When riding down the busy street with Bear and our new friends, Jane and Susan, Susan and I began talking about the future. Susan asked me what I will do, I then share with her that I am not sure but I will ask God for guidance. Her little smile became huge upon hearing this! I then told her how He loves us very much and cares deeply about her future, and has a plan for each of us that is specific for each one of our lives. We will definitely be getting together again soon! She said she wants to know much more about God and His words!

This coming weekend we are having our very first girl’s night at our apartment! This is so exciting! We are inviting all of our friends we have made so far to join us for snacks, games, songs and fun. After this weekend we will have a better idea of where the girls are at and we can work better to meet their specific needs. So many of our friends are open and curious about God! A few have already started reading the Bible and want us to help them gain a better understanding of it! One of our friends even told us how her English professor is continually encouraging the class to read the Bible!

Let His purposes be accomplished both here and where you are and may He continue to show His people who He is!

Sunshine and roses make you happy. Everything “going our way” makes life smooth and good. But I want more than that. Joy, true joy comes from God. This can come in many forms. When things are going terrible, when health is failing and you are crying out for a miracle; when your friend’s genius mind makes it difficult for child like belief, and when generations of wounds and brokeness keeps a family far from the heart of the Father, we can start to get fed up with circumstances and feel defeated. But then a flood of peace passes over you, or you take a deep breath and for a moment your cares slip away and you are calm. This is joy! This is a miracle. A hope when there seems to be none. Comfort when there seems to be no hope. A knowing deep down that things are under control. We can face the day no longer devastated by circumstance.

-Right there in that moment we know, “The joy of the Lord is our strength.”
“But as for me, I will hope continually, and will praise you yet more and more.” Psalm 71:14

Many times this year I feel like I have hit rock bottom. But rock bottom is a good thing; it drives us to our knees and shows us who can really change circumstances. It surely isn’t us. God is sovereign and in control. He knows all things and has plans for each one of our lives individually. With these plans comes a perfect timing that is all His own. Rock bottom is the end of self and the beginning of God; a chance for Him to take the reins and operate without us in the way.

Sunshine and roses is not what I thought it was. Sunshine and roses is when I have hit rock bottom and He is glorified. When I can go no further and am exhausted. There He will fill me with joy, peace and strength to go on and comfort us that He is in charge. His joy is our strength.

It’s totally okay to have rough days.

One of the many things I learned while living with the Evan’s family in the States before coming here was a practical display of obedience. When told to do something by a parent the child must obey first and ask questions later. It is perfectly fine to ask questions, but this must be done after obedience to the request of the parent. God will often times ask us to do things that seem funny to us. Things in which we have no idea what the results will turn out to be. We just have to trust His judgment and Obey.

The other night Bear, Ann and I were taking and after dinner walk around campus. Ann has been curious about God and reading many pages a day to find out more of who He is and what it looks like to follow Him. Bear had explained that God is real and will reveal Himself to those who look for Him. All it takes is an open heart wanting to know the truth. Ann’s face lit up upon hearing this and I could see something was sparked in her to know more. A little while later as the 3 of us continued on I felt a tug on my heart to stop and talk to a girl who was passing us by. I wondered if I was just thinking this or where it was coming from. I then clumsily realized that it wasn’t my idea at all but God was talking to me!

I turned around and walked to the girl who had just gone by. Upon stopping her, I shot out a brief attempt at some Chinese asking her if she was ok. She then said in English, “The pressure, too much.” I felt myself embracing the young woman consoling her in Chinese as she began sobbing in my arms. She was really hurting. God knew this and loved her so much He wanted to send someone to comfort her.

He Spoke, I Must Obey.

Ann got to witness this act and how God speaks to His people and just how real He is. It’s not by my understanding or knowing this girl was in need, but by hearing what is on God’s heart and moving as He guides. HE showed Ann just how real He is and she got a clear glimpse of Dad’s heart for the oppressed that night. He knows the people of this earth and is yearning for ones who will obey now and ask questions later. It’s truly an honor to be His hands and feet in this place.

Today was nearly an entire day of resting in His grace. I think I am finally starting to get it. It is dawning on me that this is the way to go, that I can actually make a difference just because He lives in me. I am talking to God a lot more lately and He is graciously showing me that it is not me at all but Him and His work that is best. It is so cool to walk side by side with Him and see what He has planned here.

What is a people pocket? Many times we take people who don’t know each other and try to bring them together since they have Jesus in common. Well, what if we took one person who knows Jesus and spent time praying with them for the friends they have already and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. People pocket! God has given us a specific way to go about this. We are seeing it come together before our eyes, today was a prime example, our friend Julie brought her 2 friends to lunch and turns out they all want to know more about Jesus. They are already friends and now we can start a Bible study with the girls who already know each other! Strategy is awesome! Vision has been growing and it just makes me want to come back next year that much more! We are on to something bigger than we will ever know! Prayer and people pockets!

We met at an English corner one dark night. She stuck out in my mind and we have had a few lunches since. Christmas day I received a text message from her inviting me to her apartment the next day for lunch. Carrie joined us for the huge Christmas Party just days before so I had been praying that God would use that for some opportunities into deeper conversations.

Today was a different day! Carrie and I seemed to have a deeper heart level connection and excitement about us. As we climbed the 7 flights of dark cement steps we giggled reluctant to reach the top. Her apartment complex was so cool! It seemed like a village- like we had stepped out of the big city and gone into a rural area. The common area of the apartment was completely outdoors on a sort of balcony. The kitchen and wash areas were outside! It was awesome! Right out of a movie!

At that moment I realized that I love my friend so much and saw how special it was that God had allowed me to be a part of her life. My friend’s Mom was visiting so the two ladies sat me right down to get working on the homemade dumplings we would eat for lunch. Carrie started cooking in the kitchen.

When the food was all set we sat down to thank the Lord, Carrie had told me she loved what she learned at the Christmas party and she now wanted to join the family! No Problem! Right there before lunch Carrie came into the family! God has such special plans for this one! Her changed life is going to affect hundreds of children’s lives as well! Today is the day and the work is His!

Picture this:
5 girls, 2 Americans and 3 Asians standing huddled in a tightly squeezed circle asking for God’s power. This is what last Friday looked like at the new party for us ladies. The topic was one of great importance that would bring our sisters to a new level in many ways.

“They got it!” God spoke! The joy on their faces was absolutely priceless as Bear and I explained how the gift they received must be practiced daily. I am in a state of constant awe! We just can’t take the glory. I cannot take any credit for what we are seeing here.

We have seen over 10 of our friends baptized in the Holy Spirit and gaining their prayer language. Two of them were water baptized then right after baptized in the Holy Spirit! Amazing! This is directly from the hand of our Father! I am realizing more and more, the strength and supremacy of God’s abounding power! He is completely awesome!

There is nothing like seeing God hand picking person after person who is ready and open to His will in their life. What a joy!

Thank you so much for your thoughts! They are going up and instantly heard and answered! These are some of the friends we are lifting up & spending time with. Could you be thinking of them by name? I know as we do this we will see even more lives impacted! Let’s stand together in this thing!

We are pressing in, asking God for friends, consistently talking to Him for them and watching direct results come in over and over again! There is a super openness as we step out in faith!
One night I asked the Lord to use me and direct my steps to the person of his choice. I ended up in a classroom full of street dancers. As I watched them with amazement I looked in front of me and there was Sha Sha. A very beautiful freshman who just loves to stare deeply into my eyes and hug me every chance she gets. We connected instantly, communicated through an electronic translator and decided that God had brought us together. In that moment I watched as God deeply planted seeds in her heart and rose up something real and true.

2 weeks later we invited Sha Sha over for our girl’s party. That day we expected about 15 friends. 3 showed up. We knew God had something special prepared! When Sha Sha walked in the apartment God said, “This is the day”. We sang a few songs led by Bear then began a sharing game with M&M’s. Our friend Cathy translated for Sha Sha. We asked her what she would do when she was sad or lonely. She then showed us her wrists. On her delicate wrists were many scars. She had been cutting her wrists in her desperation for answers and love.
I instantly began weeping. Sha Sha looked into my eyes like so many times before and began sobbing as well. The Holy Spirit was clearly moving in power. Through our translator I was able to share the deep personal understanding that I had of what she had been doing. Cherie, Cathy and I told her of how much God loves her and how Jesus took all our hurts and wanted her to know this. She agreed and knew this was the truth. Right there that very moment Sha Sha joined the family! A few minutes later, she agreed to be water baptized! We explained to her what this was and she wanted to do this very much! I still can’t believe this story is really what is happening over here! It is all His work. He is accomplishing it!

I sit here in awe of God and all His Glory! That is exactly what happened that day, Sha Sha became His glory! That is now Sha Sha’s English name as well!

When we got there many eyes were on us. The opening act was our new friend Grace in a song and dance to an interesting American hit called “Lady Lumps”. We knew the Lord wanted this night to be much more! Then it happened. The president of the organization cheerfully greeted us and decided that we were going to be one of the special guests. Skittles and I exchanged a glance and both said, “Amazing Grace”. God definitely had us on the same page! Before I knew it we were put into a slot near the end of the night to perform a duet in front of nearly 200 Asian college students!

At 9pm it was show time! Skittles and I boldly climbed up on stage and sang our little hearts out to one of the most beautiful songs of redemption our friends have ever heard. All eyes were on us and two students even ran up on stage handing us flowers as we belted out a tune. God is AMAZING! A night that began with some of the latest American hits ended with some serious praises to the most high and hundreds of seeds sown!

What else can I say; the Father is clearly on the move in this place! I am most honored to be along for the ride!

Tomorrow is a big day for me. It marks not only the day of my 25th Birthday but it confirms the fulfillment of my hearing clearly of God’s voice and the call to be here. I have been excited to celebrate this b-day here! It’s like a land mark! I am getting old! I am excited to see what this year brings! What He wants will be accomplished. He is not a man that would lie. What He says goes. He has gently walked me through year upon year until this day. It is the greatest challenge I have ever faced being in this place, but it is absolutely beautiful to know that I am exactly where He intended me to be.

Asia has been a home to me in my heart before stepping foot on the land. My heart was here and my heart is now really here. I miss my dear family and friends often but I know that it is a worthy sacrifice to be away. I know that where the Lord guides he most generously provides. I know that even though there are about a million miles between us I am thinking of you and you are thinking of me. That is the beauty of it all. We are laboring together in the greatest call of mankind. We are seeking an everlasting Kingdom and a loving Father who unites us all no matter how far or how near.

God is bringing many more into our family and we now have 6 new brothers and sisters in this place! It has been one divine appointment after another. I knew there was something going on here and a favor but I am truly seeing it again and again. Sometimes I just giggle at how creative our Father is! I am excited to share more stories with you as they come! For now I want to thank you for your thoughts and love that are definitely felt each day. My heart longs to be with you but I know that in heart we are together. Press in! The call is great! He will show you unsearchable things! You are His delight!

There are many times of refreshing in our family churches and quiet times. The Lord is working on gratefulness and contentment in me. A laying down of myself and my ideas to take up even more of God’s ways! To walk in the Spirit at all times! His ways are great! Please lift up my family at home. We are missing each other very much!

Today we will head to the new campus. We are navigating prayer walking and sizing up this place, seeing what our Father’s plans are. Boy oh boy does He have plans! Our friends here are open! With the openness and bits of ground we have taken there has also come great opposition. Discouragement and light physical illness is usually present and/or follows as we press in to share important matters in this place. We have had many attempts to visit that have been canceled for some reason or another. These previous experiences made today a special day all the more!

Our new friends would meet us today. On our way to campus we could not seem to find the right bus. We then got a late start. As we ventured along our phones ran out of minutes, we then had no way of contacting our friends to notify them of our late arrival. We bounced along just the same and had not one bit of complaining! We met our new friend Feyia for lunch and enjoyed some delicious fried eggplant & beef with seaweed dumpling soup. We chatted and had a few good laughs. It was quickly time to meet some more friends for visit. As we walked over a quaint marble bridge we see two smiling faces coming our way. It was Helen and Leah. A few weeks ago, Bear, Cherie and I had a chance to meet Helen & Leah. That day Bear gave Leah this beautiful English name. This day Bear would share a story on another young woman named Leah!

As we enjoyed each others company in a little snack shop the conversation headed into a deep direction. Our friends were curious; Bear and I took full advantage of the opportunity to share about God and His unfailing love. You could feel the excitement in the air as Bear and I opened our books! It was like the 4th of July grand finale as lights went off in our friends eyes, flickering with hope.

There is definitely so much more we will see this year! Please be thinking of us as we step out and take ground. The opposition is none like we have ever felt before. God is with us and we are close to His heart. Please be thinking of our new friends here as seeds are sown. We are sensing the opposition coming toward our friends as soon as they head in the right direction. They are precious and we declare they are God’s children. Your thoughts are much of what “keeps us going” over here. Discouragement is hard to sense right away, we want to be alert, diligent and on the ball! Thank you so much for everything! I am missing you and thinking of you often!