Part of my Exodus Journey

Reflecting again in the mountains and what a journey this has been...

How I am here, no real plans. Trusting moment by moment. Daily bread.

So far this is a bit what my week has looked like:

I pretty much am living out of my car and have stayed in a different place almost every night but I have been completely blessed by hospitality and love. The Dubois who invite me and many others to into their family. Friends from Montreat that are always encouraging and fun to see. Then to Missio Dei Church where the Elders gathered to hear from and pray over me. 

Seeing that SWO community family never ends- fellowship with Rachel C, Zach and Lindsay, and visiting the church plant that was so uplifting. 

Hope House- celebrating the first ever graduation! And remembering my ghetto girls I love so much it hurts. Seeing the most faithful volunteers- Dudas family :)

Then I put on the long skirt and headed to the Holler to help some with missions camp. How great to see young folk come and be trained to be missionaries! Who chose over spending a week at the beach to sleep in a mud hut. So blessed by them and sharing my journey of becoming a missionary.

Wow. As I write these down, I can focus on the many a blessings and silence the fears. 

Taking a risk can be painful and beautiful. 

I have had many experiences up here that seemed so random, it's amazing to see glimpses of God piecing them together for good.

Relying on God's promise: "My presence will go with you and I will give you rest... This very thing you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight and I know you by name."

 (Exodus 33:14-17)

My heart this time 2 years ago was so cynical,  feeling lost in my wandering and wondering what God was up to and why life was always so hard. What a journey of freedom through the wilderness! Finding grace in time of need. Yes, it's still hard but many have helped to learn it is worth it. 

 Trusting the goodness of the Lord and the daily provision. 

Living out the Beloved- 

    "The real trap, however, is self-rejection. As soon as... I am rejected, left alone, or abandoned, I find myself thinking, 'Well that proves once again that I am a nobody'. My dark side says that I am no good.. I deserve to be pushed aside, forgotten, rejected and abandoned. Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the 'Beloved'. 

Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence." 

- Henri Nouwen

Still have a ways to go on this journey but thankful for the support thus far. 

Sexy Ministries vs. Long-term Involvement.

Come as you are. Join a sexy church and cool title ministry. Inner-city. Sex-Trafficking. Go Green. All organic. Kony. Fair Trade. Social Justice....

These are few of common trends I've seen among Christians lately. Though none of these are inherently bad, it is just interesting how we quickly fall into trends and sometimes do more harm by trying to help than good. What seems to be our motivation? Are we really willing to get deep involved or are we simply looking for the next trend? Is missions are next vacation adventure or are we willing to do whatever it takes to live our lives for the gospel?

By no means am I saying I am there, I just take each next step by God's grace. I just get tired of hearing so many people get on the craze and then fade quickly. For example: when learning about trafficking-many people automatically want to open a safe-house, and though that is great and there is a huge need- don't just create another issue! Why don't we come alongside ministries that already exist and help them do more? When you first become a Christian, you do not open a seminary the next day. Let's learn from each other, not keep creating the same mistakes and more needs that cannot be filled.

If our motivation is simply because it sounds great, we will die out quickly. This may sound like I am discouraging people to get involved- and I am not! There are so many needs and ways everyone can and should but if our motivation is simply a trend, well trends change too often and that is not fair to those whose lives are affected.

But there is another side, once you know- you are responsible. Once you have seen the reality, you cannot turn away and pretend it does not exist. So solution? It is not always simple. Consider your gifts, talents and offer your life as a living sacrifice. This requires everything- time, finances, vulnerability, everything! But it is worth it. You can pray with me for more workers in the Kingdom.

"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to   send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37)