Nicaguara 2011

This year was my second time to Nicaragua, one of the most beautiful places on the earth. We took a team of 16 from Millbrook to travel to Rio Blanco to work with the church planters, Pablo and Claudia Garcia. I was really excited about going back this year, because I was hoping that some of the children and women would remember me and that I could build on those relationships and make new ones. That proved true and it was so amazing working on those relationships.

The first day there, we went to La Ponsona school and had 16 salivations! The kids there are really shy and introverted, so the fact that they responded so well and prayed with us was a really big day. It was a really great way to start the week, because we knew God was already doing such great things. 

That afternoon we had a bible study for the women in the church we helped start building last year. There were so many women and children and they were there an hour early. These people walk from all over, miles and miles, just to hear the word of God whenever it's available. It's very humbling to see that. It began to rain really hard while we were there, and the men who were working had no choice but to come up to the church and hear the Word. Just shows how God will bring people to hear Him, no matter what the circumstances.

The rest of the week, we went to several other schools and churches to play and do vacation bible school type things with the children. I always love playing with them and speaking Spanish with them, trying to tell them little things about me and learn unique facts about them. I love how God makes all His children so different, yet we're all made in His image. :)

On this trip, God again confirmed in my heart that He has called me into missions. I've felt this calling for about three years now, but every time He confirms it, it feels like being called all over again. I really don't know where He is going to take me next, or what I'll be doing for Him, but I'm excited to be planting seeds in His Kingdom. :)

Also, my wonderful friend Allie was able to go with me on this trip! It was amazing watching God work through her on her first mission trip. The children loved her and she really mentored to the women, as well. And since she has been blessed with a beautiful voice, she was able to lead us in worship one day at Sandra's house. I have a feeling that she'll definitely be back to Nicaragua soon.

One amazing friendship that both Allie and I made was with our transalator, Luis. He's an awesome man of Christ and has a beautiful soul. His wife wasn't able to travel to Rio Blanco with us, but we met her on the last night. Luis definitely adopted Allie and I as his "American daughters" and he quickly became "dad".

I'm just thankful to have gone on another mission trip and to be used for the Lord's work!

Stop Complaining

Ok, so whenever I blog up here, it is always about something that I've been directly dealing with. This past week, I've had several conversations with different people about food. Yup, food. And in each conversation I took part of, someone was complaining about the food we eat (I complained as well, like I said I blog about things I'm currently dealing with). Whether or not it was because of something in the meal they didn't like, steak not being cook "well" enough, somewhere being too expensive, or a diet not having tasty enough choices, it was all complaining.
As I took part in this, a friend in one of my classes actually brought up as how we as Americans, are SO PICKY and don't realize just how GOOD WE HAVE IT. And then I began to think just how right he was--I've been to the third-world countries, where if they eat ONE MEAL A DAY, they are praising God! And I'm over here complaining because we're eating at Five Guys again and it's not good enough for me?! Who am I to complain as a Jesus Follower, knowing how people in other countries are living?! Later that day, I became really disappointed in myself and mad that I had forgotten how it was in third-world countries.
So I ask you to look at these pictures and put yourself in the place of one of these Kenyan children--your child, your brother or sister, your friend, your grand-daughter/son...imagine if they were sharing beans and rice with hundreds of other children--and that was their ONLY meal for that day.

 They didn't complain about their meal. Why should we?

Sticky Notes

About two months ago, God put an amazing opportunity in my life. Now for about two weeks before this event took place, I was in my the Word everyday, just reading up on different verses. I can normally always find a verse that I really needed to read and I love that about God. Even when a verse doesn't directly apply to me, He always puts someone on my mind to send the verse too. However, for about two weeks, I couldn't find any verses that were affecting me, or that I thought related to anyone else, like I thought they should. So I just began putting sticky notes on each verse I found, figuring God would tell me when I could go back and it would apply to my life.
Throughout this time, I had been praying for someone for about three months for someone I knew (getting somewhat impatient with God), when finally my Lord allowed me to share the gospel with this person. It was an amazing conversation, that he actually brought up. We talked about Jesus, the world ending, sinning when you're a Christian and when you're not, and a lot of other stuff. I even had my bible with me, so we looked at several different scriptures and just whet from there with more conversation. I really enjoyed just sharing my beliefs without "pushing" Jesus on him.
At the end of the conversation, he mentioned that if he had a Bible, he might just read it. Whoaaaaaaa. And then I literally heard God speak audibly to me. Now,  not audibly to where anyone else could hear Him; but it was like He was yelling in my ear "Give him your bible, Chelsea". So I asked him that if I gave mine to him would he read it. He said yes--that he might not tonight, but would soon, when he felt it was the right time. So I took out my bookmark and a picture I had put in it, and handed it over. He smiled but looked at me somewhat confused and asked where should he start reading it. Yet again, I heard God and this time almost started to cry from what He was telling me..."The sticky notes, Chelsea..." God said. So I told my friend, "anything that has a sticky note by it, or that is already underlined or highlighted." He seemed excited and we parted ways.
We've talked a few times since that night and I still pray for him daily. I'm writing this tonight to ask that you pray for my friend; that he will read his bible and come to realize just how much Jesus loves him . So when the time is right, He comes to be part of God's family. And also so that you know God can work through your prayers in big ways, when you least expect it. He is preparing you for something huge, as long as you allow Him to live through you. He used me putting sticky notes in my Bible to be a bookmark for someone that's never even opened a Bible.
My God does amazing things when we let Him. Are you allowing Him to do those things through you?

PASSION 2011

It's been about a week since I've been back from Passion...and let's just say, that I'm just barely still processing everything that happened and everything I learned.

Christian vs. Jesus follower...anyone can say that they're a Christian, but to be a follower of Jesus Christ requires daily commitment. A relationship that you desire to have and build on everyday, multiple times a day.

David Platt spoke about how in other countries people that follow Jesus are persecuted EVERYDAY. When's the last time you were persecuted for loving Jesus; like really persecuted? I certainly don't get persecuted as often as I should. Francis Chan said that we should even be joyful in persecution. Does that sound like you? Or would you start complaining as soon as someone else questioned you because of your faith? We should live daily like Jesus did.

Appetites...what rules your thoughts, decisions, and actions? That is your appetite and either it will rule you, or you will rule it? Andy Stanly says your response to this will determine the course and quality of your life; and whether or not you follow God's will for your life. Appetites can be: progress, responsibility, respect, acceptance, love, things, etc.

This is honestly just a few things that have been really pressing on my heart these past few days...

Just Open Your Eyes

Just open your heart and your eyes; God will present you with opportunities to witness...

This weekend I went to Snowshoe, WV for the College Crew Ski Trip. It was an awesome time of cold slopes, fellowship, good food, and awesome devotions. And with no phone service, it was just a great time to focus solely on my Lord. I guess you could say that I opened my eyes...

Saturday night, after I had a great time at dinner with seven of the girls that went, we got back on the shuttle to return to our chalet. I was the first one on the bus and met Howard, our driver, and asked how his night was going. I was expecting no answer, or a short-look, but he just smiled and proceeded to tell me how blessed his night had been. He started in telling us his 5-minute "shuttle testimony" of how God brought him to Snowshoe, to take care of his sick mother. He seemed to have an awesome story and he then told us some amazing God things. He said how God had given him the power of healing and that he prayed over several people, and God made them well. The one that stuck with me the most, was of his aunt who was diagnosed with cancer. He went and laid hands on her and a few weeks later, the cancer was gone. How powerful is our God?! I just couldn't help but smile the whole time he was talking, because I just LOVE running into other Christians who aren't afraid to share their God stories. We arrived at our cabin, and everyone got of the shuttle, thanking him for his testimony and wishing him a blessed night. I was the last one off, and went I went to tell him good-night, he grabbed my hand and asked to pray for me. (I'm thinking: Really?! This man I've never met, wants to pray for me?!) I agreed, bowed my head, and opened my heart to his words. Howard prayed for my safety while in Snowshoe, my group's safety, and that the Lord would be with me in whatever He calls me to do. One of the coolest moments of my life, I walked off the bus, almost in tears, knowing that I'd be keeping Howard in my prayers too.

I went inside and told everyone what happened and how cool it was that Howard was witnessing to so many people on his shuttle rides, everyday. What an awesome way to share God's love! And for me to be able to witness what God was doing through Howard, really just made my day. And it was all because I just opened my eyes...

The very next day, while skiiing, Hannah and I were on the ski lift with another lady. Small talk was made, but nothing too heavy. I'm always thinking of ways that I can bring up Jesus in conversation and before I could even began with this lady, she brought up Christmas and the real reason behind the season: JESUS. So neat to just talk about my God with another random person.

Just open your eyes for people to witness too :)