Off on an adventure...

Tomorrow I fly across the ocean to Moldova to visit my sweet missionary friends and do life with them for about 10 days. They work at a Freedom Home for girls and women who have been trafficked into sex slavery and have escaped with nowhere to go. Oftentimes they are disowned or sold by their own families or someone close to them from their village, so they cannot go home. How tragic. I try to imagine myself in that situation and find it almost impossible to even think about. But these girls have gone through and deal with the unimaginable daily. And that's why my friends are in Moldova, ministering to these precious girls. Because the only real healing and restoration can come from Christ and Christ ALONE. Because without the beautiful Hope that comes from God, I don't know how anyone could make it after dreams and lives have been ripped to shreds, all for the sake of money and because man must have his pleasure. That might sound harsh, but it's the sad, brutal truth. I believe God will bring justice for what has happened to these girls and what is happening to so many -- MILLIONS -- across the globe. It breaks my heart and is so hard to comprehend that humans really still do this to each other.  You'd think we'd have learned by now. But someone always takes advantage, don't they? When I think of these things, I am so grateful for the promise of Heaven, for a new body and no pain. How happy that day will be!

My friends are bringing hope and healing in the name of Jesus to the people of Moldova, and also educating them on the dangers of sex trafficking and how to combat/prevent it. Raising awareness. Moldova is such a poor country that most of the people need to look outside of it for work, so in a trafficker's mind, the people are ripe for the plucking. One life saved at a time. It's a slow process. But by raising awareness and bringing healing, there is hope. God is bigger.

I am just excited spend time with my friends and see what their life is like in Moldova. How they are getting used to a new culture and language. And I'm also really looking forward to some HUGE hugs when we meet at the airport. That moment will be awesome. It puts a huge grin on my face just thinking about it :).

I will try to blog/tweet/facebook about my travels as much as I am able, and will be taking plenty of pictures, which I'll share when I'm back home. Love you all, thanks for reading!

A little jealous

A dear, sweet family, the Princes, just moved to Swaziland, Africa, a couple days ago. I miss them already. I love their precious kiddies. I just oh-so-love this family in general, they are so genuine and embody Christ’s love to everyone around them. Swaziland will be forever changed because of them and what God’s going to do through them. And I have to admit, I’m a little jealous! Not in a bad sort of way, but in a “Wow, they are where they’re supposed to be” kind of way. They are in Africa! The place where God has called them. It’s just SO COOL! My little missionary heart yearns for that…that “new place” excitement…exploring the new scenery, culture, people…the trusting God every step of the way, every moment of the day part, because it’s the way life is over there…
And I long for that. To be in the place God has called me to be. With that assurance that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. The excitement of exploring that new place, culture, people, and realizing you already have a deep, unexplained love for them that could only come from God.

I don’t know…maybe it’s the travel bug, or a fascination with the idea of missions, or maybe, just maybe, it’s really God who is tugging on my heart. In what direction, I don’t know specifically yet, but I’m starting to figure out a couple distinct passions that He has given me. How I will direct those passions into ministry and my life in general, I don’t yet know. That’s okay. I just want to follow Him and love others the way that He loves me. I want to make a difference. So it starts with saying yes, every day, to His calling. To remembering daily the price He paid for me, because He loved me so much, so how can I help but praise Him and show others this great love?

A little jealous of the sweet Prince family today as they explore and enjoy the mysteries of their new home. And, I’m looking forward to what God has in store, not just for me, but for everyone I know and for my church, because God is up to something big. He always has been, and always will be, but in this moment, I know without a doubt that He has a plan and wants us to be a part of it. What is your part in God’s plan? Pray about it. Seek Him. He’ll tell you. Our God is such a trustworthy, AWESOME, HUGE God. He knows you. He loves you. He’s calling you. Can you hear Him? It all starts with being willing and saying yes to Him. The best is yet to come!

Whispers in the Wind

This is a poem I wrote when I was in high school. I used to write a lot of poems then. I still like to do it, but don't get to often. It's one of those things that with a spark of inspiration, the whole thing just flies from my brain all the way to my fingertips, and I can't help but race to find a pen or a computer so I can jot it down before it's gone. It's almost always in praise to God, too, which is the best :). I love writing to please and praise Him! So anyways, hope you enjoy...for some reason this has always been a favorite. A little ethereal, too. I love picturing angels surrounding me, protecting me. God is always near.

Whispers in the Wind

Hark, a silent breath,

whispers in the wind.

Gently flowing here, there,

never ceasing.

The brush of angels’ wings

cascading down the stair,

to help me know

I’m not alone;

He’s with me everywhere.

My God, my God,

I’m in your tender care,

help me to know,

I’m not alone,

that you’re with me everywhere.

Hark, the brush of angels’, wings.

Listen,

and you shall hear,

the gentle whispers,

faint,

but there.

Then you’ll know you’re not alone,

He’s with you everywhere.

Lessons from Vietnam

I wanted to share something I wrote 2 years ago after my trip to Thailand and Vietnam. I was going through some older files today and discovered it, and as I read it, it felt like I was re-learning all over again. This is exactly why journaling while on a trip like this is so important, because we capture things and learn so many little things that we quickly forget once we're home.

When I think of my trip to Vietnam with River Valley Church, there’s so much I could say. I am amazed at how God’s purpose, plan, and protection were so evident in everything we did. I’m amazed at how much I learned…at how I realized that it’s never about what I do on my own, but what God does through me, that really matters.

A good chunk of our trip was focused on ministering to children whose families lived in the poorest of slums in Vietnam. We took them to a waterpark, where they rarely get to go. As I played, splashed, giggled, hugged, and held these precious children, I learned that love truly does speak louder than words. These children didn’t need words to know they were loved! Love breaks down any barrier, including language. Though they chattered on and on to me in their language, and no matter how hard I tried to understand them, I couldn’t talk to these children. But through smiles and laughter and open arms, I realized that I could still communicate one thing to them, and that was how much God loves them.

I guess that’s what struck me about this trip. I can’t do anything on my own. No amount of strength or will or determination was ever going to help me help and love others unless I let God work through me first. He showed me how good He is, how He works incredible miracles in situations that we can’t even imagine or comprehend as citizens of a free United States of America. Stories of deliverance and stories of perseverance all lead back to love and trust only in God. He is the source of true strength. And His promises never fail. When you lean on Him and love as He loves, and trust God as a child trusts, you’ll break through any barrier.