I wanted to share a journal entry from Nov. 21, 2005... nearly 15 days after I came back to the Lord, after my college days... it brought me some peace this evening.
"... I need courage, strength and love. Lord, I praise You. I love You. Thank You for working in me, on my heart and on my mind. I am so happy for this opportunity I have. I ask that you continue to use me in every way... Lord Jesus, set me on fire. Let me burn with Your Love and Your fire, Your hope. You are my Joy, regardless of anything "good" that comes into my life, You will be the only thing I leave this earth with. I will hold onto You. I will cherish Your love, grasp onto You with my entire being. Thank you so much, Jesus..."
"For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." Romans 14:7-8
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Summer vacation = spanglish, bucket showers, dirt, and love
One of the benefits of working at an awesome non-profit is PTO (paid time off)! I've been blessed with a career where my PTO time is fairly high, enabling me to take a nice long summer vacation. So, about two months ago I started praying for a good vacation idea: Someplace I could retreat to and just spend time alone with our Creator God and His marvelous creation. I researched tropical vacation spots, plane tickets, cheap traveling ideas, etc. When I started researching "tropical mission trips" it hit me -- I'm not going on vacation for "me-time," I'm going on vacation for God. I'm breathing for God. I'm yearning for God through every step I take. If God wants to send me to northern Canada while I'm on vacation then so be it. I'll pack a parka and fly to Canada.
Since international missions is such a desire in my heart, I knew that how God wanted to use me during my vacation time would be out of the ordinary, and out of this country.
I still receive the weekly newsletter from the church I went to as a child and around the time I was searching for an opportunity a small announcement appeared in the newsletter about a wild summer vacation idea: build a house in Mexico.
To the dear readers who know me well, I know what you're thinking -- Kayla+tools+hilly terrain=disaster. I can assure you, dear friends, that through God all things are possible :) Plus many of you know that I spent a week scoring and hanging dry-wall one time. I can help build a house. I did it when I was in high school -- did you know that?
From July 26-Aug. 3 I will be joining about 15 other people from my community on a trip to the northern baja peninsula of Mexico, just south of the California/Mexico border. During our short trip we will get to know a Mexican family very well while we're building them a new home. The families that receive help from Amor Ministries (http://www.amor.org/) are those who face extreme poverty and are living in shambles.
There, in the middle of poverty-stricken Mexico, will be a beautiful mess of inexperienced construction workers who, through the spirit, build a house. This will be a home that will be built in Jesus' name. A home with a firm, solid foundation. A home where the walls were nailed together with love. A home where the roof was placed while the workers were singing loud praise songs. A home where the workers were molded more into their model, Jesus, as they put the finishing touches on the home.
As I prepare my heart for this trip I will update more. I do have a few requests from you guys, though.
Please join me in praying for our group. Right now, pray that God would start preparing us for the challenges and obstacles we may face (finances, language barrier, poverty, no running water or electricity). And pray for the family we will be helping that week.
Thank you, dear readers. :)
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV)
Thank you, Father, for providing this opportunity. I ask that you would use our group as your hands as we build this family a new home. I pray that you use us wholly. Let our beings pour out your love and spirit everyday. I love you, Lord! I Praise Your Name, Abba. Thank you for everything you've done for us, from the cross to today. Use me, and my brothers and sisters, as a vessel for your love -- with every breath we take. Amen. :)
Since international missions is such a desire in my heart, I knew that how God wanted to use me during my vacation time would be out of the ordinary, and out of this country.
I still receive the weekly newsletter from the church I went to as a child and around the time I was searching for an opportunity a small announcement appeared in the newsletter about a wild summer vacation idea: build a house in Mexico.
To the dear readers who know me well, I know what you're thinking -- Kayla+tools+hilly terrain=disaster. I can assure you, dear friends, that through God all things are possible :) Plus many of you know that I spent a week scoring and hanging dry-wall one time. I can help build a house. I did it when I was in high school -- did you know that?
From July 26-Aug. 3 I will be joining about 15 other people from my community on a trip to the northern baja peninsula of Mexico, just south of the California/Mexico border. During our short trip we will get to know a Mexican family very well while we're building them a new home. The families that receive help from Amor Ministries (http://www.amor.org/) are those who face extreme poverty and are living in shambles.
There, in the middle of poverty-stricken Mexico, will be a beautiful mess of inexperienced construction workers who, through the spirit, build a house. This will be a home that will be built in Jesus' name. A home with a firm, solid foundation. A home where the walls were nailed together with love. A home where the roof was placed while the workers were singing loud praise songs. A home where the workers were molded more into their model, Jesus, as they put the finishing touches on the home.
As I prepare my heart for this trip I will update more. I do have a few requests from you guys, though.
Please join me in praying for our group. Right now, pray that God would start preparing us for the challenges and obstacles we may face (finances, language barrier, poverty, no running water or electricity). And pray for the family we will be helping that week.
Thank you, dear readers. :)
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV)
Thank you, Father, for providing this opportunity. I ask that you would use our group as your hands as we build this family a new home. I pray that you use us wholly. Let our beings pour out your love and spirit everyday. I love you, Lord! I Praise Your Name, Abba. Thank you for everything you've done for us, from the cross to today. Use me, and my brothers and sisters, as a vessel for your love -- with every breath we take. Amen. :)
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