inspired by a teenager

We are never too old or to young to learn so much in our lives. And people of all ages, economic status and cultures teach us about our lives. God comes to us in many different forms we just have to be paying attention. Sometimes this is easier said then done. Especially when this is coming in the attitude of a teenager. They sometimes have wisdom much beyond there years and are speaking the word of God.
I witnessed a young man last week that was touched by the holy spirit. Which was difficult to let happen because of coarse it came at 11:30pm. But I let him stay up for a bit and finish writing.
He humbly shared the words that came to him with a group of his peers with a touch of fear on whether it would be accepted. But confident that these words came to him and were inspired from God. The words were fitting to the week and related to many different people. God uses all people all over the world to touch our lives. But we need to be paying attention. Listen, Listen. It might just be the voice of God speaking to you.

Our souls have changed hands. Where humans used to be ruled by our mistakes, we are now watched over with everlasting acceptance. We used to belong to temptation, now we owe ourselves to a life after temptation.

All our souls were property to our own mortality, our own flesh,... and hate, and lies, and sin.

But our souls have changed hands. It was a high price, but our lives, our eternal hearts, were brought back from the slaveholder. So rejoice, because we have all been set free.

A lot of us... all of us, still act like we're slaves though. We let our mortality drag us down. We get stressed. We let our fear keep us from living. We're a freed people living like slaves.

So tonight, for Silent Night, lets be free. Tonight, I'm going to live without thoughts of death. I'm going to start paying back my debt to God. And you all have the chance to join me. Let's all be free children of God tonight. ~Jacob Manlove

"Let's all be free children of God [everyday]" ...If you know how loved you are by God; part of celebrating your freedom is showing those that don't know - the joy of the love you know.

You never know how God will use your abilities.

No matter how small those abilities may seem, they may be used someday. Once upon a time I wanted to be an architect when I grew up. That was the plans right out of high school, but plans always seem to change. I have never really lost that passion. I love HGTV and can watch the remodel shows all day long. But I never thought this passion for design would come in handy in Haiti.
The kitchen in Haiti had gone through some updating in the past year. But they wanted to get a more permanent kitchen put into place before the N.American teams arrived in Haiti. The cooks shared what they wanted for their kitchen. Then Paul, the pastor asked me to draw out the plans. At first I thought I am not an architect, nor do I know Haitian construction. But after thinking about it and praying about it; I realized I did have enough knowledge to make this a reality. So I drew out a floor plan for the new kitchen. After some more input from Amab (Paul's wife) about extra storage, plans were tweaked.
Things move slow in Haiti, so I had no idea when the new kitchen would become a reality. Then one morning I walked up for breakfast and all the old sinderblocks from the kitchen were removed and the guys were hard at work. It was all very exciting to see it become a reality. It was even more exciting to see how excited the ladies were about the building of their new kitchen. You never know what you will be asked to do in missions.

What are you praying for?

Journal from Haiti -- May 16th --
I awoke with a glimmer of light in our room at 5:30am. Then I took out my earplugs and the rooster sang me awake. Time to venture out to the beautiful outhouse, no problem I like camping. I was praying and thanking God for letting me be there. (Not there in the outhouse specifically but in Haiti.) Then I asked God for a toilet seat. I'm making a list of basic things I would like. A toilet seat would be nice.
Then one of my favorite songs came on my Ipod - "I was made to love you" by Toby Mac. There is a line in that song that says "anything, I would give it up for you. Everything I would give it all away."
I had to laugh --- I never thought about having to give up a toilet seat. It is amazing the things in our lives we take for granted.

Back in the States

I have taken too much time to try and decide what to write now that I am back in the states. But many people have asked me how was it. And I have a whole variety of answers depending on what part you want to hear. The trip was a blessing. I heard a phrase once, probably on the bottom of a pastors email - "blessed to be a blessing" This phrase runs through my mind often when I think of Haiti. I was truly blessed to be down there. I have dreamt of going back for over a year now. My only hope is that I was able to be a small blessing in my time there.
I did many things when I was in Haiti but I feel the most important thing was to learn. I just tried to be with the Haitians and learn and soak up as much of the culture and language as I could. Sometimes this was frustrating. As Americans we go to other countries on mission trips for a 'project'. We come in we have an agenda/goal and we get it accomplished. But when you are working on a longer term goal you seem to 'think' about things much more. I found myself pondering the long range goals of Haiti. But not mine, trying to discover what the beautiful people around me dream for there country. And how can I - or can I be a part of that dream developing. And how can I keep my own American biases out of the situation and try and just 'be a blessing'. I keep working on this 'goal' and hope I can be a small part of the Haitian dream. I do believe in the country. I know the people there are incredible strong, loving and will rise up from the rubble of the earthquake.

Leaving for Haiti

The last month has been crazy full of a variety of things. Packing, moving, fundraising, sharing, campus ministry, and more. So many changes it is hard to take all in and imagine. Many people asked me on the eve of my departure, "How are you feeling/doing?" I am - I think I am just completly in the moment. I have been anxious, excited, sad, happier then one could imagine, stressed!, numb, nervous, and now I am ready. I know I am blessed more than words can possible expressed. I said to God I would go if we worked together at making it happen. Well God worked some miracles!
A friend whispered to me in the church goodbyes, "I knew when you got back in March last year you would be going back." That really said it all, I really feel like I have been preparing for this in one way or another for the last year. And my imagination is finally going to be a reality.
Thank You, Thank You for being a part of this. God truly does amaze me.

Individual Volunteers in Mission Training

In preparing for Haiti, I went to a Volunteers in Mission Training this weekend. I learned many things necessary for going into missions all over the world. If you are even considering volunteering in the world check out the information on Indivual Volunteers in Mission. It will open you eyes and heart to a whole new world. I met so many wonderful people stretching out not only all over the world but working right here in the United States in there own backyards.
One of the conversations at the training talked about backyards. We should all be working in God's backyard. Where does God's back yard end?
I truely believe we are all called by God to make a difference in this world to many people. All of these people are children of God that need you to reach out. So go work in God's backyard! This might be in your church, 4 blocks away with children , elderly, or the poor, half way across your state, way down in Oklahoma or way up in Alaska, or maybe it is half way around the world in Africa. Wherever God calls you to go - get prepared and seek out the persons who have walked before you. We have so much to learn from each other. I would like to share with you the quote that is always at the bottom of a wonderful woman's email who opened the door for me in Haiti.

Now are you the body of Christ ~1 Cor. 12:27
Christ has no body now on earth but yours,
no hands but yours,
no feet but yours,
Yours are the eyes through which the compassion
of Christ is to look out on a hurting world.
Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good.
Yours are the hands with which he is to bless now. ~Teresa of Avila

Thank You! Thank you to all who have lived this life and continue to live to reach out in a hurting world.
Now go play, work, and love in God's backyard.

Haiti is fast approaching plans are underway. I have my plane ticket. I ordered some H.A.P.I. products to start fundraising. I started actually making some jewelery made from my bullitan beads. Many people have asked me how that would work out so I have included a picture. I am happy to say I have already sold 7 necklaces. Let me know if your interested. I have also been doing other fundraising, such as selling goodies and doing meals at the university. I am excited beyond words for what lies ahead and what God has planned.