Lisa Derrah - coloring in all the darkness in the world

just a glimpse into my scattered mind

Sat, 1 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

appoliges to the extramily bad typying nd spelling.

i got a laptop for one of the girls and im currently in te inetnet cafe trying to finally write blog! its so had to put into words everything thats going on here. weve been so challanged latly. right now i chalanged with smplicity, and "what is the chruh REALLY?" the biblicl churhc is MUCH different from the church of today. my eyes fill up with tears when i ask myself the quistion, "what if we actually took care of each other?" and then i wounder why we dont, and i already know the answer, we are all guilty of greed and selfishness.

read james 5:1-5, the rich oppressors. we are rich oppressors, thas s hard to face the north american church is a rich oppressor.

we may not have loads of extra money in the bank, and most of north america has debt, but we live a luxurious life, james 5:5.

most of the world lives on 2 dollars or less a day.

theres enough to go around, but to many live in greed while otheres live in need. and sadily, we are part of that.

were learing about fasting right now and part of that is next week were doing a 25 hours fast. it looks like this.

monday-breakfast only

tuesday-lunch only

wed-supper only

thursday-nothing

friday-breakfast only

and there will be paying going on 24/7 and were fasting from communication wih the "outside world" aka no phones or internet.

ministry is absoultyl amazing, im in "house visitaions". we walk around th townhis prying for the spirit to direct us, we listen and then do. this has brought us to daycares, dance parties, people in need of prayer aginst sickneses, against drinking and for jobs weve mad many frineds we visit often and try to pour out more of God ino there lives. weve helped build and extition onto a house(yesterday) weve come to a house that was augt on fire 3 weeks prior and hped fit it up some, we play with children, weve had line ups of people wanting payer in th middle of the road. theres lots of cool God stories i hope ill have the time to go into more detail soon.

i wish you all peace and love. and please carelly concider your ways. concider others and live in brothly love to everone.

More To Come

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Training camp-one crazy week, lots of fire ants, bad sleeps, awsome team builders, some good and bad food, long days, great lessons, lots of amazing prayer, amazing worship, and great friends.

Africa/JBay-long flight over, beautiful here, great "home" aka UCSA, great roommates-only one bathroom for 10 girls, good food, colder then I thought-it hailed!, went camping in the bush, lots of friends

Its hard to get to the internet cafe right now because its always full and we dont have much free time at the moment. Im here and happy and safe. Basking in Gods glory. We started ministry yesterday. Im doing "house visitations" in the townships.

I will post a log about training camp, my african experiences so far, camping in the bush, and my ministry.

Theres lots to pray about! Friendships, ministry, our leaders, team unity, the people in Jbay, our second half ministry locations. Just pray that everything is God centered and we are all open to His will.

Oh and hopefully pictures will come soon as well!

In Africa

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hey everyone. I'll write a REAL blog later, sorry. Im in Jbay all same and stuff. Sorry I havnt called yet mom and dad!

Just Things

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I begun packing a few days ago. Getting laundry done, making lists, putting cloths in piles ect ect. Im usually a last minute packer, but Im trying to be more organized this time.

Packing for 9 months can be hard. We wont get to do laundry often, so I want to bring enough that I wont smell rank, but I don't want to bring too many things. I don't want to be the girl that brings everything she owns, but I don't want to have too little either.

This spring after watching the movie "Into the Wild" I decided I had a lot of things I didn't need. So I went threw all my cloths and shoes and threw out 2 and a half garbage bags of stuff. This makes it hard to pack some "grungy" cloths for training week when I have thrown them all out.

I sit in the spare bedroom with all my cloths neatly organized in piles, which is very unlike me. I realize how much more stuff I have accumulated since the spring. Im discussed by how many cloths I have.

I keep remembering this one boy from Ecuador that came out to camp. He wore the same shirt everyday. Did God love him any less because of this? No.

Does God love me anymore because I have lots of cloths? No. Does He love me any less because I have lots of cloths? No. They are just cloths.

"Let me not be blind with privilege
Give me eyes to see the pain
Let the blessing You've
poured out on me
Not be spent on me in vain
Let this life be used for change"

(Starfield)

I am privileged. God has blessed me. I can go out and buy a new shirt when I like to. I can go out to eat for lunch, like I did today. Im thankful for the life I have but I don't want to take advantage of it. And Im willing to lose it if God asks me to.

Address

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This will be my new address! They say it can take a while, but its all we got! Any surprise postcards, letters, and packages would be exciting.

Lisa Derrah
PO Box 921
Jeffrey's Bay
6330
South Africa

Thanks, Goodbyes And Pudding

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

My bags are packed and Im ready to go. I leave very early in the morning. To night I will enjoy my last night sleeping in my comfy bed. Iv said most of my goodbyes and will have a few last ones at the airport in the morning. Im good with goodbyes. Goodbyes and me and old friends. I don't know if I have packed too much or not. Nine months seems long to back. I have 2 large, very full bags and a carry on.

Thank you again to everyone! Thanks to all the supporters, thanks for the prayer, and thanks for the well wishes!

Please be praying for my team lots during training week. It will be our first time together and it will be a very intense week. Pray for strong friendships to start, for openness, for humility, for endurance, for our leaders and for God to prepare us for the amazing things he has planed for this mission trip.

Recently I have read "The Prayer of Jebez".(Which I plan to write a blog about soon.) Part of the prayer is asking God to "expand our territory". This sounded weird to me at first. This is not asking God for more land, or more possessions, or for more business, or anything like that. It is asking God for more ministry territory, more people to reach, and more ways to reach them. And it is not asking for ourselves, but to expand the Kingdom of God. To glorify Him. To win more souls for Him.

I have been praying this about our ministry in South Africa. That God will work through us. That we will continue to build off of the ministry opportunities there already, and that new opportunities will constantly arise, new relationships, and new ministry fields. That South Africa, and especially Jbay will be overflowing with people crying out to God and praising Him!

Also, I need to be more bold. Please be praying this for me. Pray that God will give me words to say when I cannot think of any. Pray that I wont let an opportunity to share the gospel slip between my fingers because of fear, shame, or stupidity.

Thanks so much again!

(A break from packing equales messy pudding faces. Pudding!)

umm, pudding

pud!

dripping chocolate pudding.

Pudding!

(Messy chocolate pudding faces might seem random, but there is a long inside joke between the pudding faces.)

Wanderlust (7 by 25)

Sat, 6 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Wanderlust-a strong, innate desire to rove, roam, and travel about

I have decided to make a personal goal to visit all 7 continents by the ripe age of 25. Im currently 21 and have North America and South America under my belt, and soon Africa will be added to that list. This leaves Asia, Australia, Europe and Antarctica in the next 4 years.

They That Sow In Tears Shall Reap In Joy

Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I leave in a few short days. I'll be on my way to Georgia for the training week. Which will involve meeting all the team mates and leaders, team building, worship and bible studies, sleeping in non-electric cabins, showering outside with a hose and a lot of unexpected things Im sure. Im most looking forward to the unexpected. I know from reading blogs that training week can be a very intensely spiritual week.

Everyone has been asking me "Are you excited yet?!". Im happy that Im going and looking forward to it all, but yet I can't say Im excited right now.

Since everyone has been asking me about being excited, this last week I have realized how much pain I feel and how broken my heart is. And there is good and bad in that. It's broken for the right reason, it's my love for others and sense of justice and compassion that leaves me with a broken heart for people all over the world. I constantly feel sorrow for them. I look down at my wrists and see chains that link me to them. I hear a calling from God telling me to do something about it. I feel responsible for every child that is left without parents. I feel responsible for every girl raped in the sex trade. I feel responsible for every women widowed because of AIDS. I feel responsible for anyone that goes hungry. I feel responsible because, even though Im only one person, I can do something to change it. And I haven't. Until now.

The sorrow I feel for the people of the world leads me to tears almost everyday. It could be something on the news, or in a blog, or in a magazine, a verse in the bible, in my prayers, and sometimes I just cry for what seems like no reason. My heart is in pain, and it is broken.

"...and our hearts will certainly break in such a vulnerable life, but it is the best way. We were made to be lovers bold in broken places, pouring ourselves out again and again..."

(twloha.com)

This brokenness deepens my compassion and love. It ensures that I cant turn my back to these people., and that I will do something about it. My compassion will not just be felt, but will be acted upon. But it is hard to walk everyday with this sorrow. It can stress the spirit.

Sorrow and pain are not the only things I feel. They are overwhelming at times, but it is not all I feel. In this world there are a lot of ugly things that leave a lot of people broken, desperate, lonely and lost. In this world there is also a lot of beautiful things that leave people happy, hopeful, strong, and with a smile on there face.

I need to remember that I can have enjoyment along with the sorrow. That God has placed a lot of beautiful thing in my life, and in this world, that we are meant to enjoy.

"So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun."

(Ecclesiastes 8:15)

Beat The Drum Ministry

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I just read that we are going to be taking part in a ministry called "Beat The Drum" while in South Africa. I'm so excited for this! A film can be such a powerful thing. It can capture the attention of an audience and show things that we can only try to relay with words.

After I found out about this I quickly found the trailer for the film and watched it, and then followed that by a CNN interview about the film. Here's the links to both trailers, please watch them both to have a better idea what the ministry is based around.

http://www.beatthedrumthemovie.com/trailer.htm

http://www.beatthedrumthemovie.com/cnn.htm

This is what I know about the ministry...

BEAT THE DRUM, Somerset East, South Africa
October 12th-19th 2008

Adventures in Missions is joining with other Jeffrey's Bay, South African organizations, churches and friends to bring Beat the Drum to Somerset East and WE NEED YOUR HELP.

HISTORY OF BEAT THE DRUM:
The horror of so many millions of souls currently under the curse of AIDS has been seen. The movie "Beat the Drum" was the catalyst for our response. A multi-faceted approach was developed that continued with a massive campaign to train young people in AIDS prevention, mobilizing people, volunteers from Africa and the US to break up into teams to go into high schools to train the learners in biblically-based AIDS prevention under a brand new project called, Beat the Drum.

WHY SOMERSET EAST?
In early 2008 George and Michele Mwanza took a team to Somerset East for outreach. They spent three days prayer walking through the community. Through this prayer walk God introduced them to many influential leaders and opened their eyes to the need for change and growth within this small community. George knew that the town was ready for Beat the Drum, it was just getting influential leaders on board. On Friday May 23rd six leaders went to present Beat the Drum to different representatives of schools, businesses, and churches. The response was amazing. God was so evident in that room that day. They are ready for Beat the Drum to happen tomorrow. God is telling us that it's time to move in to Summerset East and open their eyes and hearts to the ways of our Lord.

PRAYER NEEDS:
*Continued prayer is needed for the whole week of community outreach week.
*Families of the community
*Finances
*HIV/AIDS positive people in the community
*Home Visits
*For the volunteers
*Curriculum facilitation
*Lasting impact and real value
*For God's spirit to be poured out on the people attending
*Opening of their eyes to the knowledge and truth with understanding
*The Truth of the Word of God
*For the overall smooth running of our programs

FINANCIAL NEEDS:
Vehicle rental/Gas for transporting teams from J-Bay to Somerset East (100 people/3 hour drive)
Curriculum-Our target is 6,000 books which will cost $.80 a book which equals $4,800.
Any additional food that is not donated by the community

HOW TO GIVE: www.adventures.org/give
(Type "BTD Summerset" in the Staff name block)

MISSION:
To serve the Somerset East Community by bringing primarily the message of abstinence through Beat the Drum project and giving hope through meeting felt needs in the community.

EXPECTATION:
To see the movement of God
To see believers, Churches and ministries join hands in unity to serve our community

PURPOSE:
To educate on HIV/AIDS
To prevent and STOP HIV/AIDS in the community
To care for our community

An estimated 24.5 million adults and children were living with HIV or AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa at the end of 2005. Since then, an estimated 2.7 million additional persons have acquired HIV.

During 2005, an estimated 2 million people died from AIDS. The epidemic has left behind some 12 million orphaned African children.

In South Africa alone, an estimated 5,500,000 people are living with HIV or AIDS.

The most devastating part of these statistics is that the majority of people living with HIV don't even know it. Therefore they continue living out a normal lifestyle and thus infecting even more people.

In Africa, if someone does know they are infected with HIV, they don't admit it. They will blame their sickness on TB, pneumonia, or even a curse from witchcraft. Worse yet, if they do admit they have HIV or AIDS, they will be totally ostracized by friends, family, neighbors and even churches.

This epidemic is killing our brothers and sisters in Christ but is kept a secret. It's time for this generation to rise up and reveal the secret that is breaking God's heart and breaking apart Africa. That's why Beat the Drum was implemented.

PLEASE be praying for this ministry!

Through My Weakness He Is Glorified

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

At first I wished it could have been easier. I wished that the funds would have flooded in quickly. I knew that God would provide what I needed and assumed that this meant it would be easy and at the end of my fingertips. That put a condition on Gods providence. I limited Him. I put Him in a box. It was a beautiful box, one where His will was easy, but it was a box none the less.

I have been weak throughout the fundraising process. I have been jealous of my teammates that seemed to have an easy and quick time getting the funds. I have been disappointed with some Christians I know. I have had little faith. I have had doubts. I have worried.

To my teammates, friends, family, supporters and most importantly God, I am sorry.

Surprisingly I must say, I would not trade in this weakness for anyone else's fundraising experience. This is something I needed to go through to learn some lessons. And it added to my relationship with God even more. It has been hard, and its not over yet, but I can see Gods glory through all of this.

"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

(Romans 5:3-5)

I learned I needed to ask.

I learned to place all faith in Him, not humans.

I learned His will is not always easy.

I learned not to worry.

I learned to expect supernatural things.

I learned to be bold.

I learned that when I am weak He is my strength.

I learned I can't limit God.

I learned to rely on God.

"And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

(2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

When I am weak, He is able to show me His strength. He becomes my strength. Through my weakness He is glorified!

Friday morning started off shaky. I was getting ready for work and started up a conversation with my dad about the trip. This talk went long enough that I was going to be late for work, I was a wreck and ended up taking a personal day off.

My dad opened up my eyes to the fact that I was limiting God. I had thought before that if I took out a loan as a backup plan, that that meant I didn't have faith in God to provide. I opened up to the fact that God could use a loan as a way to provide for my trip. But I still felt a conviction that God was going to provide the funds.

I went outside in the backyard and cried out to God. I was down on my knees in the grass, with my face buried in my hands and tears coming down my face. I confessed to God that I was worrying and apologized for limiting Him. I told Him I wouldn't limit Him anymore. I asked Him to work supernaturally for the rest of the fundraising, because it wasn't "humanly" possible in my eyes. I thanked him for what He had already done, and thanked Him for what He was doing that I couldn't see. And I told Him that whatever happens, I want His glory to shine. I asked Him to use my weaknesses as a chance to shine His glory through.

Shortly after I got a call from my pastor with the decision on how much my church will be supporting me. Seaside Community Baptist Church will be supporting me $500 to start off and $100 per month Im gone. This is coming from a church that meets in a school gym, is only a year old and has no mission board to decide something like this. Praise God! (And thank you Seaside)

I had put up some items on kijij to sell to raise some money to go towards the trip cost. Within the first few hours I had over 30 replies back and sold a few items already. Praise God! (And thank you those people that bought something)

A few hours later a close friend of mine I met at college pledged $150 per month that I will be gone. This is coming from a guy a year younger then me, who is saving up to put himself through school next year. Praise God! (And thank you MJ)

Before I went to bed I checked my AIM account to see how much funds were in there, and someone had made an anonymous donation of $1,680. Which is how much I needed to fulfill my 60% deadline before I leave. Praise God! (And thank you "anonymous")

I tell you this, so you can see Gods glory! God is good. Praise God!

To Walk On Water, Through Wind And Waves

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

"Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea,tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."
And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased."
(Matthew 14:22-32)

I feel like Peter. I heard the Lord call me on this mission trip. I stepped out of the boat with obedience, and started walking on the water towards Him. And now the waves seems so big, and the wind so strong. My eyes have gone from focusing on Him to focusing on the surrounding wind and waves. I can feel myself slowing sinking into the water. I am afraid.

Oh me of little faith. Why do I doubt Him?

The wind is the dead lines. The waves are the money. Only 3 weeks until I leave, 3 weeks and I still need $1,670 in the bank and $3,150 in pledges. All within 3 weeks OR I CANNOT GO. I look around me and the waves are so big and the wind so strong. And I am slowly sinking.

The disciples had witnessed Jesus' control over the wind and waves before. And previously they were afraid and had little faith. After Jesus had already proven His power to them, Peter still was afraid and had little faith.

"Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!"
But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm."
(Matthew 8:23-26)

I have also previously scene His control and power over the "wind and waves" in my life. He has provided for this trip so far. He has already proven His power and control to me, yet I am still afraid and have little faith.

My parents have offered from the start that, if need be, they will co-sign a loan for me and pay off the interest while Im gone. Within the last few weeks they have warned me of my deadlines and told me that a loan process could take a little while so I should get on top of it. They think it is smart to have a back up plan.

Today I face myself with 2 options.

1. Have complete faith that God will provide the money in the 3 weeks. He does, and I go. He doesn't, and I don't go.

2. Have partial faith that God will provide the money, take out a loan as a "back up" plan to insure I go.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
(Hebrew 11:1)

I don't know where the money will come from. I don't know how the money will come in on time. I don't know who the money will come from. These things are not scene, but hoped for. This is faith, believing that God will provide, even though I cannot see it. Choosing to have a "back up plan" is not placing my faith in God.

I have decided to choose to walk on water, threw the wind and waves, placing my faith in God. If He wants me to go on this trip, which I believe He does, then He will provide the needs for the trip. He will finish the work He has begun in me. The funds will come in within the deadlines. He will conquer the wind and waves.

Little Is Much When God's In It

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

PRAISE God for what He has already provided. In a very special way He provided my flight from here to the training camp in Georgia. He has also provided the funds for my flight to Africa and back. He provided a great summer job for me with co-workers that encourage and support this trip, and have offered me the position when I return next year. He has provided doctors that have gone out of there way to accommodate me and get me ready for the trip. He has provided parents that encourage my heart for missions and try to support me without worrying as best as they can. He provided reasonably priced travel insurance. He has provided me with a church family that continues to encourage me greatly. He has provided me with a Christian lawyer to sign my release papers, free of charge, and encourage me. He has provided many useful lessons. He has provided me chances to share about this trip with strangers. He has provided. PRAISE GOD, HE IS GOOD.

"Suppose you went to a friend's house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.' And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, Don't bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can't help you.' But I tell you this-though he won't do it for friendship's sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."
(Luke 11:5-10)

I have had a hard time in the last few months asking for money to support this trip. I had hoped that if I made the financial needs for the trip know once, then the funding would come in. I was wrong. God clearly says to keep asking, to keep seeking, to keep knocking, and that it is out of "shameless persistence" and not friendships that I will receive what I ask for.

So out of shameless persistence I ask you, again, Will you financially support me on this mission trip?

You may think you are not in a position to give...that what you can offer is not much. I am here to tell you otherwise. LITTLE IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS IN IT.

"Little is much when God's in it, And no one can fathom the plans He holds.
Little is much when God's in it, He changes the world with the seeds we sow.

Little is much, little is much."

(Downhere-Little is Much)

Monthly giving is a great way to support. It will remind you each month to keep me and this ministry in your prayers. For most people it is a smart and more affordable way to give. Someone way not be able to give $200 at once, but over a period of 10 months, small $20 donations are very reasonable. Over the next 10 months, August to May, $385 dollars will is need per month.

If 5 people gave $77 for 10 months, the costs would be covered.

Or
If 10 people gave $38.50 for 10 months, the costs would be covered.

If 15 people gave $25.67 for 10 months, the costs would be covered.

If 20 people gave $19.25 for 10 months, the costs would be covered.
Or
If 25 people gave $15.40 for 10 months, the costs would be covered.

If 30 people gave $12.84 for 10 months, the cost could be covered.

There is currently $2,500 in my trip account, and $3,850 with monthly pledges. Before I leave 60% of the trip cost must be in the account (60% is $4,170), this means I need another $1,670 in the account still. And the rest can be in pledges. You can choose to give a one time gift or monthly.

You can EASILY support this mission trip online by going to the side menu and click "support me!". This is a much faster way and also saves on postage! But you can also fill out a support card and send it into AIM if you like, check my "support letter" blog, and you can also contact me personally if you want to give. Also, check out another blog for more insite on fundraising, "I am naked, hungry and in need. Will you help me?"

A special THANKS and shout out to everyone that has financially supported this ministry. A special THANKS to anybody that is praying for this ministry. And a special THANKS to whoever takes the time to read my blogs. Threw any or all of these you have joined me in this ministry.

"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's
building."
(1 Corinthians 3:6-9)

PRAYER REQUEST-Please be praying for me and all my teammates. It is very evident that we are all dealing with Spiritual warfare. The devil doesn't want us to go, he fears what great things we will do in the name of Jesus! One way he is trying to hurt this ministry is preventing us from having the funds to go on this trip. Pray for me and my teammates fundraising goals to be met so we can all serve together. The devil would love to weaken our team by stopping some of the teammates from going, let's not let this happen! Money and finances should be the last thing that stops us for serving the Lord.

He Works In Ways We Cannot See

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This has come to be a beautiful example of God's provision and planning for this mission trip.

Every year my father and mother get a company vacation threw my dads work. This winter/spring the company started planning a trip to Mexico. Everyone was informed about the location, resort, events and the dates of the trip. People booked there time off and started getting excited.

There was a problem though. The head office wasn't planning a trip this year! And whoever took it upon themselves to plan this years vacation, just assumed that, like every other year, there was going to be a vacation. No one checked with the head office and the trip wasn't approved.

There was a struggle within the next few weeks on weather the trip was going to happen or not. At the last minute, just days before the flights took off, the head office gave in and agreed to sign the approval papers.

They all had a wonderful time in Mexico.

So what does my parents vacation have to do with this mission trip?

My dads company paid for the vacation and as another perk of my dads job, the areoplan points went on a card in my dads name. He had little points on this card, just a few from a short business trip to Montreal before.

Each FYM participant is responsible for booking and paying for our flight to the training camp in Georgia. My dad checked his areoplan points and had just enough to get the ticket for me!

It was awesome to see God providing for this trip. He used a seemingly frivolous vacation, which wasn't supposed to happen in the first place, to provide a free ticket for me. God provides for us what we need, this doesn't always mean the money to get it ourselves. He provided without a penny!

Also, after thinking about how He was working in this, I realized that it is evident that God was planning this trip before I was. Which shows me that I am walking in His will, following the path He is laying out before me. He has tenderly been planning this trip.

I Am Naked, Hungry And In Need. Will You Help Me?

Sat, 9 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I am naked. I am hungry. And I am in need. Will you just wish me well? Or will you give me what I need to be well?

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

(James 2:14-17)

I am being called by God to serve in South Africa and I am more then willing to go. Fundraising at times is a blessing, hearing God tell me He is in control is amazing, and seeing Him provide is eye opening. Fundraising at times is frustrating, hearing Christians well wishes is encouraging, but seeing little acts to back it up is disappointing.

Please don't take this the wrong way, I am very grateful for encouraging words and especially for prayer. But action is needed!

If you wish me well on this mission trip, please help me to achieve it! I have struggled throughout the fundraising process to ask for money. But you know what...I am not going to shy away from it any more! When I think of the people in Africa that this will help, the orphaned children that need to know a Fathers love, THE Fathers love, and the AIDS victims that need the healing only God can provide, the poor that can have true richness in the Lord...all these people....I have no problem asking...I have no problem begging...for money to help them.

Currently I have $1,756 in my account, with pledges I have $3,156. On top of this, my flight to the training camp in Atlanta is booked and paid for! My flight to Africa and back is also booked and paid for! The trip cost is $6,950. I need 60% of the funds ($4,170) in my account before I leave in a month, and the rest in pledges. Also I need to pay for things like, a VISA($155), medications ($650), travel insurance($350) ect.

PRAISE God for providing my all my flights! And a huge thank you to anyone that has supported me so far! I am very grateful. More support is needed! Please go to "support me!" on the main menu, or go to the blog post "support letter", or contact me personally to help out. You can either make a one time donation or pledge an amount per month. (remember that 60% of the funds must be in my account before I leave, and the rest in pledges) I have faith in the Lord that He will finish the work He has begun in me and provide just as He has promised.

I am a naked, hungry missionary in need. Will you simply wish me well? Or will you give me what I need to be well?

Call Me Crazy

Fri, 8 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Go ahead, call me crazy. Everyone seems to be.

People think its crazy that I am willing to never own a house, willing to have no official income, willing to have no real job or career, willing to be poor, willing to put myself in harms way...willing to die.

I AM WILLING TO FOLLOW CHRIST AT ANY COST.

This does not make me immature or unrealistic. I am young and passionate! My reality is that following Christ at any cost, is the only thing of any value.

"If the world is sane, then Jesus is mad as a hatter and the Last Supper is the Mad Tea Party.
The world says, Mind your own business, and Jesus says, There is no such thing as your own business.
The world says, Follow the wisest course and be a success, and Jesus says, Follow me and be crucified.
The world says, Drive carefully - the life you save may be your own - and Jesus says, Whoever would save his life will lose it and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
The world says, Law and order, and Jesus says, Love.
The world says, Get and Jesus says, Give.
In terms of the world's sanity, Jesus is crazy as a coot, and anybody who thinks he can follow him without being a little crazy too is laboring less under a cross than under a delusion."

So go ahead, call me crazy! I will take it as a compliment.

The Blessing of Being Single

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I am twenty one and single. I enjoy this!

I love the blessing of being single. I am committed to God, my family and friends, and other then that I have nothing holding me back. Nothing will stand in the way of me following Christ. I am a free spirit, I float where the wind blows me, I soar on eagles wings. I have always been this way. Loving the life I live and what I have, but Im never too comfortable with it to detach from it and leave. I am open at a moments notice to get up and go follow Christ as He calls. This is an amazing blessing that more Christian girls should enjoy while they have it!

We should burry our hearts in the Lord! His love is fulfilling and all we need. Enjoy this time to serve Him undistracted, this time is a blessing.

"But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord-how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world-how he may please his wife. There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world-how she may please her husband. And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction."
(1 Corinthians 7:32-35)

Now don't get me wrong, I do want to get married. There is a constant tug at my heart, my greatest ministry will be to be a wife and mother, I personally place a lot of value in that, even more value then being a missionary. I look forward to that, I smile at the future and laugh at times to come. Until that time comes, I will serve my Lord and I will do my husband(to be) good.

"She does him good and not evil, ALL the days of her life."
Proverbs 31:12

And I will wait for the day that he will come to me and say "Im here to stay so lets run away."

Like Abraham

Tue, 5 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!"

"Here I am," he replied.

Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?"

"Yes, my son?" Abraham replied.

"The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"

Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.

When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!"

"Here I am," he replied.

"Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."

(Genesis 22:1-12)

Imagine a faith like Abrahams! Imagine a love like Abrahams! Imagine a trust like Abrahams! Imagine obedience like Abrahams!

What if we lived a life like this?! Not just moments, or seasons, but a full life like this. Loving God above ALL. Having so much faith and trust in Him that we would be willing to sacrifice anything. What if Christians actually LIVED this, and not just believed in it?...I cant even begin to imagine the marvelous things that would come from it.

I Will Go

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

"I Will Go-Starfield"

To the desperate eyes and reaching hands
To the suffering and the lean
To the ones the world has cast aside
Where you want me I will be

I will go, I will go
I will go, Lord send me
To the world, To the lost
To the poor and hungry
Take everything I am
I'm clay within your hands
I will go, I will go, send me

Let me not be blind with privilege
Give me eyes to see the pain
Let the blessing You've poured out on me
Not be spent on me in vain
Let this life be used for change

I will go, I will go
I will go, Lord send me
To the world, To the lost
To the poor and hungry
Take everything I am
I'm clay within your hands
I will go, I will go, send me

I wanna live for you,
Go where you lead me,
I wanna follow you.
I wanna live for you,
Go where you lead me,
I wanna follow you.
I wanna live for you,
Go where you lead me,
I wanna follow you.

I will go, I will go
I will go, Lord send me
To the world, To the lost
To the poor and hungry
Take everything I am
I'm clay within your hands
I will go, I will go, send me

Send me!

Send me!

Send me!

Send me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0ihxvCyrWM

The Truth Hurts

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This is a post from Seth Barnes Sr. I thought it was worth sharing. I hope you will take the time read it. And while you are reading it I pray that you open your eyes and reflect upon yourself and where your heart is on the matter and not judge others hearts.

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
-Matthew 7:3-5

I pray that we can all see the truth within ourselves. That we can all face ourselves...then learn to deny ourselves...and then follow Christ.

"Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.""
Mark 8:34

Christians not caring about poverty

In general, we Christians are too nice. We often don't say what we're thinking, preferring not to offend anyone. And that's one of the things I like about Tom Davis - he's not afraid to call out Christians. He calls 'em like he sees 'em. And, he puts his money where his mouth is as an advocate for orphans around the world. Here's an article he wrote on Beliefnet that is coming out later this week. His point: Christians need to care about the things that Jesus cares about.

Each Sunday, millions of Christians in America gather to worship the God who commands us to "love our neighbor as ourselves." We belt out praises to the God who tells us that "pure and undefiled religion is caring for widows and orphans in their distress." We kneel in pious prayer before the Almighty God of the universe who describes Himself as loving, gracious, merciful, and generous.

Then, we walk out the back door of the church, step into a world in need, and proceed to withhold the love, grace, and mercy that's extended to us.

We might as well give God the middle finger. Outside of a tiny minority of Christians, we have become a self-centered group of priggish snobs.

In short, we s**k.

Before you pick up a rock and throw it at me, think about this: I could have used other words that aren't as nice as "s**k." Like "white-washed tombs," "brood of vipers," "fools," or the ever ego-inflating, "Get behind me Satan!" Jesus used all of these choice phrases to describe religious leaders and some of his closest of followers.

But calling someone a white-washed tomb just doesn't cut it anymore. "We s**k" is a much better choice for our cultural context. Poverty s**ks. Divorce s**ks. And, unfortunately, some Christians s**k, too.

Here are the facts:

Eighty-five percent of young people outside the church who have had connection to Christians believe present-day Christianity is hypocritical. Inside the church, forty-seven percent of young people believe the same thing.

And why wouldn't they? We're pretty stingy with our money:

- 80 percent of the world's evangelical wealth is in North America.
- Giving by churchgoers was higher during the Great Depression than it is today.
- Christians give an average of $13.31/week to their local church.
- Only 9 percent of "born-again" adults reported tithing in 2004.

And let's take a peek in on our neighbors:

- More than 1 billion people live in absolute poverty.
- 500 million people are at the edge of starvation.
- 200 million children are being exploited as laborers.
- Half of the human beings on the planet live on less than $2/day.
- 1.5 billion people do not have enough money to buy food.

This is information that anyone can collect from the Internet, just as I did. Any reasonable person could make this simple conclusion: Most American Christians do not care about what God says in the Bible.

We pick out the scriptures we like, as if we were dining at a five-star buffet. We conveniently ignore the scriptures that talk about caring for the poor, giving away material possessions, and loving money. Scriptures like:

Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world." (James 1:26-27)
Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, "Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soupwhere does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? (James 2:15-17)
"If you have two coats, give one away," [Jesus] said. "Do the same with your food." (Luke 3:11)

When Christians care about their political views, what sexual preference someone has, or their bank account more than they care about the millions of people who die in the world because they don't have five dollars to buy the medicine that would cure them, something has gone drastically wrong.

These kinds of Christians s**k.

What can we do to stop s**king? I think the answer is relatively simple. It's found in the Bible: "Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:22).

Want ten simple steps? You got it.

Give away material possessions to those in need, love the unlovely, take care of the widow and orphan. This is not rocket science. It just takes a heart committed to doing the things God said to do.

Christians, listen up: People are tired of being criticized, judged, and listening to the lip service we are so great at giving. Instead, why don't we commit to making the changes we can make?

Christianity needs a renewal of the principles that made it great. It needs to be more like Jesuscompassionate, self-sacrificial, unconditionally loving, and caring for those who are most in need.

That kind of lifestyle allowed twelve men to change the world. It will help you change yours, too.

Baptism-I Am Not My Own

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

July 6th 2008, my baptism day.

I have died to sin, but have found life in God. I am not my own, I was bought with a price, I was purchased with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

My wonderful church, Seaside Community Baptist Church, had our one year anniversary(July 1st) with a weekend celebration, Saturday was a free community BBQ and Sunday was our churches first baptism! There were about 15 people that decided to be baptized, and I was one of them.

After being saved at a young age and a long time spent growing up in Baptist church I finally felt the call to be baptized. I have had many opportunities to do so, but I am glad that I waited until now. I have a solid understating of baptism and my heart is in the right place. I took this very seriously, it is up there with the importance of my wedding day and the day I will die. Which is beautiful because I felt like a bride on her wedding day I was so excited, and at the same time I felt like it was the end of my life, because it was the beginning of a new life. Im so glad I have a deeper level of relationship with my Lord.

(excited happy dance)

(excited happy dance, including wonky face)

(with father and grandfather)

(song time before baptism)

(in the ocean with Pastor Kamal, proclaiming to the church family my life with Christ, "I have died to sin, but have found life in God. I am not my own, I was bought with a price, I was purchased with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.")

Matthew 28:19
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 6:4

"Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

(BAPTIZED!)
Acts 2:38

"Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.""

(everyone that got baptized praying together after)

Thank you to everyone that came in support!

Great Things We Cannot Comprehend

Thu, 3 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A few nights ago I was out picking strawberries in my garden. It was easy to tell that it was about to rain, the clouds were dark and heavy and the air was very moist. Far off in the background you could faintly hear it, slowly rolling closer, thunder. I stopped picking strawberries, sat on my top deck and took out my Bible.

"At this also my heart trembles, and leaps from its place. Hear attentively the thunder of His voice, and the rumbling that comes from His mouth. He sends it forth under the whole heaven, His lightning to the ends of the earth. After it a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, and He does not restrain them when His voice is heard. God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend."
(Job 37:1-5)

I sat on my deck until it rained, with Bible in hand, listening to our Lord speak. In awe of the greatness that is He. Then the sky opened and the rain came pouring down, lightning lit the sky and thunder shook my house.

With God is awesome majesty.

New Face Of Hunger

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Sun, Jun 29, 2008 is Compassion's Global Day of Prayer and Fasting for the global food crisis. Some points to pray about:

* Wisdom for world leaders and governments as they search for solutions to the crisis.

* That our desires would be to care for the poorest of the poor and be a voice for those who have none.

* That we would all live more simply so that others may simply live.

* For the safety and well-being of sponsored children and their families during this crisis.

Here is an article about the food crisis we are and will be facing, taken from the Sunday Herald.

2008: The Year of Global Food Crisis

IT IS the new face of hunger. A perfect storm of food scarcity, global warming, rocketing oil prices and the world population explosion is plunging humanity into the biggest crisis of the 21st century by pushing up food prices and spreading hunger and poverty from rural areas into cities.

Millions more of the world's most vulnerable people are facing starvation as food shortages loom and crop prices spiral ever upwards.

And for the first time in history, say experts, the impact is spreading from the developing to the developed world.

More than 73 million people in 78 countries that depend on food handouts from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) are facing reduced rations this year. The increasing scarcity of food is the biggest crisis looming for the world'', according to WFP officials.

At the same time, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation has warned that rising prices have triggered a food crisis in 36 countries, all of which will need extra help. The threat of malnutrition is the world's forgotten problem'', says the World Bank as it demands urgent action.

The bank points out that global food prices have risen by 75% since 2000, while wheat prices have increased by 200%. The cost of other staples such as rice and soya bean have also hit record highs, while corn is at its most expensive in 12 years.

The increasing cost of grains is also pushing up the price of meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products. And there is every likelihood prices will continue their relentless rise, according to expert predictions by the UN and developed countries.

High prices have already prompted a string of food protests around the world, with tortilla riots in Mexico, disputes over food rationing in West Bengal and protests over grain prices in Senegal, Mauritania and other parts of Africa. In Yemen, children have marched to highlight their hunger, while in London last week hundreds of pig farmers protested outside Downing Street.

If prices keep rising, more and more people around the globe will be unable to afford the food they need to stay alive, and without help they will become desperate. More food riots will flare up, governments will totter and millions could die.

Food scarcity means a big increase in the number of people going hungry,'' says the WFP's Greg Barrow. Without doubt, we are passing through a difficult period for the world's hungry poor.'' The WFP estimates it needs an additional $500 million to keep feeding the 73 million people in Africa, Asia and central America who require its help. We need extra money by the middle of 2008 so we don't have to reduce rations,'' says Barrow.

He also points out that age-old patterns of famine are changing. "We are feeding communities of people we didn't expect to feed," he explains.

As well as being rural, the profile of the new hungry poor is also urban, which is new. There is food available in the markets and shops - it's just that these people can't afford to buy it. This is the new face of hunger.'' The food shortages will also affect western industrialised nations such as Scotland, Barrow says. Scarcity means that some foods will get very expensive, or disappear from supermarkets altogether, meaning a move to seasonal, indigenous vegetables.'' Of the 36 countries named last month as currently facing a food crisis, 21 are in Africa. Lesotho and Swaziland have been afflicted by droughts, Sierra Leone lacks widespread access to food markets because of low incomes and high prices, and Ghana, Kenya and Chad among others are enduring "severe localised food insecurity".

In India last year, more than 25,000 farmers took their own lives, driven to despair by grain shortages and farming debts. "The spectre of food grain imports stares India in the face as agricultural growth plunges to an all-time low," warns India Today magazine.

The World Bank predicts global demand for food will double by 2030. This is partly because the world's population is expected to grow by three billion by 2050, but that is only one of many interlocking causes.

Support Letter

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Dear Friend and Family,

Greeting! I am excited to share with you what has being going on in my life lately. God has placed upon me a strong call towards missions! I found out about Adventures in Missions(AIM) over a year ago and have recently applied to their First Year Missionary Internship program to South Africa. I am very excited to share with you that I have been accepted! I plan to leave September 8^th 2008 and will be gone for 9 months, returning May 15^th 2009.

My greatest passion is to serve God and share his love with others. God has built into me a compassion for the disadvantaged people around the world. I have longed to minister in a place where people are hungry for the Lord. God's greatest commandment is to love one another, and I believe sharing the gospel is the greatest act of love we can give others. During this trip I will have the privilege to minister to people who need to know of salvation through Jesus Christ. I will also be blessed with training and discipleship in various areas of ministry and missions that will help me serve the Lord in the future.

I thank God for this opportunity that is before me and trust that He will bless this mission opportunity! You have the opportunity to join in this ministry with me as well! I would be honored if you would partner with me in this ministry through prayer and financial support. The harvest is plenty but the workers are few! Let us work together to bring in the harvest!

I am specifically asking for five to ten people to commit to pray for me and the mission each day until I return. Also I must raise $6,950 to go towards AIM, which includes housing, food, ministry materials and local transportation. Also I must raise enough to cover insurance, medical needs and airfare. That is a total of $10,000 that will be needed to serve the Lord through this mission trip. Before going I must have the money to pay for my flights and 60% of the $6,950 in my AIM account, and the rest in pledges. A number of you may be in the position to financially contribute to this ministry opportunity. I calculated that if only five people gave $100/month for 10 months, five people gave $50/month for 10 months, 10 people gave $25/month for 8-10 months and the rest in one time gifts, then I would have enough to cover the expenses.

I have enclosed a response card and pre-addressed envelope, which invites you to share in this ministry. Please pay close attention to the line asking for pledges, you can decide your start date and end date. If you make a pledge,

please fill those dates out. Please make checks payable to Adventures In Missions. The enclosed card must be included as that will provide AIM with all necessary information. In turn, they will send you a receipt. They require that I have 60% of my funds in before I leave and the rest of the funds can be in pledges. They will keep track of my pledges by what is indicated on the card. (Please note that a one-time gift is also an option. Adventures In Missions is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Donors will receive receipts for their gifts with the understanding that the disbursement of those gifts lies completely at the discretion of Adventures In Missions and that the gifts are non-refundable and non-transferable, per IRS regulations. Gifts may be tax deductible; please consult a tax advisor.)

I am very excited about how God will use me and what He will teach me through this experience! I pray that I will be a blessing to those I serve and also to you. My desire is to go to South Africa as a representative of Jesus Christ to serve and glorify God. I hope that you will prayerfully consider joining me in this ministry! Thank you so much, may peace and grace be with you. To Him be the glory both now and forever!

In Him,

Lisa Derrah

"We are only asked to love, to offer hope to the many hopeless. We don't get to choose all the endings but we are asked to play the rescuers. We won't solve all mysteries and our hearts will certainly break in such a vulnerable life, but it is the best way. We were made to be lovers bold in broken places, pouring ourselves out again and again until we're called home."-twloha.com

Africa Calling

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Why am I going to Africa for 9 months to be a missionary?

It all started a few years ago when I said "I don't want to be a missionary, I will never be a missionary." I was going to have a normal life, with a mission trip here or there. But my life was not going to be as a missionary.

Fast forward a bit, and I spend part of a weekend at an amazing retreat. I learned what it really meant to surrender my life, and give it up to God. Although I had been a Christian my whole life, for the first time I actually wanted to obey and serve Him. A friend and I decided we wanted to go on a mission trip. Threw some "coincidences" and "random" meeting, we were lead to a mission trip to Ecuador.

The team fundraised enough money to send us and close to 200 inner city Ecuadorian kids to a Bible camp. We spent 2 weeks in Ecuador. One at the camp and a week in the main city, including a few nights in the so called slums where the kids came from. Because of the difference in langue it made some things hard, the camp had Ecuadorian staff for Bible stories and devotions and the Canadians were there just to love. And never under estimate the power of love, it speaks no language. This was a mission trip, a mission and a trip. The mission really took place before, the fundraising, getting to send the kids to camp. And we were privileged enough to take the trip and see it all come together. I wish now that I had realized this before, I would have put more heart and energy into the fundraising and not just the trip part of it.

If you would have asked me right after how the trip changed me, I would have only been able to sum it up in one word, "compassion". I wasn't able to express much further then that. The impact of the trip wasn't felt right away, it has been an impact and change that has been growing in a way that is hard to describe.

The best way I can attempt to describe it is like this. You see car crashes on the news. Usually you don't think too much about it. Maybe a "wow" or "that sucks", and if its a young girl that dies, maybe you say a prayer for her family, but that's it. Now what if you're watching the news and you see a car crash, and that young girl is your best friend, or your sister, or daughter? The impact and change that it has on your life is completely different if you know the person. There's a funeral, cleaning up her room, first Christmas without her, her birthday, every car crash reminds you of her.

When I see and hear about children in need all over the world, weather they're Asian, African, Indian, it doesn't matter, I see the faces of the Ecuadorian kids I know and love. I feel like I know each child personally. And it stirs up a change in me that you cant imagine. This is a young Ecuadorian boy I especially fell in love with, Jaun Hiro. I see his face in all those kids. And it breaks my heart.

Fast forward some more. I was driving across the country on my way to college with a few friends and we stopped at a camp in Ontario for a week. One of the guys has signed us up for it, I had no idea where we were going and I didn't even know the name of the camp. This was a surprise blessing to me. At this camp I saw for the first time the "Invisible Children" video. (A video about child soldiers and children's rights in Uganda, for those that haven't scene it.) It broke me and tugged at every fiber in my being. I became very interested in going to Africa on a mission trip.

I stayed at College only for the first semester, as planned. And came back home and started looking into mission trips to Africa. I wanted something longer then a 2 week trip, something that would have more of an impact on the people. I found the First Year Missionary trip to South Africa. Nine months, got to love that! But for someone that said she didn't want to be a missionary, the title freaked me out. A first year implied that there might be a second, or third, or fourth year, that it wasn't going to be just a trip, but that start of a life of missions.

I could feel the calling building inside of me, but I was still fighting God on it. After some time I gave up and admitted that I was being called into missions. While working at camp that summer I applied very late for the mission trip, but was still accepted. Because of my lateness and commitment I had to the camp, I didn't have the time or effort to fundraise or prepare for the trip. It was only a few days before the flights were supposed to be paid for and I didn't have any paperwork or money done. I had to admit to myself that the mission trip wasn't going to happen.

At the end of that summer I spent another week at the amazing camp in Ontario. Once again learning more about the mission field. I learned lots about human trafficking and the sex trade. Which has now sparked a passion in me for my future to fight against such things. To bring them the freedom and peace only Gods love can provide.

I got a great job in the fall, working as a florist. I really liked what I was doing and thought I could do it as a career. So I got a florist job in Canmore, Alberta where I could get a lot more experience and in the new year I moved out west. I was living in a beautiful town in the Rocky Mountains, a dream location for a snowboarder. I was working a dream job, with a company vehicle, great pay and a great apartment. On paper it was great. But there was that constant tugging inside of me. I would go on to the World Racers blogs (another AIM mission trip, 11 months in 11 countries) and be filled with tears of there stories of serving God. I became interested in going on the World Race and started praying about it. I had a new understanding for "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. " I quickly realized that this great life I had out there was not the life I wanted. I wanted to be serving God, full time in missions. Nothing else seemed to have any purpose. So I moved back home and started filling out the application for the World Race. It seemed like such an amazing experience and I knew I wanted to be a part of it, I just needed to know if God wanted me to be a part of it.

I prayed for 2 months, waiting for God to say yes, to tell me to go. He wasn't saying no, and he wasn't saying yes. I was getting nothing. One night I realized that his lack of an answer was an answer, and as much as I wanted to go on the World Race, it wasn't what God wanted. And the second I let it go, and said "Ok God, you don't want me to go, I wont, I desire your will above mine", then he put this FYM trip into my heart immediately. I had kept it out of my mind for so long because it was a disappointment to me that it didn't work out the first time. So I said to God, "If you want me to go, I will go. But I need to know it is what you want, show me a clear sign, something that I can't mess up, and I'll go."

I went out that evening and told a few friends that I knew the WR wasn't the right thing for me, and that I had a huge tug in me for the FYM trip again. I got home that evening and had an email form AIM, and the title was "Spend next year in Africa!" I started laughing and laughing out loud. A clear sign doesn't get much clearer then that! I click on the email and it's an advertisement poster for the exact trip I was praying about. (I was wrong, it did get more clear.)

So obviously, I followed Gods call. I'm preparing to spend the next 9 months in Africa serving God, fully admitting that I want to be a missionary, for life. I'm very much looking forward to what God has planed next!