My Sweet Family of Belivers

Today I just needed some time by myself--outside of the apartment complex--just to sit and read the word, journal, and think about some different things. Thankfully, our facilitator Stacie brought me to a coffee shop and dropped me off for a few hours. It has been wonderful--just having time to spend with the Lord completely by myself. While sitting here I just decided to look at my home churches website--I decided I would watch a sermon so I could at least semi feel like I was there. I watched the one from last week where you all prayed over the clothes for the children here and it honestly brought tears to my eyes. I feel beyond blessed to have such a loving church family who has such a heart for the nations of this world. You all play such a huge role in what the Lord is allowing us to do here and I'm so thankful for that. It is amazing to have such an amazing church family that loves me so much--You are all such an encouragement to me. You will never know how much you mean to me! Love and Miss you all! Can't wait to see you in a little over a month!

Update--

Hello everyone! So this weeks blog is being used to update everyone on my accident--since everyone has been asking what's happening..I thought this would be the easiest way to inform everyone! Sunday after church one of our good guy friends took us out of the city just to see some more of the area...We drove a few hours just to get into nature. We went to a beautiful place and were going to do some hiking. We had been there for about 30 minutes and decided to walk through a ravine--it was crazy slippery and I fell and hit my shoulder and face on a rock. I chipped my three front teeth and cut my chin pretty bad and bruised my jaw. We went to the emergency room where they x-rayed me just to make sure the jaw was ok and gave me 3 stiches in my chin. I am feeling ok...just really sore. Thankfully it wasn't any worse. I am going to the dentist on thursday for a consultation--hopefully that will go well and we can get my mouth fixed quickly! Thankfully I have 2 amazing teammates who have taken wonderful care of me! Thanks for all your prayers..I will update you next week on how everything goes!

Besides that fun accident..everything is great! I won't be going to the school or orphanage this week--but just pray that I will stay encouraged and the Lord will use this time to grow me in Him. We only have about 6 weeks left..so continue to pray that the Lord will use us in great ways! Love and miss you all!!

All Things with Prayer--

It has been another wonderful week! This week at the orphanage was a little sad--one of the boys that we have worked closely with for the past few weeks left to go back home. He lives with his grandparents and he just went to the orphanage for a few weeks to get regulated on his medicine. We didn't get to say bye to him so it was definitely a difficult day--but we know that he was excited to go back home. The school was also great this week--while we were there another organization that had a fund-raiser for the school came by with a donation--it was so awesome to see how the Lord is providing for this school! They still have such needs though--every week I am reminded of how much this education means for this children. It is giving them a chance for a future and also a sense of worth.

We had a wonderful weekend as a team--sunday we spent a few hours praying over things that we were all struggling with individually and things that we wanted to accomplish as a team. It was amazing. Just a few hours after we prayed over things the Lord answered a prayer that seemed impossible. Such a reminder of the power of prayer!!

We realized this week that we only have 7 weeks left--that seems impossible. The complex ministry is still a struggle-we are continuing to connect with the few women we have met..it is just still difficult. We know the Lord has a great plan and holds the future completely! We are just continuing to seek Him and His plan for the next few weeks!

The Lord is continuing to teach me so much! I can't wait to see what all He has in store over the next few weeks! Thank you all so much for your encouragement and prayers--they mean so much to me!! I love and miss you all!! See you in less than 2 months!

Setting my thoughts on Him--

This week was crazy!! We were back in full swing going to the orphanage and the school. The kids were amazing and so excited to see us-it was precious. Veronica, the lady over the school, took us to see the shanty town that some of the children come from. That was such a neat experience..getting to see where these children come from gave us an even bigger heart for them and their families--to just love on them and show them the love of Christ. It was definitely a wonderful week! Friday through Sunday I went to kids camp with the church we work with. It was amazing--the camp was out in the middle of nowhere. It was great--I felt like I was semi back at home. We spent time swimming and playing games outside. There were a few different sessions and worship services. I led a devotion group with some of the girls-it was great just to see the love these children have for the Lord and to see Him shining through them. It was also fun to get to know them a little more.

Now that we have passed the halfway point we are all having a few frustrations. We just know our time here is so short and want to be making the most of it. The apartment ministry is difficult--we are starting to connect with some ladies, but it's just a slow go--please continue to be praying for us as we seek the Lord's guidance in how to reach out to the people we live around.

Other parts of ministry are going so well--we are really starting to connect and build relationships with people at the church which is really encouraging.

Pray that we will continuously be a light to everyone around us.

The Lord is continuing to teach me so much--this week I have really been convicted to daily set my thoughts on Him--so many things can become distracting and not even necessarily bad things--just everyday thing. However, it is impossible for me to serve in the way I should be if my thoughts are not set on Him moment by moment. Pray that this week I will constantly be focused on Him.

Thank you all so much for your prayers!!! They mean so much to me! I love and miss you all!!! Thanks for the encouragement!!!

Half Way--

Hey everyone! This week officially marks the halfway point of my Hands-On experience--I can't believe it! Time has truly went by so quickly. It has been another great, but different week. We had alot of down time this week that God thankfully blessed and allowed us all to spend much needed time with Him, as well as connecting to with some of our neighbors and friends. We are continuing to slowly build relationships with people in the complex, which can be extremely frustrating on some days--but I am finding rest in the fact that God is in control and He knows them so much better than I do. I am just trying to be persistent in getting to know people and truly being interested in their lives.

This week is extremely full! We will be returning to the orphanage and school after two week of not getting to go--I am so excited! I have missed those sweet children so much! Tomorrow night we have bible study--then Thursday afternoon we are spending some time with Mandi, one of our neighbors and then going to a leadership seminar at church--Friday a friend from church is coming over for breakfast and then I will be heading out for a week of kids camp with the church! I am so excited! It is definitely going to be a wonderful week and I will have lots to update you all on next week!! Please continue to pray for opportunities in the complex--as well as the kids at the school and orphanage--and pray for the kids coming to camp this weekend!

The Lord is truly working in mighty ways--through big things and small things--He is teaching me so much through time with Him in His word, encouragement from other people, and the wonderful church we get to attend. I am so thankful that at this point in the trip I still have so many people sending me cards and messages--I am beyond blessed to have such amazing and loving people in my life! I miss you all and will see you in 2 months!!