More of My Story and My Journey

Missions has never been my biggest gift. Asking people to trust me enough to send me somewhere with their money NO THANK YOU. Why would I want to open myself up for that kind of rejection? God whispered to me, "if you can't have enough faith in me to know that I will provide for you when I am asking you to do something, then you are not being obedient and will miss the fullest of blessings I have in store for you". OUCH!

After I finally understood God's call and knew I had to start making the financial ASK, the only other obstacle was understanding why I have always said that the abroad missions field was NOT for me. I discovered it was because of my first experience. The only other missions trip I took out of the country was on spring break during my freshman year of college to Pedras Negras, Mexico which is just south of the boarder. I did manual labor such as white washing a school, digging ditches and holes for palm trees, and mixing and pouring cement. I didn't get much of an opportunity to work with and meet with the people. Though I know our work showed Jesus' love and met many big needs of the people, it left me feeling like I wasn't cut out for missions work. I actually got physically ill while I was there and left wondering why God had not gifted me for missions. After all, I loved Him so much and wanted to share that. It was all work and no relationships; I was missing the relationships. It has taken me several years to realize that though there are those particular missions trips where the labor is the main piece that is not what all of these journeys are like or about. In fact, I am just now realizing that the Mexico experience is why I have said many times that mission trips abroad are not for me!

I am praising God that I am approaching a new experience that will change my view of His kingdom and what the Apostle Paul showed us forever. The stories of these girls who are being so bravely rescued from the cruelest reality one can't begin to imagine has grabbed my heart. I won't be going to Cambodia to dig, paint, and pour cement as I did in Mexico, but I will be going to share Jesus' love to anyone who will watch and listen. In a land of broken hearts which Cambodia most certainly is, I know we can be some salt and light with your prayers and God's abundant blessings. I am listening and walking in my JOURNEY OF FAITH.

So far, God's provision has taught me more about trusting Him than any sermon I have heard or any conference I have attended. Experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences in terms of God's provision and answered prayer is what I think so many of us go through life missing. I hope that I won't miss anymore of His abundant love and shaping of me.

Here are WEEKLY POINTS OF PRAYER from RAPHA HOUSE:

Monday: Rescue! Millions of children are still trapped in slavery -- pray for their RESCUE!

Tuesday: Safety! Pray that our girls will feel secure at Rapha House, and that God will keep our safe homes safe.

Wednesday: Healing! "Rapha" means healing. Pray that Rapha House would be true to its name and that God would continue to heal our girls.

Thursday: Demand ~ Sex trafficking would not take place if there were no demand for girls. -- pray the hearts of men and women to change and for the demand to end.

Friday: Justice! Pray for justice on behalf of every person who has had their freedom stripped from them.

Saturday: Growth and Stability ~ As Rapha House continues to grow, pray that God would direct our growth and keep our programs running smoothly.

Sunday: Future Freedom Fighters!
Ask God how you can get involved and that He would continue to raise up Freedom Fighters around the world.

HAPPENINGS!

I am sorry it has been so long for an update. I haven't raised anything more in the last several weeks, so things are slow in the fundraising area. But, I feel comfortable where I am because of so many of you who gave early on. THANK YOU! I am still amazed by how much my faith has grown through this little part of my journey so far.

The big things happening now are:

1. SILENT AUCTION is THIS SUNDAY at Bella Vista Christian Church from 3 - 6. We are having a BLOCK PARTY and the auction is the outreach aspect of the party. I am hopeful that it will be a huge success!

2. THINGS to take. I have had a LOT of you ask what, if anything, can I take over for the girls and Kids Club kids. We did get a needs list this week! YAY!!

* STICKERS (fun ones for Kids Club)
* Small treasure box items for the RAPHA girls such as: nail polish,
candy (that won't melt in transport), hair ties, pens.

If you would like to donate any of these small items for me to take over, just let me know. THANKS!

3. PRAY FOR OUR TEAM and PRAY FOR THE RAPHA HOUSES and girls!!!

HUGS and LOVES!!!!!

Team Meeting

Chad and I had a GREAT time bonding with the Cambodia Team at the Eubanks' home Friday night. We got to meet the 3 ladies from the Prairie Grove church that will be traveling with us. I loved that everyone shared what this journey means to them and what their hopes are for the trip. All of us are shaped differently and have something unique to offer the children and the leadership at the Rapha Houses in Cambodia. Our evening together definitely made me even more excited about what God has in store for us.

Now it is time to read up on the Cambodian History, namely the genocide by the Khmer Rouge which lasted until 1991!!!!

Team Building

We are having dinner as a team tonight, and I am super excited. The group that is going includes 9 people from the church I attend (Bella Vista Christian) and 3 ladies from Prairie Grove Christian. We will be traveling with Stephanie Freed who is the director for RAPHA HOUSE. I can't believe we leave in 73 days!!! It is becoming more and more a reality. I can't wait to watch the whole experience unfold. I am sure it has already started to alter the way I think and there is so much more adventure and JOURNEY OF FAITH ahead. Thanks so much for your support both finacially and in prayer. You are making this all happen. LOVE to all of you.