Prayer

Today, there are many people hurting for Jesus touch. I have been reminded of this through praying for Kelly and Scott Stamps. Please pray for her and her family. They have a new little baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. God knows each of their needs. The Lord reigns and does care about the events in our lives. God bless!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQaolD8FCwQ&feature=related

Laughter

For all of those out there who know about the many cultures in my family..... (JAI, KAREN, MICHAEL, TERRY, CRYSTAL!)

Let me introduce some of the best members of my family here in San Diego. From left to right :

My cousin, Lea. She got her degree in Culinary Arts. She also has her Bachelors in Business Administration.

My Uncle Eddie. My mom's brother. Fun & extremely intelligent! Too many accomplishments to list here.

My beautiful Aunt Nida. (This whole post is dedicated to her.)

My cousin, Dina. She also has a degree in Business Administration and another in Forensic Science.

Oh wow! My family in San Diego is pure hilarious!! My uncle Eddie and his beautiful Filipino wife, Nida have kept me laughing incredibly hard the last two days. First of all, Filipino's are stinking amazing..and constantly giggling about something. Take a fun Filipino and my crazy giddyness...Phew, that's just constant stomach-wrenching laughter. Aunt Nida is a RN. She has taught nursing school, raised two beautiful girls, and is such a great wife to my sweet uncle. I love her so much.

Today, she worked hard with all her patients in San Diego. She came home and said in her precious voice, "Oh, I want to paint your toes!! You've got the cutest toes! Sit here. I will make you relaxed!" She went on to tell me that she'd love to just sit in an Asian shop and paint nails for a living. :) Ha. So cute.

She painted my toenails and even designed little flowers on them--"So people would know I had been in California." Sweet girl. I really hate when people post pictures of their feet on blogs, but in honor of her hard work...I must! Here's a close up. hehe.

Not only can she paint toes perfectly, be a hard working nurse, mom, and wife...She has a huge rose garden. Here are just a few pictures from the garden today.

I think I could move here one day........

Emergency Trip to California

Old Grandpa + Sick Grandma + I need a break + God's Provisions = Sunny California!!

Im here in San Diego with my grandpa. If any of you remember stories about him, he is the grandpa who looks like a member of the Mexican mafia/ninja turtle! :) He was the first man I ever loved. In the first several years of my life, he was the dad I never had. He's one man Ive always been deeply burdened for spiritually... Right now, he's talking to me in the background as I type about planning his funeral.... Devastating. I cannot even imagine having to bear such loss. My prayer is he comes to know Christ first so he can live a part of life bringing glory to a worthy King.

So, here I am. God provided a way. And Im here.

This morning, grandpa and I woke up at 6 am to go to a Mexican infested flea m 'arket. I was the only person who spoke English! Then, we drove all over San Diego running errands. Grandpa treated me to an 'old pasttime' of a fattening chili dog at Wienerschnitzel. Humble Motto:

Ole Gramps lives about 15 feet from the sandy beach. I took a walk to enjoy the desperately missed ocean. Here are some pictures to enjoy.... Im heading back out to soak up some sun and enjoy God's creation! The third picture is a picture of where I grew up in San Diego...the ocean was my personal backyard and the pigeons my pets. Oh sweet days.....

Orphan Annie

My life experiences lately have seemed to dance along with the soundtrack of the grand ole movie, Annie.

Here's my 'Annie' experiences lately...

First months here were best described by the song, "It's A Hard Knock Life".

From moving and starting school...to waiting for God to send money to pay bills..The first song is sooo appropriate. :)

However, the last two weeks have been sunshine to my soul! Just like when the Hard-Knocked Annie went to have lots of adventures with Daddy Warbucks and Grace. She sees all kinds of extraordinary, unbelievable things. Her life is finally looking up. My life is finally to the 'part' of the soundtrack on the song of "I think Im Gonna Like It Here".

Thus far, four tests have been completed in nursing school. I made over 97% on each of them. Unbelievably, I made 100% on two of the tests!! What a personal victory! And somehow, I've still had much play time.

Girls weekends with my best friends from college. Workouts galore. Meeting new friends. Finding a bamboo garden. Thrift store window shopping. Going to a black church this last Sunday! (Oh wow. It was extremely and wonderfully different! I can't wait to go back..even if I am the ONLY white person there! I looovvvveeedd it. 15 people were baptized!! Started at 11 am...Didn't get out till 2! But, I thought it was only the 'standard' hour. Time flies when you're having fun.)

I also have a new friend named Matt. He and I just instantly hit it off. I don't know about Matt, but I feel like we've been pals our whole life. My stomach has hurt since we met because we've been just dying laughing about everything. Crystal knew Matt from her high school days. She is gracious (or maybe just has to) to share her old friends with me now. Matt has introduced me to this wonderful relaxing fun world of local live bands. Holy cow. Great muscians here. The calender looks full with dates to check out these bands at local hole-in-the-walls. Racquetball, tennis and running are becoming a planned adventure of ours too. Im just so glad to have a 'Brad Harris' or "Brian Crigler aka Baller" type friend here. The gym saw the likes of us last night too. We worked out really hard...then drove around to all the historic places downtown and listened to his favorite local bands. We stayed up till 2 am laughing about I who knows what. I even scored a CD of a local legend, Johnny Rocket.

I think Im gonna like it here!

Continued...

In the last post, I was documenting the recent life events of which I am extremely thankful.

18. Arriving to Haiti safely despite airport setbacks and trials.

19. No kidnappings, no riots, no dangerous detours, etc in the capital of Haiti. Such things must be anticipated due to the current situation in this country.

20. Surviving the first night in the capital. Im always anxious to get into the mountains of Haiti. Staying in the main city is very frightening and irritating to me due to the crime and the extreme heat and insects.

21. Safe flying...landing on rocky/sandy 'runway' in the single engine-six passenger cessna.

22. No broken bones or head injuries during the rugged 3-hour mountain climbing truck ride with a whopping 15-17 people in the back of a small Nissan style truck...phew.

23. Just being in the mountains of Haiti was more of a blessing than I can even express. To be chosen to help these people is an honor beyond description.

24. Last year when I went to Haiti, I fell in love with a little 6 year old boy named Anderson. I saw him as soon as I entered into my 'home' for the two weeks. He was clinging to the gate..saw me...smiled from ear to ear...and then ran to me..and I ran to him. Oh, how much JOY this sweet child has brought to my life. And I wish I could adopt him so badly.

25. God allowed our medical team to 'find' the sickest of the sick people waiting for free medicine. This wasn't easy. Screaming, anxious, begging, desperate, hungry people fighting for the chance to get free medicine for their families. God gave comfort and patience and a vision for these people like He sees these people.

26. We lost a child in the clinic the VERY first day. I say "we" because not only did a Haitian mother experience grief, but our team did as well. I was devastated to say the least. God offered comfort and wisdom and even joy in knowing He was holding this child now in heaven.

27. The relationship-building with friends in Haiti. One in particular, a friend named Stefenal.

28. The trip to Haiti after I was sick and recovering from Thailand a week before was phenomenally better than I could have ever imagined. In fact , it was one of the greatest trips of my life. I cannot, cannot, cannot wait to be back in Haiti.

29. Arriving home okay at the end of July.

30. Getting settled in Central Arkansas. Actually having time to unpacking from the Northwest Arkansas move in May.

31. The blessings of the Young family I was living with.

32. God provided money at the very precise minute for school and even an option to obtain my school books. Without these provisions, I would have been dropped from school. There are still deadlines to meet financially...and I don't have a job...so all I can continue to do is trust. Its quite fun to just trust. Trusting allows my mind and heart to be free from the burdens of such impossibilty on my behalf--and such power on God's behalf.

33. I had to move to Conway. Crystal wanted to move to Little Rock. I didn't. Little Rock is very uncomfortable and completely out of my non-existing budget. God provided a great house in Conway with my sister and another roommate. God is continuing to provide just enough for rent at just the right time.

34. My friend, Kelli came over Friday to the house to hang out one night. Our bathroom toliet was constantly running. In the morning, I woke up to find Kelli in the bathroom...with her laptop...discovering what makes the toliet function properly. Yep...She was online researching how to fix my toliet!! HAHAHAHA! I took pictures but she took my camera home with her. Kelli diagnosed the toliet. Made a prescription for the hardware store. We both went boldly into the intimadating LOWE'S and found the correct 'FLAPPER' for the toliet. Kelli installed the hardware and saved me bunches of money on the upcoming water bill! What an amazing woman! I love you, Kel. Thank you soooo much for fixing the toliet. The house is now quiet as a mouse!

35. I started nursing school yesterday! I love it, I love it, I love it. Im part of the largest nursing program in the NATION! Not only the largest RN program in the nation, but the most historic! How cool. I drove to nursing school smiling most of the way. People must have thought I was crazy. But for me, the truth about what God wanted for my life and my stumbling faith collided. I arrived 1.5 hours early! I didn't know yet how to gauge my travel time in Little Rock. :) I sat with my class of 150 students. The happiness in the room was so thick. I wanted to hug everyone in sight.

36. The lessons set out for me to learn are so intricate. I adore the privilage of getting to be there, where God distinctly led me, and prepare for such an adventure.

37. Bonus number one. Cute guy. I haven't talked to him yet as we've been busy..but I sure plan to be friends soon! :)

38. God provides such amazing things all the time. Im still training for the 5K. I know this may not be big to some people..but I ran 8 miles last week! (Most runners do this feat in one setting. Im not 'most runners' yet.) Ive lost almost 10 inches off various parts of my body combined. Im thrilled! This week, Im pushing for 10-12 miles! Eating healthy and feeling good.

There is much more I am thankful for. I could blog forever on this topic, but will spare you anymore long reading agony.

I promised pictures...and lied. My apology. My camera is out with a friend for a special event.

Shifting Sand

What phrase best describes your summer thus far?

A friend and I were discussing this very topic yesterday. There is a song called Shifting Sand by Cademons Call. The chorus truly expresses my every thought, every adventure, every joy, every waiting moment...just every aspect of this summer. I knew starting this blog I was going to document my journey of faith this summer. Its been more than Ive ever imagined. And the journey is far from over. God is still God throughout each season. Though plans seemed concrete--they suddenly shift. Yet, God is still constant and solid with grace.

The chorus is as follows:

My faith is like shifting sand

Changed by every wave

My faith is like shifting sand

So I stand on grace

Everything changes. Even our level of faith. But God's grace stays the same.

Nursing school starts for me on Monday at 8:30 am in Little Rock!! I cannot believe the time is so near. Ive had the best summer of my whole entire life. God has moved and I've held on as tight as I could. What a wild, blessed, and joyous time of life.

I just want to take this time as personal journaling and remember what God's done this summer. Im just going to write as the events come to mind all over again.

1. Directed me to a nursing school.

2. I got in! Miracle. Miracle. Miracle.

3. Left a wonderful group of friends in Northwest Arkansas. I still get choked up about this move. I deeply miss the conversations, love and joy I always felt in this place. I thought I would be utterly depressed alone here in po-dunk, but God gave me grace and comfort once again.

4. God gave me a wonderful place to live...Rent and Utilities Free with Southern Cooking!

5. I got one of my best friends back again...Kelli, I love you dearly and am so glad to be here spending time with you and Jason!

6. Even with a job..I struggled financially. How would I make it with NO JOB and EXPENSES???

God's grace and provisions through a young couple who just moved to the Jonesboro area. (May God bless them increasingly for what they generously did for me.) I wouldn't have made it without their love and obedience to God. One time before church I told God I had no idea how I would pay my car payment. He provided with in the hour. Amazing Grace.

7. A trip to northern Thailand to the most remote area I have even been. I didn't know this remote was really a possibility. Souls saved there. A house was provided when we thought we'd be sleeping on the open ground with the jungle snakes and various critters. I personally got to check in over 100 Thai children one day to the clinic. I got to look into the eyes of all those children. Ahh.. It still brings me extreme joy!!! More spiritual and intellectual and emotional and physical blessings than could EVER be documented with words.

8. We almost slid off a mountain in Thailand, had ants in our pants and other places during the night, ate rice variations every meal, we're burning up, banged up and exhausted. Safety and endurance---and always joy despite the circumstances. Really. There was such joy.

9. Spending time with a close doctor friend from Asia whose name I won't mention for safety. He poured his heart out to me about the issues facing him in his life in Asia. These times were priceless.

10. I turned 25 in the jungle of Thailand. Natives gathered around at night and sang beautifully in three languages, "Happy Birthday To You". Overwhelming. I felt such joy to be looking at all those people and knowing how much I loved them before I came, and how I fought to be there with them. Tears were pressed so hard on my eyes and in my throat as I was soooo blessed to hear such a wonderful chorus of voices amongst the quiet and darkness of the nighttime jungle.

11. Met an inspiring Filipino missionary named Sunny. What a joy. And he wants me to hook up with his son...double joy. hehe. I would adore this tremendously because they are so entergetic and happy all the time. It would be joy joy joy...almost like Almond Joy all year round. (almond shaped eyes for those of you who've never seen a Filipino.)

12. Went to "L". Flight safety. Safety from Communists and possibly spies...sounds silly, but Im serious. Safety during riots and wild people wanting medical care desperately.

13. One day in "L" the townspeople held a ceremony for the team as a "Thank You". It was held in a Buddhist temple. The monks dressed in orange and dusky reds performed a special ceremony. Hopefully one day, the ceremony can be held in a church once the nation comes open to the gospel. I enjoyed being there to meet people and secretly pray.

14. After the ceremony, the Buddhists fed us tons of food. I didn't want to eat because there were hungry children around us. In this culture, adults go first...then children. This part of the culture hurts my heart....so I strategically gathered as much food possible...signaled the little rascals to gather by the temple steps quietly...while hoping the adults were shoving their faces with sticky rice and wouldn't stop me with the food...I got my close friend on the trip to join the effort. She was thrilled as we had been refused to give the children anything. We starting shuffling out this wealth of food to the children faster than the average lunch lady. Oh, they were wildly excited and their eyes and wide bright smiles expressed so much gratefulness. The commotion caught much attention, but not before we rid ourselves of all the foods and the children scattered very far across the temple grounds until they consumed and enjoyed their food. They came back--immediate best friends ready to play--and we got pictures with them. Love them. The best time for me in "L".

15. God sustained a sickness I got in "L" and couldn't keep anything in my body. When I look back on some of the days and how extremely fatigued I was--Im surprised I made it. God's grace.

16. Flight back home mixed with extreme fluid loss due to a parasite...and that unforgettable sweet Asian stewardess who didn't understand the term "anti-diarrehea medicine" even with sound effects and rump signals..hehe. God's grace and humor. And God literally sustained my body to the SECOND when relating to the bathroom availability.

17. Rest and recovery time at home before I had to go to Haiti.

.....More to come in the next post...This is really long, but I want to share everything and pictures....Please look for the next one tomorrow. There truly is so much more and even news on this weeks sudden living changes, school, jobs, and training for a 5K and more.

Vacation!

Hello!! I am on vacation and have not been able to update here. Err...

Crystal and I have been getting ourselves into trouble of course. We've been gallivanting (sp?) around the town of Branson. In a couple of hours, we are going to get into some more trouble. hehe. No, we are being good.

Im really upset right now because I tried to access Michael's blog and COULDN'T get to it. Sadness. Hopefully, I can view this soon!!
Scoops, you know Im true to ya my brotha! Can't wait to see the pictures of little Santana and Dante! (...I hope I meet a grown carmel/chocolated colored man named Dante tonight!)

I love you guys and will get pictures posted of the Branson adventures ASAP.

Letter to the President (informal)

Dearest President (of my fan club) Karen,

I apologize for not keeping up with the online journal as I should. Let me explain. Im going to hit you with this big 'excuse'.

Death in the family. A death in my family in San Diego hindered me from writing about life in podunk. My uncle passed away. His daughter who lives in IOWA needed someone to keep her 3 children. My mother and I made an emergency trip to IOWA to get the children while their parents were away with the funeral proceedings. I don't know what is worse: Death in the family or 8 hours in the car with my mother. just kidding--sort of.


After a week of fun motherhood, Im back in podunk. Even better, Crystal is now home!! We are having some redneck adventures. I will post these ASAP. Tomorrow, I will be in a meeting at the nursing school all day. (boring.) Life is just staying busy. Everyone is greatly missed.

Lots of Love Sent With This Message!

String Bikini's and Raunchy Music = Early Morning Fury.

This morning I was at a major retailer looking for an greatly-clearanced emergency bathing suit. Not that big of a deal, right?


Wrong. Dead wrong. This is the only type of swimsuit the major retailer had... A string bikini. So...I skip over to the nice associate expecting she would direct me to something more than beautifully colored dental floss.

Me: Miss, can you tell me where the bathing suits are?
Her: (with a southern draaaawww) Well, these two racks here is all we have.
Me: Really. Hmm. Okay.
(In my mind: ONLY A STRING BIKINI?? You've got to be kidding me?!?)

I had my hand on the hanger with the colored stringy mess called a bathing suit. I so desperately debated grabbing the stringy mess, marching my happy rump into the dressing room and coming out of there just shaking what my momma gave me. I wanted to do this so the sales associate could see CLEARY someone needed to do their job right and order something with a little more string...or maybe even material. What an idea!?! Material.

But instead, I decided to save everyone from cardiac arrest and just leave the store kindly.

Then, I get into my car. Im scrolling through the radio stations... and hear "I kissed a girl and I liked it.." sang by a girl. SANG BY A GIRL. Errr!!! I slammed off my radio. I am disgusted fully at this world, outraged, and ready to take my Bible and start running around beating people upside the back of their heads--because that's the Christian thing to do, you know??

secret dwelling place...found.

The morning hike was glorious. My soul experienced much relaxation as I hiked to my very own secret dwelling place and read.

Warmth from the sun embraced my skin. Wind blew the leaves to create the most beautiful scene. Rippling water flowed freely and constant. Blue bodied dragonflies with black silk wings chased one another across the rocks and the green bushes. The dragonflies were captivating. They slowly chased one another in and out of the rock coves. After a few minutes, each dragonfly landed on a separate leaf while the water rushed in the distance between and below them. Watching the dragonflies was like watching little children play. Fast chasing, then a sudden halt for rest...and then suddenly jump back up again for another round. The little creatures flew wildly into a little cove created by large moss covered rocks which embodied two beautiful white mushrooms. (Click on these pictures to see the detail!)

God maintains all of this. He orchastrates every movement, even down to the movements in the cells of such life. His ways I cannot even pretend to really understand! I just sat on a high rock under a shade tree and thought 'Lord, you gave color, breathe and endurance to these little dragonflies. And I childishly love them. You gave force to the water. You sustain even the fungi growing under the rock. Everything is yours.' I climbed around the dwelling place of much life sustained by the same creator God who I know as Lord.

"Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountins were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." Psalms 90:1-2

Phew.

Life has been a wild fun rollercoaster ride zipping all over the place.....Then, eeeeerrrrrrrr....the brakes slam...and Im alone for the week in bean-farm Arkansas at the casa de la po-dunk. The only noise I hear is the clicking of the antique clock and the sound of my typing this note to you.
At the house, I flutter around like a modern lyrical dancer...On crack. Cook veggies. Exercise. You know...the fun stuff.

I thought I was going to be scared here alone. Nope. Ive got my trusty friend who sleeps under my pillow.

My mom and I were talking and randomly giggling about the thought of someone coming in here at night. They would be so sorry they did. Im usually beaming with kindness...but not in the middle of the night if a stranger wanted to bust up in here. The only visitors I should have are a fox or a bear, really.

Here's what Ive been doing....Brace yourself. Its exciting.

endless unpacking random Asian fun

reading a book called God's Smuggler 5k here I come!
Yes, Im going to run my first 5k in October in Little Rock. Trying to get fit. Im about to head out to the mountain to hike around this morning and do some jogging and worship God. I'll take pictures of the beauty!

Haiti

For the last 10 days, Ive been in Haiti doing medical work in the mountains. Last year, the trip was extremely difficult physically, spiritually and emotionally. Haiti has extreme conditions of ultimate heat and humidity, hills with a mathmatical slope which would almost be considered close to "undefined", and the worst medical cases I have seen in my entire life. Last year our medical team saw about 5 or 6 children we had to send home to die because they were septic or too far gone medicine couldn't help the neurological and physiological damage. These things really can burden your soul, especially if you are a compassionate freak like me!!! I often said I never really wanted to go back to this country.. But, when God calls...I must go. And what blessings I would have missed out on if I had not gone to Haiti this year.

Here are some highlights of God's work:
We set up a medical clinic and evangelism team. The patients would wait early in the morning at the clinic for us to get there and give them care. After they saw the doctor, the Haitians would come to the evangelism team. There we would talk to them about Jesus...and who He is in their life. We prayed over their health and ANY requests they had. One elderly woman came around the back of the clinic and said to our evangelism staff, "I don't need to see the doctor today, I need Jesus!!" So, right there under the breezy palm trees--she accepted the God who sent His son to die for her. She left with the greatest joy and it showed in her step! And we all know angels were rejoicing over a Haitian woman in Christ. I pray she reaches her whole family!!

The first day held a lot for us at clinic. My job was to go out into the crowds and evaluate the greatest health needs. I found a baby who looked extremely juandice. She was the first patient registered. The baby was 8 days old. It didn't take us long to realize, this child was septic which means a bacterial infection had entered the blood...It also meant a 50-50 chance of survival. We called a truck to take the mother and the infant to the nearest hospital to set up I.V.s to pump the baby with fluids. Monday night we got word the baby was stable. Tuesday morning, about 4 am, we got word the baby didn't make it. I was still in bed when I got the word, and I just covered my head with my sheet and closed my eyes. I was angry. I was angry because it hurt to see this tragedy AGAIN. How many times have I been before the Lord saying please please please spare these children and spare me from the empathatic grief I have for these mothers and families and children who are in pain. Another death. It must be understood that God's brought me all over the world to the most remote places and NEVER have I seen such a wave of infant deaths. This was my second time to Haiti in my whole life and now the count of infant deaths were 6 or 7. I have only been in Haiti for 20 days of my entire life, and have seen 6 or 7 infant deaths---this means many more are dying all the time!

The next day, I got to hold a child...a sweet little boy about 8 months old. I couldn't get him to laugh or smile at all the first day. Then, any time I was near him he reached for me which I absolutely adored more than anything else! I played with him, I held him up in the air, I cuddled him, I danced with him, I carried him around, I got to feed him a bottle, I burped him, we laughed and laughed at each other. My soul cannot express this joy of holding and enjoying this Haitian child.

It was then, I realized how God had allowed me to experience a characteristic of His very own image....I then understood a small portion of just how much God loved to hold the Haitian children in His arms too...and how He is holding many Haitian children in Heaven with Him now. The thought of my beautiful Saviour holding these children was breathtaking, literally. He was holding my heart, too. What comfort and resolve in my previous disappointments and anger. And what a mighty, loving, compassionate Saviour we serve. In either death or life, He is there.

There is much more to share...
God's grace and comfort made this trip one of the best of my life. And I look forward to sharing more stories soon! Thank you for your prayers.

Oh Happy Day!

Thank you for all the prayers! Im feeling much better than I did the last two weeks. I feel recovered and ready to go. Taking it easy in Haiti will be my goal!

Today is going to be a WONDERFUL day. Im going to see my pals at the bank. Can't wait...You may be reading this now and wondering where the heck I am...Im about to leave the house now! See you!!

Sick

Ive been really sick with some kind of amoeba. Today is the beginning of a let up and a ray of sunshine for me. The doctor said only bread and applesauce for me...So, Im following orders closely.

My flesh honestly does NOT want to board a plane to Haiti on Friday. The heat is seeming unbearable. Please pray for me in this matter. God has provided the funds and I know I am to go to Haiti early Friday morning.

Please pray for my body to withhold the stress of travel and heat in Haiti.

Journal Entries

I wish I could sit and post journal entry after journal entry of all that was experienced in SE Asia. My heart does not know where to begin....

In a discussion on how God was going to reach the uttermost parts of the earth, a girl asked "Well, what about that tribe up in Burma...They were rejected and then pushed out into the jungles of Thailand." Who is going to reach them? How is God going to reach them? A girl asked my roommate this question last month. Little did she know, God was sending me there to this SAME people group. Little did I know, when I arrived there, God had already built his church there. 100 years ago, God brought the gospel to the Haupai village. The villagers shared with me a song, in their language, in their church, in the middle of the uttermost ends of the earth. The song declared how God brought the gospel to their village...and how God built the church....and what God is doing now. This song is passed from generation to generation in this village. They cherish it deeply; And, oh, the joy in my soul this night to hear this song proclaiming the greatest of the same God of Heaven Ive personally known as my Savior for 19 years. They know Him the same way I know Him. This doesn't just happen. I met so many people a world apart that I could just sit and talk with about the words and desires God placed on our hearts. The words are the same. The desires are one. There is no god even comparable to Jesus Christ who reaches beyond every culture, beyond language barriers, and remote locations--and connects hearts in praise as the Holy Spirit works. Enjoy the song of redemption...

God's Hand Is Constantly Moving All Over The Earth

Thank you all for the prayers for the S.E. Asia trip. 58 Souls came to know Christ in Thailand!!
Praise God for this work!!

Here's a story for you:
A man in the jungle of Northern Thailand had been wanting a Bible for over 2 years. He sent a letter to a Bible company to receive one in his language. However, the letter never made it to the company. He has been begging God to bring him a Bible so he can devour the word.

Little did this man know and little did we know of his prayers, our medical team stumbled across a Bible store in Chaing Mai. We had found Bibles in his native language. We purchased 300 Bibles and brought them with us to the jungle village. We set up medical clinics and also taught about Christ.

By God's soverignty and grace, the man came to our clinic! We gave him glasses so he could read. Then, after recieving medical care and glasses, he came to our evangalism table--and God answered his prayer!! He finally had the Bible his heart had desperately desired. This man immediately sat down with his new glasses (with the prescription strength 1.25 sticker still on the lens) and read and read and read that Bible. I took a picture of him reading. I didn't know his story yet...But I met him in church one night when he gave a testimony of God's power of answering prayer.

Our purpose in going to the jungle of northern Thailand was to encourage believers and build the kingdom. The team came and left, but it is STILL our responsibility as Christians to specifically pray for the Huapai village. Join the work!

There is a Filipino church planter sacrificing more than we could ever imagine to help these indigenous people and build God's kingdom. His name is Bro. Sunny. He did much ground work with these people before we came to this area. Please stop now and pray for him financial blessings beyond comprehension of how God's providing, strength while he is away from his family, and a sweet closeness with Savior more and more each day.

God bless!

Creative Access Countries

Oh the stories that need to be shared....
I will call the country 'L'...and please be cautious to comment about the country due to the safety of the team and other believers...

Our team has accomplished the task in 'L'. Christ was shown through actions. We could NEVER initiate any word.We were extremely limited on sharing the gospel in 'L'. However, God did much work and prepared every step. There is no way for me to describe this right now..but will do a post when I come home with more details.

Pray for a doctor in 'L'...God knows which one. ;)
Pray for a 5 people who received the truth in print.
Please pray for communism to lift from this country so the opportunities are free.

Right now, Im in Bangkok...Getting ready to fly to Chiang Mai, then Korea then the US. Im excited to come home and share the work of God's mighty hands.

I love you all and thank you for all the comments! My heart is lifted!! I can't wait to see you all!

Crystal, if you are reading from Paris, I tried desperately to find a way to contact you and remind you I was praying for you...but had no luck. You know Im praying for you as you reach the college students for Christ!!!

Jungle

Im back to Chiang Mai from the jungle adventure. Let me tell you quickly that God blessed SOO greatly...

We had a nice place to stay...I slept on a mat on the floor, but was sheltered. ;) I had ants in my pants, and ears, and toes....and I look like I have measles from the mosquitos...but it was shelter from whatever else is out there in those jungles!
Many Christians there...Praise God for brand new Christians and previous Christians!!!!
Great Friends!!
Great relationships built.
Many answered prayers.

The owner of the home we stayed in told me this morning, "You look Koreen (the tribe), you stay here. You cannot leave." I amazingly DID kinda look like a member of this tribe. Weird. Who knew a Mexican/American/mutt could find such community there?!?

I will try to blog when I get to the next country. We leave early in the morning. Right now, Im about to leave to go eat dinner with the team. We've had rice, rice and more rice...So, Im gonna be searching something non-asian. ;)

Thank you all for praying. I know this is a short post with little details...but there is more to come! We are safe, worn-out completely, maybe have a few parasites..hehe... But God has provided for all of our needs and is faithful. Im sooo blessed to have been a part of reaching this area for Christ. I cannot, cannot, cannot wait to share more stories soon!!!!

P.S. Please pray for an 'unspoken' for me tonight. Thanks!!
Love you!

25 years

I just want to praise God this morning for the ending of 24 GREAT years and the beginning of the 25th year of my life. Today, Im heading to the jungles! In just a few minutes...

Leah bought me a journal for the trip...Here is the verse Im reading today:

Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Phillippians 1:6

Im here!

Im in Thailand!

Wow. What a journey so far.

Our flights went well. No crashing or anything like that! ;)
The 15 hour flight to Korea was pretty rough. Sleep wasn't possible and my feet are still swollen and bruised from the pressure in the plane. I was restless on this flight. Wildly restless. I stood up and ran around the plane for 2 hours.

The next flight from Korea to Thailand was dreamy! I slept like a rock for 4 hours. We arrived and saw Dr. Fil. My heart was soooo thrilled. I was the first to see him and I just ran like mad and gave him a big hug. He said, Amber, are you excited about your birthday tomorrow? I said "I can't believe you remember that!" He said, "Oh, how is it possible that I forget something like that?!?" I love these people.

Im at a wonderful hotel called the Chiang Mai Gate Hotel in Chiang Mai. Today, arrived in the hotel at 1 am. and slept until 7:30. I came down for breakfast. We went to money exchangers; to McDonalds (Asian Style--hehe.); then to see the elephants; then I just came back from an Orchid farm. It was soo beautiful. Im enjoying this time of rest and fellowship. We went to the market and bought rice and water for the journey tomorrow. We will be there for 3 days. Im thrilled! Oh, and something else...We found a place called the Thailand Bible Society where we purchased 300 Bibles in the native language of Korene. This is the people group we will work with the next few days. Once we get to the jungle--we will hike 2 miles up to 2 more ethnic villages. Please pray for safety, health and the lost souls. Our van driver is named Pan..Please pray for his salvation too. (The picture below is him...He's wearing the nice shades...He is 51! Can you believe it?!? He told me his age while we were in the market--I said "No!!" He said in an Asian accent "Oh yes, its true. 51, 51." )

I love you all. Thank you for your posts recently. When we return from the jungle, I may have a little bit of time to write. In the next post, I cannot let you know where we go after the jungle due to the safety of the team. However, God knows right where we will be.

Praise God for the safety and provisions He gave. This time alone with God has already been overwhelming. To see the beauty of the people, the countryside, the fellow believers, the soon-to-be believers...God is indescrible, really.

Tonight Im going to the 'night markets' where people sell things on the streets. I will be finding many things to take to the children of the village. There are 1500 people in the jungle! I cannot believe it....Im hoping to see a delivery or at least play with lots of children...

Mom, I have so much to tell you about these children here already! Lots of good ideas for the future. Remind me. ;)

Praying for everyone at home. Love you.

Amber ;)

P.S. In my room, there is a Thai Bible from the Gideons. I sat and wondered for an hour or two last night how many people recieved Christ from this. There were markings in the Bible too!
Pray for souls to be saved. There are so many idols here. There is also much underground prostitiution as well.These people need hope.

Love you.