invisible children

So this morning in class, we spent some time praying for the children who are being trafficked as child soldiers. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this issue, let me explain...

Basically, 23 years ago, a man in Uganda named Joseph Kony created what is called the Lord's Resistance Army. Kony's reason for creating this army was to fight in the name of the Lord for the restoration of peace and unity in Uganda. Sadly, the complete oppostite is true. He uses a mixture of his own witchcraft, spreading horror throughout Uganda (and other countries of Africa) by taking children from their homes, brainwashing them by injecting them with a mixture of gun powder and drugs, and forcing them to take up arms and kill. Also, many women and girls are used as sex slaves for the army. These brainwashed, desensitized children now make up more than 90% of the army.

In 2003, three young film makers from California decided to go to Africa to create a documentary when they discovered this atrocity, and made the movie "The Invisible Children." Since making the film they have petitioned the US government, the UN, and the Ugandan government to get involved. On April 25th, these forces will go into Uganda and capture Joseph Kony and his officials. Tomorrow, March 25th, the official unveiling of the Rescue Plan can be viewed on www.invisiblechildren.com, and will give more details towards Kony's capture.

Also, our team has learned that child soldiering is a big issue in Colombia and Myanmar (where our teams will be going). The government has no laws against it in Colombia, and Myanmar's government is overthrown by guerrilla forces. Child soldiering is taking place all over the world.

So I just encourage you to research this and pray about it during this next month. And especially be praying on April 25th. Please continue to educate yourself on the Rescue Plan also.

What amazes me most is that it all started with three guys. They saw what was going on in Uganda, they made a film, got people informed, got people involved, petitioned, and now action is being taken! Praise God! With Him, NOTHING is impossible! SO much change and justice can be brought to this world if God's people would just get out there and DO SOMETHING!

Whew, don't get me started...

Anywho, on a lighter, happier note, here are some pictures of my team that's going to Colombia:

We're a pretty good-looking team : )

and we're goofballs too. : )

back in salem

Ok, first of all, it was SO good to be home and see most of you! Thank you SOOOO much for coming out to visit me and support me and love me. I was able to raise $750 when I was home!!!! Such a HUGE blessing and I couldn't have done it without your help!!! I'm so near my $6,000 goal, it's crazy. God provides in the most awesome ways, most of which has been through all of you back at home. So, thank you truly from my heart. I wouldn't be here without you. : *

Sunday night, going back to Salem, my flight actually got cancelled, so I got to go back home that night, and I flew out early Monday morning. It was a loooong night/morning/day. But it was so good to be home with my family. I didn't realize how much I missed them!

So at the beginning of this week, the realization of what I'm about to do really began to sink in. I'll be going to a country far away, living in situations and conditions I'm not accustomed to, seeing alot of spiritual darkness, I don't speak the language, I could be trafficked, I could die of disease, I could get lost (ok, I'm probably freaking my parents out!). But the point is I just got kinda fearful. All my old insecurities came back- not smart enough, not good enough, not strong enough, you're weak, you can't do this (all lies).

But then a few of us got together Monday night to pray for our team and outreach, and I remembered a verse that my friend gave me: Isaiah 41:13, which says,"For I hold you by your right hand- I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, 'Don't be afraid. I am here to help you.' " I also noticed verse 10: "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand." And from reading those verses, I realized, ok, yeah, Colombia is going to be hard and not all fun and games; we're going to be dealing with a country that the devil definitely has footholds in. But you know who's stronger that the devil? Who can outsmart all his schemes? Who can crush all his plans? Who can defeat him with one word? GOD ALMIGHTY! And guess what?!?! He's on MY SIDE! I have nothing to fear! I will be victorious in all I do, because of HIM! : )

Keep me in your prayers with this guys. : )

Another awesome thing this week: we're learning about world views. Basically, in a nutshell, we're learing about the world around us and where we, as Christians, fit in. The different issues, what the Bible says about those issues, and what we can do about it. It all starts with the church. If we can't be the example to the world of how people ought to live, then how are they supposed to know? How are we supposed to relate and understand the world when we don't know anything about it? We, as Americans, hardly know the reality of what other people around the world face everyday. It's mind-boggling how much the we don't know, and yet the Bible is full of answers to every problem ever! How to stop AIDs, how to clean water, how to educate your children, how to have a good marriage, how to save money and keep a budget, how to have a stable government and economy, how to elect good government leaders, how to work, - it's all in there! It's crazy how relavant and needed the Bible is in today's world!!! We just gotta bring it! : )

Anywho, to say the least, my head is in a whirlwind. But a good one. There's so many options out there- so much to do! So many places where people are needed. Keep praying that God will guide me in what to do after DTS. I really want to continue in this, but I want to know how and where and when, so I can be used to the fullest.

Thanks for reading!

LESS THAN THREE WEEKS!!! : )

Here's some pics for your enjoyment!







For St. Patrick's day, our DTS went out to downtown Salem to let people know the real meaning of the holiday. St. Patrick (aka Maewyn Succat) was actually kidnapped by Welsch pirates and sold into slavery to Ireland. He eventually escaped and was later kicked out of the country. But instead of acting out of hatred and spite towards the people who treated him so harshly, he returned to Ireland to be a Christian missionary, to show the people love and forgiveness. And now you know. : )


Beautiful downtown Salem
Flying into Portland (on my flight back)

So pretty! : )

I got to see my baby girl when I got home! Isn't she precious?!?!?!? : )

California was so green when I got home! Gorgeous! Thank you Jesus for the desperately needed rain in California!


Mt. Hood, near the Portland airport. Breathtaking, huh?

California Dreamin'

Hey everyone!

I'm home for the weekend! Well, I'm gonna go enjoy my free time with my family; we're watching American Idol. Haha! Just wanted to let y'all know I'm home. I go back to Salem Sunday afternoon. : )

P.S. Please be praying for me as I only have three weeks left til I leave for Colombia! I'M SO EXCITED! But I still don't have all of my finances in yet. I need about $1,140. So I'm almost there! : )

like a child

Hey everyone!

First of all, I just wanted to thank those of you who have been sending in support the last few days. I appreciate it SOO MUCH! There's still alot of people who said that they would help me out, but still haven't sent any support in yet. I'll be getting to you later. You know who you are! BEWARE! : )

Anyways, this week was awesome! Our speaker was so cool! He would just break out in song and worship and dance and tell stories. He was just like a child, yet he was 64 years old. His joy and love for Jesus just spilled out of him and was so contagious! He made us all feel like kids again, jumping and dancing and singing. Haha. It was a nice change after the emotional week of Plumbline. I learned alot about not caring what others around me think, and just praising God from my heart- with freedom and childlike faith!

We went to the beach this week! We tried to make it in time for the sunset but didn't. It was pitch black, freezing, windy, and pouring rain. But it was A BLAST! Hopefully we get to go again, during the day. Here are some pictures I took on the way there. Isn't Oregon GORGEOUS?!?!?!

at last...

These are all the girls! We dressed up for the Valentine's dinner.















Me and my roomie, Nicole.

Me and Arielle!

This is what happens when the internet doesn't work!

Say cheese! : D

Me and Nicole!




My girls!

Me, Rochelle, Hali, Kristi : )

Cara, Rochelle, Me, and Angelana

Kristi burnt the brownies!

Me and Arielle!

It snowed!

Out on the town!

We're pretty : )

Nicole, me, and Marina

the plumbline

Hello again!

So I survived Plumbline!!! It was actually not as scary as I thought it would be. It was very freeing, healing, and eye-opening. Each student had the option to stand in front of the class and tell the people who they need to forgive who had done certain things to them, and also ask for forgiveness for what they had done to others. It was really hard for alot of us, to share alot of things that we had hidden deep within ourselves. But we all got through it and it totally brought us together. : )

So that was my week in a nutshell. Now, I know promised to post pictures, but it's about 1:20 am, so I think I'll wait til next time. Sorry! (ok, I'll post one for ya)