July 13th we had our 2nd meeting in Spokane. It was a nice trip - we had Bonnie's husband Jeff with us and Melody too - so we had great conversations the 2hrs there and back:)
At this meeting, there was a few new people and few people missing. So, we all shared and introduced each other again:) Steve just returned from the June mission trip and it was wonderful to watch a video of his trip and to hear about his experiences. He related that each trip to China is like peeling another layer off of an onion - i can't wait to see what the next layer reveals!
Steve shared with everyone about what we'd be doing while we were there. We will be staying at the Philip Hayden Foundation - they have a wonderful facility and the ability to house groups. We will even have an "american" toilet! yippee! I volunteered to coordinated the VBS with the children for 2hrs a day. From what i understand there are about 20 kids ages 2-5 and then a handful that are around 10yrs. So, we will be not only sharing the gospel with the children but also the nannies that care for them -sounds exciting! So, i've got to come up with some stuff to do! I'm excited though - Lance and i brainstormed some ideas about the life of Jesus - i'll share more about that in a later post... We will also be going to a university and doing what is called "English Corners" from what i understand Americans go there and just talk "american english" to the chinese. It sounds exciting! We will also be doing some maintenance projects at PHF. A few us might be able to take a 10 hr train ride to Keifeng - this is an area that doesn't get too many people to visit and help out! We are really looking forward to this - it sounds like it will be quite an adventure!!!
We talked about fundraisers - Steve suggested that we send out letters to our close family and friends. Even though it can be an awkward situation with asking people for money, he assured us that many people are delighted to be able to support you in a monetary fashion. So, after praying about it for quite some time - i did send out a few letters and have been very blessed! Thank you friends and family! We also discussed about doing other types of fundraisers - we will be needing to raise $ not only for our individual expenses but for supplies to take as well. The tri-cities group is praying about doing a dinner theatre - so watch for more details!
We also began to learn some Chinese - Steve gave us several word lists and a CD - i have to admit, i need to get a little bit better about studying this!
We also talked about fasting the 1st of each month. I really never fasted - i have "cleansed" with isagenix but not technically fasted for the Lord's will. So, i can use lots of prayers for my first fast on Aug. 1st - if there is anyone else that would like to join me, Bonnie and Melody - just let me know:) I am excited to do this and to "choose to do God's Will" :)....
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
First mission trip meeting
Every month - from June to Nov - we will be meeting as a team to prepare for our trip. Most of the meetings are in Spokane...
Our first meeting in June had about 15 people there. Many were not sure if they were supposed to go on the trip but was there with open hearts and minds. As soon as i sat with the group - it really sunk in! I was beginning preparations for my mission trip to China! I couldn't believe it! Never would i have thought just 5 years ago that i would be preparing for this! God is so good! I also had a longing for Lance, i really wished that he was there with me - we have done everything together and i wished that we were doing this together too! I guess i just needed to pray about that. It was great to hear everyone's story on how they were led to the meeting and where their heart was. We chatted about what we'd be doing in the upcoming months...
Our first meeting in June had about 15 people there. Many were not sure if they were supposed to go on the trip but was there with open hearts and minds. As soon as i sat with the group - it really sunk in! I was beginning preparations for my mission trip to China! I couldn't believe it! Never would i have thought just 5 years ago that i would be preparing for this! God is so good! I also had a longing for Lance, i really wished that he was there with me - we have done everything together and i wished that we were doing this together too! I guess i just needed to pray about that. It was great to hear everyone's story on how they were led to the meeting and where their heart was. We chatted about what we'd be doing in the upcoming months...
My first post
I just decided to start another blog to journal the events of my first mission trip. I feel that it is "God's will" and am excited to share about my experiences...
When i first came home from China after adopting our daughter almost 3.5 years ago, i just felt that i would be called back there to do God's will with working with orphans and the people of China.
I was amazed at the country - it would go from extreme poverty to great wealth: how can a country be so extreme. It boggles my mind that this country makes and produces such things as toys and electronics yet doesn't have clean water to drink and cook with - Amazing. The values (or better yet the lack of values) and regard to human life is just unfathomable to me. I guess it is because i am a Christian and thank my Heavenly Father for the life he has given me and strive to live it for Him. It is hard for me to understand how a country that values life because of their "social security" system of the elderly relies on males taking care of them - so they abandon the precious little girls or the children that need special surgeries.
I think that they just don't know how good life can be if they just believed in theri creator. So, i am thrilled to be able to have the opportunity to share that with the people of China. So, my upcoming trip (Nov. 1-15) isn't just about sharing God's love to the precious orphans - it is about sharing it with the people of China too. I feel that this will be somewhat of a challenge for me as i don't always feel confident in reciting scripture but i am sure of the gospel and what Jesus has done for us and i look forward to sharing that with them and just loving on them too.
So - what happened from 3.5 years ago until now... Well, in January 2008 i heard about Tim Baker from Philip Hayden Foundation coming to Spokane. I mentioned to Lance that i would like to hear what he has to say but that i'd also like to take a mission trip to China this summer. He said "Well, then you should go!" After not being able to sleep that whole night - wondering if my friend Steve had a group going and if there was room for me, morning finally came! I called Steve and sure enough he was going this summer but his group was full - bummer! But that was okay - i told him that i wanted to go next summer and that maybe Taylor could go with me. I told him that once he's 13 he could go on a mission trip with me to China. so, that was the plan... Although, in March or April, Steve called me to say that he was putting a group together for a trip in November. But this group was going to be mostly people/leaders that might get a vision for organizing additional trips for their home churches! That was perfect!!! Because since my conversation with Steve that day in Jan., i had come in contact with someone else with a heart for ophans and we had been praying about starting an orphan ministry at our church - and i am excited to say that she is coming with me and we have started a ministry too:) And part of our ministry is to organize mission trips to orphanages - GOD is SO GOOD!!
So - that is how it all got started...
When i first came home from China after adopting our daughter almost 3.5 years ago, i just felt that i would be called back there to do God's will with working with orphans and the people of China.
I was amazed at the country - it would go from extreme poverty to great wealth: how can a country be so extreme. It boggles my mind that this country makes and produces such things as toys and electronics yet doesn't have clean water to drink and cook with - Amazing. The values (or better yet the lack of values) and regard to human life is just unfathomable to me. I guess it is because i am a Christian and thank my Heavenly Father for the life he has given me and strive to live it for Him. It is hard for me to understand how a country that values life because of their "social security" system of the elderly relies on males taking care of them - so they abandon the precious little girls or the children that need special surgeries.
I think that they just don't know how good life can be if they just believed in theri creator. So, i am thrilled to be able to have the opportunity to share that with the people of China. So, my upcoming trip (Nov. 1-15) isn't just about sharing God's love to the precious orphans - it is about sharing it with the people of China too. I feel that this will be somewhat of a challenge for me as i don't always feel confident in reciting scripture but i am sure of the gospel and what Jesus has done for us and i look forward to sharing that with them and just loving on them too.
So - what happened from 3.5 years ago until now... Well, in January 2008 i heard about Tim Baker from Philip Hayden Foundation coming to Spokane. I mentioned to Lance that i would like to hear what he has to say but that i'd also like to take a mission trip to China this summer. He said "Well, then you should go!" After not being able to sleep that whole night - wondering if my friend Steve had a group going and if there was room for me, morning finally came! I called Steve and sure enough he was going this summer but his group was full - bummer! But that was okay - i told him that i wanted to go next summer and that maybe Taylor could go with me. I told him that once he's 13 he could go on a mission trip with me to China. so, that was the plan... Although, in March or April, Steve called me to say that he was putting a group together for a trip in November. But this group was going to be mostly people/leaders that might get a vision for organizing additional trips for their home churches! That was perfect!!! Because since my conversation with Steve that day in Jan., i had come in contact with someone else with a heart for ophans and we had been praying about starting an orphan ministry at our church - and i am excited to say that she is coming with me and we have started a ministry too:) And part of our ministry is to organize mission trips to orphanages - GOD is SO GOOD!!
So - that is how it all got started...
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