O lord in your strength she rejoices, how she exults you in your salvation. You have given her her hearts desires and have not withheld the requests of her lips. For you meet her with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold upon her head. She asked life of you; you gave it to her, length of days forever and ever. Splendor and majesty you bestow upon her. For you make her most blessed forever. You make her glad with the joy of your presence. She sees you in all creation. In the cold early mornings when all is still she finds peace in your presence, she finds warmth in your sunrise. She finds beauty in the mountains, the birds singing, the village awakening. Your love is forever present. In our hearts, in our souls, in our desires. Your love is here. 

God is our provider. Not only in our needs but In our desires! Four days before our departure date to Nepal, I was still short $3,000. As a school, in total, we were short around $35,000! As the deadline approached, it was more and more challenging for me to stand firm in my faith that God would provide. I was losing faith and the moment I did, God supplied. The usual ! I should have known better than to doubt Him. One of my team members donated $1,000 to me that night. The next morning I had people contacting me, telling me they felt they needed to help me get to Nepal, by donating and spreading the word to others. This continued till the night before I left ! I received everything I needed and so did my entire school of 35 students. God supplied us with all the money, as we were counting down the days, he supplied till the last moment. What I've learned is that He shows his faithfulness in a way that glorifies Him the most! 

So now I'm in Nepal! After two very long days of traveling, layovers and four flights, ( Honolulu to Tokyo, Tokyo to Taipei, Taipei to Bankok, and finally Bankok to Kathmandu) we finally made it. The first thing I noticed was the smell. We landed at around 10pm so we couldn't see much  but it smelled like a campfire and I've realized now that it's a permanent smell here. The people burn their trash, and have bonfires every day as a source of heat which I absolutely love. It's nice to see family and friends gathered around the fire keeping warm, having good conversation, always laughing together. As far as I've come to know these Nepalis, they are such a welcoming and loving group of people! They have nothing, yet are always filled with so much joy. 

Everything is so very different here and in a good way. It's such simple living. First of all we greet everyone by putting our palms together, bowing our heads and saying, "Namaste" or "Jeimasi" if you are greeting a christian. It means Jesus is messiah or praise the Lord. There are many everyday things that are very different here. We sleep on the floor in our sleeping bags, which I've honestly never slept better, crazy to say. We obviously don't shower every day. There is no hot water so we wait till there is a warmer day to shower (by filling up buckets and pouring it over ourselves) and it's still pretty freezing ! Same with laundry, we wait till its a warm day and wash our clothes outside and then let them air dry. There are squatties and we always have to make sure to to have toilet paper at hand because they don't use any here ( they use their hands and then wash them.) To flush we fill up the bucket and pour it down the hole. Nepalis use their hands to eat, only their right hand, of course, because their left is used in the bathroom. So far we have eaten lots of spicy foods ! Oh, and drink chai tea for days which is great. So far three of us have gotten pretty sick to our stomachs..  Only days till the rest of the team cracks haha 

Every day we travel to different slums and villages by foot. We walk through paths within rice fields and gardens, it's so very beautiful!  When we look up, we see great green mountains on one side and the Himalayas on the other ! There are goats, ( my new favorite animal ) cattle (seen as Gods here) , chickens, dogs, children screaming Namaste from their houses across the fields to us ! It's the sweetest thing to hear every single time we take those paths. Of course, people stare at us like we are aliens, I guess they don't see many foreigners around here. I see many women here, mostly older women, carrying massive bags of rice, vegetables, wood , etc on their back. They tie the bags or baskets to a strap and then put that strap on their heads  that carry all the weight ! I don't know how they don't snap their necks. A German friend we met here tried to help a woman once and he could barely carry it ! He couldn't believe how heavy it was. He immediately put it down and they all laughed it him, probably thinking, " We old women can do this every day and this young guy can't hold it for a minute!" Those are some respectable granny's ! 

It has been such a blessing and a dream come true for me to be here. The morning after we arrived, we jumped right into ministry. Every morning we go out to pray for different churches and their ministry. We pray for Gods hand in it, for prosperity and for Gods guidance. There is a major cast system problem here in Nepal so one morning we hiked up a mountain to this spot where you can see both sides of Kathmandu. The left side was the lower cast, many fields and poor villages, broken down houses and on the right was the higher cast, they usually have more money so nicer houses are built in that area. We pray for unity. People should not be labeled by what they do or how much money they make or what their last name is. God has made us all equal. 

Every afternoon we have an open air which is just setting up anywhere and having a service with the ministry we are working with. We usually start with a fun dance called the pate pate then one of us preach and do a skit at the end. After the church people gather and play Nepali songs and we dance for hours with the children! Little Nepali girls are so beautiful. Their parents dress them up so cute and even put bold makeup on them at times. They all have nose rings which I think is really cute too. It is very different from what we are used to seeing but it's very beautiful. We have so much fun with them.  It brings me so much joy just to hear their laughs, they snuggle me with hugs and kisses constantly ! I've had mobs of little girls playing with my hair as I prayed not to get lice! But even if I did it's so worth it ! I know that's crazy to say but it's a blessing for me to connect with these little girls like I have.

On Saturday we had a church service and I was asked to give a 20 minute long message. Of course I was terrified but as soon as I got up there I felt at peace. God spoke through me yesterday and the people received it! I was so happy and grateful ! I didn't understand the  words of the Nepali worship songs but I felt Gods presence in that little church. I've never seen a group of people so on fire for God. It still amazes me. Many Christians are persecuted here. They are looked down upon, beaten, rejected by their family, cast out and they still don't lose their faith in God. You could put them through hell and they would still stand firm in their faith in Jesus and proclaim that there is only one true God, their father Jesus Christ ! 

In the United States it's easy to forget about our creator and supplier because we have everything we need. Here they have nothing. All they have and live by is their faith in God and he does perform miracles here! A Nepali was raised from the dead after being dead for three days ! The worship leader at the church was healed completely of a skin disease he had all his life. He had boils everywhere, he couldn't even wear clothes and God healed him. He fell from the top of a high tree and died! Then after much prayer, God raised him from the dead also! 

So that's my update for the week! Congratulations if you finished reading it. I made it longer than usual because I have wifi very few times. Thank you for all your support ! Keep us all in your prayers as the holidays come. Although we have a new and wonderful family here, It is the first time being away on Christmas and New Years for most of us and we will be missing our families at home very much ! 

It can only go uphill from here! There is so much ahead of us  <3 

Hello everyone (:

It's been quite a while since I've updated you all. So much has happened since my last post over a month ago! Like I've said before, during the week we have a pretty tight schedule. We continue our outreach and evangelism every week, which is so awesome, I truly love and am so thankful for it. We have witnessed so many healings and just miracles happening in people lives. There have been blind who have been healed, crippled who can now walk, life circumstances improving, prayer requests answered, lives renewed, the list goes on. It still amazes me that God works through each and every one of us to show his glory. He heals, loves, comforts, restores and speaks to people through us!

Every week, our school gathers together and we have intercession. Intercession is a time of prayer. We pray for other nations and the current circumstances that are beyond reach. The only solution, really, is to give it to God and hope for a miracle. We usually pray and receive words, scripture and even visions from God. It's pretty amazing because it's nothing I have ever experienced before and it happens here everyday. God is so good and if we truly seek Him, we will find Him. I discover Him more and more everyday.

 A few weeks ago we prayed for a former YWAMMER  named Kenneth Bae. He was detained in South Korea for leaving a Bible in front of a government building. He was kept in a hard labour prison camp in Korea for two years! His wife, children and family had no word from him in all that time and they knew his health was failing him. Our school all gathered together and had intercession for Kenneth. We prayed that he would just feel Gods presence with him in all circumstances, that his health would not fail him, that even in these circumstances, God would continue to bless his ministry even if it were in a prison camp, that his family would find peace and that he would feel God's love and know people from all around the world were sending out prayers for his release. It still blows my mind thinking about it but the next week he was released! Crazy... This is just one of the examples of how God really hears and answers our prayers. Here is the article about his release:   http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/08/world/asia/us-north-korea-detainees-released/

God had a purpose and plan for him and its hard to think he was put in prison for that purpose but he was able to fulfill God's calling there. I encourage you to research his story and read more about it. It truly is an amazing testimony I was able to be a part of, even if it was just to send out prayer for this man. I was able to experience how God hears and works through our prayers.

Last week we had lecture on freedom. We learned on how our ties to things we have experienced in the past, whether it be wrong that was done to us, things we have done that we are ashamed of, addictions, insecurities, etc don't define us as people. Life circumstances can really impact our lives and the way we percieve ourselves and others. There are a lot of things we will never understand as to why horrible things happen to wonderful people, or why we tend to find comfort in all the wrong places, in turn, sinking us deeper.  At times we end up broken and shattered. It's hard to find a way out. How can we return to the wholeness we once felt before all these terrible circumstances occurred? How can we redeem ourselves for hurt we have caused others and ourselves?  What I have learned is that God takes our brokenness aside and makes us beautiful. He restores us. Yeah, we have heard it over and over but it is true. We have to surrender all that hurt we have always set aside and not dealt with, all the pain that was done to us we have always kept inside, all the hidden struggles we face daily, and proclaim all the lies it made us believe."The truth will set you free!" That is not our identity. We just have to give it up, surrender it, proclaiming all the darkness within us is gone." For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord." Letting our ruins come to life in the beauty of God's name and letting Him redeem us, we rise up from the ashes and find refuge in Him. He reigns in our lives making us new. "The steps of man are established by the Lord when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong. For the Lord upholds his hand." He has a purpose and a plan for each and every one of us. No matter what our past circumstances may look like he has a plan for us far greater than the ones we have set out for ourselves.

"And all these though commended through faith, did not receive what was promised since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect."

"Delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart!"

So many of us were able to do a freedom prayer and just get rid off all those lies, be free from them, be broken down by God, so in turn we can rise up in Him. He is building us back up little by little. If I thought God tore me down before, like I mentioned in my last post, I was mistaken. This is tearing me down in another level and I'm so grateful for that. He really is a faithful redeemer! (:

As most of you know I will be embarking on my missions trip to Nepal in December for three months! We are preparing for that every day but I am still short on the funds. I was able to raise all the money for my lecture phase ($4,000) and I am so incredibly grateful for that! I wouldn't be able to  have this experience if it weren't for all my supporters. I do have another $4,000 due next month for my outreach to Nepal and still haven't been able to raise it. I am asking for support in this, If it be by a donation, prayer, or just sharing this link ! I have complete faith God will provide. I know He wants and has a purpose for me to be here. He has done this much, I don't doubt His faithfulness (:

https://www.youcaring.com/mission-trip-fundraiser/alexandras-missions-trip-to-nepal/263933

                              Outreach to the homeless in china town every tuesday night

Yard work every monday and wednesday

Lecture everyday 

Family Feud/ Volunteering at New Hope Church- Halloween

DTS 2014

I have had some struggles here, big and small. I won't go into details but one of them was hearing Gods voice. Starting all over is hard, believe it or not. It's hard to just leave your past behind and start a new life and set a new perspective for yourself. Its hard to break old habits, but it is possible and I'm on that journey now.

Getting here, I was ready to receive, transform my life and serve but I was struggling with vulnerability. Unconsciously, I think I was just afraid to put all my walls down and accept Gods calling for my life. I spoke to a few friends about it and one was feeling the same way I did. Back at home it was somewhat easier for me to be vulnerable to God. I don't know why. Maybe it was the type of relationship I had with Him. I called myself a Christian. I went to church, God would touch my heart but I would eventually go back to my old ways. It was always a struggle for me and I knew that wasn't how it's supposed to be. I was now in denial. I wanted this transformation but I wasn't completely ready to let go of my past.

 I prayed with my friends about this one night and God gave me a word. 1 Peter 5:6-11 says, "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, The God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever."

My devotionals for that night were so direct. I had to choose to let go of my past and move forward if I wanted blessing in my life. I had to let go of all my worries and flickering emotions; let go of my fear and accept each day as it comes. It was time to let these walls down. God is the same yesterday, today and forever! The same God I felt back home was here with me now, I just needed to let him in and give my life over completely.  I was blown away really... I went outside and noticed the blood moon and all the stars were brighter than ever. It was a good night (:

The next morning I woke up feeling pretty refreshed. It was time for yard work again and I was ready to tackle this thing without hating my life in the process. First thing we needed was some music and good vibes so we just decided to have a little fun with it. It was the first time I actually appreciated  and had fun doing this! Crazy... I found myself thanking God for this humbling opportunity we all have here. 

That night we had worship again and crazy things happened. First, my walls totally came down, I felt this amazing peace and so did another friend who was going through the same thing. He went on stage and just shared his heart with everyone. Its crazy because everything he said was exactly how I was feeling. Everyone in the DTS program took a love language test earlier that week. It basically scored you based on how you best receive love. I scored the highest on quality time and acts of service. My friend spoke about the different ways God shows his love to us. He had mentioned that the time of worship we were having that night, was the quality time we needed with God. The wind was blowing so hard through the tin and just feeling that was the closest thing to a hug we had ever felt from Him.

One of our team members also got healing that night! My friend Jess just felt like God was calling her to do something she had never done before so she went up to another team member to pray healing over him. He had a hard time walking because of foot problems but after some prayer he was completely healed! It was pretty amazing (:

The reason I chose the word love for these last two posts is because thats all I've felt here. Gods love pouring down on me, refreshing my soul.

He has given me so many chances and I've failed so many times. It's just incredible to me that after that, He still shows his grace and love for me, even through others. He has shown me love through the homeless, through the children, through friendships, through yard work and through his creation. The list goes on and on but I see Him transforming me already and its only been three weeks!

 I went on a hike with part of the group and it was so wonderful! The journey is the hardest part but once you arrive you realize why you did it. It reminded me of the journey I'm on now. I will have struggles and it will be hard at times but it'll be worth it. God has bigger and better plans for me and He is waiting for me at the end ready to pour out all His love onto me. I've only felt a glimpse of that and the work he's done in me. I can't imagine or wait to see what else is in store for me and everyone here.

Hey readers!

It's been over a week since my last update and so much has happened! Our schedule is pretty tight during the week so it's been hard to set aside enough time to blog. Before I begin I just wanted to share what I feel was the word of the week for me. That word is Love and you'll see why in a bit.

My last update was October 1st a.k.a my birthday and that day was a little challenging for me.  As I mentioned in my last post, we are all required to do chores around the base twice a week. I spent a good chunk of it just doing yard work and I was soooooooo upset! How could I possibly spend most of my 23rd birthday outside in the heat doing yard work?! I'm usually spoiled rotten by my friends and family back home on this specific day but this day was different, I was really missing them and definitely not feeling the love! 

Anyway, I just kept thinking about it, stirring up my anger and just getting myself in a bad mood for no good reason. I laugh at myself just thinking of it because it's just so silly. It was just something I wasn't used to. That day, someone told me that yard work was therapeutic. I never thought about it that way and didn't at that moment I just got more upset! But later I realized how much yard work is really molding me. 

Later that night we had our first worship night as a team. We spent two hours just worshipping God together and it's just crazy how we all felt His prescence. We all felt his love just pouring over us, and I feel like each time, we feel it more intensely. That night I finally had a mini celebration for my birthday with my friends, and was even serenaded by a total stranger which was pretty sweet. I can definitely say it ended well. 

We have continued our evangelism and outreach and every week we visit the same places, which I love. I went to china town/hotel street again and got to spend some time with the homeless. Every time I leave that place I feel so fulfilled. Im supposed to be sharing God's love with these wonderful people but in that, they show me Gods love and grace over their lives. It really touches my heart that no matter what their, or anyones past is, God is a gracious redeemer! It's also a sweet touch when they call us Angels. That goes around the street every time we visit. 

Before we go out to evangelize, we all have intercession. Intercession is prayer and just waiting on God to speak to you. One of the girls just got a picture of Camo pants. Silly to think God is showing someone a pair of pants, but He does work in mysterious ways. She ran into a homeless man wearing these pants and asked him if he needed prayer. His response was that he had been hoping and praying for someone to ask. God answered his prayer and brought someone right over. Another crazy thing that happened that night was healing. There was a woman who could barely walk. She had a cane and had walked with a limp for some time. A girl from my team prayed healing over her and God healed the woman through her! She no longer needs a cane and her pain is completely gone. That was just incredible to me. 

I started working at Good Shepherd Preschool this week as well. Our team gets to do a skit for the kids every week, so this week we shared the story of David and Goliath. They had so much fun and absolutely loved having us there. We played, sang songs and just had fun together. Kids really bring so much joy. Working there really made me miss all my little people back at home, but it also made me feel a little closer to them. I posted a few videos below. If you have trouble playing them through your mobile phone, they can be viewed on a computer. 

These are only a few factors of why I chose the word Love for this week. I've decided to split this post in two, just because it is so long. If you want to read more about my struggles and how God is working in me stay tuned! I'll post the other half tomorrow night (:

                                                              
                                     
                                                              

Hey all!
Just a little update since my last post a couple days ago. This week we started a few new things such as lecture, work duties, community outreach and evangelism. I also found out my outreach location so that's pretty exciting! We've had Danny Lehmann for our lectures basically just teaching us about spiritual discipline and how it will help us with our missions. So far its been extremely helpful! Today we got to put it into action by going to china town, hotel street and just spreading love to the homeless community. This was my first time evangelizing and it was just an amazing experience overal. It was pouring rain which always makes things a little more intense! It was also sweet considering how extremely hot its been! But anyway, I met three new friends today: Menshi, Jian and Robert a.k.a Brother Bob. These were all beautiful, sweet people who really just wanted to be heard. It's so crazy how the world usually views the homeless as outcasts or rejects when they are just regular people who have had it a little rough in life. They all have hearts, feelings and a story behind it all. Each person happily accepted the little we gave them, which was just a bottle of water, our full attention and prayer. We even got prayer in return which was crazy to me! The homeless praying for me was definitely a new but beautiful experience. You can say my heart was full when I left that place. I'll be able to go back to china town every Tuesday to visit these wonderful people until December when we all split up to go on outreach!
Today we were given our outreach locations and had the opportunity to choose out of three: India/ Sri Lanka, Nepal and The Philippines/ Malaysia. This was a tough and huge decision for everyone so we were all a little nervous but it all worked out for the best! I NEVER EVER thought I would go to Nepal! It was never even an option for me but in that short time we had prayer and intercession I truly felt it in my heart thats where I needed to be. I quickly wrote it down and handed it in! There's no turning back now and I am so excited about this opportunity and experience !
Last but not least everyone got assigned different work duties on mondays and wednesdays from 1:30-5. Either working in the office, kitchen, house clean up or yard work. I got yard work......... YAY! A little challenging with this crazy heat and no AC but this too shall pass!!
Thank you all so much for your prayer and support! More updates coming soon! xoxo