Young Life in.a.nutshell

Found this video that explains Young Life in a great way in case you are unsure of what I'll be doing.

Happy First Day of School...I'm going to the beach. :)

God is good. Always.

After reaching 50% (YAY!) and realizing the start date of orientation for language school is August 28th (boo) all in the same week, I had to keep reminding myself that God is good, always.  It seems like a simple thing to remember when working for a ministry but it turns out to be more of a struggle than I might like to admit.

The great thing about God's goodness is that it doesn't come with fine print or strings attached.  No matter what I do or don't do, He is steadfast and true.  And He keeps reminding me of this in the most subtle ways through my fundraising like the guy I met on the plane on the way to CCO or the friend I ran into last weekend who handed me his donation and disappeared or the friend that said no months ago and then made a generous donation out of the blue or the friend I met last summer working at VBS and hadn't spoken to since who rounded off my 50% and all of these happened without any work on my part.  I didn't do a thing to get these guys involved so I have to give credit to the Spirit who stirs even the most unlikely hearts.

It is easier for me to tell you how God is good today because I can tell you about the house where I'm living and the community that surrounds me.  I can tell you about the family that supports me and spreads the word even when I think about hiding in my room for a little while.  I can tell you about the encouraging words I get from people, who build me up when my spirit is down.  I can tell you of the love I feel today because it's right in front of me.

What I've struggled with more is understanding how He will be good ALWAYS.  Even if August 28th comes and goes without me getting on a plane to Costa Rica for language school, His goodness never changes.  Even if I have to wait for January to rally the last 50%, He is still gracious.  Even when my plans don't exactly match His, He is still sovereign.

I'm not saying that I don't still hope and pray for big things to happen in the next 2 weeks because I also know He is mighty, powerful and rich beyond measure.  I'm not still asking you to dig deep and live sacrificially for the glory of God to reach out to teenagers in Nicaragua, I am.  Big things have started stirring around here and as my friend says, "I love it when God shows off."  But the main thing to take from this post is that God is good always and He's got a plan for me and you.  So I'm going to keep taking those steps and lean into him a little deeper to rest in His peace.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. 

Hebrews 6:19

Video

Here's a link to a video from when I spoke at my mom's church in Asheville, NC about what I'll be doing in Nicaragua.  You may have already heard these stories but I would love for you to spread it around to give other people the vision as well!

Christ Anglican Church

Thanks!

ONE MORE MONTH!

July was a great break after the craziness that was June.  I loved every second of June but July was great too.  As you can see in the Updates portion on the side, you can tell I still need 54% of my budget until I can leave and I still plan to leave on September 1st so big things are going to have to happen.

*Praise* It grew 2% TODAY so 50% is TOTALLY possible this week!

I have been feeling good about the recent growth since it seemed to be stuck for so long.  Even though I still haven't quite reached 50% I don't want to discount how the Lord can move in this time.

I don't have the biggest update for you but I do have a big ask.  Will you please join my team to see how the Lord can move through you and me in His work in Nicaragua?  How amazing is it that we get to be a part of His mission and you don't even have to leave your home!?  If you're already on board, do you know someone who has a heart for Jesus, Central America and/or teenagers?  I would love to reach 50% by the end of the week and 100% by the end of the month.

Above everything else, pray. Pray for peace in whatever comes.  Pray for wisdom and grace as I make presentations/meet new people/ask big.  Pray for boldness to go out on a limb for the sake of bringing glory to Jesus.  Pray. Pray. Pray. Then, pray some more.  That's my game plan and I ask you to be a part of it every step of the way.


Isaiah 40:28-31
New International Version (NIV)
28 Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.