I don’t even know where to begin, but I guess I can start by saying God is sovereign. Today I had planned a coffee date with a woman named Mary. I met Mary at a worship event “randomly.” Come to find out Mary works full time at a ministry called Hope Ranch; this ministry is dedicated to woman who are being sex trafficking. I shared my vision with Mary and we planned a coffee date. Well, I invited Leah to join and Mary invited the founder of Hope Ranch, Diana, to join and our coffee date turned into a meeting at the current location for Hope Ranch.
Leah and I shared our hearts with Diana and Mary. They shared with us that they have been praying for committed woman to help with the ministry. I will try to not make this too wordy, so basically Leah and I have been invited to intern at Hope Ranch doing ministry in sex trafficking. This will include speech engagements to raise awareness and working with girls who have been rescued out of the life and so much more. Being involved in this “internship” is going to take a lot of time and a fair amount of money, but it will prepare us and train us in ways (that we will not learn otherwise) if we want to be in the sex trafficking ministry long term.
We have already been so blessed to go to The Justice Conference last weekend. Our church New Hope Eugene and our school paid $80 each for Leah and I to attend this. This Saturday Leah and I will be attending our first Task Force Training with local FBI agent. We are required to go to as many task force training as possible and it cost $70 for unlimited trainings. There are only 2 FBI agents in all of the US that specialize and exclusively deal, with human trafficking and one of the two lives her in Eugene! What a God thing!
Prayer Requests: Please pray for me and Leah as we pray for God to direct us. Our hearts are to do the internship, which would be a short term commitment lasting through the summer, but we care more about seeking God’s will. Also, pray for us as we pour out our resources (finances, time, and emotions) that we are filled again. Please pray a hedge of protection over our lives as we enter into a spiritual warfare zone of a dark evil.
I am so excited to see God work out the details! Every moment I have spent here in Eugene has been so divine I know God is about to do great things!
Be Blessed,
Samantha
Monday, March 4, 2013
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Dream Big - Start Small
Last Saturday, God really tapped me on the shoulder and told me not to get ahead of myself with His plan. His plan means His timing. I've been so ready to hit the ground running, and though I know it's not realistic it's just the hope and passion exploding inside me.
This season is a "starter season". God specifically told me you can DREAM BIG, but it's ok to start small. So the 4 main things that this time will be used for in building up our ministry for Human Trafficking is:
-meeting with people (we have met a ton of people who already work in rescuing girls from trafficking and in raising awareness)
-praying and learning
-building the logistics of the ministry
-serving (wherever we can)
February 22&23, our school (NHCC) and home church (New Hope Eugene), are paying for Leah and I to attend a weekend seminar called "Justice Conference". This is a huge deal and will have amazing speakers on multiple justice issues, including Human Trafficking, and will offer us great resources for starting a ministry.
After the conference our Student Life Director has requested we give a spiel at out student body Summons on what we learned and the ministry we are starting. From there we will be inviting other students to join with us on campus in working for this cause, and then growing out into the city of Eugene.
I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am! Thank you for all your prayers! I hope you enjoy receiving updates.
This season is a "starter season". God specifically told me you can DREAM BIG, but it's ok to start small. So the 4 main things that this time will be used for in building up our ministry for Human Trafficking is:
-meeting with people (we have met a ton of people who already work in rescuing girls from trafficking and in raising awareness)
-praying and learning
-building the logistics of the ministry
-serving (wherever we can)
February 22&23, our school (NHCC) and home church (New Hope Eugene), are paying for Leah and I to attend a weekend seminar called "Justice Conference". This is a huge deal and will have amazing speakers on multiple justice issues, including Human Trafficking, and will offer us great resources for starting a ministry.
After the conference our Student Life Director has requested we give a spiel at out student body Summons on what we learned and the ministry we are starting. From there we will be inviting other students to join with us on campus in working for this cause, and then growing out into the city of Eugene.
I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am! Thank you for all your prayers! I hope you enjoy receiving updates.
A Vision of Ministry
Something happened on JANURAY 20, 2013 that I thought would be very good to share.
Tonight was open house at New Hope Eugene (the church I have chosen to attend). This church is an Open Bible church that has been planted by the college. It is literally brand new, and the open house was primarily to share the vision of Pastor Wayne Cordeiro for the church body. Wayne Cordeiro founded NHI (New Hope International). Pastor Wayne was speaking about intergenerational ministries and the importance of cultivating the gifts of the young people and college students who are learning to do ministry by having the “veterans” share their responsibilities. The church has a vision to be a lab church where New Hope Christian College students can put their schooling into action… whether that is Creative Arts, Pastoral studies, Counseling, etc. I had a very strong vision (I actually started crying from being overwhelmed) of Leah and I starting a ministry in the church to reach out to the Eugene Area and rescue girls from trafficking, prayerfully, resulting in the girls finding healing through a personal relationship with Christ. I see this sprouting out from New Hope Eugene church and eventually involving other churches and students from local college campuses. The vision clicked some sort of puzzle piece in place for me. This reveals to me that me being in Eugene is a part of God’s plan for my life. He could have sent me anywhere for school but I’m in Eugene, which happens to offer an endless supply of girls for the taking because of all the college campuses. I’m majoring in Counseling and fighting for this cause is where I saw myself long term anyway. I didn’t expect that to happen here in the states but have always planned for ministering overseas, but that’s ok with me because I know God’s plan is always better than mine.
Here is what I have brainstormed… what this might look like:
•Intergenerational: a group of all ages
•partnering with a safe house
•advocating: church announcements, campus vigils
•front line: strip clubs
•statistics: Last year roughly 27 million people were trafficked worldwide, according to the US State Department. Over 200,000 of those are US citizens trafficked in the United States. Springfield (Eugene’s border city) has the most strip clubs per capita.
•Local organizations: Hope Ranch Ministries, OATH (Oregonians against Trafficking Humans), Freedom’s Breath (Lane County)
I wanted to share this vision with you because I would love for you to pray specifically for its development in my life. One step at a time God has revealed his plans for me, and I truly believe this is another step. I am so thankful that I have made a great friend (Leah) who shares this passion with me! Together, we plan to begin laying out ideas and putting together logistics, with the blessing of Pastor Aaron Sutherland of New Hope Eugene, who we excitedly already informed of the vision!
I love you very much and am excited to keep you updated!!!!
Tonight was open house at New Hope Eugene (the church I have chosen to attend). This church is an Open Bible church that has been planted by the college. It is literally brand new, and the open house was primarily to share the vision of Pastor Wayne Cordeiro for the church body. Wayne Cordeiro founded NHI (New Hope International). Pastor Wayne was speaking about intergenerational ministries and the importance of cultivating the gifts of the young people and college students who are learning to do ministry by having the “veterans” share their responsibilities. The church has a vision to be a lab church where New Hope Christian College students can put their schooling into action… whether that is Creative Arts, Pastoral studies, Counseling, etc. I had a very strong vision (I actually started crying from being overwhelmed) of Leah and I starting a ministry in the church to reach out to the Eugene Area and rescue girls from trafficking, prayerfully, resulting in the girls finding healing through a personal relationship with Christ. I see this sprouting out from New Hope Eugene church and eventually involving other churches and students from local college campuses. The vision clicked some sort of puzzle piece in place for me. This reveals to me that me being in Eugene is a part of God’s plan for my life. He could have sent me anywhere for school but I’m in Eugene, which happens to offer an endless supply of girls for the taking because of all the college campuses. I’m majoring in Counseling and fighting for this cause is where I saw myself long term anyway. I didn’t expect that to happen here in the states but have always planned for ministering overseas, but that’s ok with me because I know God’s plan is always better than mine.
Here is what I have brainstormed… what this might look like:
•Intergenerational: a group of all ages
•partnering with a safe house
•advocating: church announcements, campus vigils
•front line: strip clubs
•statistics: Last year roughly 27 million people were trafficked worldwide, according to the US State Department. Over 200,000 of those are US citizens trafficked in the United States. Springfield (Eugene’s border city) has the most strip clubs per capita.
•Local organizations: Hope Ranch Ministries, OATH (Oregonians against Trafficking Humans), Freedom’s Breath (Lane County)
I wanted to share this vision with you because I would love for you to pray specifically for its development in my life. One step at a time God has revealed his plans for me, and I truly believe this is another step. I am so thankful that I have made a great friend (Leah) who shares this passion with me! Together, we plan to begin laying out ideas and putting together logistics, with the blessing of Pastor Aaron Sutherland of New Hope Eugene, who we excitedly already informed of the vision!
I love you very much and am excited to keep you updated!!!!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
The Mystery of Life
Once upon a time, there was a girl named Samantha who had her life all figured out... that sounds nice, doesn't it? The problem is, it's not true. If you read my last post in November 2011 you were aware that I felt called to head back to YWAM Maui on staff. I was preparing to leave home again and make the 2 year commitment to staff at the base. I had my plane ticket and was all packed up, I had 2 weeks to go before it was time to leave town. Then something funny happened. I found myself crying to my family about how I didn't want to go. The path wasn't clear from the start but I was going to pursue "the call" I thought I felt God lay on my heart. I did not have the monthly support I needed to pay the staffing fee's, I did not have the full assurance of my parents thinking this was the right path for me-or many family friends for that matter, and to top it all of I was suffering from a lot of health problems that were keeping me from work and my social life most of the time throughout October, November and December. For some strange reason this wasn't enough of a wake up call, I didn't figure out I had NO peace about the situation until 2 weeks before my flight out. Defeated, I let the base know I would not be coming back to staff, God was keeping me home for now and I wouldn't know what for unless I stayed.
So I stayed.
I have been home now for 18 months since I completed my DTS. This may have been the longest 18 months of my life. I have spent so much time in prayer simply asking God "Why? Why am I still here just working a full time job? What's the point of this?" Now I know hindsight really is 20/20. Even though, while I was living the last 18 months I felt like nothing was happening worth while, I can see now that it was time well spent. I have grown and matured in ways I probably wouldn't have in another place or time. I built and rebuilt strong relationships with my family members and I got to experience living in my own apartment. I don't regret a single day of this extra time I spent at home because even though I had no idea what God was doing, God knew exactly what He was doing!
“Woe to him who strives with him who formed him,
a pot among earthen pots!
Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’
or ‘Your work has no handles’? Isaiah 45:9
It's so easy to get lost in our circumstances. We so easily turn and question our Maker when things don't seem to be going according to our plan. Over the last 8-ish months God has taught me to take my eyes off my circumstances and set my eyes on Him. He's taught me that it's okay not to know what's around the corner... The mystery of life is calling us to rely on God and give up trying to do life our own way. I have a plan for my life, but God has the best plan for my life. From now on I want to live that in full faith and confidence, knowing God has my best interest at heart, even when I have no idea why I am where I am.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[b] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9
So I stayed.
I have been home now for 18 months since I completed my DTS. This may have been the longest 18 months of my life. I have spent so much time in prayer simply asking God "Why? Why am I still here just working a full time job? What's the point of this?" Now I know hindsight really is 20/20. Even though, while I was living the last 18 months I felt like nothing was happening worth while, I can see now that it was time well spent. I have grown and matured in ways I probably wouldn't have in another place or time. I built and rebuilt strong relationships with my family members and I got to experience living in my own apartment. I don't regret a single day of this extra time I spent at home because even though I had no idea what God was doing, God knew exactly what He was doing!
“Woe to him who strives with him who formed him,
a pot among earthen pots!
Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’
or ‘Your work has no handles’? Isaiah 45:9
It's so easy to get lost in our circumstances. We so easily turn and question our Maker when things don't seem to be going according to our plan. Over the last 8-ish months God has taught me to take my eyes off my circumstances and set my eyes on Him. He's taught me that it's okay not to know what's around the corner... The mystery of life is calling us to rely on God and give up trying to do life our own way. I have a plan for my life, but God has the best plan for my life. From now on I want to live that in full faith and confidence, knowing God has my best interest at heart, even when I have no idea why I am where I am.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[b] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
A New Calling
Most of you know how my outreach went during my DTS via newsletter and updates. If you did not, in summary: it was the most amazing time of my life. I have lots of information on my outreach if you are interested in hearing and did not- please let me know and I am more than happy to get you all updated! =) This post though, is regarding my new adventure. God is full of surprises! After a month of DTS, I was having a quiet time and felt God tell me I was going to come back on staff at the base (I wrote this all in my journal on Oct. 11,2010). I was very displeased with this and brushed it off thinking it was not for me. Then, about 4 months later, I was in Asia and came across this journal entry from October. I had forgotten about it and was shocked and laughed at myself for thinking I heard such a thing from God and beneath it I wrote "this was probably not God". Little did I know, I was right the first time! With an enormous change of heart I returned to Maui base, I had a constant tugging on my heart for the mission field I just came from and the mission field I currently found myself in. I had a strong feeling I needed to be a long term part of it. This calling was confirmed in many ways.
Now, here I am, 6 weeks away from heading back to YWAM MAUI to begin a 2 year commitment on staff. It's taken a lot for me to get here. The last month or so I went through a huge crisis of faith, asking God all the if's, and's, and but's. I nearly had a mental breakdown over how I would ever raise the full $550 committed monthly support, because let's be honest, in this economy our human minds are just a tad bit realistic. Well PRAISE THE LORD, "realistic" is no match for the "super-natural." I'm not even close to having enough committed monthly support, but this week God has given me an extra dollop of peace and faith! I have made a decision that regardless of financial road-blocks, or any other road-block that may stand in my way, I am going to step out in faith to do the things God has called me to do. Right now, that's to serve the nations.
Please, pray with me as I begin to lead a more radical lifestyle than I ever imagined for myself. Pray with me for the Lord's provision, but more importantly that I will have the faith that the Lord will provide! I would like to invite you to continue with me on this journey by reading my bloggs!
Love & Blessings,
Samantha
Now, here I am, 6 weeks away from heading back to YWAM MAUI to begin a 2 year commitment on staff. It's taken a lot for me to get here. The last month or so I went through a huge crisis of faith, asking God all the if's, and's, and but's. I nearly had a mental breakdown over how I would ever raise the full $550 committed monthly support, because let's be honest, in this economy our human minds are just a tad bit realistic. Well PRAISE THE LORD, "realistic" is no match for the "super-natural." I'm not even close to having enough committed monthly support, but this week God has given me an extra dollop of peace and faith! I have made a decision that regardless of financial road-blocks, or any other road-block that may stand in my way, I am going to step out in faith to do the things God has called me to do. Right now, that's to serve the nations.
Please, pray with me as I begin to lead a more radical lifestyle than I ever imagined for myself. Pray with me for the Lord's provision, but more importantly that I will have the faith that the Lord will provide! I would like to invite you to continue with me on this journey by reading my bloggs!
Love & Blessings,
Samantha
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Final Week... Already!
This is my last week of lecture phase. It has been so amazing here in Maui and I can't wait for OR to begin and to start putting to use what I've learned here. Last week was thanksgiving and we got to have a 4 day weekend, which was filled with much needed rest! So we started up this week with lecture, of course, and tonight we had commissioning night (prayer to be sent off to our selected locations). I am super excited to tell you that I am going to Thailand for the 1st week of OR with all the teams! I'm so looking forward to it! We leave on Friday evening so please keep me and the other students in your prayers, God is about to do amazing things! He has brought us all so far; He has refined us as silver (Zechariah 13:9) and is now leading us on our way after providing finances for everyone- some at the last minute! Only one student who had visa issues is not going with our teams, and instead going to do his OR in Hawaii. God is sovereign though, and has a perfect plan for him so at least we have hope in that.
Awe God really is so good!! I can't imagine life without him leading the way. Thank you for keeping me in your prayers the last 3 months, I only have 3 months left to go and then I'll be coming home!! This will be my last blog until I am back in the states, so thank you all for following my journey so far. I know it will only get more challenging from here but I know God is holding my right hand and guiding me through it all. He has prepared me and I am just so excited to serve and pour out to everyone I meet. Please pray for my health and safety on OR, and courage to do all God leads me to. I love you all so much!!! Goodnight =)
Isaiah 41
9 I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
13 For I am the LORD your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
PS~ Pictures of me on my 1st Thanksgiving away from home and without family, but it's oh kay cos I had my school family! =)
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The Secret Life of Prayer
Yesterday I did my chapel talk and it ended up being on Prayer. I did an emphasis on thanksgiving and praise and added a little on the end about the power of prayer. I choose this topic because I have been so convicted of making my prayer life all about me. "God I'm really struggling with this, please help" and "Please help me Lord!" etc, etc. God's really spoken to me about the importance of praising him and thanking him for what He's ALREADY done and for who He IS. If my prayer life is all about me me me... what's the point of that? That's not love. Don't get me wrong, James chapter 5 talks about praying when you need to, but most of the time we focus on that and forget about the important things (aka praising God for his amazing-ness!) In Luke 11, the disciples ask Jesus how to pray and even teaches them to praise God FIRST when he states "Hallowed be thy name." Hallowed meaning to be regarded as Holy. PRAY PRAY PRAY, God answers prayers of the righteous. Remember to remember all He's done for you, when you need something again. Our view of God should not be based on the circumstances we are in but on the Truth of the Word, and we can even remember what we have experienced in past situations. This is what I have been convicted of over the past couple weeks and a little about what I spoke on during my chapel talk ; )
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
-Mark 11:24
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