Thankful

This Thanksgiving I have been reminded of how very much I have to be grateful for. But in the wake of our missions conference the past few weeks, I have been remembering some of the amazing experiences I have been able to have.

On my first international mission trip ever, our team encountered three refugees from Colombia in bustling Quito, Ecuador. They had been traveling ever since they returned to their small village after a fishing excursion, only to find their entire village had been brutally destroyed. Through the conversation, our team was able to hook them up with a local church...I still pray for these men regularly.

In the same city, not long after--our team painted Bible stories on the dining room tables at an orphanage. We returned a year later and the kids still remembered us. Seeds were planted that first year, that we were able to see come to life in the years following. (Fun note, I also met a Galapagos tortoise here)

Also in Quito--our teams took up and offering and delivered hundreds of pounds of food and necessities to the "dump people" (as they are called by locals). These people are poor, homeless, they made cardboard houses for themselves in the city dump. Ostracized by all of their society, these people are desperately hungry for the love of God....

Peru, 2006. Traveled to the poorest of the poor districts in Lima, and had the beautiful opportunity to wash children's hair. We put braids and fancy ponies in the little girls' hair. I think the overwhelming joy we were able to see on their faces was a glimpse into the utter excitement we will get to experience in heaven.

Again in Lima--spent the day using my admittedly horrible Spanish skills to converse with local children about the love of God, as we enjoyed some fun and games in the streets (it was in a car-less area, so it was safe)

In Panama astounding things seem to happen every day. We loved on HIV+ orphans in a small orphanage, ministered in a school for abused teens, spent an afternoon with some local politicians (haha--fun), visited a tribe out in the boonies a.k.a. rainforest, and shared the hope and unconditional love with those suffering with AIDS. The next year in Panama, we were able to spend a weekend on a remote island, worshiping with native believers. Possibly one of the greatest privileges I have ever experienced!

Then this summer, I had the opportunity to travel (for the first time ever) with "my" local church to Argentina. While in Tandil, we visited schools of all sorts of schools. The most interesting experience was when we pulled up at this one school. The teachers looked out the door, unsure of whether or not to let us in. They said the students were such bad kids that we would just be disappointed if we went in because they wouldn't listen to anything we said...God is bigger than rebellious teenage hearts though and miraculously each and every student sat at the assembly and listened attentively! Later on that week, some of those very same students attended the crusade where they were able to learn about the life-changing power of God. Awesome!




These are only a few of the amazing things God has allowed me to see in the past 6 years. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Him overseas and today as we are thankful for all of our abundant resources, let us not forget to pray for the refugees, the homeless, the "dump people" of our society and others. Let our hearts break for the hurting and dying, and let our resolve be strengthened to share the love of Christ with everyone we can before it is too late.

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13

So...I was reading this chapter today in Philippians and in context this verse it talking about how Paul had learned that he could get by with little or with much. Even when times were difficult, he could do what God had called him to do because Christ gives him the strength. Going back to school is more difficult financially than I thought it would be. I am in this battle currently about how much I can afford to borrow in student loans versus how much time I can afford to work. It's difficult! But, it's life--and God's grace has provided for me thus far. I know that He will continue to do so, and even when things don't look awesome, God is always there with His omnipotent strength to take care of me. So I choose to have an attitude of gratitude along this journey--God desreves my praises and thanksgiving every single day! :)

So this is my thought for the day. Please don't interpret it as complaining...I'm not--God is good and I'm utterly grateful to Him for all of these wonderful opportunities He has afforded me!

Ponderings...

I love how there are seasons in your life when you have something to say about everything, and then there are other times in your life when everything is happening to you and yet....there isn't much to say. I've been feeling that way for a while now, as a matter-of-fact this year, I have only posted 9 times. heh. Funny.

Lately, I've been totally astounded by the favor of God. You know, I'm so incredibly far from perfect--and yet God blesses me anyway. You know, I used to always think that if I made the right choices, with the right attitudes THEN God would bless me. But it's just really amazed me lately how God loves me anyway and how he's willing to bless me even when I'm not perfect. I am so grateful for all that He does for us!

Oh....how He loves us so!