Ethiopia, Here I COME!!!

If any of you read my last blog post I said that there have been things that God has been placing on my heart but I was not quite ready to reveal them yet.  Well, now is the time!

On July 13, 2012 I will be heading to Ethiopia with All God’s Children International!  It is a 10 day mission trip where I will be going to an orphanage and have the opportunity to love on these beautiful children and share God's love with them.  

I have wanted to do a mission trip like this for quite some time, but I would always came up with an excuse to not go.  Whether it be money or not being able to take time off from my job to go.  Several weeks ago, I prayed for God to not only break my heart for what breaks His, but that I would actually do something about it.  I have always had a special place in my heart for the orphans.  I'll never forgot that one day,  (neither will my parents I’m sure) I was around 13, when I came home and announced to my family that I will be adopting children from every country when I get older.  I was so passionate about it then, and that very same passion has never faded.  I remember thinking how beautiful each and every child was and that I wanted to be the one to tell them that they are beautifully made in the image of God and that they are loved by Him so much.  I knew then at the young age of 13 that orphans will be a big part of my life.   

I have recently started sponsoring a little girl whose name is Alemshewa through Compassion International who is from Ethiopia.  I spoke with someone who works with Compassion and he assured me that while I am in Ethiopia, Compassion will be able to set it up where I will be able to meet this beautiful little girl.  I am so excited that God has given me this opportunity.  It will be an amazing moment when I am able to wrap my arms around Alemshewa and tell her in person how much I love her and how much God loves her.  I pray for her daily as well as am able to communicate with her through email and letters but being able to see her in person is such an amazing opportunity.  

During this time of preparation I ask that you please pray for me as God prepares my heart for this mission trip.  My Mother has already had a talk with me that I cannot bring any kids home with me.  She knows that if it were a possibility, most likely I would!  :)  I know that God will provide me financially and emotionally for this trip.  I am super stoked!

If you are wondering why I chose Ethiopia this video will explain why:

National Youth Workers Convention

This past weekend I had the privileged to attend The National Youth Workers Convention.  It was an amazing experience.  Being there with thousands of other youth workers who have a passion for youth was one of the best experiences I have ever had.  Just knowing that there are so many people who share the same passion that I have to help youth is so encouraging.  It is difficult to put in words how this experience impacted me.

Since starting this job, I have had many ups and downs which is normal for anybody in their job for the most part.  Just hearing and talking to other youth workers, I learned that they deal with the same frustrations that go along with this job.  It was comforting to know that I am not alone in feeling the way I do sometimes.  

Since being back, I am still trying to process everything that I learned and felt like God is wanting me to do in this ministry here at Wesley Church.  One thing that Dr. Kenda Dean said was, "Mission is not a trip! Mission is what we are called to do!  If you don't have a mission, you don't have a church.  Mission is the business we are in, young people included!!"  This one statement has completely changed the way I want to do ministry.  

This conference has also confirmed some of the decisions that I needed to make in my own personal life.  I am not quite ready to reveal what God has been stirring up in my heart, but I will be blogging about it very soon!  For anyone who reads this, please just keep me in your prayers as I move forth with my own spiritual journey as well as my ministry here at Wesley.  I want to do something radical with my faith as well as something radical in my ministry :)