Saturday, December 29, 2012

Tomorrow!


Tomorrow is the day!!! Today is our last day of outreach preparation and we load up the bus first thing in the morning (5 am) for the Chicago airport! I can't believe it's finally here! 

Please keep us in your prayers! A couple of people have been sick. A lot of people still need most of their finances. And packing and getting ready for 2 months overseas can be pretty stressful, so just pray for peace for us. Thanks! 

Financial Update: as of right now I still need $1,044 by tomorrow!  

If you'd like to make a tax deductible donation you can do so here: 
http://www.ywammadison.org/donate/
(Please put my name in after clicking on "I want to direct my donation to" after you have submitted the amount). If you don't see that just message me the amount you sent so I can let them know it's for me. 

Thanks so much! 

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Countdown!




Days left until Uganda!!!


And I still need a little over $1,000!

(Many have asked what happens if I don't get the money in time. Well, then I can't go.)

But I am confident that it will come in just in time. Not sure how, not sure who will give, but I do know God has called me there so He will provide! He knows what He is doing! I don't want to admit it, but really I need this. I need to fully rely on Him. I need to wait patiently. I need to do the possible, and wait for Him to do the impossible. NO, it's really not easy. As every day goes by, I'm thinking, "Well, God isn't it about time for that money to come through? Today would be a good day!" But He knows what I really need! He knows! 

I really can't wait to see what God does! It makes me really excited!  Oh, and by the way, even if I don't end up getting the money on time, December 30th (the day we leave), God is still God and He is still good! He just may have another plan. And His plan is always better, even though it is hard to see at the time. He is God, and I am not. Why do I even worry??? Probably because I don't fully trust Him. God do what you need to do. Grow my faith and my trust in You! Thank you so much for providing everything I've needed these past few months (and my whole life)! You are AWESOME!! 

God I trust you!

"You hold the universe, you hold everyone on earth. All I need is you Lord."



Friday, December 21, 2012

Since I may not be able to update often while I'm in Uganda,

please check here for stories and pictures of our outreach


teams!


http://blog.ywammadison.org/





Also, these are the supplies I still need for Uganda. If you'd


like to donate any of these items new or used let me know! 


Thanks!


http://pinterest.com/sharonburick/uganda-supplies/

Kirabo Seeds Uganda



We will be working with this amazing organization during our trip to Uganda! I'm so excited!


Here is their website for more information: http://kiraboseeds.com/

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Uganda Flight Booked!

My Flight for Uganda is now booked!



I leave December 30th (in 10 days!!) and come back to the states on February 22nd! 

This doesn't seem real yet!

Please keep praying, though, that the rest of my needed funds come in! I still need $1,600 (plus supplies) in order to go! 

I will be doing the possible, while God is doing the impossible! 

Thanks so much for following my journey! 

Your support has been such a blessing! 

Relationships (Week 14)

This week was my favorite teaching of the whole DTS! It was because of the amazingly gifted and funny Troy Sherman who tough it. This topic is widely taught, there are many books on the subject, but Troy topped all of that, and spoke the truth! This teaching really hit me hard, this is defiantly one thing I really need to work on, and this is exactly what I needed!


Relationships:

God sums up the whole new testament with the love God and love others.

You want to know if you really love God?
You have to love your brothers if you love God.

1 Corinthians 13
What is love? 

1 Corinthians 13:13 "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

Faith vs. Hope vs. Love (the greatest)



When we make love the point faith and hope will be the overflow. Is love the primary thing you do?

Isn't that the opposite of the church today? We have made faith the most important! We have forgotten how to love. No wonder our churches are not how they should be.

Matthew 25:31-46 The parable of the sheep and the goats.
Love is self evident. If you really loved God you would be feeding his sheep.

Love compels you where duty will not. 

Why does everyone look up to Mother Theresa? Because of the love she had for others. All the people she ministered to died, she didn't heal them. She had no degree. She wasn't supported by her church. She just loved! Why can't we all be like her? We can if we choose to love above everything else.

Missions:

God will only ever do the maximum of what you give Him the capacity to do.


The very thing you think is disqualifying you from living in the kingdom of God, is the very thing God wants to use.

Think of the people in the bible. The better the person, the ones that did the most amazing things, were mentioned less in the bible. The worse the person the more God chose to use them, and they are the ones who have whole books just for them. 


When you start to discover your destiny, the devil is going to try to steal, kill, and destroy that by making you look at other things and see them as more beautiful and desirable. He will try to distract you from it in any way possible.

Why is it important to struggle with finances as a missionary? Because God is sending us to the nations. We will be able to identify with the nations who live in poverty.

Safety is an illusion, you aren't safe in the USA (shootings, natural disasters, etc.). No matter where you go you are not safe. This world isn't a safe place. Why wouldn't you live your life to the fullest and just go where God calls you (example: to the middle of the African jungle).

1 Corinthians 13:12 
Our understanding of love is limited. 

You don't sin and then receive a consequence. Sin is the consequence. That's why God says not to do it.

If we really know God loves us why do we not live like He did?

You can't go out and help people as a victim, you have to go out victorious.

Hurt people hurt people. Monsters are not born they are made.

Passion is not action.

Lies only have power if you give them power.

1 Corinthians 13:11
Expressing love (adult vs. child) 

Go wants us to do the best with what we have, then he will give you more responsibly.

When we constantly live a life of getting everything we want it literally takes away from living our lives.

What kind of life will you choose?

We become mature in the kingdom of God by love...not wisdom.

We need to stop asking God, "What do you want me to do with my life?" We need to be so in love with him, so in tune with his heart, that he no longer has to tell us. If he told us it would no longer be special. Do you know him enough that you no longer have to ask him? You already know what he wants you to do.

1 Corinthians 13:8-10
Spiritual Maturity is not measured in gifts

Yet, what are the primary reasons that churches fight? Over prophecy, knowledge, and speaking in tongues.

If these gifts alone make up your whole Christianity than you are not living a Christ would. However, these gifts should be the overflow of love. If you seek first love, all the other things will be added.

When our context is LOVE the world will come to us. Just as they came to Jesus.

1 Corinthians 13:7-8

Love never fails, Why? 
It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 

Bear (v)- To hold or remain firm under, support. 

Believe (v)- To have confidence or faith in the truth of. 

Hope (n)- The feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best. 

Endure (v)- to hold out against; sustain without impairment of yielding  undergo. 


Love is an adverb! It's something we either do, or we don't do. If we really love God are we showing it?

What is the primary reason we want to be safe? Because we don't want to endure pain. Love is one of the most hurtful things you can choose to do in your life. If you really want to be safe, you can never love anyone, you can't have any relationships at all. Well, God made us for relationships with Him and with others. Jesus took on more pain than any of us will ever take on when He died on the cross for us. He loved us that much! Do you know what really killed him on that cross? It wasn't the beatings, it wasn't the blood loss, it wasn't the shame, it was His broken heart that killed Him!

Hebrews 6:6 - "He who sins again and again crucifies the son of God all over again" (paraphrased).

God loves an infinite amount therefore He is able to endure pain an infinite amount.

LOVE IS PAIN


Why do we always pray the pain and suffering away when it comes? We ask Him to take it away, and He just might, realizing you are not ready for what He has for you. 


The more suffering you go through in this life the better and stronger you will be.
"You will never develop the necessary endurance needed to take down giants unless you take on the lions and bears." (David and Goliath).

How tall can a building be? Only as deep as the foundation is. He is asking how deep He can dig our foundation (how much suffering we can take), so that He can build our building higher. How deep are you allowing God to dig your foundation?

We need to stop asking God "What am I supposed to do with my life, what is you will?" What are we allowing Him to do in and through our lives so that He can use us?

Why would He tell us what to do in the future when we can't even endure what we are going through now?

Why do we walk through the valley of the shadow of death? So that we don't have to fear that situation anymore.

We shouldn't be wishing that pain away, we should be asking for it, because we need it!

Jesus was born homeless
Fled the country as an illegal alien
Moved into Nazareth and was raised in the Ghetto
His father left his family leaving him fatherless.

Why did He allow his life to be this way? So that He could identify with us!

Why should we endure pain in our lives? So we can identify with others!




1 Corinthians 13:6

"Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth." 

Judging is the complete opposite of love. It's not a gift to see what's wrong in the world, it's a gift to see what we can change. 

We don't have the right or the wisdom to judge. 

We are not to determine what is good just truth.

Where do we find truth? In The Word.

Why do we condemn others living in sin? We also are!

By judging someone you are saying that you are perfect and better than that person. That's not true!

Read Matthew 7:5!!

1 Corinthians 13:5
Love keeps no record of wrongs

Forgiveness!

Yes, even the people that don't deserve it! You don't deserve it either!

We also have to forgive ourselves.

The power of the cross is found in forgiveness.

Those who forgive much love much.











*Teaching by Troy Sherman

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Intercession Northern Thailand/Cambodia Outreach


The Northern Thailand/Cambodia team is 6 students and 2 staff members. 









To Bangkok, Thailand: 


  • To work with the MST Project which is working toward ending the demand of sex slavery. 
  • To work with the A-Mane English Center teaches English with a Christian focus through using the bible. 
  • To work at The Shelter which brings in children from off the street to go through drug therapy. 
  • To work with the Ruth Center is taking care of elderly people who were on the streets. 

To Cambodia: 


  • To work with women and children at risk
To Pattaya, Thailand: 


  • To work with slum ministries
  • To put on a kids club


*Pictures from Google Images

Friday, December 14, 2012

Intercession India/Nepal Outreach

The India and Nepal team is made up of 8 staff members and 11 students.

Some of the team. The two babies are not going (and neither is the guy with the Santa hat in the back). Also two of the students are not in the picture. This was taken last night at our Christmas Love Feast (ugly sweater theme), just in case you are wondering. 


Jan. 1st-21st:

  • To Nepal- Ministry to women in brothels







Jan. 22nd-28th:

  • Some will go to Kolkata, India to work with street kids.




Jan. 29th-Feb. 21st:
  • To Pune, India- Hope of Glory Children's Home to work with rescued street kids. Work at Santvana, which is an AIDS home. Red light district to work in a preschool and do brothel ministry. 




*Pictures from Google Images

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Photo Shoot In The Snow!














Pictured above are my friends Grace, Carly, and Emily!

Thanks so much Emily for using your amazing photography skills!


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Child Trafficing

"Over 2.2 million CHILDREN are sold into the sex trade every year. There are more slaves TODAY then at any other time in history!

 ...Justice is what love looks like in public!

 What will you do?" 




Monday, December 10, 2012

Snow!

We got our first real snow this weekend! It was only a few inches, but it was a lot of fun! And it's so beautiful! 








Saturday, December 8, 2012

Intercession Uganda Outreach



Here is an overview of what our team will be doing in Uganda! We will mostly be working with children in various children's homes. We will travel to about 4 different cities and be working with several YWAM bases, and several other ministries. Please pray that the rest of our funds come in before the end of the month, several of us on our team still need between $800-$3,000. We have already seen God provide in so many ways and we know He will continue to. So we need to pray that God will stir hearts to donate and give us wisdom in how to continue fundraising. 




I am so excited to return to Uganda and be with the precious children there again! We will be able to do many different things with the kids, but we will need prayer for energy, wisdom on how to share the Gospel most effectively, and good health. So please keep our team in your prayers! Thanks! 

To Jinja:

YWAM Hopeland- put on a kids camp for the kids without sponsors.





To Soroti:

YWAM Soroti- work in a children's home for children with HIV/AIDS, and work with previous child soldiers.




To Mbiko (Outside of Jinja):

St. Ameria's- Work in the children's home with 100 kids and little staff. 






To Kampala:


Loving 1 By 1- Work with refugee children from Sudan.



Ray of Hope- work with their child sponsorship program, and in their medical center.


Kirabo Seeds- work in their children's home, and see their sponsorship program.

(I may get to meet my sponsor child Stella!!) 


Stella


Loving Hearts Babies Homelove on beautiful babies! 
(I visited this home in 2010)


Derrick (Now Benjamin) 2010

Holding Mercy (now Amelia) in 2010

Of course all the babies that were there in 2010 are no longer there, because they've been adopted!
There will be about 15 new little ones there!



If you'd like to donate toward our Uganda team or me specifically you can do so through paypal (there's a "donate" button on my sidebar). Also you can send in a check. Message me for my address. 

Thanks! 

Rescuing and Restoring Street Children (Week 13)

-1 John 3:6-8

Would you be able to love deep enough to lay down your life for your brother?


Children at risk are usually at risk because of generational wrongs. We have to figure out how we are going to break that.

The risks that children are under: 

  • Abuse
  • Dysfunctional families
  • Inadequate infancy
  • Lack of education
  • Extreme economic poverty
  • Violence
  • Refugee/displacement
  • Problems with the law
  • Physical/mental difficulties
  • Addictions
  • Living on the streets
  • Miscellaneous risks
It's not what we do it's who we are that will make a difference!

How can we help street kids?

When we help street kids, by giving them material possessions we are not really helping them. This allows them to continue begging, and will only help them go to hell more comfortably. (That may sound blunt, but think about it, it's true). If we are not feeding them spiritually and/or taking them off the streets it doesn't matter what we do, it's not going to help them.  


How to effectively build up ministries in helping children at risk:

The first step to building our ministry is always prayer. 

-Lamentations 2:19- "Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street."

The second step is to ask God what your focus will be (ex. street children, 0-12 years old). 

Don't try to take on every problem in the world! 

God will give us a calling with limitations, not to limit us, but to protect us. We need to do our part and God will use someone else to do the things we can't do. We need to be faithful and focus fully on what He is calling us to and stay inside those limits so we don't take on too much, get overwhelmed, and finally quit. 

-John 17:4- (We are to bring):
1. Honor and glory to God
2. By competing the task
3. That God has called you to

If you aren't satisfied with what God has called you to do then you are trying to be better than Jesus. Don't get discouraged when you don't see the fruit of your labor. Just do what God has called you and rejoice in that. And that way you can say you did all you could do. You may not see the fruit in your lifetime, but you never know who you will run into in Heaven someday, because you were faithful in what God gave you. 


First work on what is unseen: faith, intercession, the word, calling, relationships, dependence upon the Lord, Jesus is the Savior not me, right motivation, spiritual warfare, etc.

Then move to the seen: building friendships and trust, going where they are, find and train staff, build a home, rescue children, bring them into your home, etc. 

Do you have the right motivations? 

If your ministry built on any of these motivations alone it will not last: 
  • Children's needs (there will always be needs in the world)
  • Outside pressure (someone pressuring you to do it)
  • My own needs (Wanting to fulfil your own needs, like you are only comfortable working with children)
  • My own wants (I've always wanted to live in _____ working with children)
  • Ministry needs (we have to have a ministry to children)
These things are not bad things, they just aren't enough, but themselves. When we only have these motivations our ministry will not last, you are going to eventually walk away from it. 

Our main motivation needs to be: 
  • For the sake of His name (giving God all the glory, allowing Him to send us, we are just his hands and feet)

Only when our motivations are right will we truly make a difference! 


Most importantly: KEEP JESUS CHRIST IN THE CENTER OF ALL YOU DO!



Steve Bartel and his wife Evie are the founders of Formando Vidas and they have been working with the street children of Bogota, Colombia for 28 years. They have taken in many kids in their own home over the years and they currently have 9 children living in their home. 

Check out their website here: http://colombiastreetkids.org/




*Teaching by Steve Bartel

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Hot Chocolate Fundraiser

Marlo getting ready for the night. 


1,000 cups of hot cocoa were handed out, 18 donators, $275 in donations, $310 in pledges, (as well as 2 unknown amounts). $585 total! 

Walking the streets.

Who would say no to that? 

Handing out hot cocoa with smiling faces on a cold night.

Thanks so much for everyone who participated!!

I now have $1,285 out of $3,500 towards outreach!! I only need $2,215 to be fully funded! 



How in the world am I going to get that much in 24 days? God! My trust is in Him!

My friends and I in Madison tonight.