Thankful.

“Therfore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who builds his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears the words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7: 24-27

I honor those that have taken in the gospel of Jesus to be more than just there foundation. I honor those that walk every day for that gospel so that others can see that Jesus is their foundation. That when storms come and their faith is tested, the gospel is all they have and the world sees Jesus. I honor the Lord for putting such people in my life that only point to Him.

I honor Koy and Reny the founders of Cambodian Care. These two have gone through obstacles that have caused them to question others, but never to question God. God is the only thing that they hold onto as true and He pushes them to walk out their vision. They have a vision go into the darkness and see light prevail. With that simplest thought at the forefront of their ministry they want to integrate six programs into the poorest villages all over Cambodia. The six things include a school, church plant, teen discipleship training, nutritional program, child development program, and a thriving business that will create job opportunities as well as self-revenue for the ministry. On top of these hopes they have five children that they know will walk in the light of Christ. They have put into practice the great commission and though storms may come, they will not be shaken.

I honor Pastor Linda Freeman. She pushes all those around her to pursue the life that glorifies God. She herself has found that the life that glorifies God will never fail. As a woman in a full time ministry position she sees opposition in front of her often. She has her hands in so many ministries and her life is full of seeing people changed for the gospel, because she herself is walking in the gospel. She sees children whose parents are incarcerated build relationships with those very parents. She sees the hope that the parents in prison hold onto to be a better parent. She is a part of ministries that feed poor families in Miami. She pastors and mentors individuals who want to be in ministry. She spoke into my life and reminded me of what God has for me.  She is the parent of two grown kids who are both as well living for Jesus. She has put into practice the great commission and though storms may come, she will not be shaken.

I honor Tiffany Johnson. Her life of leadership reveals that she is committed to seeing Jesus at work in everyone’s life. She fails to believe that the gospel is just for a select few, but she lives to see the gospel become true to so many. In the corporate world, in every nation, and, as the mother of two, in her kids lives. As a business woman she does not take any client lightly but she notices the opportunity to be like Jesus. She question the motives of those in ministry around her all to make sure the focus has not been shifted from Jesus. Her questions are convicting and create a desire to fix eyes on the things unseen. She has questioned me, for the one reason to remind me of the simplest gospel and the goodness of our savior. As imagined not everyone loves her questions, but they show that Jesus is her foundation and push me to do the same. She has put into practice the great commission and though storms may come, she will not be shaken.

I honor Charley Jo Woodman. I couldn’t have done high school without her passion for Christ. My dear friend Charley won our schools Ms. South Point Pageant and in the moment of the judge’s announcement I was reminded of God’s favor for His people. It may have been a nonchalant gesture of His love for her, but it was all due to her dedication to him. There is nothing in me that doubts that her win was the Lord saying “That’s my girl.” That was over a year ago and since then her love for the Lord has taken her to Bethal in Redding, California. Her winnings from that pageant provided a scholarship that went to this program. Nothing is impossible with God. She loves God, serves Him, and allows her worship to personify that to those around her. She is clothed with strength and dignity and she fully accredits that to the Lord. And it is Him who deserves the credit. She has gone through obstacles that no one should ever have to go through and she still continues to give credit where credit is due. All those around her see that favor combined with a unique perseverance and it only points to Jesus. She has put the great commission into practice and though storms may come, she will not be shaken.

I honor Alex Bailey. He has no idea the long list of things he has imparted into my life. Gaining the role of my big brother in Miami, he chose not to take that lightly. But his encouragement into my life is not what sets him apart. Alex is undeniably in love with Jesus Christ. In response to that love he never ceasing to “love his neighbor as himself.” Every person he meets he makes sure to never forget their name because to him they are a legend. No matter where they are in life he knows that Jesus has a plan to prosper them. He keeps everyone close because he loves Jesus. I think he gets so amazed at how Jesus is working that he wants to be a part of that in EVERYONE’S life. He loves so much that there is no room for condemnation in his actions. He is genuine and because of that I am sure his friend list is getting longer, because they see Jesus. He has put the great commission into practice and though storms may come, he will not be shaken.

I honor James Kinard. He has no idea but he was the first leader in my life whose investment pushed me to pursue missions. Of course missions has always been at the forefront of my desires, but he cared to see it become reality. He was my Africa team leader and at the beginning of the trip I told him I wanted to be pushed. The two months under his leadership he really stretched my perspective of Christ. He cared about every member of the team like a father and he took his role as our leader to heart. James really invested in us as missionaries, not just as teens. Today his heart for Romania shows that missions is still his desire. He cares for Romania and has a deep commitment for the Country to see Jesus. I am thankful for his investment in my life. He has put the great commission into practice and though storms may come, he will not be shaken.

I honor Victor and Amanda Cabe. Even if I am far away and unreachable you are in my life forever.  This power couple demonstrated a game-changing passion for the gospel. Real passion. Right in the middle of my high school years, they were they, always stating Jesus is worth it. Jesus is worth it. They both believed in the New Testament gospel and were always ready to see a healing or hear a prophecy. They got me excited about the gospel. They put the great commission into practice and though storms may come, they will not be shaken.

I honor Mrs. Macc. My high school Spanish teacher gave a whole new meaning to the great commission. She lived it every day in front of her students. She was over the bible club and pushed vision to make a difference today. As the “good-girl” in school it was no doubt I loved Jesus. I really loved having Mrs. Macc as a mentor I could go to during school hours. She prayed with me. We prayed together for other students. We both had a desire for every student to see and know Jesus. The last time I saw Mrs. Macc she told me she was in school to get her masters in Evangelism. All she wants is for people to cling to Jesus. I am so glad I know her. She put the great commission into practice and though storms may come, she will not be shaken.

I honor Darryl and Lavonne Beach. These two are also known to me as Mom and Dad. Their heart for children extended to more than just the four that lived under their roof. Their deepest desire was for children to fall in love with Jesus at a young age. The lived out “train up a child in the way they should go and they will never depart from it.” The get so overjoyed when they hear the stories of the kids who are under them now living out the gospel. They love telling the testimonies of their fruit and how they have not departed. They celebrate the victories of each kid that was under them. I was lucky enough to have them as my “kid’s pastor” and my parents. They loved me. They protected me. They gave to me.  They taught me. They stretched me. They did not “spare the rod.” And now they celebrate as I have not departed from the way I should go. They are still loving on children. Blessed by such a love. They both have without missing a beat put the great commission into practice, EVERY SINGLE DAY, and though storms may come, they will not be shaken.

There is a lot more people that I honor and am thankful for in my life. I am encouraged not only to honor the people that shift my perspective, but also let it change me. I have the desire to put into practice the Jesus I see in each of them.

 

 

Not just Shraylin's story.

In a moment everything can change. That has been witnessed to be true through; natural disasters, terrorist attacks, disease, war and other things that inflict death in a moment. 

Christ came to change us and welcome life in a moment. A moment could change everything for good or bad. Today I saw Jesus change welcome life in a moment for good.

Today was the first day of school at Light of Future School in Toulpongroo. As I entered into the school( that these kids built) full of hundreds of students I felt so close to God. I felt so close and heard His voice clearly said "This is my plan to prosper them and not to harm them." I looked at Shraylin whose nicely braided hair showed she was ready and whose smile revealed she was excited. 

I examined the space and "excited and ready" was most precedent in each students lives. Monday November 10th, in this moment,  these children were not concerned about their poverty. They gave no thought to their ripped clothes. They simply were ready and excited. 

Trinity Churches team raised over 2000 schools supplies and over 200 shoes for this village. As we passed a "gift" full of these items to these kids I saw light prevail over darkness. 

Today, in that moment, I was changed. I was changed by the reminder of my first love, the truest light. 

What I knew in words I saw in actions. I saw Jesus as the best thing that has happened to me. I saw Jesus as powerful and undefeated. I cling to these refreshing reminders as I eye every student and all I see today is life. Life in Christ and it's abundance. 

Shraylin and many others are ready and excited and they don't even know the best that is yet to come, the abundant life. After two months of hard work, the strong, Shraylin will see her dedication come to fruition. No doubt she will reap a harvest so plentiful, I know The Lord only has the best for her. I see her as a powerful woman of God that is going to shift her village and much more her generation: which can only happen through the name of Jesus. The best education will be what launches this bright, beautiful young girl.  Today, in a moment, Jesus directed her future so it will glorify Him. Thanks to opportunity "Cambodiancare" has offered her, to receive an education she will not end up a sex slave. Shraylin will not be just another statistic of Cambodians prostitution. She will not work at a factory and earn poverty wages. She will not be just another person crying for someone to be an advocate for her life. She will be an educated advocate for all of those around her, in the name of Jesus Christ and she is so ready and excited . 

In a moment I see such a prosperous plan for each child. In a moment I see the light of life and it changed me. 

""Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."" John 8:12

This is not just Shraylin's story but oh do I love this girl. So much. 

Not just Pisey's story.

“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)

Giving/Serving with everything you’ve got does not always mean that the times you serve far surpass the amount of times others serve. What it means is that every time you do serve, you serve with all of your heart. It is when you serve with all of your heart that your labor is not in vain, and you reap a harvest so plentiful.

No one taught this principal to five year old Pisey for her to want to give everything she had into building her school. No one sat her down and explained the importance of serving. Her excitement  for her education motivated her to work all day, rain or shine, to serve with all she had.

Pisey is a beautiful, full of joy, always energetic, five year old girl. She is the middle child, having an older brother and a baby sister. Her two siblings, her mother and father, all live in a limited space known to them as “home.” This makeshift “home” does not at all comfortably fit a family of five. Every time it rains the rainy waters flood this tight space making it impossible for them to sleep at night.  This family of five is very poor and they rarely eat enough. They don’t know what it feels like to be “full.” Pisey is very small due to her lack of food.

Every day when we arrive at the village Pisey greets us grinning from ear to ear. She always greets us ready to work with her blue pale in hand. She carries that blue pale back and forth to pick up a modest amount of sand, stone, or cement to lay as the foundation for the school. She carries as much as her petite body will let her, which is not much, but she works without many breaks to see the job complete. The only time she stops is to encourage other kids to join in on the construction. Pisey gives everything she’s got.

We are so excited for Pisey to attend “Light of Future School.”  We believe that because of such a diligence that she will reap a harvest that is “pressed down, shaken together, and running over.” Her joy, as well as many other students, to build their own school has been remarkable. These students are going to have the best education and are going to thrive in Toulpongroo. All that they have given with all of their hearts, will be given back to them. Pisey, in one of the poorest families, will reap a harvest so plentiful, that it only points to Jesus Christ.

When asked “Pisey what do you want to do in the future?” Pisey told us that, “I want to be a teacher.”

 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58