"We human beings don't realize how great God is. 

He has given us an extraordinary brain and a sensitive loving heart. 

He has blessed us with two lips to talk and express our feelings,

two eyes which see a world of colors and beauty,

two feet which walk on the road of life,

two hands to work for us,

a nose which smells the beauty of fragrance,

and two ears to hear the words of love." 

-Malala Yousafzai

Hello March!

Well, we had a flood.

Last month I moved into a different house with two friends here closer to work. It has been a great blessing living with them and not commuting. However we are still settling into our humble abode.

Rain was predicted. However "rain" here can sometimes be moisture in the air. For a place that is finishing up it's rainy season and has only gotten about two inches of rain this year, we weren't too concerned. As you may guess- it really rained, and our poor abode was certainly not ready. Long story short our "drain system" was clogged from never really being used, and the water found itself creating a nice lake outside our back door, and then helped itself right into the house. About two inches piled up quite quickly in the bedrooms and outdoor laundry/utility room. Needless to say we spent March 1, sweeping and bucketing, mopping and drying until it was finally under control.

On a positive note, our rain catchment systems at City of Children are all full. 10,000+ gallons were caught to be exact (ish) and the beautiful surroundings are greener than I have ever seen! Thank you God for rain!

Just a week or so after the ladies weekend, we had a group of 16 men arrive for the "Men's Encouragement Weekend." Over a two day span, we visited most all 15 churches and were truly blessed. We are so thankful for the leaders that continuously pray over and guide this work all throughout the year. Six men came down from Brentwood Hills which is always a fun time.

Up next: spring break has already begun here at City of Children, and our first group arrives Thursday. We are so excited to have THREE different Lipscomb groups coming down! Please pray for our continued work to spread the love of Jesus.

awe and adoration

Hi! I have been meaning to write for awhile now, but the words just haven't seemed to come.  I have been filled with so much wonder and praise for all that God has done in my life the past year and am just speechless.

This time last year, I set off for an exploratory trip to Baja. It was my first time back since my last high school mission trip in 2008.  My spanish was still trailing behind where I left it six years ago, I knew one person down here, and I was still a bit fuzzy on what I would actually be doing.  But I believed in my heart that God was calling me to missions, and this was an opportunity that only He could place before me, so I just said yes.

Needless to say, God has done such a huge work in my heart over this past year, and I am without words. He has placed the most amazing community of friends, family, co-workers, mentors, precious kids and beyond in my life. He has given me visions and inspirations for the women's ministry, one of which just came to pass this past weekend.

We had the opportunity to host a women's conference down in San Quintin last Saturday. Over 220 ladies from Baja came and 13 ladies from the States (one of which was my mom!). We studied 2 Corinthians 4:7 where Paul reminds us that we have a treasure inside our weakened earthen vessels to show the world that the power within us comes from God and not ourselves.

I'm just so thankful to be here and have a front row seat to all the things God is doing here in Baja. I am learning so much from these sweet women everyday as we desire to grow together in our relationship with Christ and share His love with those who are lost and lonely.

Take hold of your treasure! He is so good! To Him be the glory!

p.s. there are a lot more pictures from the conference on our Facebook page here :)

unstoppable

My brother, who is quite the global citizen using his medical genius to serve those in need, shared with me this awesome report from the Gates Foundation about the future in global development and setting optimistic bets for the alleviation of human suffering in years to come. The video above stood out to me for the type of work I am doing with Baja Missions. I am constantly reading, soaking up information, and encouraged by the notion of how important it is to invest in women.

A few years ago, I started praying for my heart to be broken for the things that break God's, and man did He open my eyes. I became so unsettled with injustice, I was determined to find how I could best use my gifts and passions to fight on behalf of those in need.

Of course we are small, but God is huge.
Of course we have limitations, but God is limitless.
Of course we are weak, but God is strong.
Of course we are finite, but God is infinite.
Of course we are imperfect, but God is perfect.
Of course we fail, but God never fails.
Of course we can choose to stop, but God is unstoppable.

The words above come from Christine Caine in her latest book, Unstoppable. A champion for human rights in our generation and a soul on fire for the Lord, I had the chance to hear Christine speak at the The Belonging Co. when I was back in Nashville over the holidays. Her inspiration is contagious, and I highly recommend this book on "running the race you were born to win".

I am so thankful each day for the chance to be working here in Baja and the ways God has orchestrated generous givers like yourself for it to be possible. I am learning more each day how the will of God is not a place, but to know who you are in Christ- to know who you are in His presence.

And that's where I always want to be. In his presence. And leading others there as well. For in Him, we are unstoppable.

Let's keep believing and praying for God's restoration and healing here on Earth!

trust and yarn

Looking back and reading my journal, it is so crazy the amount of fear that the devil tried to throw at me about trying something new. 

This past summer, in a restaurant parking lot, a spark went off for ladies to come with the mechanics group in January. Being the new girl with the least experience, trying new things with groups intimidates me a little. Not to mention, I don't even have many of the skills that we want to equip the women here with. But Jesus hasn't given us these visions for the women's ministry for nothing.

In prayerful preparation, he reassured me that our real mission for this week was to: encounter God through prayer, be a blessing with our presence, and encourage our sisters with the message of God's love. That's it! Gone are all the other meaningless stresses and worries.

Sweet Deb and Courtney from Virginia arrived with many suitcases packed with hours of organization and love. Prayer journals, bags, yarn, needles, fabric, a HUGE bag of stuffing, you name it, they brought it. And oh what a blessing it was!

We had the best week. God blessed our time together so much. They each taught knitting and sewing (even a little friendship bracelets and hair wraps for the young ones were thrown in before the week was over). We were able to have 3 days of class in Maneadero, 1 in Colonet and 2 days in Papalote. We all had lunch together each day and did home visits in the afternoons with the surrounding congregations.

It was tiring, but God sustained us. It was so amazing to see the work ethic of the ladies and hear what other things they are passionate about. We are excited for similar classes to continue with the local talent (turns out crocheting is pretty popular around here). The joy of being together in community was evident, and we focused devotional thoughts on being found in God wherever we may find ourselves this year. Doubting, scared, lonely, rejoicing, working- we can always be found in Him. In his peace, purpose, goodness and love.

We are going to hold on to our Anchor who has given us dreams and visions. We are going to TRUST and not grow weary.

Praise God for the safety and excitement of this past week. Thanks again to Deb, Courtney and the ladies of the Southside Church in VA for sending so much love and prayers.

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; 

my hope comes from him.

Truly he is my rock and my salvation;

he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

My salvation and my honor depend on God;

he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Trust in him at all times, you people;

pour out your hears to him,

for God is our refuge

Psalm 62:5-8

the price of produce

Injustice is ugly, and I have seen the ugliness of this reality firsthand the past 6 months. The lifestyle isn’t fair. The oppression is real, and the suffering is great. 

The Los Angeles Times has begun an investigative series called the "Hardships of Mexico's farms, a bounty for U.S. tables."  It tells the story for many in Baja. Take a look here: http://graphics.latimes.com/product-of-mexico-camps/

I don’t have to read an article like this to be totally distraught with sadness and feelings of helplessness. I actually didn’t make it down to the bottom without crying and having my heart broken.

I cry because I see the stories of our friends.  I see families that I have come to know and love so much. I see God's beautiful children like Sarah (above) growing up at a labor housing facility in San Vicente. I see homes without running water, electricity, or warmth this time of year.  I hear their sadness of being separated from family and living far from home for work.  I see physical pain from such labor intensive jobs, and the health problems that arise because of it. I think of payday when the earnings are often exchanged for alcohol, and the family that is left without proper nourishment. And I feel the tears we have shed together.

I also feel conviction. Conviction that we have a higher hope than the hardships we face in this life, and we as Christians are called to share it wherever we may be.

Jesus took our suffering, sin, fears and failures and squashed them when he went down the pit of hell and overcame darkness.

Darkness is looming in the fields of Mexico and across the whole Earth, but the LIGHT IS SO MUCH BRIGHTER.

We must be reminded of this daily. We can’t give up.  We have to be strong for our brothers and sisters that currently find themselves in this harsh environment. 

The church is so beautiful because the message of Jesus provides a higher hope. I have been a witness to the great things God is doing in 14 of His churches throughout Baja, and I know the same restoration is happening all across the world. 

Change is going to come. One person at a time. We can’t start at the top of the big corporate giants. We can’t begin to adjust the multi billion-dollar produce industry that Mexico provides for the US, but we can be vessels of hope. We can walk beside our brothers and sisters and believe in their dreams.

Lord willing, we have some new plans for 2015. 

I ask for your prayers!!! We need your help!

We are stepping out into the unknown and letting God takeover.

We are ready for continued spiritual warfare and cannot wait to go where He leads.  

We pray for more souls to come to Christ in this time of suffering.

Salvation belongs to our God! – Rev. 7:10

We are going to overcome by the power of our testimonies! – Rev. 12:11

WE ARE GOING TO REJOICE IN OUR GREAT HOPE!

new life for dead dreams

The retail world in Baja consists of mostly second-hand shops. Meaning that if you were to go look for clothes, furniture, appliances, bicycles, random Christmas decor etc. they would most likely come from a "segunda" or "second-hand" store.  I enjoy some good thrift shopping, but my reaction says doesn't this get old? Isn't it nice to get something new every once in awhile?

Maybe this is a stretch, but thinking about the desire for newness got my wheels turning as I thought about how we often settle for second best in life.  That perhaps we sink into routine and accept our circumstances instead of reaching up and grabbing hold of the new things God has for us.

Our God is a Creator and Sustainer of life. One who takes great delight in blessing His children. A God that forgives, forgets, heals and restores. And a God that has made us new!!

Let's not limit God for settling for second best.

Let's not settle for living vicariously through someone else or being jealous about someone else's situation, but instead step out in faith and take hold of what he has for YOU.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires.

Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.

Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.

Psalm 37