What's a Hero?

First United Methodist Church of Clermont asked me to be a part of their preschool children's "Heroes Program" as an adopted hero. 

"Each class is going to adopt a hero (policeman, fireman, military personnel, missionary etc) for the entire school year. Throughout the year they will send their hero a note of encouragement, craft project etc. to help share the love of Jesus and show their gratitude to you. Our goal is for the students to learn what it means to be a disciple, to share the love and Word of God, what it means to be a real hero, and the importance of gratitude."

I feel so honored to be asked to be a part of this program and share what it means to be a missionary and a warrior for Christ. This is such a neat opportunity and I am excited that missionaries are thought of in this way.

This invitation really got me thinking about what being a hero actually means. I looked up the definition and this is what I got:

he·ro

noun

1. 1.

   a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.
2. 2.

   another term for submarine sandwich.

Sooooo....I don't feel as though I fit any of those descriptions (especially the "typically a man" or being a "sandwich" heehee). So, I looked into what the Bible says about heroes...

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:5-9

When a person is acting as a hero, they are doing what God called them to do and has allowed them the opportunity to achieve because of Him.

I realize that just as in Philippians, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. God gives me my courage, my achievements are for His glory, and any noble qualities I possess are not of my doing. I am human and a broken person that has answered the call to follow Christ to which I have been given the title, hero.

What I know is that Jesus Christ is my hero. He is the only one who has never made a mistake, lived a sinless life, lived without fear, never possessed selfish anger, was not prideful, could not be outsmarted, loved everyone, both God and man, and He died for my sins. THAT is what a true hero is and does. 

CCC Mission Conference

This past weekend I was given the opportunity to speak at my church's Mission Conference about Bulgaria. Saturday evening we had the annual "Chili Cook-Off", I gave an update on my ministry, and then we listened to a missions keynote speaker. 

The theme of the evening was being thankful to God and I realized just how much for which I have to be thankful. I have such wonderful friends and supporters that truly show me what it is like to not be alone in this journey. Shout out to Katie Chatham that I want to carry around in my pocket as my personal cheerleader lol she and her husband know exactly what it is like to raise support (being that they were missionaries in Afghanistan) and have come alongside me to help in every way possible. It's always easier to raise support for someone else than it is for yourself, and when Katie introduced me on Saturday night she made me realize just how important community is and that it takes a village to bring God to the villages (heehee). I am so thankful for all of my supporters that are donating to my ministry to help these girls. If you are one of my donors, please know that you are appreciated beyond measure.   

Sunday morning I was able to speak during the Sunday school hour along with missionaries from Romania. It was really neat to be able to meet this family serving in the country that neighbors Bulgaria and I look forward to visiting with them when I get overseas. They are interested in knowing more about human trafficking and how they can get involved in helping the Roma (gypsy) women in their village. 

God is moving things along and even though I'm not in Bulgaria yet, I am making great connections and meeting the people God has intended for me to connect with before I go.

Club outreach-Hope

Last night we went on our club outreach. Every time we go we bring gifts for the girls and last night included in our gift bags were these handmade rings that say "Hope". We know that there is hope for each girl that we meet. We pray that they remain hopeful and know that they are loved and cared about. 

We met several girls last night and had some great conversations in their dressing room last night. Their dressing room is about the size of a small walk in closet, yet there were 7 of us in there and it was cozy. One of the girls kept saying how she loves it when we come visit them because of how peaceful and calm they feel while we are there. We know that is the Holy Spirit blessing the situation and helping all the girls feel at ease. 

H was not there, so I can only pray that she wasn't there because she is working even less at the club. I pray that she is well and not ill or hurt. We met another girl, T, that says she is interested in coming to church and we pray she contacts us to come to Greenhouse. We found out that another girl lives near one of our teammates neighborhoods so we pray that their paths are crossed outside of the club.

Please keep these girls in your prayers!

  

Hanging with the Creekside youth group

Last night I was able to spend some time with the amazing youth from Creekside Community Church. We talked about what human trafficking looks like in Eastern Europe and in the United States and we watched clips from the documentary Nefarious.

I felt extremely blessed to have been able to meet these girls and hear their hearts and help them understand what is happening in our world and how no matter what evils lie before us, God is bigger than them all and He loves His children.

One of the girls there, 16 years old, had not been to youth group in a while but felt led to youth group tonight by God. She has been praying about going into psychology and counseling and wants to work with women who are being trafficked. She had a lot of questions and we talked for quite a while. I'm hoping to be able to mentor her along her journey. Please pray for D that she stays on the path God has created for her, and she can distinguish between people who have her best interest in mind and those that do not,

Another girl there shared that 2 of her cousins were "in the life" and in desperate need of prayer. She said that learning about prostitution and trafficking opened her eyes and led her to understand what was happening. Please pray for her and her cousins.

Overall, this was a great experience and made me realize just how cool my job is as a missionary. I love being able to inspire others and share God's love. Missionary. Best. Job. Ever.

Pray for the youth

So far my time as a full time missionary raising support has been fruitful! Praise God I have had 4 new supporters join my team in the last week! I am currently at 62% towards my monthly goal with these additions! 

Tonight I am speaking to a high school youth group about the dangers of human trafficking, the signs to look for, and how to avoid getting trapped. I'm excited to speak with this group as I have not spoken to youth about this topic before. Please be in prayer that God gives me the words to use so that I can reach these girls with intent and that their hearts are touched for women and girls their own age that are stuck.

This day came quickly!

October 1st....today is my first day as a FULL TIME MISSIONARY and I am hitting the ground running! Got to get my support in so that I can leave for Bulgaria in less than 6 months! 

Please pray for me!

Club Outreach Last Night

So, I went out with my group from Created last night for outreach. Once per month we visit a local strip club and talk to and build friendships with the women in order to share the love of Christ. What was exciting is that one of the girls I have consistently been speaking with each time we go told me that she was cutting back to only working one day per week at the club and didn't care that she would be broke. I reminded her that the last time we had spoken I offered to drive her to job interviews, or to work (she does not currently have a car) if she needed rides. I am praying that I hear from her soon and can help her in regards to finding another way of earning income. Please also keep her in your prayers. We met another girl last night, new to the area, that said that she was very interested in coming to church and that she has faith and she prays. We hope that she contacts us so that we can meet her at church on a Sunday. 

The one consistent thing I see every time I go on these outreaches is how eager these girls are for female interaction and friendship. One girl stated that it was wonderful to learn women's names and hear female voices instead of men's for a change. These girls hunger for attention, reassurance, and love and are always so grateful that we have stopped in to see them and that we care about them and remember specific things that they are experiencing in their lives. God is present inside that strip club and He care for and loves these girls. 

   

Please keep praying that my support comes in for Bulgaria. I am done working at my current job in less than 2 weeks and will be support raising full time in order to get to the field by early 2016. Every 26 seconds a woman or child is sold into slavery for the first time. God has given me a desire to see this changed for the Gospel's sake. With my degree in Christian counseling I can walk alongside these women to show them the love of Christ and help them rehabilitate from the trauma of being trafficked. 

Please help me get to Bulgaria by joining my support team and giving monthly. I have a new website with MTW and it is SO COOL! Check it out here.