My First Mission Trip

Hey everyone!

So I'm back from my mission trip to Lyford, Texas and boy is my heart humbled. In one week I've laughed, cried, experienced life change, and eaten way too much Whataburger. 

This was my first mission trip. I missioned with my boyfriends church to Lyford where we held a VBS for the children there. We canvassed the communities the first 2 days and then held the VBS for the last 3 days. As I walked through the neighborhoods handing out fliers, the phrase "someone will always have it better" was resonating in my mind. It was hard to see the conditions these families lived in. Compared to us here in Houston, their living conditions seemed almost impossible for us to deal with. Where I'm from(South Africa), however, families live in shed sized cubes made from metal sheets, cardboard, wood, anything they can find. For us, we feel pretty blessed to live in safe homes and have all our materialistic items but the families of Lyford are blessed compared to the living conditions I've seen elsewhere. 

I felt pretty defeated the first day of canvassing. It was like I could see the battle Satan was trying to create for our mission. So many fliers were hanging from gates and doors because residents didn't want to hear what we had to say. The next day I prayed that I would get to see at least one child. Just one so that I could feel like I was successful. Within the few hours we canvassed I got to talk to 4 kids and give one a high five for the fake plastic snake left on the front porch that scared the crap out of me. We also got to canvass out in the country where houses seemed half a mile apart. The second day of canvassing was definitely better for me.

Something I learned this week was the power of prayer. God is so good. Whatever I prayed for, it was received. It's such a beautiful gift that we can talk to Him.

I came on this mission trip with doubt and worries. I was scared that God wouldn't use me. That He would use everyone else and forget that I was there to serve too. I was also scared that my boyfriends church wouldn't like me. That they would see me as "that girl dating the worship leader". I prayed so much about that. Once again, God answered. I made awesome friends and strengthened the friendships I had.

My role in the VBS was a large group leader. That meant that I made sure all the small group leaders were doing everything correctly. At first I thought that was the silliest job ever. What was I going to do? I was wrong. They actually did need me. And I got to interact with the children. I even got to lead 6 children to Christ. I prayed with them and I prayed over them. These are 4 of the girls who were saved.

I have to take a second to brag on my boyfriend. He is the worship leader at his church and recently he was employed as a staff member. I thought I'd never get to see him on the mission trip. I even joked that I'd maybe get to wave at him on stage. Every day I fell in love with Jacob over and over again. Every day I prayed in thankfulness for Jacob. I got to witness him lead a youth group in amazing worship every night. And he looked pretty hot walking around overseeing an entire VBS. He always had breakfast with me and made sure I didn't feel left out.

I'm so thankful God sent me to Lyford. My life was changed in a week. My faith is so strong in The Lord. I can't wait to mission again next year.

Claire

God Writes Our Love Story

Hey everyone!

So lately I have been thinking about the relationship I am in and how different it is to my previous "relationships" with other guys. All this thinking made me realize that no matter how much we try to force ourselves in thinking our significant other is "the one", only God knows who He has made for you as a life partner. 

Now I'm not going to get all lovey dovey on y'all in this post, but there's no doubt in my mind that Jacob(my boyfriend) is the man I'm going to marry. I can't express the comfort and peace I have in knowing that. What I find even more comforting is that I didn't tell myself I'm going to marry Jacob, God told me. 

I used to force myself to like certain guys just so that I could tell my friends I was talking to someone. I've even been heart broken by a Godly guy. With that guy, I told myself I would marry him. I don't know what made me think I could marry a man I was settling for. 

That's the difference in being with a man God wants you to marry. The word settling isn't used. You should never have to think to yourself "I hate that he does that but I can live with it". You should see every aspect of your man and think how you love that he does that. Sure, every person has flaws. I have flaws and I know that. 

You might be in the same situation I was in highschool. I considered myself a Christian, but when it came to the guys I dated I didn't care at all if the guy was a Christian. If he was cute and single, he was enough. My standards as a Godly girl were so low. It's funny to look back on all the times I cried because I thought I wasn't good enough for anyone after getting hurt by unGodly guys. I realize now that it wasn't because I wasn't good enough. It was because I was trying to create relationships with nonbelievers. 

    2 Corinthians 6:14 "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do rightousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"(NIV)

 Of course I desired a Godly relationship, but that is extremely hard to find in high school. 

I've always been a strong believer in dating to marry instead of dating just to date. Maybe that's why Jacob is my first real boyfriend. I truly believe that a Godly relationship should have somewhat of a vision of marriage. I don't mean on the first date you should start wedding planning, but as you get to know this person you should think "is this a quality I want in a husband?" 

The point of this post is to show you that no matter how much you convince yourself you can settle for a guy, God has chosen someone for you. He knows the perfect timing of you meeting that person. If you're single and waiting for that moment then treasure that time of singleness. Submerge your love in the Lord. Allow yourself to find peace and comfort in Him. God is selfish. He desires your love and attention. Give that to him with no restraint. 

Claire