working alongside with Tim was absolutely amazing and God truly sprung an interest with Envision.  But I'm scared! Thoughts of doubt and realistically placing myself in the position of the "missions coordinator" discouraged me because I didn't really believe that I could take on this responsibility.  But God's is soo good and gracious to me and has repeatedly been comforting me.  I can't say that it was just one day that God spoke to me and said that everything will be ok, rather it has been a constant encouragement that God is here with me and watching over everything I do and will yet to do.  A series of chapels, Sunday services, and personal devos that God has focused my complete attention on Him, and reminding me that "it's all about HIM!"  My personal life with God has been AMAZING!!!  God is just SOO good to me and his blessings are never-ending.  I have presented my desires before His thrown and I know my desires are in-line with Him, therefore what can wrong?  I can't explain to you this peace that His Holy Spirit has wrapped me in; there is truly no words that can be expressed.  -There needs not to be any worry of finances, guidance, accomplishments; God is in control and "All I need is You"-Hillsong :)  Love that song!

In my own strength and abilities I will surely fail miserably, but by Him and his Spirit all things are possible.

"You hold, the universe
You hold, everyone on Earth
You hold, the universe
You hold
Ya You hold.
..For all I need is YOU"

Hillsong

Thursday, November 11, 2010