another amazing day

Tuesday March 5^th, 2013

Today God gave us another beautiful day in Nicaragua. God, thank you for this opportunity you have given me to help out your Heavenly Kingdom.

We ventured out to Los Brasillos, Joshua 1:8 schools to do many sponsored and unsponsored interviews. I was excited because I have not been to this particular school before. It was def a more rural school than Ray Solomon’s or Belcer’s schools in town, close to the dangerous market.

The kids we saw today were incredible; so overwhelmed and filled with joy, and beyond excited to see what we had planned for them. One of the girls that stuck out to me was a little girl named Sarah. She told me she loved to sing during the time I had with her, and she sand me a song about the sun, the moon, and the stars. I made sure to record it so I could replay the moment. During the time I shared with her, I asked God to bless her with a perfect sponsor.

We saw a huge group of preschoolers today too. Talk about the most adorable little things you have ever seen. We decided to play games with them on the floor and ask questions while we were playing to break the ice. The smaller children aren’t as outgoing and they have been a bit shy to interact with us. The kids had a blast putting puzzles together and playing the games on the ground that we brought with us. One little boy was very scared and cried the entire time he was around us.

Today I began to ask myself a simple question as I was with my amazing team and incredible kids. What is standing in the way of me serving God and building up his Heavenly Kingdom?

What would I give up for God? Would I give up my apartment? Do I make big sacrifices for God? Do I make excuses for why I can’t go to church, why I can’t go on a mission trip for a long period of time? It is a lot to think about and it surely is a lot to take in at times. I believe I am exactly where I am meant to be for the first time in my 25 years of life. God has truly opened up so many doors since I decided I was going to follow him wherever he led me.

As I sit in the church patio, listening to the birds chirp, distant cars honking, kids laughing from the school yard, I realize and feel how truly blessed I am to be here. God, I fall in love with you more and more every day. You are so amazing, and I thank you for bringing me here to this moment. Help me remember this moment, to stop and take time to see your beautiful hand at work all around me.

I had a beautiful conversation with Aaron today, and I couldn’t have had a better day working along side of him, interviewing each kid and really getting to know each and every one of them today. I thank God for our blossoming friendship, our honesty and trust we can share with one another as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

We got back from the school and had an amazing dinner tonight. As a team, we pulled our money together to make food bags for each child we sponsor and to help their families. We mad 24 bags total. A few of us with Aaron’s help went to the mall to find more backpacks, buy shoes for some of the kids we saw today that had worn theirs out, and to the grocery to buy all the food for the bags.

 

Monday March 3- Ray Solomon

HOLA FRIENDS! I am happy and sad to say I am back state side and into the full swing of things; back to work and back to my regular routine.
What an amazing, incredible life changing week I was just a part of. The team tackled SO much during the short week, but I didn't have any down time EVER to post online each day's events. I will be posting each days events as the week progressed. Thank you for all your prayers. Our team felt them and were wrapped up in God's love and protection throughout the whole course of our journey. I am so thankful to God for hand picking me to be a part of this unbelievable experience, and I can't wait to share my journey in words with you all. Love you dearly friends.

Monday March 3, 2013

Today was such an amazing God filled day. I can't express how wonderful and right it feels to be back in Nicaragua. God even gave us the gift of cooler weather AND a breeze. I can't hardly believe it. The word that best describes how I feel right now is "home." The team is interviewing students at Pastor Oscar's school, Ray Solomon. This school was where I ate lunch and went to visit every day on my last trip to Nicaragua. The home that I built last summer was only a few blocks from this school. Walking in and among the students today at Ray Solomon was so touching, so familiar. I loved seeing faces that I recognized. Familiar faces and smiles warmed my heart today as I walked into the school for the first time. Waves and friendly "holas" were exchanged and my heart was filled with a joy that I know can only come from Jesus.
Everything about this place feels like home. What do you think of when you think of the word home? Warmth... comfort... peace.. safety... family.. There are a few words that instantly come to my mind. All of these things I felt today, ALL DAY long.
The day was filled with interviews and getting the hang of working as team to conduct the interviews. As most of you might know, I am proud to say I went to Nicaragua this trip on a leadership team strictly focused on helping NRN with their sponsorship program. Our task was to see as many unsponsored and sponsored Northview students as possible, but to do it in a way that made each student feel loved and special. Many people state side made huge donations of toys, art supplies, tooth brushes, tooth paste, soaps, and backpacks for us to give each student at the end of the interview process. Sunday night the team put together these boy and girl goodie bags for each primary student and the backpacks with notebooks and pens for the secondary students. We wanted to make each student feel special and loved by receiving a little gift at the end of each interview.
I loved getting to talk to all the students that came into the room. Each student had to sit down, talk to us while we filled out an information sheet on their likes, family life, and personal questions to better understand who they were. Primary students made a sticker/colored art project for a potential sponsor or sponsor, while the secondary students wrote a postcard to their sponsor. Once all this was completed, the student was instructed to go see Kathy, who took their picture so we had a face with a name and information sheet.
This first day was a bit overwhelming, as we didn't know the best way to tackle the situation, but we had the least amount of kids to see, because Ray Solomon has the most kids sponsored out of all 4 schools we are involved heavily in. I was an interviewer all of the trip, getting to ask questions and sit personally with a student and translator. It was so wonderful to sit with the students, hear their laughs, and to see their excitement. All of the children were so beautiful and full of life.
After the interviews, we sat in and introdcued ourselves to the administrators of the school. They shared with us their heavy hearts, difficulties of the last year, a teacher with cancer, and the death of a special needs child this year. They told us their need for new textbooks, more fans, pre school chairs, and the many prayers they needs as well. The team got very emotional during this conversation in the administration office. It was such a blessing that they felt comfortable and trusting enough of our team to open up their hearts and share the schools burdens with us. We prayed together in a circle holding hands and headed back to La Quinta.
I have never had the opportunity to stay at La Quinta by myself. Our team is the only team here for the week and it is so peaceful and wonderful. The weather is beautiful and I couldn't ask for anything more. I was so blessed with reconnecting with my translators, who are now my great friends, Juan Carlos and Aaaron. It was so wonderful to give them great big hugs today, and I can't wait to work along side of them and spend the week together.
The team got organized and ready for tomorrows interviews. We plan on seeing 56 high schoolers and 40 primary students at Los Brasillas, Joshue 1.8 school.
As I look back on the day, one of my key moments I do not want to forget is the feeling I had while standing in the hallway, watching the kids play in the court yard, feeling the breeze, reading the sign With God All Things Are Possible. As I stood there, I felt God. I felt Him reassuring me that I was exactly where I needed to be. As if that wasn't enough of a blessing, I see a familiar face playing in the courtyard. It was Walter from last summer. I build the house for him and his family, who happens to be Aaron's family. Praise God for that moment, and all the other amazing moments of the day.

The Next Chapter

In 8 short months God has completely turned my life upside down. As most of you know last summer I was blessed with the opportunity to go to Nicaragua with my family and church. My heart was broken for the things that break Gods heart everyday. I returned home with a new love for Jesus in a different way than I had ever experienced before. My heart was on fire to continue to be led wherever God wanted me to go and found myself going to Africa with a team of people I didn't even know. I was tested and dealt with many spiritual battles leading up to my trip, but again God blessed me with an amazing team, that I now call my family, and the amazing opportunity of going and working with AIDS orphans in south Africa.
I can't even begin to explain with words what God has shown me through both of these experiences, the friendships Hes made possible, and giving 2 more places that I call home. I can't say it enough, but God really has turned a beautiful mess into a fulfilling life that I am so unworthy to have. I now know how much Jesus truly loves me. When I gave up on Him and failed Him Time and time again over the years he never gave up on me. He used people to plant seeds in me, and answered prayers from not only my family but many close friends.
For the first time in my 25 years of life I know I am exactly where I am suppose to be. It's not just with certain areas of my life either. I used to think I was living out Gods will and I claimed to be a "good" Christian. I finally was able to give all control over to God and give Him every single part of me. I have learned over the last 2 years how to be in a relationship with God and God has produced so many blessings from my faithfulness.
I am happy and blessed to say as I type this post I am sitting in the Indianapolis airport waiting to board my flight to Nicaragua on a leadership team for Nicaragua REsource Network. I have had so many generous donations for goodies to give the kiddos I will be working with all week, and my heart is bursting at the seams! I am working with the most amazing group of people; people who love God and want to show Him to others by loving on them, people who I will call my family by the end of the week, people I will be sharing my heart, sweat, and tears with over the course of the next few days, people I truly thank God for bringing into my life. Today I was so blessed by my amazing church family, pastor Dave, family, and friends for praying over me and this incredible team.
God never ceases to amaze me. I look at my life a few years ago, and I see a broken, hurting girl who searched for happiness and success in all the wrong places. I look at my life now, and I see a smiling, girl after Gods own heart; a girl made new because of  Jesus.
Ahhh, God thank you for your faithfulness and never ending love for me. Thank you to my family for always believing in me and allowing me to dream BIG in Gods eyes. Thank you to my beautiful sister, without her my life wouldn't be complete. Thank you to my nica family and Africa family for sharing your lives with me. Thank you to my many friends and my amazing gymnasts for your endless love and prayers.
Looking forward to being a part of another God journey, another love story, another chapter in this beautiful life God has blessed me with.
Much love and many blessings friends,
Meghann

Are you being silent?

Have you ever taken the time to think about what it means to be a Christian; to be free to love God; to be free to pray at a public restaurant; to be free to choose to put your children in Christian schools?
I have never really given it much thought, sadly, until this week. One of my best friend's from college decided to get me a journal for my birthday a couple weeks ago. She thought it best to find a christian one; one that I could write down sermon notes, prayers, and every day thoughts. She happened to go to a store in Austin and told me she literally was stopped in her tracks upon seeing a book that she had never heard of. She didn't even know what the book was about, but God told her that she needed to buy a copy and send it to me with my birthday gift. Turns out the book was just what I believe God needed me to read and share with others.
 The Insanity of God, based on a true story of faith resurrected, is about a christian couple that was led to minister starting in the Horn of Africa in Somalia. They started their work in the 1980s, wanting to help the broken people of Somalia in any way that they could. Nik Ripken, the author of the book, was one of the only people who considered putting his life in danger to help out the people in Somalia; to show them the way to Jesus. Eventually his organization led many others, including President Bush, to take action and send troops to help those in need. God then called Nik and his family out of Africa, to travel to many different parts of the world to hear testimonies from people who endured harsh persecution just because of their belief in Jesus. The book tells many tales of believers in China, Russia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa that have been put in jail, beaten, and threatened to be put to death because of their love for Jesus and their Christianity.
Upon reading this book, I have witnessed over the last year some of the harsh realities most of the rest of the world faces each day. I have seen what AIDS and diseases do to families. I have seen the effects of losing parents and what that does to innocent children. I have been to villages in Africa that Ive had the privilege to pray over people who have never had anyone pray over them, let alone heard of Jesus. I have started work on a church building in a village full of people who have never heard of Jesus and never had a church to go to. I have been to villages that have no running water, cities that are covered with trash and people sniffing glue to get high to forget about how hungry they are. While I saw these devasting and heart wrenching things, I never stopped to think about how believing in Jesus Christ would be taken by the rest of their nonbeliving country, what they might have to sacrifice to turn away from their countries religion to follow God.
My eyes were opened as I read this book and heard countless stories of what these fellow brothers and sisters endured and sacrificed beause of their belief. I am in awe of the courage and strength God gave each and every one of them in their times of trouble. Jesus' call to discipleship is to come and die. Few christians take the call literally, but it's not outside the realm of possibilty given the current state of the persecuted church. I have never once thought of our church, here in America, as one that is currently persecuted.
 2 Timothy 3:12 states, "All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Just as a pearl is formed from a simple grain of sand with layer upon layer of deposits until it becomes a large and lustrous thing of beauty, God has worked in many people's lives to reveal the beauty of His ways and thoughts which are different from our own. More than anything this book showed me that Jesus is alive and well, the New Testament stories that were told are not just stories of the past, people today have amazing stories and show that Jesus is walking right along side of them. I pray for the persecution of the church by praying that believers in persecution will NEVER stop loving and sharing Jesus. Faith is being lived out in the most difficult of circumstances all around the world.

God has the power to overcome all forms of darkness. If you think being a God-follower will make life safe and secure, buckle your seat belt. God shows His power and glory no matter the context, challenge, or oppostion. We all have a story. We all have gone through dark times, endured pain, been hurt by people we love, and lost those that we love. This world is a dark place that can easily put out the Light in all of us. With faith in God, and remembering how many people are persecuted because of their faith, we are able to endure unspeakable persecution and yet not lose heart.

When I read the horrifying accounts of many around the world, I couldn't help but compare my life and faith to theirs. I have never been put in jail because of my faith. I haven't had to hide out in fear of some higher authority or government offical finding out that I love Jesus. I haven't been beaten, made fun of, tormented because of my worship in church. I found myself asking, "Why God? Why have you given me the blessing of living in a country where I can honor you freely without persecution such as those in China, Africa, India, etc?" I have prayed over these questions, wondering what I can do now that my eyes have been opened to seeing that their are still so many suffering in other parts of the world because of their faith and so many people who haven't been given the chance of hearing about Jesus.
A better question and anwser to my previous questions is, "Why am I NOT persecuted?" Jesus states in  2 Timothy that all who believe in God will be persecuted. If we pray for persecution to stop, wouldn't we be putting an end to spreading the Good News? It's something to ponder. Persecution has an easy solution; deny Jesus, deny your love for God. It is as simple as that. Satan would win. Satan wants us to stay as far away from Jesus as possible. He wants to deny the world access to Jesus. His greatest desire is for the people of this planet to leave Jesus alone. If Satan cannot be successful at that, he desires to keep believers quiet, to diminish or silence our witness, and to stop us from bringing others to Christ. Friends and fellow believers, is Satan winning in your life? Are you spreading the Good News to your fellow neighbors, friends, and even enemies? Are you reaching out to those that haven't been exposed to the Light?

Another question that came to mind was, "Well why are believers in America free from such persecution as prison sentencing, beatings, and death like much of the rest of the world ?"
At the beginning of every day, we choose. We decide whether we share Jesus with others or keep Him to ourselves. Why would Satan want to wake us up here in America when he has already SHUT US UP? Why would Satan bother with us when we are already accomplishing his goal? He likely says it is better we stay asleep here in America. We as Americans know better than anybody what is going on in the world. Friends, it is not enough to simply be grateful for the blessed circumstances in which we live. It is not enough to pray for those in other countries in need who are suffering. WE MUST SHIFT OUR FOCUS. Are we really being obedient to God? He is asking, and expecting us to do our part. We do not live in a repressive place. Our biggest fear in sharing our faith might be mild embarassment or rejection, yet there are so many people around the world that have lost believing relatives because they have been put to death for their love of God. Surely mild embarassment or feeling uncomfortable can be overcome by us. We might lose a few friends, might be made fun or called a "Jesus Freak." Can we not handle that when some people are serving years in prison for sharing the Good News and living out a Godly life style?

Satan can not and will not defeat us if we stay obedient to God. By spreading the Good News to others, Satan will try to tempt us to stop. He will plant seeds of doubt and dispair. He will try to bring us down in any way that he can. Friends, I urge you to think of those that are enduring so much more, yet are still loving and professing that love they have for God for others to see. You are strong and capable of anything with Jesus by your side. Don't let Satan keep you silent. I pray you listen to God's calling on your life and share the greatest gift we have ever received with those God has surrounded you with. We are NOT OF THIS WORLD. We were made to be in relationship with Jesus.  By being in relationship with Jesus, He has given us a responsibility in the Great Commission. As stated in Matthew 28, Jesus told his disciples, " GO, and make disciples of all the Nations. Teach them to obey my commands. I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Friends, I ask you to not take that statement lightly. Jesus tells us to go and spread His Good News to everybody. He didn't say, "Go if you have time." He didn't say, "Go when you are ready." He didn't say, "Make disciples to just Americans." Jesus said go to every nation, and he also tells us that He will be with us always. Invite Jesus to speak into your heart on how you can go and spread His Light to others. You have the power, because Jesus is holding your hand always.                                      
God bless you all and have a wonderful week.

Meghann

Preparing for another journey...

I am excited to say I will be going on my next trip in a few short weeks back to Nicaragua. I am so excited to reunite with friends I met this past summer. I am beyond excited to see my little boy Moises, to talk with him about how school is going, to see his beautiful brown eyes. I can't wait to throw my arms around him, to give him pictures of us together from my last trip, to see his huge smile. I can't begin to imagine how it will feel to see him again, to touch his hair and skin, to feel him in my arms again. I remember the last time I saw him, standing in the middle of the parking lot, watching the van carry him away. I never thought I would be so touched, so emotional, from meeting him, eating and spending a few hours with him, and then saying goodbye.

Tears streamed down my face as I stood stunned in the middle of the parking lot, just a few feet away from the van. Moises and my parents child, Osmara, were sitting next to one another in the van amongst other sponsored children. They both were smiling, watching my family stand and wave goodbye. And then Moises did something I will never forget. It was like time froze for a moment and I can remember it like it was yesterday. He took his tiny hand, white teeth showing for all to see, and placed his hand to the glass window. I walked over to the van just in time to place my hand on the other side of the window, up to his. He looked at me, smiling, almost giving me encouragment that it was going to be ok. I could let him go. God had him, my little boy, in his arms.
I stood there before that moment so upset that I had to say goodbye, but Moises' simple act of placing his hand on that window to be inline with mine took away all that anger. I had made the simple act of being like Jesus ALL ABOUT ME within 3 hours. I got consumed in myself, all about how I needed to fix the brokenness in Nicaragua. I needed to provide a better life for this sweet boy. I needed to be in control of the situation. After spending a few hours with this boy, who I had just met, I felt like I had the power and resources to fix his situation. I had it all wrong though. My human characteristics were coming out, and my little boy made sure to keep me in check and he didn't even know it.
My little boy taught me a valuable lesson that day in that moment. I can not fix all the problems in this world. I can't even begin to actually comprehend everything wrong about this world, but there is somebody that can. There is someone that can heal all the brokenness, who can provide love to those who are hurting, who can be a shoulder to lean on, someone to cry to. Jesus is all those things and more. Moises taught me that through loving, all wounds can be healed. Moises was a perfect example of uncondional love for me in that day. Here is a boy, who gave me everything he had. I didn't deserve that, but he gave it to me without hesitation and he taught me that I need to do the same for every person that I come into contact with. Moises taught me that THAT is why God put me on this earth. I won't be able to fix everything in this world , but I am certain that I can change somebody's life by loving them the way Jesus has changed my life.
God has given our generation EVERYTHING we need to alter the course for human suffering and there is human suffering everywhere we turn. Change MUST start with us though. No matter how little resources you might think you have, every little bit matters. Resources aren't necessarily restricted to money either. Our time is one of the most valuable resources we have to offer. I saw first hand what a few hours of time can do to a child who just needs someone to invest in their life.
Maybe traveling to other countries to serve and help those in need isn't your thing, but there are plenty of opportunities to help others if you are just open to looking. Some people aren't going to understand why you are dropping everything to follow God and His calling, but in the end God will be smiling and you will feel the blessings He will provide for you.
Ask God to help you understand where you can make a difference, where you can help someone, and I promise you that in the end you will feel like you made a difference. It is the best feeling in the world.
We have been chosen by God to reach out to others and be a Light in this dark world. God has given you everything you need. Stepping out on faith is all it takes. I did it, and continue to do it, I know that you can too.
I pray God will use my words to stir something in your own heart. God loves you and so do I. Praying that you all have a wonderful week and use God's gifts He blessed you with for good and for the good of others.
Blessings,

Meghann

25 couldn't feel any better.

Hello friends. It's been a while since my last post, but trust me it doesn't mean that God hasn't been speaking to me and working in and through the lives of those around me. It's been roughly 3 months since my return from Africa. I can't stress enough how different my life is and more importantly how different my heart is and feels today.

I am turning 25 in just a few short days. Last year about this time, I got a new cell phone, and today I randomly decided to look through and delete old photos I didn't need anymore. As I sat scrolling through the photos, I looked back on a thrilling year filled with so many new friends and memories that I will cherish and hold close to my heart for the rest of my short life here on Earth. Last year I was blessed with the opportunity to go to Nicaragua with my church, as well as my whole family. God has surely been at work in the hearts of my parents and my sister. As those of you who have read this blog, I also was blessed to go to South Africa in October.
As I looked through the pictures on my phone from both trips, I cant help but state how overwhelmed I was and currently am about looking back on two amazing, life changing journeys. Meeting my two boys I sponsor was probably the greatest highlight of my 24th year of life. Obviously both trips were the best part of my year, but just being able to meet Obed and Moises in person and know who I am helping and giving life to, is just something I can't even begin to put into words.
I struggled with many things leading up to both trips; having enough money, the unknowns, going to a country I have never been in, spiritual warfare, people not understanding why you are leaving. My list could go on for days, but I can't stress enough how thankful I am that I looked beyond everything and trusted God with it all.
As I look back to turning 24 last year, I try to remember how I felt about the new year. I remember praying before the New Year that God would  use 2012 to be a life changing year and to show me what my purpose was. Turning 25 honestly couldnt feel any better. I think if it did, I would probably explode at the seams. I am so excited to see what God has in store for me this year. With another trip to Nicaragua coming up, and hopefully another trip to Africa planned later in the year, I couldn't be more thankful and blessed to say that I have a faithful and loving God. I don't know how last year could be topped, but I know God is good and He has big plans as long as I am open to listening to His calling on my life.

Today I remember that I am a living testimony that God uses faithfulness to produce fruit; that He turns broken, hurting people, into new; that He uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways.

I give you, Lord, all the Glory, Honor, and Praise.

25 has never felt so sweet.
Thank you Jesus.
Praying for you all. God bless.

Meghann

Random Acts of Kindness

As Christmas draws near, I find myself getting caught up in the hoopla of making sure everybody I know gets a Christmas card,  and the perfect gift, adorned with the most beautiful wrapping paper with the perfect bow on top. The stores and malls are flooded with people alike searching for that special gift for that special someone. Every commercial on TV tries to draw us into their stores for their great sales to purchase more and more stuff.
As a single woman living alone, I recently put up my first Christmas tree, decorated with gold and red beads, ornaments, and glistening white lights. My windowsill is cluttered with Christmas cards from family and friends, sparkly lights, and glittering red snowflake decorations. My family members have all asked what exactly I want for Christmas. I pause to stop and focus on the word want. What do I want?
I find myself being torn in two completely opposite directions; Meghann the woman of THIS world, and Meghann the woman of God meant to be different and stand apart from this world. The wordly Meghann seems to be able to think of a few things that might be nice to have; a new computer, ANOTHER pair of boots, a Kerig Coffee maker, new running shoes, and a new camera. None of the things I have thought of are things that I really need though. If I am being honest, there is really NOTHING that I am in need of. I have a beautiful home, filled with food, heat, a closet full of clothes, and running water. I have a family that adores me and supports me for who I am, a church family who is there for me when I need them, friends that have my back and truly love me for me, and a Heavenly Father that has saved my life and made whole and new.
Since my return from Africa, I find myself struggling to keep a grasp on God's reality. I find myself realizing that something can be very real to me, but entirely untrue. I believe alot of us can look at areas in our life and realize this statement is true. This Christmas season I have been playing tug-a-war with this WORLD view of Christmas and the REAL meaning of Christmas. I find myself thinking about the precious kids I worked with in the village of Ramaroka and Segkopo.
This Christmas I am not worried about needing anything, especially not worried about my safety in the neighborhood I live in. Govenment officials are being killed in the very province I was working in in South Africa just a few short weeks ago. Have you stopped to read about what is going on in Africa right now?
God has truly blessed me with just the small fact that I live here in America. Why me though? My mind could spend hours going in circles with this small realization. Why did He pick me to live here in America? Why have I been so richly blessed with everything I have? Why are their children in Africa who have dreams, hopes, and goals alike that will not have enough food today, tomorrow, or even next week? My heart cries out for the children I held, the children I played with, the children I showed Jesus to, the children who have no families to eat Christmas dinner with. God has only given me one answer to all the questions I have for him about why me and it really is quite simple.
He whispers to me, "Because I love you Meghann." I stop and realize that it doesn't mean He doesn't love me any more or any less than the hungry, needy orphans of Africa. God hasn't punished or priviledged any of us more than anybody else. This world and it's ways are the sole reason why kids in Africa are dying each and every day from malnutrition and the deadly disease of AIDS. The sin of this world is causing this not God. God is there in every moment, I witnessed and saw Jesus in the beautiful children's eyes there. What Africa needs is people like you and me, willing to go and bring the hope and life back into these hurting children and people's lives. God is there, yet God needs avenues, platforms, and people to use to bring His presence to the surface in a place where famine, starvation, crime, and disease drive out all the Light.
Everything about my journey has been difficult, and everyday continues to be a constant battle between wanting to be home in Africa helping the children in need. I have to realize though that God has a perfect plan, and I was able to carry it out by going and listening to God's calling for me to be His Hands and Feet in Africa. I never in a million years thought that two short weeks spent thousands of miles away would change my perspective in every single area of my life.
Friends, I urge you to stop and remember the true meaning of Christmas. Forget all the gifts, the wrapping paper, and the New Years resolutions. Jesus came to earth, taking the form of a human being, having living, breathing, flesh like you and me. God sent this baby to teach us the simple act of living life in a way pleasing to God. He sent Him to restore us; to save us; to fill us with everlasting joy in a fallen, broken world.
How are you living your life? We could all probably agree that we all are very comfortable when it comes to having enough to live on, making enough money to support our needs, and having family and friends to help us in our times of struggle. We all have made mistakes, fallen short, and I continue to fall short every single day. But friends, God loved you SO VERY much that he Blessed you with a rich life; a life where you know Him and have all the proper tools follow Him and to be a disciple for him in this sinful world. I challenge you to make a resolution not just for this upcoming year, but for the rest of your life. Make a resolution to devote your life to God's work.
 God says in James 1:27, "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for the orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." God has opened my eyes and heart for this sole reason. If you don't know what your purpose is in this lifetime, if you don't feel like you are making a differece in your life to anybody, I promise you, go to God and give yourself away today. Deny yourself, forget about your selfish desires, set aside some time, and ask God how you can make a difference in somebody else's life.  He says it plain and simple in James 1:27. Care for the widows and orphans of this world. Period. It is so so simple, yet so many of us make excuses. People feel uncomfortable talking about the poor. My friends, what and how are you spending your money? Let me rephrase that. You know everything that you own and have and place value on materialistically will not and NEVER will bring you lasting joy. We are always wanting MORE. More stuff to floods our homes with. Have you ever felt an emptiness inside you after all the gifts are opened and Christmas is over? You got everything you asked for, yet you still just feel sort of empty. FRIENDS, there is a solution to that emptiness and it is JESUS. Invite him into your heart, or if He is already there invite Him to change your heart. Change your heart to feel the things HE feels. Ask Him to change your eyes to see the things that hurt Him everyday to see. He can renew your spirit and fill you with joy you have never experienced. I am a living testimony of that. Ths world has failed me in more ways than one. I was and still am a broken woman that has been trampled on by worldly people and things, but God has restored my life and my heart. He has opened my eyes and heart, and I know that my life has a purpose and meaning to others.
Maybe God will call you to changing the world by sponsoring a child in Africa. I know it might seem small, and the Devil might whisper in your ear things like, "How can sponsoring one child make an impact when there are millions who are hungry." Friends, it just takes starting with one. One turns into 10, and then turns into 100. You are changing the world to that one little boy and girl.
I saw with my very eyes what it means to these beautiful children to be sponsored. This Christmas they will not have a mother and father to give them gifts, to leave cookies out for Santa, to eat Christmas dinner with. The ones that are sponsored though have hope, because an American has taken the time, money, and energy to invest in their lives, to support them, pray for them, and love them enough to make that all possible for them. With each kid sponsored, I know God is smiling and His heart is filled with joy.
Maybe this Christmas you and your family could volunteer to serve at a shelter, ring the bell for Salvation army, or simply buy the car behind you in the drivethrus coffee or meal. The feeling of doing random acts of kindness is something I can not fully descibe, but it is one that never gets old, and never goes away. This world filled with all its false realities is hard to not get wrapped up in. Take the time to go to God, ask Him to open up your eyes and heart, and give you strength to be different; to stand out; to be the change He wants to see in the world.
I am not sure when God will take me back to Africa, but everyday my heart longs for the people, children, and friends I met on my stay. Until I return, I must try and make a bigger impact here, for Africa does have many financial problems and is lacking much, but the US is lacking far more in the areas of selfishness, greed, and power. How can you be a Light to those who need one in your life? You are beautiful and special in God's eyes. You were meant to read the words on this page. Act on these words, for these are not mine, but from God working through me.
Many blessings and well wishes to all,
Meg