Cinderella's House

           I have received some more information about one of the ministries I will have the opportunity to help with while I am in Spain, called Cinderella’s House, and so I wanted to share this information with you. This new ministry reaches out to the women who are enslaved in the sex trade, and are looking for a safe place to heal, be restored and grow in Christ. Right now this ministry is so new that there is not yet an actual house, so the missionaries actually go out to minister to these women.  I will have the privilege to work with these missionaries who are passionately committed to serving God by reaching out to these hurting, broken women and showing them the love and healing restoration God offers.  

          It seems like every time I learn something more about God’s plan for this year I can see more and more why He has given me the passions that He has given. I am humbled to see how God is working everything out; using me in ways I never thought I could be used.  It just reminds me of how Big and Powerful God truly is, and yet how loving and intimate His relationship is with all of us, by taking the very things that we love and even things that we fear and using them all for His glory. Every time I go to think how unworthy I am to have the King of the universe use me, I am reminded that it is in my weakness that God’s power truly shows through. When we have nothing to bring but all of ourselves, God can truly take all that we are and aren’t and show the world and often times even us more of who He is… “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7

2 Corinthians 12:9-10, “But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong!”

We're In

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8. These are the words of truth Moses spoke to Joshua before he became the new leader of the Israelites. These are also the words that God continues to speak lovingly to my heart as I am on this new journey. Along this path there have been and still are many unknowns in my life, which can be hard and tempting to worry about, but I am finding that in the times where there are lots of unknowns in my life, I am reminded all the more of the known truths of God. I can look back on this journey so far and see how God has been with me every step and extravagantly blessed me, not just with circumstances, but with the people in my life.

                Along this path, God has brought people just at the right time into my life that are walking beside me, partnering with me in this ministry, and encouraging me in so many ways.  The words, “We’re In,” are still echoing in my mind since a wonderfully encouraging sister-in-Christ, and I presented a challenge for my home church family to take this journey with me, through prayer and financially. Since that time many absolutely incredible people have said, “We’re In,” even if they don’t have a lot to give financially, their support, encouragement, and willingness to help have been priceless.  I know that I cannot do all of this on my own, but thankfully God promises I never have to!

Psalm 73:23, "Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand."
Matthew 28:20b, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." 

Wait for the Lord

        So, the support letters are sent, the challenge for families in my home church to say with words and actions, “We’re In,” has been made. I have had to fight the battle of myself and wrestle the thoughts of worry, doubt, and control out of my head. I have come to find that asking for people to partner with me, is not easy, not because I do not believe that this is what God is calling me to do by any means, but because asking for partners is kind of like putting all your passions, dreams, and even a big part of your own heart out there for others see, it can be a very venerable time. Waiting to see if someone is going to catch the passion and fire, God has given me for this ministry is a hard thing. Hearing negatives and skepticisms are not easy, when you place the heart God has given you out for all to see. However, this is where our hearts are called to be, to be open and honest with what God has placed inside them, to show the world, God's passions and love through our own hearts, and not to close that off and hide it away. 

      Although this process can be hard, I know my hopes, passions, dreams, and heart for this ministry is God given. So everything else that needs to go along with these, the courage, strength, patience, financial and prayer support, and documents/visa, will be God given as well. I am standing on the the promises He has given me, in full faith that He will provide. This is His plan for my life, and I am just get to follow it and walk hand in hand with Him wherever He leads.

Psalm 27:13-14, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”

Psalm 37:7a, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret.”

Isaiah 41:13, “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

God will Always make a Way

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your request to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” 

     This verse’s truths I cling to, especially during this time of preparations and transitions. Today I received an e-mail from one of the missionaries I am apprenticing under, Nicia; she gave me an estimate of a budget, a possible place to live, and information on getting my student visa. 

     However, along with all this information, anxiety also came as an attachment.  I finally have a clearer view of the obstacles I have to face before I can go to Spain, and yes they are bigger than I even expected. So for about an hour I opened up that anxiety attachment and stared at what seemed like mountains of impossibilities. I am not proud of it, but I let these obstacles scare me into being filled with worry.

  After about an hour of this God reminded me of all the impossible situations that He made possible, just in the Old Testament alone. When the Israelites were being chased by an angry Pharaoh and his army and an entire Sea stood between them and safety, what did God do? He split the entire Red Sea, just so they could get to where He wanted them to be. I have no idea why on earth I thought I had any right to think something like finances, or any requirements for a visa could possibly keep me from being where God wants me. So I am walking forward knowing that this “Sea” will move, and that God will provide a way!

Exodus 14:13-14 “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today…The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”