Missions Recap 2022

As fall approaches I’m reflecting on all that God has done in the past year. He has guided me to a calling that honors Him and a closer relationship with Him. I keep praying for discernment in that. In March, God opened a door for me to be in ministry again. New Mexico beauty for ashes women’s ministry opened my eyes and heart to how God uses our stories to glorify Him in His faithfulness, mercy, and love. I was blown away that there was a ministry helping women around the world tell their stories to further bring their beauty for ashes to bring God the glory. I knew then that my past and sufferings were to be shared to show how God can deliver us and use those ashes for His beauty. Women in New Mexico are so strong. Many of them are not allowed to talk about their abuse, traumas, struggles, addictions, and past because it is not culturally or socially acceptable. They hide in shame and their worth was skewed by the world. At that ministry so many women said they felt free and redeemed by Christ getting to know that other women have been in hard times in their lives. They said they felt loved by God and open to share their testimony to break chains. Many of the women said they knew God didn’t want them to live in shame but to seek Him and let him define their worth. I was blown away about what God did in my own heart by seeing Him work through them.

After that I felt like the woman at the well did. I couldn’t keep my mouth shut. I wanted to share with more women what God had shown me through this ministry. So, I was off to telling my neighbors, my old church family in my hometown, friends, and co-workers. A month later I was with a dear friend of mine in Guatemala sharing this ministry with women in some local villages. My heart was overflowing. That mission was so led by the Holy Spirit. In 2 days we had over 25 women walking from other villages to hear about who Jesus says they are and their worth. I washed their feet and we prayed over one another. Women shared their stories of feeling that their identity was a lie and we read scripture about who God says they are how much worth they have in Christ. I was so blessed by their love for the Lord. People from the least likely places were donating to help me further God’s kingdom without hesitation. Even when I felt unworthy of doing ministry God continued to use me and I’m so thankful for the opportunities.

By June I was fortunate to be apart of the beauty for ashes ministry in Albania. Most of those women are first generation Christians. Many are just now coming to know Jesus. It was incredible as we went to 4 separate villages to talk about worth, identity, forgiveness and how God is with us even in our sadness. They were hungry to hear more about Jesus and to share their testimonies. We made crowns to display the truth of who God says they are. It was remarkable to see such faith in a mostly Muslim country. God was moving and is doing something big there. My prayer is for that ministry to continue to grow there. These women touched my heart.

In July I had the pouring out of people buying my art so that I may go to Asheville, NC. my kids and I got to spread the gospel and pray with others as a family. My 3 little girls went with me and it blew me away their hearts for God and others. We prayed with people on the streets that were struggling finding a home, employment, and with addictions. It was hopefully only the beginning of sharing in this as a family.

By August I wasn’t recieving help financially for mission work here or abroad anymore. So, I accepted that maybe God was closing that door for right now. Then, someone anonymously donated the money for me to go to Gainesville, Georgia. With less than a week or so to prepare I was taken away by the kindness of another. That group of women was from everywhere in the U.S. and one lady was originally from the Philippines. We thought we had everything for ministry planned but then it all got canceled or changed within the first day. Instead of getting disheartened, we just trusted God. It was amazing to see how His plan was way bigger and better. We got to minister to women and in the most surprising and unexpected ways. One woman said she felt God again for the first time in 4 years and now was running back to Jesus. I just kept feeling one word over and over…restored.

This past year keeps pushing me to trust in the Lord and to keep pressing on. Even in hard times, pain, opposition and lack of sight in the future He says don’t fear just trust. My heart feels that He is pushing me to trust Him more and more while also remembering He is the one who loves us most. Only He defines us and only He writes my story. My spiritual walk has felt so changed in the past year by the way God speaks through circumstances to me. He has a beautiful way of weaving people into the stories of our lives for His greater picture. He has a wonderful sense of humor too and in the midst of turmoil it has brought me joy when I’ve needed it most. I have been so blessed to get to be a part of sharing my imperfect life to show His perfect love and mercy to others.