One Year Ago

A year ago this week I was in Puerto Vallarta on a women's mission trip. It was there, a year ago tomorrow, that God made it absolutely clear to me that the time had come for me to pursue His call on my life for full-time missions.

When I look back over the past year, I realize what a journey He has brought me through. It has been challenging at times, but I have grown a lot through the experiences of the past year. I am very blessed.

Day 24: Here I Am

My prayer today is from the second half of a song called "Here I Am" by the group Downhere.

When setbacks and failures and upset plans
Test my faith and leave me with empty hands
Are You not the closest when it's hardest to stand?
I know that You will finish what You began
And these broken parts You redeem
Become the song that I can sing…

Here I am, Lord send me
All of my life I make an offering
Here I am, Lord send me
Somehow my story is a part of your plan
Here I am

Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness
And the fear that I'll fail You in the end
In this mess, I'm just one of the pieces
I can't put this together but You can

Here I am, Lord send me
All of my life I make an offering
Here I am, Lord send me
Somehow my story is a part of your plan
Here I am

Day 19: Family

Today I am thanking God for each and every member of my family. I pray for safety as we all travel to Michele's house and that we will not take a moment of our time together for granted. When I think about my missionary friends who are celebrating Thanksgiving thousands of miles from their families, it gives me another reason to cherish this time with my family. It also prompts me to pray for these friends on a day when they are probably feeling the effects of that separation more than they do on a typical day.

Day 18: Mission Trip Opportunity

I am currently praying about an opportunity to be involved in another women's mission trip in late February. There are many factors to consider: the response I receive from the IMB, my school schedule, etc. The most important thing, though, is that I respond to God's leading and not step out in front of Him and make a decision based on my thoughts or feelings.

Day 16: Puerto Vallarta

Over the last year and a half I have been so blessed by opportunities to work alongside missionaries Preston and Courtney in Puerto Vallarta. I quickly grew to love the members of the new church, La Esperanza de Vallarta. While I was in Puerto Vallarta, God broke my heart for the lost in a deeper way than I have ever experienced before. As I pray for the people of Puerto Vallarta, my mind is filled with the faces of the hotel workers in my English classes last summer. They are so precious to me, and as far as I know only one of them is a Christian. I pray that God will work in their hearts and that He will continue to bless the ministry that He has started through my dear friends Preston and Courtney.

Day 15: Manzanillo

I had the opportunity to spend some time in Manzanillo in the summers of 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. I met a lot of people as we distributed information in neighborhoods and hosted activities for children in the parks and schools. It has been so exciting to see the new church, La Esperanza de Manzanillo, take shape and grow. Now, as missionaries Bill and Vicki prepare to leave this church in the hands of a native pastor, I am praying for the church, for their unsaved neighbors, and for Bill and Vicki.

Day 14: Nicaragua

Even though it has been several years since my 2 trips to Nicaragua, the people I meet on mission trips stay in my heart forever. I think about them. I wonder what God has done in their lives since I last saw them. I pray for God to bless them in so many ways. Today I am praying for all of the people I met in two villages near Managua, Nicaragua. I also pray for my friend Rebecca who serves through Project Hope in Nicaragua. She's home visiting now but will return to Nicaragua in January. She has been a tremendous blessing especially to the women, teens, and children there.