My loves!

This is quoted directly from Harrison (I am lazy tonight). I thought it painted a good picture of what God is doing in the mentoring program right now! EXCITING STUFF :)
Mentoring:
Our mentoring program is blowing up! We have had to move locations and split into two time slots. Today at 3, we had 13 kids and at 5 we had another 9. We are now meeting at a local church where I will be speaking this sunday to try and raise financial support as well as volunteers to help us mentor/tutor. As of now we are meeting Tuesday's and Thursday's at 3 and 5. We tutor in reading, writing and math then hang out for a bit and eat bologne sandwiches. It is an awesome opportunity to love these kids, give them a meal that they can depend on, encourage them, teach them and pray with them. The Lord is blessing this ministry emensly. Please continue to pray for us and all the boys we work with throughout the week. Most of them lack supervision, beg for their food and are surrounded on a daily basis with drugs and violence. Brandon is a 17 year old boy who just got out of jail. He was in jail for 5 months for stealing a cell phone (jail here is not pleasant). He does not know his alphabet and WILL become a drug dealer or continue his criminal activity if nothing is done. As I was sitting with him today helping him learn to read an analog clock, I realized the importance of what God has brought before us. These kids are at the bottom in this culture and do not have much of a chance to climb up. They don't know any other way and they won't unless someone shows them. Brandon has come both days this week and I am excited to see the way God uses our time together to open him up and heal the dark places in his life. I love serving these kids and I love being with them. They are in all honesty some of the most fun people I know. I feel blessed to be their friends. Thank you for your prayers.

Back in ACTION!

Getting spoiled by the Bracy's!

Sharing the news- YOU WILL HAVE A NEW HOME FOR YOUR FAMILY!

Class outing to Wendy's! Some of my students :)

Celebrating Menfi graduating 6th grade- big deal!

Tutoring. My favorite boys!

Isaiah 61:1-4

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

This is what Jesus is all about! This is what he has put on my heart- only because it is his heart! This is what I am excited to watch the Lord do on this island!

There are now 12 boys coming on Tuesdays and Thursdays for mentoring! 17 year old men are learning their alphabet, and 13 year old boys have started reading. We have gotten to celebrate Menfi graduating, and Gus' first job. We have celebrated the birth of new siblings, and brokeness in their homes.These boys have stolen my heart! It's crazy to think about the reality of what they live in- constant violence, drug trafficking, mom's selling the girls out, extreme poverty. Hate it! Love seeing and reminding them that even though thats their living situation, it's not what defines them! I know the Lord is CRAZY, and WILDLY in love with them- because my heart feels only a glimpse of that and most of the time I feel I could explode! THANKS so much to everyone who helped us get them clothes to bring back, and are supporting this ministry- they are worth it!

We were staying with a young lady who was rescued from years of nasty abuse. Hard to fathem some times how we can hurt each other so deeply- but one thing I do know is that there is healing. Staying up praying through hard dreams and listening to an eager heart, this verse comes alive. The Lord is all about restoring what has been destroyed over the years! Even though we are no longer staying nights with this beautiful lady, I know and trust the Lord will continue to reach and love her in the places that are too deep for us to even comprehend!

The student in my class that has started counseling- I see transformation in him. He went from talking about violence and shutting down to laughing with the students. He has a new confidence and gets excited to raise his hand in class. He is being reminded that he matters- which we all need every once in a while! Things in class are still trying and frustrating often, but there are relationship with my students that over ride all of this! Pray that I not grow weary in remembering that what they need most is to be loved and invested in. They are amazing!

We will be building the house in just one month! We are now at 54% of the finanacial support that we are in need of. Thank you so much to all of you who have graciously given towards this family! They are beyond excited about the ways that their life is about to drastically change. Please continue to pray over this process- we will be starting the build March 4th! YAY! If you feel led to give, please check out the site.

http://www.ministrysync.com/event/website/?m=551383

LOVE YOU ALL!!

Too long!

Re-united and it feels so good!

The Par- TAY! Celebrating Stace and G!

The MOST incredible group of friends, hands down.

Mom, Dad, brother, and his girlfriend!

Cousins and Gma!




Ooopp, we hit an unexpected bump! Perfect timing with the snap.

Aunt Jan & I- what a woman of courage and hope!

Wow, it has now been over 2 months since I wrote my last blog post- unacceptable and lame! Good stuff to share, praise the Lord!

Christmas break was much needed and SO RICH! Nothing like stepping off the plane to the surprise of my lovely parents, Manny, Stacie, Grant, and Kate dressed in tacky Christmas clothes. I wasn't sure if I should pee in excitement or cry, feeling overwhelmed with joy!

Walking into two weeks, it seems like a long time. When you haven't gotten to see so many who you adore however, it flies by faster than you could imagine! Being back in North Carolina was not "restful" in the slow down and get some sleep sense, but so thankful for the ways the Lord used it to renew my spirit. It's amazing how quickly we can become tired when we are not allowing the Lord to fill us up fully- that was where I was at! My dear friend Kate reminded me as I was praying, "Lord, I am desperate for you" that although yes.. I am in great need of Jesus- but I am not desperate. He doesn't hold back in loving on and pouring into his children that he adores. Gosh, so thankful for this reminder! So refreshing to be around so many that I love and am loved on so well- to get to not do the intro/get to know each other chat (as much as I love that).. and to be able to just dive into the heart! JUST REMINDED HOW BLESSED I AM to have a family and community to loves me so well- whether I am in a funk processing stuff, or laughing to the point of tears. So thankful! Coming back to the island with such a fresh perspective and renewed vision/ excitement! It continues to be such a crazy honor to live here and walk with so beautiful and unique people. I see the kingdom coming here on this island, and its AMAZING to get to walk in that!

Some highlights from the break- ALWAYS FUN :)

Finally getting to celebrate the love birds- Stace and Grant! Mom and dad are the best party planners there are. Nothing like having all the crew back together to celebrate- it was perfect! Watch out world, the Meiburgs are coming- and that's A LOT of love right there!

Sleepovers with Anna, Stace, and Elyse. Mom bringing coffee in bed and making us feel like queens (she's good at that). Dinner party with the Durham crew to celebrate oh so many things! Staying up until 4am chatting with Josh. VISITS, VISITS, VISITS!

Family time- whether it was all the New Bern Christmas traditions (brunch at the party shack, oyster roast, gma's birthday, etc), or even just curling up on the sofa. SO NICE to be in their presence. Many many funny grandma quotes about why I am "really here", haha.

What left me floored was the pictures from the snow. When I left for Honduras, I knew that God wanted me here but it was so hard to leave aunt Jan who was so sick at the time. Thank you for your prayers- the Lord is such a powerful healer! Please take note of the picture of us playing in the SNOW. CRAZY- when I left she barely had the lung strength to get to the bathroom and we were able to outplay the kids in the snow running up and down the hills to sled this Christmas! Simply said, AMAZING! Continue to pray with us!