Every Royal Servants summer is unique and special. I have amazing and life changing memories memories from each of my eight previous trips. Euro-Quest in 2001 when I was 17 gave me my first taste of missions and took me and my sister to 11 different countries over 8 weeks. For my first ever mission trip, this was HUGE.
Nehemiah in 2002 was a chance to hone in on leadership skills and for the first time I knew that God had big plans for my life in ministry. That summer in Turkey, he called me to surrender all, and I haven't looked back since.
Timothy in 2003 was a time that I was able to further learn how God had made me and to sharpen me as we traveled through Greece and Europe sharing the love of Jesus.
In 2004 I headed as a Staff Discipler/Sr. Staff on the Euro-Quest team where I got to pour my life into my 5 girls in my d-group as well as help be a part of planning and preparing for the ministry along with the other senior staff.
After a two summer hiatus exploring other ministry opportunities, 2007 found me on the Scotland team alongside what was an AMAZING leadership and a phenomenal team as a whole. I was able to teach and disciple regularly and that summer I knew God was calling me into full time missions.
In 2008 I was a late add to the Costa Rica team where I got to go as the Senior Woman. I had more responsibility and loved our costa family. Through trial and error, and a gracious leadership, we had amazing ministry among the people in villages around Costa Rica.
After officially joining staff 2009 took me to Ireland where our team TORE up. They were the type of team that goes after ministry hard. They were always eager to share the gospel and to have a GREAT time doing it. Our partnerships with the people in Ireland and England were unforgettable.
2010 took me to a place I never thought I'd go... Africa. Sierra Leone has literally changed the way I see the world. At the time it was the third poorest country in the world. Taking a light to people who have very little hope in life was astounding. Fellowship with believers there was something unlike anything else, they trusted God in a way that I envy. Their love of life and each other is an example to all. Spending a week in an orphanage with NO comforts of home living in a hut was the best part. God met us all there and the joy in the faces of the little ones will be something I will forever carry with me.
Each of those trips brought along with them life altering growth in Christ. Outside of my family, Royal Servants has been the biggest influence in my walk with Him. There have been lessons of faith that have stretched me to the point of near break and there have been times of great joy as I've released things to Christ. In the context of summer's I learned skills that help me year round seek the face of God and bring him Glory.
Each summer I also make forever life friendships. Friends who may not know my favorite American candy bar, but they know my heart. They are people who I have been in the trenches of ministry with. My love for them is deep. I am eternally grateful for the people who have come into my life as a of these summers.
So here comes Italy 2011. Now, ten years after I've began, I have a whole new approach and understanding of myself, of God, and of why we do this to start with. I'm excited about our leadership, our staff and our students. I know that this summer will mark me like each previous summer has.
Please pray that God will be glorified through our efforts, that hearts will find Jesus, and that our students develop a passion for reaching the world for his name.
Nehemiah in 2002 was a chance to hone in on leadership skills and for the first time I knew that God had big plans for my life in ministry. That summer in Turkey, he called me to surrender all, and I haven't looked back since.
Timothy in 2003 was a time that I was able to further learn how God had made me and to sharpen me as we traveled through Greece and Europe sharing the love of Jesus.
In 2004 I headed as a Staff Discipler/Sr. Staff on the Euro-Quest team where I got to pour my life into my 5 girls in my d-group as well as help be a part of planning and preparing for the ministry along with the other senior staff.
After a two summer hiatus exploring other ministry opportunities, 2007 found me on the Scotland team alongside what was an AMAZING leadership and a phenomenal team as a whole. I was able to teach and disciple regularly and that summer I knew God was calling me into full time missions.
In 2008 I was a late add to the Costa Rica team where I got to go as the Senior Woman. I had more responsibility and loved our costa family. Through trial and error, and a gracious leadership, we had amazing ministry among the people in villages around Costa Rica.
After officially joining staff 2009 took me to Ireland where our team TORE up. They were the type of team that goes after ministry hard. They were always eager to share the gospel and to have a GREAT time doing it. Our partnerships with the people in Ireland and England were unforgettable.
2010 took me to a place I never thought I'd go... Africa. Sierra Leone has literally changed the way I see the world. At the time it was the third poorest country in the world. Taking a light to people who have very little hope in life was astounding. Fellowship with believers there was something unlike anything else, they trusted God in a way that I envy. Their love of life and each other is an example to all. Spending a week in an orphanage with NO comforts of home living in a hut was the best part. God met us all there and the joy in the faces of the little ones will be something I will forever carry with me.
Each of those trips brought along with them life altering growth in Christ. Outside of my family, Royal Servants has been the biggest influence in my walk with Him. There have been lessons of faith that have stretched me to the point of near break and there have been times of great joy as I've released things to Christ. In the context of summer's I learned skills that help me year round seek the face of God and bring him Glory.
Each summer I also make forever life friendships. Friends who may not know my favorite American candy bar, but they know my heart. They are people who I have been in the trenches of ministry with. My love for them is deep. I am eternally grateful for the people who have come into my life as a of these summers.
So here comes Italy 2011. Now, ten years after I've began, I have a whole new approach and understanding of myself, of God, and of why we do this to start with. I'm excited about our leadership, our staff and our students. I know that this summer will mark me like each previous summer has.
Please pray that God will be glorified through our efforts, that hearts will find Jesus, and that our students develop a passion for reaching the world for his name.
1 comment:
You forgot to mention that you met your hetero life partner on the Costa Rica trip and that is what has really made your life worth living.
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