I can't believe it is almost here...well, actually, I can. As many of you know I have been planning to go to India for years. I have had a heart for the country for a long time, and then over four years ago when Compassion chose a child for me from India, I knew that I would one day go there and meet her. It has been over four years of saving and praying, and I am ready for the time to finally be here.
I will be going with a group of about 30 people, who I have never met, united by Compassion International. My travel begins on Saturday, January 31st, and I will return to Fresno on Saturday, February 14th. This includes a short amount of time I will spend in San Francisco when I return to readjust and rest before driving home.
Specific ways you can pray:
-Safe travels
-Team unity
-Open heart and mind to what God will teach me
-Servant's heart and attitude
-Open and clear communication at the sites where we will run VBS
-Open and clear communication between sponsors and their children on meeting day
-Baggage to arrive safely and on time. I am leading arts and crafts, so it is very important that my bags arrive with all the supplies!
-Cultural sensitivity
-Wisdom in leadership. Because of the size of the group we will be split up into smaller "family" teams, one of which I will be a team leader. Our family teams will meet daily to debrief, pray, and encourage. Because of the gap in extreme poverty and extreme wealth found in India there will likely be added emotional distress. This is something I personally need extra prayer for.
-Health. In the past I have had both Dengue Fever and Malaria, both which take a toll on the liver and kidneys, and both which are prevalent in India. Please pray for protection in that area, as a repeat of either could bring on more serious health issues.
-And most of all, pray that we will be real examples of Christ's love to the children and to everyone we meet!
That is all for now. I will do my best to keep you all updated!
-Rebecca
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Living with a Broken Heart
How often, when you worship, do you sing a song and really pay attention to the words? Especially if it is a song we have grown up with or have known for a long time, it is easy to just say the words out of habit or memory without really thinking about what they say or mean. There are so many songs that we sing all the time that are just packed with prayers that could change our world.
There is a worship song by Hillsong that my church sings on a regular basis called "Hosanna". One line of the song is a prayer asking, "Break my heart for what breaks yours."
This happens to be something I have prayed for the last few years, and is at the center of my prayer wall. It is not a prayer to be prayed lightly. A lot of things in our world break God's heart. He has given me a fraction of his heartbreak for a fraction of those things, and it is a lot of heartache.
So why would I pray to live with a broken heart?
Because God wants us to have passion. Because God wants us to lead prayerful lives. Because God wants us to be in this world but not of this world. Because God wants us to find our hope in Him.
What is breaking my heart right now? Poverty, AIDS, gangs, cholera, malaria, the moral state of my country, child soldiers, degradation of women, abuse, abortion, materialism, lack of investment in our education system and in our children, prostitution, addiction...and the list goes on.
Imagine what would happen if our country's leaders who claim to have faith in Christ would feel a portion of His heartbreak. Imagine what would happen if we all prayed for this heartbreak not only for ourselves but for our leaders as well. It is a prayer that I truly believe can change the world.
There is a worship song by Hillsong that my church sings on a regular basis called "Hosanna". One line of the song is a prayer asking, "Break my heart for what breaks yours."
This happens to be something I have prayed for the last few years, and is at the center of my prayer wall. It is not a prayer to be prayed lightly. A lot of things in our world break God's heart. He has given me a fraction of his heartbreak for a fraction of those things, and it is a lot of heartache.
So why would I pray to live with a broken heart?
Because God wants us to have passion. Because God wants us to lead prayerful lives. Because God wants us to be in this world but not of this world. Because God wants us to find our hope in Him.
What is breaking my heart right now? Poverty, AIDS, gangs, cholera, malaria, the moral state of my country, child soldiers, degradation of women, abuse, abortion, materialism, lack of investment in our education system and in our children, prostitution, addiction...and the list goes on.
Imagine what would happen if our country's leaders who claim to have faith in Christ would feel a portion of His heartbreak. Imagine what would happen if we all prayed for this heartbreak not only for ourselves but for our leaders as well. It is a prayer that I truly believe can change the world.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Hope Rises, yes it does.
Do you know what is awesome and amazing?
Kids with passion.
And I admit I may be somewhat biased, but kids with passion for Africa hold an especially dear place in my heart.
That is why I am so stinkin' excited about an organization called "HOPE RISES". Not only are they committed to bringing about change and life in a community in Swaziland, they are igniting the passion to serve in kids here in the States. In December, ten of my Youth for Christ students became penpals with ten children from Swaziland. How cool is that? Kids who have never been on the north side of Fresno or seen the ocean are building friendships with kids in Africa.
Want to know something even cooler? Eleven students from Sunnyside High School will be going to Swaziland in April to serve the Herefords community there. Hope Rises has started a club at Sunnyside H.S. that gets students involved in service. Year around students volunteer in the Fresno community, and raise money for the Swaziland community.
And they do it with passion.
In December I was invited to the Hope Rises Christmas party at Sunnyside H.S. I was able to take 4 of my YFC students, all in elementary school. My elementary age students saw what the H.S. students are doing, and all of a sudden the passion is spreading like wildfire. I have a 6th grader who is practically counting down the days until she is in high school so she can go to Swaziland! It brings joy to my heart!
Coming up February 6th is an easy way you can partner in this ministry. Jon Shabaglian will be performing at Sunnyside High School, proceeds going towards the Swazliand trip in April. Please checkout the Hope Rises website for more information on the concert and other ways you can get involved!
God Bless,
Rebecca
Kids with passion.
And I admit I may be somewhat biased, but kids with passion for Africa hold an especially dear place in my heart.
That is why I am so stinkin' excited about an organization called "HOPE RISES". Not only are they committed to bringing about change and life in a community in Swaziland, they are igniting the passion to serve in kids here in the States. In December, ten of my Youth for Christ students became penpals with ten children from Swaziland. How cool is that? Kids who have never been on the north side of Fresno or seen the ocean are building friendships with kids in Africa.
Want to know something even cooler? Eleven students from Sunnyside High School will be going to Swaziland in April to serve the Herefords community there. Hope Rises has started a club at Sunnyside H.S. that gets students involved in service. Year around students volunteer in the Fresno community, and raise money for the Swaziland community.
And they do it with passion.
In December I was invited to the Hope Rises Christmas party at Sunnyside H.S. I was able to take 4 of my YFC students, all in elementary school. My elementary age students saw what the H.S. students are doing, and all of a sudden the passion is spreading like wildfire. I have a 6th grader who is practically counting down the days until she is in high school so she can go to Swaziland! It brings joy to my heart!
Coming up February 6th is an easy way you can partner in this ministry. Jon Shabaglian will be performing at Sunnyside High School, proceeds going towards the Swazliand trip in April. Please checkout the Hope Rises website for more information on the concert and other ways you can get involved!
God Bless,
Rebecca
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold...
I recently read a news article about Desmond Tutu and his cry for Zimbabwe. For the last few months I have been less active in bringing awareness to the issues going on in a country I so dearly love. I guess I feel like I am making little difference, and that people are getting tired of me pushing the issues. I now feel conviction for not doing all I can do for a country for which God has given me a burning compassion.
Currently Mugabe still holds on to power as tightly as possible. As of yesterday the inflation rate was 231 million percent. A loaf of bread, if you can find it, costs about 25 billion Zimbabwe dollars. This amount is several days wages for the mere 18%of the population that is employed. Cholera has claimed well over 2,000 lives, and the W.H.O. estimates the actual numbers to be much higher, seeing as hospitals are unstaffed so many deaths are going unreported. The outbreak continues to spread steadily. These are just a few of the major concerns plaguing the country.
If you have read this information it is yours to do with as God directs you, but I would encourage you today to prayerfully consider joining Desmond Tutu and myself in weekly fasting and prayer for the nation of Zimbabwe. These are our brothers and sisters who are suffering. Please remember them in this time of desperation.
Shalom,
Rebecca
Currently Mugabe still holds on to power as tightly as possible. As of yesterday the inflation rate was 231 million percent. A loaf of bread, if you can find it, costs about 25 billion Zimbabwe dollars. This amount is several days wages for the mere 18%of the population that is employed. Cholera has claimed well over 2,000 lives, and the W.H.O. estimates the actual numbers to be much higher, seeing as hospitals are unstaffed so many deaths are going unreported. The outbreak continues to spread steadily. These are just a few of the major concerns plaguing the country.
If you have read this information it is yours to do with as God directs you, but I would encourage you today to prayerfully consider joining Desmond Tutu and myself in weekly fasting and prayer for the nation of Zimbabwe. These are our brothers and sisters who are suffering. Please remember them in this time of desperation.
Shalom,
Rebecca
Monday, January 12, 2009
Extreme Happiness
So I have never been one to go hysterical over meeting famous people (aside from the Ashley Angel ordeal :). But today, I must say, I got a little giddy when I went to visit the site of Extreme Makeover Home Edition. I didn't want to get my hopes up just to be disappointed, so I really didn't count on meeting or even seeing any of the cast. That made it all the more exciting when I got meet Michael
and John
and I got to watch Ed film a clip for the show.
I would have loved to have been a volunteer, but sadly I was in Colorado when it was announced, and by the time I found out it was too late. But I am happy that I at least got to meet a few of the kindest and most sincere people around.
and John
and I got to watch Ed film a clip for the show.
I would have loved to have been a volunteer, but sadly I was in Colorado when it was announced, and by the time I found out it was too late. But I am happy that I at least got to meet a few of the kindest and most sincere people around.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Can I get an Amen...
Today at church on my left there is a precious 5 year old girl singing praise as loud as she can (she got good and warmed up in the car on the way there).
To my right is one of my best friends who I picked up from rehab that morning for a day pass, praising her Redeemer with hands lifted high and singing her heart out.
Two seats to my right is a man I don't know, well into his seventies. He's swaying with gusto, clapping off beat, and singing off key with all his heart.
And that is what I call church.
To my right is one of my best friends who I picked up from rehab that morning for a day pass, praising her Redeemer with hands lifted high and singing her heart out.
Two seats to my right is a man I don't know, well into his seventies. He's swaying with gusto, clapping off beat, and singing off key with all his heart.
And that is what I call church.
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