Puerto Rico part 1

Hola from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico! We have been here for 11 days now and still have a solid 3 weeks to go.  Since Mitch and I are moving to Guatemala in September, I feel like this trip has been a good warm up for our move to come. I have been to Puerto Rico 6 times and this one is quite different from all the rest. We have come to look at different churches/ministries in PR to see about partnering with Mobilizing Students. We have been buying groceries, driving ourselves around, and being very independent as if we lived here. It has helped me process some of the frustrations and stress I will experience when in Guatemala. Only they will be felt more so in Guatemala, being that is quiet different from the Americanized island of Puerto Rico. However, I am thankful for God's grace and provision. 

Since being here we have discovered some beautiful parts of the island, and have also partaken in ministry (the church we are staying at is smack dab in the middle of the projects). 

While being here, I read a book called “When Helping Hurts.” This books focuses on poverty alleviation around the world and in America. The authors give incredible, biblical insight and wisdom to what poverty alleviation looks like. I recommend it to anyone who is a church/ministry leader, interested/passionate about poverty alleviation, or people going on short term/long term mission trips. 

Here are some photos from our explorations! 

 

Adios until next time! 

-Amanda 

Urban Plunge

The organization we’re with, Mobilizing Students puts on an event each summer in Atlanta, GA called Urban Plunge. This was the first year that Mitch and I got to be a part of it.  We had 4 youth groups come into Atlanta and experience a week of missions and worship. All together that week we had apporx 300 people working in 39 different international apartment complexes. The gospel was preached to many people! It was a great to not only “plunge” into these international apartments, but also to see these high schoolers experience so much culture within our own country. I saw hearts break as we took a tour of a Hindu temple, lives being challenged as we sat and listened to Mike Keabone preach each night, and souls surrendered to Christ as their hands were lifted high in worship. One of the many reasons I love what I do is that I get to see high schoolers grow in their faith as they experience Jesus on these trips. Mitch and I feel blessed to be a part of Mobilizing Students and we’re so glad we got to be apart of Urban Plunge.

I am currently writing this from Puerto Rico :) 

Stay tuned for pictures of the beautiful island!

-Amanda 

Refreshed.

Just a few photos from a relaxing week at the beach. Thankful for family time and beach time. We are refreshed and ready for the next 6-7 weeks of business. Tomorrow we're off to Atlanta for a week at Urban Plunge, then Puerto Rico for a month and then back to Atlanta for another mission trip. It's going to be a little crazy, but so exciting! 

The next time I blog, I'll be on my way to Puerto Rico ;) 

Love, 

Amanda

"To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Better than fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of any, or all earthly friends. These are but shadows; but the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams; but God is the sun. These are but streams; but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean."       
                 - Jonathan Edwards

I found this quote on one of the many blogs I keep up with. Reading it was like a breath of fresh air. 
Heaven is not something we can comprehend with our finite minds, but Jonathan Edwards paints a beautiful picture of how much better heaven will be compared to anything else this world offers. 

Why then do we get so wrapped up in this world? Why does my little heart worry so much? 
My life is no longer my own. I am a child of the one true King and He is holding me in his hands. I am not to fear!
It's time to keep my eyes on the prize- Christ. To let nothing in this world distract me or bring me down. For one day I will walk with Jesus and I will be complete. 

"Theses are but a shadow of the things to come; the reality however is found in Christ." Colossians 2:17

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7