Giving and the Wonders of Social Media

I'm a fan of social media. It's a fact and those who know me know it well. It has its faults and issues I'll admit. But it has some wonderful qualities as well. I'll address the flaws at some later date but today I'd like to talk about the good sides.

It's magical the people you can come in contact with who you'd ordinarily never meet. Several weeks ago I was over on Evy's Tree's blog and she featured a fundraiser she was doing to help fund an adoption for Emmy over at It's Just Emmy. I'd never encountered Emmy and her blog nor the amazing adoption loving community on Instagram. I didn't need any more hoodies so I didn't buy one even though I found Emmy's story touching. However as I clicked through some of her other posts I found another fundraiser. This one was for a print of a lovely quote by Amy Lou. 

When the Lord places a calling on your life He also provides the map & the lamp to guide your path. All you have to do is follow.

I loved it and bought it immediately. Later on I got the print and Amy Lou had sent me several extras as well. The generosity this stranger had astounded me. To do a fundraiser for someone whom I believe she's never met AND through in extras with purchases she was already making no profit on was amazing. 

As I continued to look at her posts and those of others I was inspired by their giving ways and the friendships formed among these women. I watched in amazement as Emmy has continued to host fundraisers for other adoptive parents after sweet Georgia's adoption was fully funded. I watched strangers give to people they'd never met. Somewhere along the way their attitudes rubbed off on me. Not only have they inspired me to make time to be crafty and create beauty instead of worrying about making it perfect they have also inspired me to give. This week I found myself reading a post by someone on Facebook who frankly occasionally annoys me. However a post that would previously have irritated me instead inspired sympathy. I still have to check my attitude on a regular basis but after the influence of these lovely ladies I instead decided to find a way to bless this person who is obviously going through a rough patch. Later on I was shopping and about to buy a second pair of boots (obviously a want not a need) and then remembered a little girl from my church's bus route wearing sandals last night when it was 35 degrees outside and headed over to find a pair of flats for her instead. 

I don't say this for you all to know that I did something "good" but to marvel at the impact these giving ladies that I've never met have had on me. Social media can be a time wasting, depressing technology, but it can also connect us with people better than we might without. It can allow others to influence us and vice versa. It's amazing. Find someone who makes you want to be a better person and follow them. Let their light ignite yours.

AYC Peru: Want to Help? Pray!

As our AYC trip swiftly approaches I am grateful for everyone who has prayed, donated, and spoken many words of encouragement. I have no doubt the next few weeks will change my life altogether for the better. I have one final request though: keep praying!

Bro. Jury (our chaperone) sent us the following prayer focus that I'd like to share with you all.

1. Protection (from thieves, accidents, diseases, etc)
2. God opens the way before us (this includes the ease of our travels without problems i.e. airport security, no mechanical difficulties or delays, etc.)
3. Favor (for God to grant us favor first of all with HIM, with the church and the heathen, business and otherwise, wherever we go)
4. That God will make us a blessing to His church and people, use as instruments for His Glory
5. That people will come to know Him as a result of our efforts
6. That God will teach us things through our Brethren whom we will get to know and know God better as a result

All of these are important things, but I would especially like to ask you all to pray for our protection. I have had a friend experience a bad accident on another AYC trip (But my God had his hand of protection on her still -- blog post to come detailing His divine work) and I've known of many who have had to spend part of their trips in hotel rooms sick with this virus or that illness. 

We covet and appreciate your prayers during this endeavor and are confident that God will encamp angels round about us during this journey. Pray that many people will be touched and blessed by God in Peru and that both the Peruvian church and the AYC Peru team would be forever impacted. Continue to pray for AYC Dominican Republic today -- they have made it back to Miami and are all traveling home today, and for AYC El Salvador -- on the ground until next Monday! 

AYC Peru: FAQ

I just want to take a minute to answer some of the frequently asked questions about my trip. This post is accurate as of it's posting but information is subject to change as there are still many things we don't know.

What organization you traveling with? I'm traveling with Apostolic Youth Corps, a division of the United Pentecostal Church International. AYC is a combined effort between the Global Missions Division and the General Youth Division to send young people overseas to be an active part in missions work. This particular trip is also sponsored by another division of the UPCI, Campus Ministry International. 

Do you know anyone you're going with? I do not know one soul on the trip personally. Through facebook, texting, and phone calls I have become good friends with two of my group members but we have yet to actually meet. I know of a few of the people through mutual acquaintances but essentially I'm going with 25 strangers.

How many people are in your group? As best as I can figure from counting email addresses there are 23 of us in the group. We will be traveling with 2 chaperones, David and Holly Jury, and with the Showalters, our host missionaries.

When are you leaving? We depart on Friday July 12 from Houston. We'll be flying out about 4 in the afternoon. The group will assemble in Houston throughout the day and leave together at that time. We will arrive in Lima that night at about 10:30.

How long is the flight? The flight from Houston to Lima is 6 hours 30 min. It is direct and they claim they're going to feed us. It will be the longest I've ever flown and the highest altitude, so prayers for my sensitive ears are appreciated.

How long will you be there? We have 9 actual days in the country plus 2 travel days. We will be actively in Peru doing things other than sitting on planes from July 13-July 21. 

Where in Peru are you going? We are going to Lima, Arequipa, Juliaca, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Cuzco, and Macchu Picchu.

What are you going to be doing? Honestly, I don't really know. Whatever they tell us to do haha. I do know that we are going to be participating in at least one church service in every place except Macchu Picchu. We will even be in a service on a UPCI Island Church in the Uros man made Islands. Because our trip is sponsored by CMI it is probably safe to assume we will do some work in colleges and universities there. I also know we will be doing evangelism. There is sight seeing on the schedule but except for Macchu Picchu it is combined with street evangelism, etc. No time will be wasted.

Will you have access to the internet? At times yes. The two hotels we know so far do claim to have wifi but I will not be paying international data charges so access will be limited to when wifi is available.

Are you going to be uploading pictures while you're there? When wifi is available I will upload pictures to Instagram (which will also post to my facebook and my twitter feed). I also plan to blog as time and internet connections allow.

Will you have your phone? Yes BUT it will be in airplane mode all the time. Phone calls will cost me $2.89 a minute, sending a text will cost me $0.50 and receiving one will cost $0.05. DO NOT TEXT ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you would like to send me a message you may either facebook message me or download the app WhatsApp and send me messages that way.

Got more questions? Post them in the comments! That's all for now folks!

AYC Peru: It's almost here!

Warning: This post may be a bit rambling; you have been warned!

So, according to my countdown app, there are currently 8 days, 22 hours, 19 minutes and 41 seconds remaining until my flight leaves Tulsa (assuming it's not delayed...I am flying American so that is questionable). There are so many thoughts and emotions flowing through my poor brain right now that  I don't think I can begin to express them all here -- but I'm going to try.

Disbelief: A portion of my brain is simply incredulous that I, yes little ol' me, am going to be in Peru in just over a week. I have dreamed of going to Peru for years but for a variety of reasons have never thought I'd ever see foreign soil. One former man of God in my life told me upon hearing of my call to the Spanish speaking portion of the world that my calling didn't mean I'd ever go anywhere -- I'd probably just help in a Spanish church in the states and I'd probably never leave the Oklahoma area. Another person in my life told me that "all young people feel called to missions but most never go so don't get my hopes up." So, needless to say, I dreamed about it but never thought I'd ever actually go. Actually it was just a week ago today that my brain finally accepted the reality that I am going to Peru. I was shelving books at McFarlin library when it just hit me that I'm really going to Peru! I almost ran around the library screaming but I instead settled for listening to Shout Now Radio on Pandora and having a praise break while I shelved (if anyone saw me I'm not crazy, just excited). I just can't quite believe that I'm going to South America in less than 9 days!!

1 Thessalonians 5:24

Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.

King James Version

Excitement: So I don't want to do anything these days. I just want to pack and talk about my trip and obsess over how much longer it is 'til I'm in Lima! I've already become pretty good friends with two of the people I'm going with and I can't wait to meet them and spend 6.5 hours on a plane with them while we drive everyone else around us nuts because we won't shut up. (But at least we won't be singing Disney songs, right Justin? I may bring a pillow just to smother those people...) I cannot focus on anything I'm just too excited!!!

Fear: I'm not afraid of getting kidnapped, murdered or lost but I am worried about many silly things. I'm afraid of losing my passport, forgetting something important, getting sick because of how bad the flight hurts my ears, getting sick in general, embarrassing myself, being the least spiritual person in the group, forgetting every word of Spanish I've ever learned, eating guinea pig, being the most out of shape and slowing the group down, having an asthma attack on Macchu Picchu, somehow sinking an island in the Uros Islands, and a thousand million other things. It'll all be ok though!!

Impatience: Since I began typing this the countdown has shifted down to 8 days, 21 hours, 53 minutes, and 35 seconds. Can time move any slower? Can it be next Friday yet? I'm ready to go! Let's go! Let's do this thing! Are we there yet? Come on! I've got things to do, places to go and people to tell about Jesus!!

So anyways! I'm excited! Expect another post today or tomorrow detailing where we're going etc! Also, if you sent me a donation and I haven't sent you a thank you note I promise you will get it before I leave! It's been a crazy several months with school and two jobs and I've gotten behind! You'll get it though!! :-)

AYC Update

I'm sure many of you remember the post where I first poured out my soul about the desire to go to Peru with Apostolic Youth Corps this summer. Here's your update. I was officially accepted to this tiny trip of 16 students from the US and Canada. I don't know a soul that is going and it will be my first time outside of the US and Canada so I'm both excited and terrified. Now the pressing matter in money. The first payment of $1100 is due one month from today and will pay for our airfare to and from Peru (the return flight is overnight, oh my....) and as it stands I'm only about 35% funded for that first payment. I still need about $700. I know God is going to provide this but I don't know how haha. I'm running a 5K on 4/20 but have very few sponsors. I'm going to be selling Mazzio's Coupon books as well but they aren't in yet. I'm asking all of you to consider sponsoring me or just donating to the cause. I have a Paypal set up just for my trip and it is lana-bible@utulsa.edu. You can gift money to that account and I would be thrilled. I love you all and am looking forward to sharing this journey with you!