Also, let me know what you all think of this video!
I'm trying to play around with video blogging until I find the best way to do it!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Experience Haiti!
Also, let me know what you all think of this video!
I'm trying to play around with video blogging until I find the best way to do it!
Friday, March 9, 2012
God is SO good!
Alright, I am sitting here at Sacramento International Airport with Katie. We board in twenty minutes!! Even this trip has just begun, we already have a God-story to tell!
Check-in:
I was nervous about check-in all day. I was concerned that the laptop bag would weigh too much or be too big. I called American Airlines to make sure that it was the right size...and I misunderstood what they stayed(it was midterms week, after all) We get to check-in and the first thing we realize is that the bag weighs eighty three pounds! (The limit is fifty) Then we find out that it was twenty inches too big! To check the bag as-is would cost $300!!
The best option, we were told, would be to buy a second bag and split the laptops up. Luckily, we had a second bag! Katie had brought her backpacking backpack, and had stuck it inside another bag so none of the straps would be ripped off. We took it out, and started repacking. My bag was also a little over fifty pounds, so we moved some stuff out of it. We got all of our bags under fifty pounds! And since the too-big bag was now only half full, they let us check it.
Next was paying for all of the bags. I was expecting for our two personal bags to be free, and then we would have to pay $70 total for the two extra bags. Somehow, Katie's ticket was different then mine, and on her ticket she could check two bags for free! So, in total, we payed $30 to check four bags!!
All I can say is this: God is good and God is in control!
I had a verse to post with this but ran out of time because we are boarding!!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Fourteen hours to go and God is good!
Katie and I leave for Haiti in about fourteen hours!!
Praises:
1. Everything arrived in the mail on time!
2. All of the money we needed came in!
Prayer requests:
1. Pray for safety and wisdom as we travel.
2. Pray that our luggage makes it to Haiti safely and on time.
3. Pray for safety and wisdom as we are in country.
2 Timothy 2:13 "if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself."
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Two weeks to go!
In just over two weeks, Katie and I leave for Haiti!
My Haiti update for this week involves two personal prayer requests...
1. I bruised my tailbone two weeks ago. It hurts. A lot. The more I sit, the more it hurts. This has me concerned considering all of the sitting I will be doing on my way to Haiti. I have a five hour car drive, a couple of long(ish) plane rides, and two long layovers. Please pray for healing, and that I will be able to deal with the pain.
2. My Great Grandma died last week, and her funeral is on the day that I leave for Haiti. This means that I will not be attending her funeral. Though I have prayed about this, and know that Haiti is where God wants me to be that week, I am sad to be missing her funeral. Please pray for both my family and I on that day.
Ok, now for an update on how preparation is going...
Katie and I will be leaving on March 9 and returning on March 19. We have purchased almost everything that we need, the last thing we need to purchase is a video camera. I have been working on setting up the computers, and everything looks great so far!
Praise God for:
1. That everything we have purchased so far has worked great!
2. The amazing deal we were able to get on these laptops/projectors!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Experience Haiti
In a little less then a month I will be leaving for Haiti...
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| Katie and I |
My friend Katie and I will be bringing seven computers and two projectors to a school there. We will be giving the computers to the seven teachers who work at the school, teaching them how to use and fix them, as well as setting up a way for them to contact me if they need help fixing them.
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| The logo for our trip |
This is through New Heart Community Church. The school we are going to is called Back to Life. They give a free education and food to children in Mirebalais, Haiti. My church has been partnering with them for the past two and a half years.
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| Some of the computers we will be bringing to Haiti! |
I am very excited about this trip. I am excited about what God is going to do in my life. God has been working in my life, teaching me, breaking my heart for the world, etc. Haiti is another step in whatever God has planned for me. I am also excited for the opportunity to use the skills that I have to bless others. And I am excited to see what God does in Katie's life. This will be her first time to go on a smaller scale missions trip, and her first time to a country other the Mexico or America.
Prayer Requests:
1. For Katie and I as we prepare and raise support
2. For our parents, that God will give them a peace about us going
3. For our safety as we travel to and are in Haiti
4. For our luggage, that all of the electronics we are bringing will arrive safely
Praises:
1. We found a place to purchase nice but inexpensive laptops and projectors!
2. For this great opportunity for Katie and I to serve God together
Friday, September 30, 2011
The Bethel Review
Last weekend three friends and I made the drive across the mountains to Redding, California to visit Bethel Church. It was a 3.5 hour drive one way, so in total we spent about 7 hours traveling that day.
We had each heard different things about Bethel. Some good, some bad. So we decided it was time to go check out this church for ourselves. Around 3,000 people attend this church. We went to the Sunday night service, which had maybe 400-500 people in attendance. I was both nervous and excited to attend this church. I knew that it would be outside of my comfort zone.
I got even more excited as we arrived at the church. We walked through the doors and took a seat. We were fifteen minutes early, the band was practicing and the staff were praying. From the start of the service there were people standing in the front. By the end of worship probably at least 100 people were in the front. Some of these people had their hands raised, some were laying on the ground, some dancing, some laughing hysterically. Worship lasted like this for 1.5 hours. My favorite part of worship was what I would call "free worship". The band stopped singing, just played music softly, and the people raised their voices and hands. Each person practiced own type of worship. It was beautiful. It sounded beautiful. The whole idea of hundreds of people worshiping God in their own ways is beautiful.
Towards the end of worship came a time of healing. They told amazing stories of people who had been healed. One was healed of Lupus and another of shin splints. They called out for different diseases people might be suffering from: missing knee cartilage, more shin splints. As people raised their hands, they would be surrounded by prayer. The healing time lasted for about twenty minutes. It was interesting to watch, I wasn't sure what I myself should do. After worship and healing, as the offering/sermon time was starting, a lady laid on the ground laughing hysterically. It seemed uncontrollable until a church staff member came up to help here. The laughing girl stood up and said "I'm fine" and sat down, like nothing had happened.
After worship came offering. Throughout worship, things took place that I was uncomfortable with just because I hand not experience them before. But that didn't make them wrong. On the other hand, the way Bethel does offering is something I see as "wrong". Before people came up to give money, they had the whole church recite a statement that went along the lines of "Dear God: we believe that....we will receive promotions, raises...find money...receive inheritances....and will have enough money to live and more then enough to give..." The "..."'s are in place of more promises this church seemed to be giving to its people. Promises of a good life if you give to this church. Promises of riches. Promises of success. All for giving to this church! Pretty awesome, right? I want to go give to this church! Only problem: it's not Biblical. No where in the Bible are we told "give to the church and you will be rich!" Sure the Bible says "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38) So ya, if we give we will receive. But this verse doesn't give a time line for this receiving, and it does not say we will receive this through any human methods, in fact it doesn't state any methods. I don't know anyone who gave money and received a promotion in return. I do know people who gave and then found a bag of food on their porch, or an unexpected check in the mail. God works outside of human ways. He works outside of expected ways. And God works outside of human timing. I also felt like this promise that Bethel gave would hurt people's faith rather then help. What happens when I take a step of faith, donate a lot of money, and don't receive my promotion? Or I give and then I have a rough month financially? How does that work with Bethel's promise?
The sermon was great. The preacher used to be deaf, so his voice sounds like that of a deaf person. At first I wasn't sure how I felt about this, but then I realized it is great that this guy got through his trial and made something out of his life. He even managed to do something that most people in his situation don't. The sermon focused on building deep roots in your relationship with Christ. The only thing I really disagreed with was towards the end, the pastor prayed and said "Dear God: Thank you for these fun trials we go through." And he did not sound sarcastic. I don't know about you, but I don't find trials fun. They are hard!! But I guess that is a matter of opinion.
As quickly as the service started, it ended. It ended with a "fire tunnel". I had never heard of this before, and was somewhat nervous. We all lined up, and the staff made a tunnel of people in the front. We walked through and each staff member laid hands on us and prayed. Well at least I think they prayed....my friend was standing in front of me, and one of the staff, quite creepily, said "freedom, hehehe" when she laid her hands on her. Other people made whooshing sounds and moved their hands like they were trying to push something. I'm not sure what that was about...the hysterical laughers were standing a couple of people in front of me. Through the whole tunnel they were keeled over laughing, and it seemed that as each hand was laid on them, their bodies lowered further. I would like to know what was going on with them: Holy Spirit, mental disorder, demon?
Overall, Bethel was a good experience. Would I go there regularly if I lived in Redding? Probably not. But only because I prefer smaller churches, and am not so into charismatic worship. Am I glad I checked it out: Yes! Do I agree with most of what they did: Yea, I about 80% agreed. This church has an effect on our culture, and as a Christian I find that it is important to be aware of what is going on with Christian culture.
Have you ever visited Bethel? Or do you attend it regularly? What do you think?
We had each heard different things about Bethel. Some good, some bad. So we decided it was time to go check out this church for ourselves. Around 3,000 people attend this church. We went to the Sunday night service, which had maybe 400-500 people in attendance. I was both nervous and excited to attend this church. I knew that it would be outside of my comfort zone.
I got even more excited as we arrived at the church. We walked through the doors and took a seat. We were fifteen minutes early, the band was practicing and the staff were praying. From the start of the service there were people standing in the front. By the end of worship probably at least 100 people were in the front. Some of these people had their hands raised, some were laying on the ground, some dancing, some laughing hysterically. Worship lasted like this for 1.5 hours. My favorite part of worship was what I would call "free worship". The band stopped singing, just played music softly, and the people raised their voices and hands. Each person practiced own type of worship. It was beautiful. It sounded beautiful. The whole idea of hundreds of people worshiping God in their own ways is beautiful.
Towards the end of worship came a time of healing. They told amazing stories of people who had been healed. One was healed of Lupus and another of shin splints. They called out for different diseases people might be suffering from: missing knee cartilage, more shin splints. As people raised their hands, they would be surrounded by prayer. The healing time lasted for about twenty minutes. It was interesting to watch, I wasn't sure what I myself should do. After worship and healing, as the offering/sermon time was starting, a lady laid on the ground laughing hysterically. It seemed uncontrollable until a church staff member came up to help here. The laughing girl stood up and said "I'm fine" and sat down, like nothing had happened.
After worship came offering. Throughout worship, things took place that I was uncomfortable with just because I hand not experience them before. But that didn't make them wrong. On the other hand, the way Bethel does offering is something I see as "wrong". Before people came up to give money, they had the whole church recite a statement that went along the lines of "Dear God: we believe that....we will receive promotions, raises...find money...receive inheritances....and will have enough money to live and more then enough to give..." The "..."'s are in place of more promises this church seemed to be giving to its people. Promises of a good life if you give to this church. Promises of riches. Promises of success. All for giving to this church! Pretty awesome, right? I want to go give to this church! Only problem: it's not Biblical. No where in the Bible are we told "give to the church and you will be rich!" Sure the Bible says "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38) So ya, if we give we will receive. But this verse doesn't give a time line for this receiving, and it does not say we will receive this through any human methods, in fact it doesn't state any methods. I don't know anyone who gave money and received a promotion in return. I do know people who gave and then found a bag of food on their porch, or an unexpected check in the mail. God works outside of human ways. He works outside of expected ways. And God works outside of human timing. I also felt like this promise that Bethel gave would hurt people's faith rather then help. What happens when I take a step of faith, donate a lot of money, and don't receive my promotion? Or I give and then I have a rough month financially? How does that work with Bethel's promise?
The sermon was great. The preacher used to be deaf, so his voice sounds like that of a deaf person. At first I wasn't sure how I felt about this, but then I realized it is great that this guy got through his trial and made something out of his life. He even managed to do something that most people in his situation don't. The sermon focused on building deep roots in your relationship with Christ. The only thing I really disagreed with was towards the end, the pastor prayed and said "Dear God: Thank you for these fun trials we go through." And he did not sound sarcastic. I don't know about you, but I don't find trials fun. They are hard!! But I guess that is a matter of opinion.
As quickly as the service started, it ended. It ended with a "fire tunnel". I had never heard of this before, and was somewhat nervous. We all lined up, and the staff made a tunnel of people in the front. We walked through and each staff member laid hands on us and prayed. Well at least I think they prayed....my friend was standing in front of me, and one of the staff, quite creepily, said "freedom, hehehe" when she laid her hands on her. Other people made whooshing sounds and moved their hands like they were trying to push something. I'm not sure what that was about...the hysterical laughers were standing a couple of people in front of me. Through the whole tunnel they were keeled over laughing, and it seemed that as each hand was laid on them, their bodies lowered further. I would like to know what was going on with them: Holy Spirit, mental disorder, demon?
Overall, Bethel was a good experience. Would I go there regularly if I lived in Redding? Probably not. But only because I prefer smaller churches, and am not so into charismatic worship. Am I glad I checked it out: Yes! Do I agree with most of what they did: Yea, I about 80% agreed. This church has an effect on our culture, and as a Christian I find that it is important to be aware of what is going on with Christian culture.
Have you ever visited Bethel? Or do you attend it regularly? What do you think?
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Getting back to normal life (whatever that is...)
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| I would explore this building and others like it |
Today, here I am sitting on a couch in my regular American home...with absolutely nothing to do for the first time in about 6 months. I've been reading a book all day, Facebooking, doing laundry and planing my next international adventures. (I am only looking into going to one new continent and two or three new countries this year...that's not too many right?? :D)
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| Ya...my car broke down :/ |
In 11 days I start my senior year of college. Well not officially my senior year seeing as school hasn't really finished in Germany yet, and grades definitely aren't done, so my credit from there hasn't transferred...but once all of that happens, it will be my senior year!! I'm not sure how I feel about being done with college, all it means is that I have a slightly higher possibility of getting a higher paying job, and real life responsibilities start....oh and it means I'm done with homework and tests. Possibly for ever, but most likely just for now.
I guess I should go back to my boredom...maybe I'll finish this book today. It's called "The Hunger Games". I started it yesterday while stuck in Grants Pass.
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