I grew up a Pastor’s Kid and attended church my whole life.  Around 21 years old I went away to College and subsequently left the church.  I endured a period of 9 years away from God and I came to question everything, including faith and the existence of God.  In April of 2010, after a year of fruitlessly searching for work and after realizing my life was out of control and my plans just weren’t working out, I moved to Charlotte at the suggestion of my mom who thought I might have better luck starting over away from bad influences in the past.  I landed at Steele Creek Church of Charlotte where every Sunday God was speaking directly to me through Pastor Kelvin.  He showed me how far I had gone yet how gracious and merciful He is in embracing us and forgiving us when we repent. In June of that same year I attended the Discipleship class and fully surrender my life, plans and future to God. Soon after God blessed me with a great job in my field, a place to live, a vehicle, friends, a family in God and the stability and peace that comes from knowing 100% that God is in control.  My life hasn’t been the same since.  I desire nothing more than to be a pleasing, fragrant, living offering to Him.  I owe God my life and have nothing to give except a life of service at His feet.  It thrills me to think that I can have even a minute impact in His Kingdom, that my testimony, along with the proof of God’s changing and redeeming love in my life can bring others to know this love and have their lives changed as well.

This whole week we’ve been blessed with the opportunity to bless a few widows with brand new cement floors for their little homes. All I kept thinking was how blessed I am to live in the abundance that is the United States of America. I am surrounded with comforts and commodities these people have never even imagined. It broke my heart to see the conditions they live in. A full family sharing a 3 room home, sleeping on planks of wood, cooking whatever scraps they can get on a wood burning stove, with drafty windows and a barrel of dirty water to use for drinking, washing up and washing clothes. All I kept thinking was how sad it was and how I wished I could do more and make a larger impact in their lives. And then we met Marina. She’s a lady with 5 children who stays with her neighbor since her abusive husband kicked her out of their home after bringing in another woman. And that’s not all. Marina has 2 handicapped children, an 18 year old son who only has the use of one leg and no fine motor skills to speak of and an 8 year old daughter who is deaf and mute. Her youngest, a boy of 2, has been chronically ill with respiratory infections for a while now. They have no access to social services or medical attention. They live at the mercy of their neighbors whose limited means are already stretched to the max. We were able to bless her with a small care package of toiletries, and a few items for her children. Her eyes watered in gratitude at the small act of kindness, which was such a big deal for her. She reminded me of Job, despite her affliction, both in the lack of material necessities as well as health for her children, she still has faith in God her provider and continues to have an upbeat attitude about life and a hope for a future in God. It’s humbling to see her neighbors, who do not have much to spare, give what they don’t have to help a fellow human being. I came to Honduras thinking I was a giving person and realize now I’ve barely touched the tip of the iceberg. The Hondurans from Hatillo Village have taught me about self sacrifice for the love of others… it’s sooooo what Jesus would do.

If you didn’t know already (which would be shocking considering how much I’ve been talking about it =D ) I’m going on my first missions trip to Tegucigalpa, Honduras to love on orphans and poor people Sept 3-10.  We are traveling with World Gospel Outreach with a group of 10 young people from Charlotte, North Carolina.  We will be staying at Rancho Ebenezer, a family-style orphanage that houses, loves, educates and cares for 50 abandoned children. 

I’m super excited for what God is going to do through us there.  Please help pray with me that God guide us, keep us safe and use us to bring the love of Jesus to this impoverished area.  God has been faithful, and provided all the money needed to travel, and even extra to buy school supplies, care packages and crafts for the kids and families we will be visiting!!  He somehow made extra room in my luggage to fit it all and I just pray it all gets down there with us on time and safely.  I’m excited to be able to share stories, photos and testimonies of God working through this medium and pray you too, will be encouraged to be bold for Christ in your mission field - whether it’s your neighborhood or across the globe.  God works through us everyday wherever we are. 

Hope you are as excited to read these stories as I am to share them!!