A crowd with one vision is the crowd with the most potential of capturing hearts. All it takes is one miracle and we're all fans!
You don't have to lose a family member to feel a powerful change in your life. You don't have to walk on hot coals or pay a fortune. All you need is a little "sacrifice." When you sacrifice "your way of life" for a short period of time for God, it becomes "His way of life." You learn to accept any situation or circumstance that you're in. You begin to change your thinking through diverse people and experiences. You begin to form into a grateful child with a heart filled with appreciation.
Going on a mission trip will reveal the real YOU! Underneath all of our filthy and self-centered selves, we can discover a new kind of energy! A rising flame for Christ! You begin to accept every situation and circumstance that you're in. You learn to interact with a great diversity of humans.
Here's to another annual tradition of serving overseas with my family. This year, we got an invitation to the Zakarpattia Oblast - which is located in the Southwestern part of Ukraine. The breezy air, the proud mountains, and the organic local-grown foods were quite the experience. The smiling, eager faces of the children were the highlight of our purpose.
In Ukraine, we worked with a local church to organize a week-long camp for kids and teens without the right guidance in life. Many of whom had been abandoned by their parents or taken away by the government due to negligence. A few of the children and teens in attendance were already introduced to Christ.
My husband and I got the privilege to work with the youngest bunch of kids. Their ages ranged from ten to eleven. They were so easy to work with, believe me! It's always a funny image when some kids try to prove that they know more than the others. And then they try to win over your trust. I loved reading them Bible stories in the morning and then hugging them tightly at night. Our youngest group even managed to beat other groups at sports. Our crowd memorized more Bible verses than the other kids. Teddy and I had to gift them personally because they were shining stars! In fact, all kids are bright! I just wish for one thing: for parents to realize that their children will bring them a bright future.
It's rewarding to travel and serve God at the same time! There is one thing that we can't forget to do while evangelizing. "Proving your words through your actions!" We can't declare one thing and then do another thing. Carefully guarding your own image while staying authentic will keep you in safe grounds. We are weak, but God works in amazing ways through His children!
I am so embarrassed to admit my own absence. Returning home from overseas made me realize how behind I am on my schedule. No worries though! I am back on track, grinding! I definitely miss my readers! It is so good to be back with yinz:)