I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane....tomorrow!!!!!

I have to start off by thanking all of you who have prayed for this trip and who will continue to pray. That is key to His Word being manifested in the hearts of these people! Also, I am blessed to say that all my funds have been raised for the trip!! Thank you for your help with that as well! I knew when God told me to go on this mission trip that He would provide and He did! He is always faithful!
I am sitting here in the comfort of my air conditioned home on my comfy couch with the TV playing in front of me (enjoying it while I can). To be honest, it really has not hit me yet that I am going to be out of the States for 2 months. Packing has been a little bit of an ordeal considering that I have to pack in a backpacking pack for 60 days! For those of you who know me and my packing tendencies….I go overboard. However, I am forced to just pack in this backpack and a smaller carry on, considering I will be hiking with all this stuff. I am choosing only the necessities.
Currently, I am filled with emotions. I am anxious to finally get there and really excited. I have been preparing and talking about this trip for at least 6 months and it is hard to believe that it is happening tomorrow! My only fear is that I will have trouble hiking with all my stuff (small compared to what your fears are for me huh J…or at least my parents anyway). I am actually meeting up with one of my team members in Dallas and we have all the same flights. Therefore, I am not the nervous about the flights anymore. My flight leaves at 10:50am in Birmingham. I fly from Birmingham to Dallas, Dallas to LA, LA to Hong Kong, and Hong Kong to Manila (the capitol of the Philippines). The Philippines is approx. 1 day ahead of us, therefore I will arrive to Manila on June 4, 2009.
I will be in Manila for a few days of orientation and training. Then, my team and I will fly to an island and then boat to the Siquijor Island, which is where my team will be stationed all summer. Then we will begin ministering to the people of this island. This island is known to be controlled by Satan through witchcraft. We will be God’s tools in setting people free through the power of the Gospel. We will be witnessing through drama, sports, and one-on-one witnessing with the goal of establishing house churches on this island.
As I prepare to leave, I ask that you pray! Pray for safe flights. Pray for my team to be unified in Christ. Pray that I will open my eyes to the divine appointments Christ has for me in the Philippines and on the flights there, as well. Pray for people’s hearts to be receptive to the gospel. Pray for my health. Pray that God’s words will fill our hearts and our mouths. Pray for every aspect of this 60 day mission. Pray for strength on the days I am running low. Pray for my family back home (especially mom, dad, and Sam). Most of all, pray for souls to come to know a personal RELATIONSHIP with Christ and for Him to receive ALL the glory!
I do ask that you guys shower my family with extra love for these next few months! I know that they are very nervous about my safety and health. Call my mom for me (since usually I call her everyday). Give mom, dad, and especially Sam lots of hugs and kisses…ok maybe just hugs from you guys J Please please please let them know that they are in your prayers. Encourage them daily! I will return July 30th and take on my daughterly roles again…until then..You guys are responsible J
As I am typing this blog, this Point of Grace song just came on and spoke to me! This is what I pray my life will proclaim to every person I come in contact with, whether on the airplane, in the airport, or in the Philippines!

All my life you have been with me

How could I pretend not to see

I was walking on the line

I was wasting precious time

All I know is that you love me

If I call you will set me free

It's a promise that you made

It's the truth that will not change

Please help me to remember

My God has never let me down

My God has turned my world around

He loves me even though

I Know I don't deserve him

My God has never turned away

He's with me every single day

He's broken all the chains and set this captive free

Seems to you all your hope is gone

Never found a love that strong

It's a chance you have to take

A choice you've got to makeI hope that you' remember

Will never let you down

My God can turn your world around

He loves us even though

I Know we don't deserve him

My God will never turn away

He's with me every single day

He's broken all the chains and set this captive free

Quick story: God is already using this trip to help other know about Him. Today I was grabbing lunch and had on my school of Christian studies shirt from UM and this lady asked about me going to a Christian college. This, so easily ,led into a discussion about what I was doing this summer. I was able to share with her. She could not believe that someone would sacrifice their whole summer to do this and to live out of a backpack. To me, it is obvious! I am called to make sure that every person has heard the gospel…that is what I am doing! She wants me to come back and talk to her when I come home. Pray that one day she will understand what it is like to have a burning desire to spread the Word of the Lord! Her name is Amanda. Keep Amanda in your prayers. Pray I will have an opportunity to talk with her about the Lord again. Also, she gave me a free piece of cake since I may not have good food for a while she said J God is already working and I am so excited! To Him be all the glory!

**Thank you so much for the prayers and for reading how God is working in my life! I will send weekly or bi-weekly updates on how God is working through His tools in the Philippines! Love you all and God bless!! My mom will be sending out updates to all of you. You can send her e-mails you want to go to me and she can compile them and send them my way! Thank you again! You are such a blessing!