This really spoke to me today and wanted to share and reflect on it!

God's Plan-
God has been making arrangements for your part in His plan long before you were born.  He is never unprepared.  Your past does not surprise Him.  Your present does not worry Him.  Your future is not a mystery to Him.  No one is second-class laborer in His harvest.  You are precious to Him.  He is the Almighty, you are His beloved child, and we are all part of the wonderful tapestry of His eternal purpose!

I think often we all get stuck in a rut, and forget how much we are loved.  We often try and find peace and comfort in all the wrong places.  We may try finding comfort by abusing drugs or alcohol.  Some may find it in holding onto bitterness, anger and control.  Where others may find themselves in a deep dark depression.  I know for me, I use to land in the middle of all the categories I listed.  I still struggle with a few, but that is what makes me human.  What makes me different today, from 5, 6, 7 and 10 years ago, is today I know the love of our Eternal Father.... Yes I sin every single day.  We all do.  It is not place to judge you or anyone else.  It is my job to strive to make each day better, to live each day stronger, and to remember that God does have a plan far greater then I could ever imagine..... A plan that was partially exposed to me in June while I was in El Salvador..... Something I still have yet to figure out....
Just always remember... You are loved! You are loved more then you could ever imaging, and what you did yesterday, that is yesterday!
 Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Good Bye El Salvador

Is hard to believe we are winding down and back to packing mode so we can leave for the airport at 3 AM…. I have to say, everyday God touched me in ways I never imagined.  Today we hiked up a volcano, (try and do that in MO lol) and it was breathtaking! 

Tonight’s church service was indescribable.  I think I cried more tonight then I have in a long time.  They were not tears of sorrow; no they were tears of joy, thanks, and praises.  Before heading out on this trip I had no idea what to really except.  I can honestly say I am forever changed. 

I know I am sinner, I am not perfect, I make mistakes and I have struggles.  But this week I was reminded over and over again that I am loved more than I can ever imagine!  You know we go to church on Sunday and Wednesday in our nice air conditioned buildings.  We drive our nice cars and are able to eat before we get there.  Here we sat, sweat dripping from our heads singing and praising the Lord.  It was amazing! I can’t wait to come back! El Salvador holds a special place in my heart!  I will be back, and I can wait to hug each one of the kids and parents I met this week!  El Salvador I am grateful for this trip! And I am so thankful to all those who helped to get me here! I will forever be grateful!

In a few hours I will be leaving on a jet plane! I can’t wait to hug all my boys!!!!

Jules

El Salvador Day 4

What a day!  I have to say when we leave early Saturday morning a piece of my heart will stay behind here in El Salvador.  Today was so amazing.  The excitement the kids had at the 2 schools we went to where we did the JRA kid’s camp experience was indescribable.  I will be honest, 100% honest, being here, seeing what we are seeing, how these kids live and still have a smile on their faces.  It really makes you look at your own life, and how you live it. 

I feel so blessed to be part of a church that pours into missions the way they do!  To actually see where the money is going, has gone and will continue to go to is an experience all in itself!  I would encourage everyone at some point in their life to go on a mission trip! 

Today was jam packed full of going to more schools and reaching more kids.  When we were leaving the first school, I had a little girl ask me to pray with her, when I asked her what for (Ok the translator lol) she said that she wanted me to pray for her brother, and that he would ask Jesus in his heart.  I asked her what was going on (again the translator comes in here) and she tells me her brother his part of a gang, or the drug cartel.  So myself and another one of our team members laid hands on her and prayed for her and with her.  As we were leaving, she came to the bus at least 5 times and hugged me from the window; finally I had to get off the bus to give her another hug.  She told me thank you (in English) and that she loved me in (again in English).  That moment made me want to pack her in my suitcase and bring her home with me!  Then we head to the next school, and same thing, little girl hugs me as we were leaving and tells “I love you forever”.  Again, another one I wish I could just pack in my suitcase and bring them home.  But, I know I can’t, but what I can do is continue to pray for them, continue to support missions over here, and continue to come back on future mission trips.  There is something special about this place that I cannot explain, but I do know I will be back!

Tomorrow we are going to hike a volcano, and in the evening attend a miracle service!  I have to say I am excited about both!

Please continue to keep our team in your prayers! It has been a journey I will always remember! 

Jules