Rachel is a former student of mine in Mission Adventures. She came through our MA ministry as part of her home church of Shelter Cove Community Church in Modesto, CA. This church, you may recall, very generously gave me a computer last year after learning that mine had been stolen several years ago. I am not going to lie, this church is and has been one of my all time favorite churches to come through our ministry since I moved here 5 years ago. Their youth pastor reminds me so much of my own, Kevin Kelley, and the leaders and students and overall atmosphere makes me miss the good ole days of Metro Teens Alive and Shake it UP, SHOCKWave, leading countless hours of drama rehearsals, road trips and who can forget the missions trips. These trips are why I am a full-time missionary now and I am so happy that Shelter Cove is creating an environment where their students can get outside of themselves and serve others and experience all that God has for them around the world. This is where memories are made and lives are changed. This is where missionaries are born. Rachel is one of them! Here is her story from this past summer when she was able to come down to help run Mission Adventures in Ensenada.
I have had the chance to travel down to Ensenada, Mexico with my youth group every summer when I was in high school. This year, I’ve had an even greater opportunity to serve as a short-term missionary at the same base with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). I have been able to experience the joys of seeing a child’s face light up because of a simple balloon animal, a family of five living in a trailer and receiving a new home which I had the blessing of being able to assist in building, and a weeping mother, rather than asking for food itself, asking for prayer that God would provide the food. I’ve never seen such faith or contentment and joy than I have while working in the different parts of Ensenada. My stories and life-changing experiences could go on and on.
But even more than this, I have been able to grow in my faith with the Lord and take it to a new level. I have never prayed, wept, sang, or heard God’s voice so much (or so very clearly!) as I did in those three months. I have been able to understand why I love to serve and God has opened my eyes to new perspectives and a deeper love for Him, people, and his creation. There is something wonderful that happens when you are removed from the routines of everyday life and the consumerism and chaos many of us know so well.
Rachel is more than just a gifted author but she is an extremely talented photographer as well. Check out her pictures and follow her on this journey here. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the life of teenagers like Rachel. Because of your continued support I am able to speak into the lives of students like Mikey, Nick & Rachel and potentially help them realize their destiny in God.
What new perspectives is God showing you? I would love to hear what God is doing in your life!
I have had the chance to travel down to Ensenada, Mexico with my youth group every summer when I was in high school. This year, I’ve had an even greater opportunity to serve as a short-term missionary at the same base with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). I have been able to experience the joys of seeing a child’s face light up because of a simple balloon animal, a family of five living in a trailer and receiving a new home which I had the blessing of being able to assist in building, and a weeping mother, rather than asking for food itself, asking for prayer that God would provide the food. I’ve never seen such faith or contentment and joy than I have while working in the different parts of Ensenada. My stories and life-changing experiences could go on and on.
But even more than this, I have been able to grow in my faith with the Lord and take it to a new level. I have never prayed, wept, sang, or heard God’s voice so much (or so very clearly!) as I did in those three months. I have been able to understand why I love to serve and God has opened my eyes to new perspectives and a deeper love for Him, people, and his creation. There is something wonderful that happens when you are removed from the routines of everyday life and the consumerism and chaos many of us know so well.
Rachel is more than just a gifted author but she is an extremely talented photographer as well. Check out her pictures and follow her on this journey here. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the life of teenagers like Rachel. Because of your continued support I am able to speak into the lives of students like Mikey, Nick & Rachel and potentially help them realize their destiny in God.
What new perspectives is God showing you? I would love to hear what God is doing in your life!
RSS Feed