Missions Trip To Mexico!

This is the questionnaire that I turned in for the trip to Mexico in April with my youth group! :)

Questionnaire:

What does it mean to be a Christian?
You believe in your heart that Jesus is God’s Son, and that He died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins, so that you could live with Him in heaven someday, and rose again the third day. You are also a new creature when you become a Christian, old things are passed away, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). You are crucified with Christ, it is not you who now lives, but Christ living in you; the life you now live in the flesh, you live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved you, and gave Himself for you (Galatians 2:20).

Explain why you would like to go to Mexico and work with orphans?
Last year in 2010, I felt like God was telling me that what I was to do in my life had something to do with sharing the Gospel. I heard message after message about how we were to share our faith, and my “verse of the year” was Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” God was stirring something in my heart. A while later, I watched a video on YouTube called “Depraved Indifference” by Eric Ludy about orphans, and it broke my heart for them, and made me cry. Since then, my love for them has grown, and still is, and in the past couple months I’ve been thinking, that maybe is something God wants me to do-work with orphans. When I saw the MVBC youth group was going on a Missions trip to Mexico, to work with orphans nonetheless, I started to get really excited, and had a desire to go. But then I thought I shouldn’t get my hopes up, because with my family situation, and the money-it might not work out. But, I have been thinking, if God wants me to go, He will provide a way and the money, and so I must trust Him. One night a couple weeks ago, I was crying, and talking to God, saying “God, I don’t know how I would do it, but I know I can trust You. Is this something You want me to do?” I looked over just then, and saw a plaque that was my sister’s that said, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (~Psalm 37:4) I knew that was His answer to my question. This is a desire of my heart, and I know in order for Him to grant me my desire, I must delight myself in Himself, and trust Him with all me heart. =)

What area in your walk with Christ would you like to grow more in?
Prayer! (1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” Colossians 4:2, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.”) This is something I really struggle with, and I know I need to pray more (and more often). I pray that God would teach me to pray, and help me to take time out of my day to spend time with Him in prayer. I also want to grow more in Bible Study-digging deeper into God’ Word, and discovering new truths, etc., and being more bold about sharing my faith with other people/passing out tracks. =)

Do you have consistent personal time with God?

Yes.

How many days a week?
7

Explain what you are doing in your devotions and what is the most recent thing God has taught you?
I read a chapter of Proverbs each day, read the “Daily Bread,” and I have been working on reading through the Bible this past year. The past couple months though, I feel like I’ve gotten into the habit of just reading my Bible because I “have to” cause if I didn’t, I would feel bad, and feel like I was a bad person or something. In 2012 I am going to read through the Bible again, and try to change that. I don’t want reading my Bible to be a “habit,” or something I “have to do”. I want it to be something I can’t live without-my daily times with my Jesus,-and something where I draw my strength from-something I couldn’t get through my day without doing. God has been teaching me that I need to always have a good attitude and be joyful no matter what I am going through or struggling with at the time. Just because I’m going through a trial right now, doesn’t justify my bad attitude or give me the right to not be joyful. God says: “Rejoice evermore.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16) “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.” (Psalm 35:9) “The joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10c) [I also included these couple verses James 1:27, James 2:1-9, Exodus 22:22-24, Proverbs 14:31, Psalm 41:1]

Now my sister and I are going to Mexico in April!! We will be going down to Monterrey, MX April 21st-27th (yup, that's over Susanna's birthday =)), and we will be partnering with back2back (our youth Pastor's brother works with that ministry), and will be ministering in different orphanages, working with orphans, helping with any projects that they may need done, being with the children, sharing God's love, etc. We are so excited and can't wait! We sent out a bunch of letters trying to raise prayer as well as financial support, and we are trusting that God will provide, and work out all the details. Right now, Landon (our youth pastor) is trying to find tickets, at a good price, and he's having a hard time finding them... it's getting harder each day. I would appreciate any prayers for us as we participate in this amazing opportunity that the Lord has given us, and we pray that we will learn and grow through this what God would have us to! :) We are reading as a group a book called "not a fan." and it's been really good so far. We get together every two weeks (Monday night), and discuss the book, pray, read the Bible, etc. We have had two meetings so far, and they have been really good, and very encouraging to me!! Well, that's about it for now, and I will keep you updated as we go along!! :)

Have a great weekend! <333

Sister In Christ,

Karissa││Romans 12