An Experience I'll Never Forget !!

I am so thankful to God that I have had the opportunity on multiple occasions to experience foreign missions trips. During the summer of 2010 I had the privilege of spending 5 weeks in the Dominican Republic. This was probably my 10^th time there but my 1^st time without my family and for longer than a week. I have gone every Easter with Mountain View Christian Academy and while I was there in April 2010 I really felt God calling me to be a missionary so I changed my major at Hope International University to Inter-Cultural Studies.

I have been able to teach English at a Christian school, play basketball with Dominicans on the street for witnessing opportunities, work to prepare the local Christian camp for mission teams and events, build churches and houses, conduct vacation Bible schools and women’s Bible studies, help feed the kids at nutritional centers, work with the peace corp to help a village get clean and fresh water, teach the plan of salvation to the children through witness bracelets, and work with the local churches. It has definitely been a life-changing experience.

There is this one man that really touched my life. He lives in a shack. He doesn’t even have a bathroom or a kitchen all he has is a bed, his Bible, and like 3 changes of clothes. Every time it rains his roof leaks and when the wind blows hard the walls of his house shake and yet he is the sweetest, nicest man that I have ever met in my whole entire life and he has absolutely nothing. Every time he sees me he says God bless you. So we bought beams and fixed his shack to make it sturdier, we repaired his roof so he wouldn’t get wet and fixed his walls to make them stronger. 

I have gained so much appreciation for the little things in life. There are so many things that we take for granted. The Dominicans are so happy to get a piece of candy or a happy meal toy from McDonald’s or just to color a picture. Small things that don’t mean anything to us mean the world to them. 

They are also so hungry for the Gospel and appreciative of anything done for them. It makes me want to share the love of Jesus with them. In Revelation 7:9 it talks about how in heaven there will be people from every nation, every tribe, and every language. I want to be a part of helping people from other nations that don’t have the same opportunities that we have in America to hear the gospel. 

Please pray for me as I seek God’s will and direction for my life. Regardless if you feel that the Lord is calling you to full-time missions. Every Christian can be a part by being a prayer warrior for missionaries, financially supporting a work, or by participating in a short term mission’s trip. Luke 10:2 says, “He told them, ‘the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore to send out workers into his harvest field.” Thank you. I greatly appreciate all your prayers, encouragement, love, and support. 

Extreme Happiness !!

Te amo
I love you

The sounds are all as different
As the lands from which they came
And though the words are all unique
Our hearts are still the same

Love in any language
Straight from the heart
Pulls us all together
Never apart
And once we learn to speak it
All the world will hear
Love in any language
Fluently spoken here

We teach the young our differences
Yet look how we're the same
We love to laugh, to dream our dreams
We know the sting of pain

From Leningrad to Lexington
The farmer loves his land
And daddies all get misty-eyed
To give their daughter's hand

Oh maybe when we realize
How much there is to share
We'll find too much in common
To pretend it isn't there

Tho' the rehtoric of government
May keep us worlds apart
There's no misinterpreting
The language of the heart

Pure Joy !!

Here I am standing on a new chapter of my life. When I left for college 5 years ago, I had no idea that I would be here today. I was planning on studying business, but then I changed my major to “inter-cultural studies.” I never dreamed that I would be going to the Dominican Republic to serve as a full-time missionary.

I have had the privilege of teaching English classes, building houses and church buildings, teaching Vacation Bible Schools, participating in sports’ and church camps, leading women’s Bible studies, assisting with medical clinics, and much more. I love strengthening relationships with the Dominican people I work with and building new friendships. This is also a great help for me to develop my communication skills in Spanish.

The words to this song express my feelings – although at first I was hesitant and scared, now, through Christ I am confident and excited to be His hands and feet. I know that He will empower and enable me.

An image flashed across my TV screen
Another broken heart comes into view
I saw the pain, and I turned my back
Why can't I do the things I want to?
I am willing yet I'm so afraid
You give me strength
When I say
I wanna be Your hands
I wanna be Your feet
I'll go where You send me
And I try, yeah I try
To touch the world like You touched my life
An I'll find my way
To be Your hands
I've abandoned every selfish thought
I've surrender everything I've got
You can have everything I am
And perfect everything I'm not
I am willing, I'm not afraid
You give me strength
This is the last time
I turn my back on You
From now on I'll go out
Send me where You want me to
I finally have a mission
I promise I'll complete
I don't need excuses
When I am Your hands and feet

I truly believe that God has a plan for me and has called me to do mission work. Scripture teaches that when we support missionaries, we become partners with them in the gospel (3 John 1:8). I am asking my friends and family first of all if they will commit to pray for me. And secondly, would you prayerfully consider supporting me financially either with a one-time gift or monthly donation? Many of you have generously supported me in the past and I am very grateful. Any help you can give me in this will be appreciated as well.

Again, I thank you for your love and support. I know your prayers will help to make this ministry a significant one for the kingdom of God. I’ll keep you posted on what takes place while I am here.