Crying out for Justice...

"Open their eyes to see and loose the bonds from their necks."

Joining in praying for the end of child trafficking this morning with a woman from Exodus Cry and another who is in the internship with me. My heart has been so stirred up again, my soul weeping for the injustice, and crying out for justice. I can't help but mourn for those ensnared in wickedness, who know not the delight of the Lord... Oh that they would only see and know Him who bought them with His own blood. Turning to Psalm 147:3-11 ..

"He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
The LORD lifts up the humble;
he casts the wicked to the ground.
Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre!
He covers the heavens with clouds;
he prepares rain for the earth;
he makes grass grow on the hills.
He gives to the beasts their food,
and to the young ravens that cry.
His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love."

Reading through this I could not help but have my heart ripped for people in Phuket.  How I have thought and dreamt of the women and children I met a year from this week. It was exactly a year ago that I had my first taste of what trafficking and prostitution looked like as an industry in Phuket, Thailand. working with the SHE foundation we walked the streets every other night, interceding for the women, children and men who were all engulfed in this wickedness. It was such a hard season and only in the last few months have I really begun to unpack all that Lord taught and brought me through.

Praying the psalms over my friends and those I know who are still there, working with SHE and working in the bars/brothels... it was heart wrenching. God, my heart yearns for justice in this place. Bring forth a revival in Phuket, that a cry of repentance would come out of the very hearts that are initiating such wickedness.

The Lord then took me to pray Ps. 103: 2-13 over the victims.. over the women that I met, and the thousands that I didn't meet. Praying for mercy over the pimps and johns, over the mafia who feed corruption and have let their hearts be filled with evil - with lust, perversion, and greed.. Lord have mercy...

"Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him."


I sit, weeping. My heart burdened for their souls, contending for their salvation. Weeping, crying out for mercy - for the fear of the Lord as the Mighty Judge to be revealed to the jaded eyes and hearts.  and Praising God for His promise of justice!

God of justice, come. God of mercy, redeem those in wickedness.  God, heal the wounded and broken. Breathe your Life, your Spirit, into the ashes and raise up harvesters who would come from the lowest and declare Your Name to the darkest!

I encourage you to read through Psalm 27

"The LORD is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?..."

Love Always

Discovering the "Chivalry of God"

The LORD - is paving the way for something! In case you haven't heard the story here's a quick recap:

• I got home from OneThing on Jan 1st with a confirmed word that I was supposed to begin an internship at IHOP-KC
• Jan 3rd: had my application and reference forms sent back to IHOP-Kansas City;
• Jan 5th: had $50 and airfare given to me
• Jan 9th: confirmed housing and had the first amount of rent that was due ($175 - it'll normally be $325, but my landlord was gracious)
• Jan 11th: I flew up AND THEN later that afternoon received an email confirming my acceptance; 
• Jan 12th: Started orientation weekend putting $50 on the table (I was praying all day/night prior for the rest of the $900 to come in and.. it never did...) BUT they were gracious, so I have 2 dues dates coming up where I owe $425. You can read more about that further down.

Since then I have been attending classes hosted by IHOP, have spent over 30 hrs in the prayer room, serving both in the prayer room and in the "Children's Equipping Center" with 3-year-olds on Sunday mornings. This makes for a very full schedule with just barely enough time for lunch! I was blessed with housing only a 10min walk from the prayer room which is Wonderful as I don't have a car, also purchased a big fluffy coat since winter here means COLD! haha God is also working out rides for me to and from class as well as rides to stores and the grocery. Thank you Jesus!

In the midst of arriving here, the Lord gave me a clear word and has given total peace about not "fundraising" but simply stating my need and COMPLETELY trusting Him to do whatever He wants. It's not even, trusting Him to fill "my need" it's simply whatever "HE" wants and I have such peace about it. This is very much against everything I have come to learn and do, usually sticking to the "do the possible and let Him do the impossible," but He has given this as a season of rest and specifically said that the care of fundraising is no longer one I need to be concerned with in this season. It IS scary still- I feel like I just signed up for a marriage and am now realizing all that it means. In His graciousness though, He labeled this season for me on the first day in the prayer room saying it was time that I discover the "Chivalry of God"... and it has been SO wonderful!!!
In the occasional moments where I stop and think about "details," like running out of money in a few days lol.. I have literally been able to just grab hold of Him, close my eyes and trust that He is my ultimate provider, my companion, and that He Wants to Take Care of Me More than I Will Ever Know! -humbling, and exceedingly comforting during this time :)

When all this started, a friend and I were walking to our class and she noticed a guy waiting just inside - I was headed for the nearest door and she stopped me saying, "don't you dare" (she's a very southern black woman -so imagine that with Attitude lol) and it was then that I noticed the man inside the next pair of doors getting ready to open/hold it for us... Later, I was in the prayer room and the Lord took me back to that moment saying, "will you just allow ME to open the door for you? please!" It took my breath away as He started telling me about Himself as a lover... Saying that He didn't just want to Open the door, but also to Hold it for me. That it's His joy to welcome me in because He's prepared the way and was eager to show me exactly where I need to go, is eager to take my coat for me and help take my shoes off. He so desires to be "My Beloved" and has been patiently waiting and pursuing me until the day when I realize I haven't received His love like this yet. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Alpha and Omega, God of All, desire to take care for me... little, unworthy me...
It's like going from "my best friend" to being "engaged," and then a few hours later as He continued to reveal Himself. By the end of the night I was literally saying to myself, " shoot, if that wasn't a shotgun marriage.. I don't know what one is!" There's so much to trusting Him and being "His Beloved" -gosh that phrase alone holds such depth.

So as simply stating where I am at financially, so that you can partner with me in prayer as I trust Him to supply all that I need, I have $36 in my bank account and $40 in cash. 

On Feb 1st: $325 due for rent+utilities

Feb 10th: $425 for the 2nd internship tuition payment

March 1st: $325 for rent+utilities

March 9th: $425 for the last tuition payment

This doesn't touch groceries or other needs, but it gives an idea what is needed. I can only praise God because even as I type this there's not a hint of uneasiness or worry about where this is coming from - He is so faithful! If the Lord moves you to give in a financial way, not just prayerfully - there are instructions on the "Where am I?" page. 

Love Always

Consecration

So this will be a short but ends with a good nugget about His heart for us...
Yesterday I began the Intro to IHOP-KC Internship!!! I walked in yesterday morning with only $50 in cash and a complete peace about it. It was such a fun day! I met my "core group," which consists of a few missionary couples, girls from Egypt & Brazil, dancers, graphic designers, singers, musicians, photographers, entrepreneurs, and many other amazingly talented people! Orientation was all day and filled with hours of "this is how we do it," talks - not unlike YWAM and in fact it was interesting to compare the two throughout this orientation weekend. Friday I had lunch with 3 girls from Brazil, an Egyptian and a New Yorker - love being in such culturally diverse company and look forward to the next few months of getting to know them. Last night was invited to a Shabbat service, down the street from my town house, where the Holy Spirit moved us to repentance for the nation, followed by a lil'ole glory fest ;)
Today was our second day of orientation and was all about "consecrating ourselves" to the Lord. The Lord was really speaking to me through this session and as He spoke, both personally and through others, confirming this as a season of rest. One specific word that He gave me I feel led to share; as I was praying about what I needed to let go of and He came to me with this word about "learning how to let Him." It was so simple and He came saying, "My Beloved, would you just allow me to hold the door open for you? Can I get your coat for you? Here, let me treat you to dinner tonight, and tomorrow night, and the night after... Really, I just want to take care of you - I love you and would love it if you'd let me show you how much." It took my breath away as I sat in the room, surrounded by 75+ other, and He was just asking if I'd let Him serve me. He just wants to take care of me, and has asked me to let go of "needing to fundraise" or thinking about how I'm going to pay for rent, food, tuition, etc... and trusting that He will make it His concern so it doesn't have to be mine. Wow right? It is truly a blessed season and He is helping me pry finger after finger off of the "need to make things happen" orb. And I am finding it absolutely wonderful as He is imparting even greater peace and blessing me so dearly... there are no words...

Love Always

Welcome to Kansas City!

Well, here I am! Freezing in the newly draped snow, but filled with excitement!

Not even 2 weeks from when the Lord opened the door for me to do an internship at the International House of Prayer ( IHOP) in Kansas City I have arrived! In the last week the Lord has kept me in complete peace as I worked fast to apply/interview with IHOP, secure a flight, find housing, and fundraise in one of the quickest turnarounds I've had!  God is so faithful and has provided a room to rent for $325/mo that's about 3 blocks from the Red Bridge Center (where the global prayer room is located). He also blessed me by leading the Gannets, family friends from TN, donate their flier miles and provide free flights to and from KC!

Even with all that I can't help but feel a little crazy.  After unpacking my room today I sat on the bed and the reality hit me that I have jumped through the door that God opened for me and am now trusting Him completely to provide everything I'll need for this walk.  In the last week I have daydreamed what tomorrow (orientation) is going to look like - particularly when I go to the financial table. Will I check in the morning to find all $450-900 in my account? Will I be on my way and have a random person give it to me? Will someone have already paid it for me? Or, the big question.. what happens if I don't have it at all... It's there that I stop and force myself to remember His faithfulness. He has never led me somewhere and not provided for it - granted, it hasn't always been what I expected, but He's never let me down. Facing this one is a little different though as it really is the biggest leap I've taken. Needing to pay for rent every month, for food (a max $200/mo), and for tuition... It doesn't seem like "simple fundraising" anymore and it is definitely harder to trust Him.  However, as I said earlier He has blessed me with a peace that overcomes. And even as sit here, not knowing what to expect out of tomorrow, I am confident that whatever happens will be ok. I know that He brought me here for a reason, and I know it definitely wasn't any of my work that got me here, so I am trusting that whatever He's doing is the best for me and will just bring greater Glory to His Name!

Tomorrow will be quite a day and I timidly look forward to seeing what it holds. Thank you for partnering with me as the Lord leads; whether it be through prayer, finances, or words of encouragement, I definitely appreciate them all!

Prayer Needs:
-For continued peace and for wonderful rest tonight
-That in all things, His will be done; whether I get all the money needed or not.
-Pray for Haiti, today is the 2 year anniversary of the earthquake that left their country ravaged by disaster and mourning over the loss of thousands of families and friends
-Also, several of my PAP DTS students are back in the mission field -1 in Brazil, 3 in Benin, and several in the Dominican Republic, and we have 2 back in my "homeland" Kona, working with the YWAM base there! I am So proud of each of them and ask that you join me in praying for them as they live as missionaries in these places!

Financial Needs:
at Least $450 by tomorrow, with a total of $900 for the internship tuition
$550 for both February and March ($225 for food/living expenses and $325 for rent/utilities)
-if you'd like to give you can use the Paypal button to the right or contact me to work something else out!

Psalm 65:9

"You visit the earth and water it;

you greatly enrich it;

the river of God is full of water;

you provide their grain,

for so you have prepared it."

Love Always

New Adventures for a New Year!

Happy New Years and Welcome to 2012!! :)

Just got back from the OneThing- Kansas City conference, put on by IHOP (International House of Prayer not of pancakes lol)!!! It was an Incredible 5 days of joining over 23,000 people (not to mention the 60,000+ that joined on the internet) in worshiping our Magnificent Obsession and growing in the knowledge of our God! It was the best way to celebrate the new year, dancing and singing praises to the Lord - thanking Him  for a year of provision and blessing and looking forward to continue walking in intimacy with Him. If you missed it, or would like to know more about it - there are videos online of al the worship sessions and teachings and I would suggest you go take a look (especially if you're simply wasting time on the computer lol) you can do that by going to www.ihop.org/onething/.

While there the Lord was revealing to me that I really don't know how to rest in a healthy way. I usually fall into the "too busy" mode or into a "lazy, uninspired" funk when I try. So through the course of the conference He opened the door for me to do an internship at the International House of Prayer! Now you may be thinking that it doesn't sound like "rest" but after speaking to the leadership there and confirming with God, this is exactly where I need to be. The internship will have 3-4 hours of Biblical teaching a day and will help me expand my knowledge of God and His Word and then will include a few hours of Prayer Room time where I just get to dwell in His presence, focusing entirely on worshiping the Lord, and interceding. A few times a week I'll have ministry time which consists of simply ushering in the prayer room and so it is not demanding or anything like the ministry I've been doing for the past 2 years through YWAM. This is an incredible opportunity for me to do what I was made to do - to sit at the throne and bring my everything to Him every moment of every day. I am blessed to be called to a lifestyle completely dedicated to spending time with the Father, and it is a calling that He is so worthy of and I cannot imagine doing anything else right.

The internship costs $900, which is due on the start date (next Friday) and does not include housing or food. So each month I will need about $500 to pay for rent, food and the occasional transportation costs. I am looking to find a room near the IHOP campus that is within walking distance and I am blessed to have a friend who is there looking for me to. Also, I will need a flight from Dallas (DFW) to Kansas City (MCI) on the 12th (next thursday) which will likely cost about $200. This is way more than what I have but God has proven that it is all His money anyways and that He will hold to the "His will, His bill" quote that I've lived by the last 2 years. For those of you who feel led to partner with me financially during this season of rest at IHOP, I would suggest donating online through Paypal by clicking on the button to the right, or you can mail a check to my new address at P.O.Box 467 Keller, TX 76244. Other than that I covet your prayers as I walk into this new season!

God is lining things up for me so that even in this fast turnaround, He is blessing me with complete peace as He makes all that need to get done move quickly and smoothly. It is such a blessing to be in the presence and service of our God - He is so Holy and Worthy to be Praised. He alone is worthy of my everything and I cannot escape His call to come and set aside everything to simply be with Him. As always I am praying that you are doing well and that incredible blessings come upon you as we walk into this new year! I am honored and so thankful for your prayers, which are so powerful and truly move the hand of God!

Here's a look at one of my favorite OneThing sets with Jon Thurlow

Love Always