Haiti

Well, it's official now! I am headed out to Haiti in about 3 weeks.

I've never in my life been so excited and/or scared...

India is one thing, when you are traveling with safe people, people who have gone before you and set every detail in place...but now I head to Haiti...alone, with people I don't know, into unforeseen circumstances...can you say WAY OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE!!!! But through it all this I know; God goes before me...He will be my protector and provider...He will give me the strength and love to handle all that comes my way...

*big sigh*

more details to come...God is good, I guess that's all I really need to know :)

Life hurts

I was happy to see the link for my blog had been removed from the india mission...more often than not, I want to blog, vent, think out loud, but having it linked there made it a bit difficult. 

That being said, life is junk for a minute. And I no the minute will pass, but this week, it hurts all over. 

Whoever said "It's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all", yeah, that person was full of it...and my heart...well, it feels like it went through the garbage disposal. 

And if you could say a prayer for my cousin Shannon and her family, my mom is flying out of Seattle tomorrow to go to California to be with my aunty while they take Shan off life support. She's 38 years old, has a loving husband and 2 beautiful daughters. 

Somedays life just hurts. Today is one of those days...

As previously promised...

Allow me to introduce you to four of the greatest young people in Hawaii...

These are the "young people" that came to India with us. 

Let me start with a confession: I have a hard time not being listed here! 

I mean, 27 isn't that old, right?!? 

Sadly, in comparison to Taylor, who is something like 11 years younger than me, I am old.  

Shucks!

Okay, so back to more important things...like bragging about how AMAZING these 4 are!

Let's go through them one by one, shall we?!?

Chris Woo

Chris-my encourager-To be honest, I didn't know Chris well going into this trip. I knew him on more of a surfacey level. I knew what school he went to, who his friends were and that kind of thing, but I didn't know his heart. And can I just tell you, it's beautiful. I watched a kid who I assumed was shy and laid back step up and share openly and honestly. I never saw him waiver once when it came to being upfront and/or leading in any aspect. From teaching the devo session to sharing his timeline to being in the skits...everything he did, he did with his whole heart. I was blown away by his willingness to jump in wherever, whenever, no questions asked. And I loved how the other guys at the retreat watched that leadership and saw another guy...a peer...who was more than just talk. On the last night of the retreat we sat talking and he was in complete awe of what God had done.  

I see a mark of greatness on his life and I know this trip was the beginning of Chris stepping into all that God has for him. 

Taylor Asao

Taylor-my lovely-I have had the privilege of walking with Taylor over the last year and holy moly what a change! Last year, her mom approached me about getting her to come to summer camp. She was less than thrilled that we were plotting to take her to camp and ruin her summer ;-). But at camp things changed and since then...wow! I consider it such an honor to have watched her change and grow from glory to glory. 

She has gone from this girl who was forced to go to church to one that has been to camp, successfully invited and got 2 girls involved with small group, been baptized and been to India twice. All that in LESS THAN A YEAR! And the the great part about Taylor is that it's not about accomplishment, it's about a real, day to day, life changing relationship with God. She is by far the most teachable high school student I've ever met. Her passion is unreal. I love when she shares her devos, it's so full of truths applicable to everyone. 

In India, she just completely step outside of herself and was willing to do whatever was asked of her...it was refreshing. 

I can hardly put into words just how proud of her I am. 

And again, I know this is just the start of something absolutely incredible in her life.

Scotty Mearig

Scotty- my joy-This kid exudes joy with every fiber of his being. I can't even find words to explain it...it's some sort of freak phenomenon. He was a breath of fresh air, he was a constant source of laughter and you can really see the love of Jesus in everything he does. Now don't get me wrong...he's still a crazy 17 year old guy.  But he is crazy in love with serving our God...what a gift. Another thing I appreciate about Scotty is that he is not afraid to say what's on his mind, no matter how silly or serious. He is the real deal. I was so blessed to watch him walk into this whole thing a little uncomfortable and by our last night in India he was more than comfortable...hence the photo ;-) I know that as God watched this trip unfold he was nothing but proud of Scotty's willingness to service him with his whole heart. 

Well done good and faithful servant...

Well done...

Elise Hom

Elise- my little soul sister. I have known Elise since she was in high school...oh, so many years ago ;-), okay so only 3 years. But I have watched 3 of the most transitional years of her life. I have watched her question...I have watched her wrestle....I have seen her at peace...I have seen her so frustrated she wanted to scream. I have watched her worship when she didn't "feel" like it and I have watched her lead people right to the foot of the cross in worship. 

I can't express enough what asset she was to our team in India. I could tell at times that she felt out of her element but never once did that stop her from pressing through 110%. I loved seeing her surrender more and more to what God was doing. She led small groups, she led worship, she loved on the high school girls at Woodstock, she loved on the boys at the Firs. 

By the end of the trip she was beyond exhausted and blessed just as much. 

I am so grateful to have her in my life and am so excited to continue 

watching the will of God unravel before her. 

What a beautiful thing.

All in all, I just thank God for these fantastic four...

I thank Him for the work He started... 

I thank Him for the work He continues...

 I thank Him for the honor that it is to be a part of their journey... 

I am blessed for having known each one of them.

The role they played on this mission trip is one of great eternal value.

I couldn't be more proud...

And I have a feeling our Father in heaven feels the same way :)

Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness, and purity. 

1 Tim 4:12

India stories...

I've tried starting this post at least 4 times. I open this page, and just stare at the screen. I have a really hard time articulating my thoughts when it comes to this last trip to India. There are so many stories...so much that happened. It's surreal. Being back in Hawaii is bittersweet. I love it here, but oh how I long for my new (and not so new) friends in back in Mussoorie. Let me start with the orphanage. Those boys...they never cease to amaze me. How is it that these little guys have more faith than I could ever dream of having. How is it that they're love and devotion for God, puts me to shame. It's amazing really. It's such an honor just to have been able to witness it...

When we arrived at the orphanage, the boys were a little stand offish, but once they realized who we were, the walls disappeared and it was an amazing mess of love. Again, there are no words to articulate the emotion...the spirit...the love that lives there at the Firs. Pastor Ashish & Seema are doing an incredible job raising them and instilling the goodness of God in each and everyone.

I took a new role this trip. I wasn't in charge of any huge event...I carried no task on my shoulders...it was a strange feeling. Many times I sat and wondered what the heck I was even doing there. 

That is until our camping trip on day 2. I was sitting and talking with Pastor Ashish and he was telling us how thankful he was that we were there. I asked him what he appreciated most, and he said the love we show. He said that the boys are provided for...they have a roof over their heads, they have food in their little tummies...but when your raising 30 boys, there's not much time for holding and loving on them. Not to mention a culture that is completely different than ours (another reason I am thankful for life in Hawaii) Anyways, he said that he appreciated the way we loved. And then I thought to myself....wow, maybe that's why I'm here. I've never been good and a lot of things. I mean, I'm not sporty, I don't play an instrument, I don't have a college degree...and I often wrestle with that. But one thing I am confident in, is my ability to love. (thank you mom & dad...you taught love with your lives).

So it hit me that I needed to love from my head to my toes. That I needed to hold and snuggle and pray over the boys as much as possible. That I needed to tell them over and over again, that not only do I love them, but that Jesus loves them. So that's just what I did. I loved and I loved and I loved. Another difference in this trip verses last trip is just where I am personally. Last time we came I was in a much more emotionally volatile position. I literally cried from the time we got there, until we left...I cried there more than I've ever cried in my life. This time, I was much healthier spot. Over all, I was able to think outside my own ways and really trust and walk in the fact that God has those boys in His hand. And that no matter where they go...or where I am for that matter...that He loves them more than I ever could. It was a very freeing idea for me.

Then we headed to Woodstock. I was again a little hesitant. I wondered if I still had fun youth ministry in me. I mean, 6-7 years ago, I would have had no doubt...I was younger then...maybe braver. Walking into my time at Woodstock, I felt old and unprepared. And then I realized that all I was required to do was love...again, the one thing I can do. So that's what I did. And let me tell you, I realized that high school girl, among other things, are the same no matter what country you go to (right Elise?!) So there I was, running a small group, with 10 girls from all over the world and it was just the most natural thing for me. Hearing their struggles, their questions, their hopes...it was like water to my soul. Our small group times were awesome. The girls were incredible. We laughed...a lot. We cried...a lot. We bonded. It was crazy how God did it. We were only with the students for 36 hours and when we left it felt like we had known each other for years. It was powerful. One of the best parts for me is since we've been back, via facebook, I have been able to stay in touch with my girlie's and I just need to brag for a second. They have started a group called the agape sisterhood, where the girls meet daily to talk, pray and process...I mean seriously, what high schoolers do that?!? Not only that but many of them have stayed on track with devotions and I get messages almost daily about what God is doing in their lives. It is so amazing. They are also in the process of getting approval to run the worship for next months chapel. Ummm, have I mentioned how proud I am?!? Also, I challenged them to reach out to the boys at the orphanage and so this past week, they went up for the afternoon and loved on my boys! They played games that helped the boys with their english and said they had so much fun they are already planning more trips...they even took photos and added them to their facebook profiles so I could see my girls and my little boys all together. And of course as I looked at the photos, I cried. 

It is so amazing how God orchestrates things without our knowing how it's all going to look. And in the end, it's a breathtaking piece of art, more amazing than we could have ever dreamed of... 

Okay, there's two topics covered...coming soon to a blog near you, I am going to gush about our high school kids that came from Hawaii with us and how AMAZING they were...and continue to be.

I also wanted to thank you all for following my blog, I know so many of you prayed and loved the team through it all and I wanted to state, for the record, that none of what I mentioned above could have happened without your prayers. I appreciate you all so much and look forward to seeing what else God has in store!

In His amazing love,

Sarah

A picture or 60 are worth 1000 words

I have much to share and tonight I plan on writing up a storm, but until I can do so, please enjoy the photos...

Here's the link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=249638&id=838905236&l=382976df65

Agape

Camp was UNREAL.

Seriously.

God moved.

I am completely in awe.

I don't know why I doubt His faithfulness even for a second.

The kids are fired up and things went even better than we could have dreamed.

I have much to share, but I am really tired and we are trying to get packed up and ready to head back to the orphanage early tomorrow morning as well as ready for Woodstock chapel tomorrow night.

Thank you for your prayers. They are working. Kids lives are being changed. Oooooh man.

Physically, I am feeling really good. A minor sore throat still yet, but feeling rested and excited for the last couple days here in India.

Will update more as soon as I can, may not be until I get home! (the Internet is really poor at the orphanage, so I'll do my best...I have soooo much to share)

In His Amazing Love,

Sarah

Short Update

Just a short update. Things are going really well, a few minor logistical set-backs, but so far, so good. The girls I am leading are AMAZING and it's so crazy to me that no matter where I am throughout all the world, teenage girls are all the same. I have girls from India, Japan, Thailand, Montana, California, Tibet, Sri Lanka and every where else you can imagine.
I even met one girl named Malia (who is not attending the retreat) but she is moving to Hawaii this summer and will be attending Iolani, I gave her my info so that when she moves she can jump into my small group. SOOOO AWESOME!

Looking forward to tonight. It's going to be INTENSE!
Please be praying for us.
Hawaii-we are 15 hours ahead
Washington-we are 12 hours ahead
So when you wake up and read this on Saturday morning, PLEASE Pray for us!

I love you all, will update again late late tonight or tomorrow!!!!!