Hi my dear readers! I wanted to let you know that I got back a week ago from today, and just posted a post on my other blog. Here is a link. Love you guys!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Two Weeks Away?!
I can not believe that the missions trip is two weeks away!
We had our last training this past Sunday, and I believe it was the most encouraging and uplifting meeting we have had as a team. At the end, we had a time of prayer and encouragement together, and seemed like something broke in regards to bringing us closer as a family than just a team and meeting every few weeks! The Drama team is going well, and we got to perform for the team--the Lifehouse skit also shown on youtube. We are also doing three skits for the VBS--David and Goliath, Joseph, and the children coming to Jesus.
I do appreciate prayer for me emotionally as it is getting closer and to rest in His control and His love. Thank you all for your prayers; we greatly appreciate them!
We had our last training this past Sunday, and I believe it was the most encouraging and uplifting meeting we have had as a team. At the end, we had a time of prayer and encouragement together, and seemed like something broke in regards to bringing us closer as a family than just a team and meeting every few weeks! The Drama team is going well, and we got to perform for the team--the Lifehouse skit also shown on youtube. We are also doing three skits for the VBS--David and Goliath, Joseph, and the children coming to Jesus.
I do appreciate prayer for me emotionally as it is getting closer and to rest in His control and His love. Thank you all for your prayers; we greatly appreciate them!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Another India Miscellaneous
The last couple Sundays have been filled with India times :)
Just this last Sunday, the girls on the team went to a place in upper California called Little India. It is placed in a city in California and specifically geared to all places Indian--food, clothing, people, etc. So, we looked at bangles (bracelets that the Indian women make to sell), punjammies (the unique clothing women wear) we found for $7 and $10 (quite cheap for clothing such as those; more expensive in India [I will have to take a picture of me in mine!]). The lady working there agreed with me that it was definitely the color and style for me! At the end, we walked over to a place where you can try some snacks (the packaging said "San Diego" on it, so only manufactured here in CA, not India). I really liked one of the snacks that had a mix of sweetness, crunchy, and yet a kick to the flavor (think of a trail mix). One of the girls that lives close by to me picked me up and went together. It was good since we got to know one another better :)
The Sunday before we had another training, and this one was unique in that we shared our testimonies and learned how to pray for one another in regards to waiting on the Lord and asking Him how to minister to His child. It was a good training time together. Our next training is this coming Sunday and our drama team is meeting afterward for a couple hours to go over some skits. Thank everyone for your prayers!
Blessings and love,
Rachel
Just this last Sunday, the girls on the team went to a place in upper California called Little India. It is placed in a city in California and specifically geared to all places Indian--food, clothing, people, etc. So, we looked at bangles (bracelets that the Indian women make to sell), punjammies (the unique clothing women wear) we found for $7 and $10 (quite cheap for clothing such as those; more expensive in India [I will have to take a picture of me in mine!]). The lady working there agreed with me that it was definitely the color and style for me! At the end, we walked over to a place where you can try some snacks (the packaging said "San Diego" on it, so only manufactured here in CA, not India). I really liked one of the snacks that had a mix of sweetness, crunchy, and yet a kick to the flavor (think of a trail mix). One of the girls that lives close by to me picked me up and went together. It was good since we got to know one another better :)
The Sunday before we had another training, and this one was unique in that we shared our testimonies and learned how to pray for one another in regards to waiting on the Lord and asking Him how to minister to His child. It was a good training time together. Our next training is this coming Sunday and our drama team is meeting afterward for a couple hours to go over some skits. Thank everyone for your prayers!
Blessings and love,
Rachel
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Jesus is the Rescuer
We have to share our testimonies while in India, and this coming Sunday, we will be picked at random to share it with our team. However, I thought I would share it here as well for my dear readers:
As a young girl, I was not familiar with how important it was to be rescued, but something happened in my heart that I knew it was time to make that decision. Standing up amidst the crowd of other kids at VBS to accept Jesus created a 180 degree turn in my life. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life”. I was born in a Christian home with godly parents, and have been blessed with what people would think I pretty good life. However, when putting it in perspective¸ life is only wonderful when you know the hope of Jesus Christ. There were times when I struggled with wondering if I was really rescued from my past, and my family and friends would say I am. There were actually times that I struggled if there was really a God, and His love for me. It has only been the last year that I took my faith more seriously. This past year I struggled a lot with fear and anxiety, and it made me realize how much I truly need God and His help. A dear friend of my family’s as well as a mentor helped me to see that I need to step away from fear and into faith meaning to take God’s Word more seriously and use it as a guide in fighting fear. I would be so fearful that even leaving home I would be quite anxious, and it would be quite a relief when I would not shake or tremble. God’s Word is powerful! In 2 Timothy 1:7 it says this: “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline”. Whenever I would sense that fear or anxiety, I would remember what my heavenly Father has said. I will not go into details, but there were other times when my thought life was strangely affected, and God has rescued me from that. Praise Him! Oh, and if you are wondering about whether there is really a God, there is. I know, because by faith, He rescued me from the control of darkness and who can do that, but God. One of my favorite passages (I have many favorites by the way!) is from the book of Ephesians chapter 3 verses 16-19 which talks about the love of God: “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love¸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God”. God’s love is tangible through walking by faith. I cannot imagine life without knowing Jesus as Lord. He is life as it says in John 3:16. Overall, my life now--knowing Jesus more deeply and understanding His Word—is more at peace and reminding myself to rest in His everlasting love for me. Jesus is the Rescuer and I thank Him as 2,000 years ago, He died to set me free.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Experiencing a Glimpse of India
This morning we had a third training and it was more of a hands-on training instead of listening to information and taking notes! We began with worship of our Lord and prayer, and separated into teams afterward. Our Team #1 of about seven drove to the Kidsuem in Santa Ana (a part of Bower's Museum) and volunteered in helping put together crafts for the kids who would come work on them at a later date. We had a glimpse of India through this in helping with crafts as if we were there in India at VBS! :) The other teams did activities such as visiting hospitals and helping the homeless. We all came back together as a whole team and ate lunch Indian style--we ate with our right hand (no utensils, and eating with your left hand is improper in India as using the left hand is for restroom purposes). It was an experience and fun and interesting to eat that way, and learning how they do it in India.
Tomorrow morning, my drama team meets together for an hour and going over the ideas we have for the skits! Thank you for your continued prayers; the prayer page is updated as well :) God's blessings!!
Tomorrow morning, my drama team meets together for an hour and going over the ideas we have for the skits! Thank you for your continued prayers; the prayer page is updated as well :) God's blessings!!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
God Plans are His plans
..and are much better in growing and maturing yourself emotionally, physically, and spiritually! Remember when I mentioned about VBS being my top on the list in helping out and then speaking and last, drama? At today's meeting/training, we found out which section we are in...and to my amazement, I am in..DRAMA! God has a sense of humor, and His plans are best in growing me (that's for sure :)
I was proud of myself for stepping out and reaching out to people. God has something in store through all this in regards to working on my comfort zone. I heard and have begun to realize that we all struggle with the same things (working on or much better in)--insecurity, fear, rejection. We are never alone in the battle, thankfully, huh? :)
God is so good to us, and His love never fails, and His lovingkindness endures forever!
I was proud of myself for stepping out and reaching out to people. God has something in store through all this in regards to working on my comfort zone. I heard and have begun to realize that we all struggle with the same things (working on or much better in)--insecurity, fear, rejection. We are never alone in the battle, thankfully, huh? :)
God is so good to us, and His love never fails, and His lovingkindness endures forever!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
One, Two and counting
I wanted to update my friends, family, and readers on what was happening so far. Just a bit ago, I wrote out my support letter draft, and earlier worked on my visa application! It feels good when you get something done...
Coming up, I have my second training on Sunday the 25th. Pray that all of us will just simply have joy. joy, and more joy of the Lord and unity in our team. May the love of the Lord just shine in all of us :) If you would ever like to find out what to pray for specifically, I have a separate page named "Prayer Requests" on the right-hand column.
I celebrated my birthday yesterday, and my brother bought me an I-tunes gift card. Through searching over secular songs, I found a song by Chris Sligh named "One". I believe it fits perfectly with our prayer for our team:
Coming up, I have my second training on Sunday the 25th. Pray that all of us will just simply have joy. joy, and more joy of the Lord and unity in our team. May the love of the Lord just shine in all of us :) If you would ever like to find out what to pray for specifically, I have a separate page named "Prayer Requests" on the right-hand column.
I celebrated my birthday yesterday, and my brother bought me an I-tunes gift card. Through searching over secular songs, I found a song by Chris Sligh named "One". I believe it fits perfectly with our prayer for our team:
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