Art Show Number 2

Okay so It's not very professional to update on every artshow I have here on Blogger but this is only number two so I think I'm still allowed to do this. lol

So I answered an add on Craigslist asking for local artist to show art at a concert at the Masquerade in Atlanta. So I of course replied to it.
And got a reply back!
Come to find out the band was Epica and I was really excited to be working with them.
While I was in Dallas I worked on my pieces "Mistress of the Twilight" for the show, and got it put on a 11X17 print, framed and it was ready to go.

So the night of the concert finally came and things were going smoothly, got to my sisters work to pick her up in record time but when we got back to the car it wouldn't shift out of park.
I panicked, I freaked even. I was going to be late to my own show!
I called my mom and asked her to come and drop us off at the venue.
So I here I am, part of the show for a METAL CONCERT being dropped off my my MOM.
Not that my mom isn't cool, as mom's go I think mine might get an award for coolness. But still it's the principle of the rebel spirit of metal music and all that. lol
And I was late, about an hour, but it was okay.
I showed up and got to walk passed security with out a ticket like some hotshot.
We stood by the table and I was a bit embarrassed I didn't bring anything to draw or paint with. Thankfully the other artist there had a sketch pad I could borrow.
So I sketched (he got to keep them, dernit, I liked those two pics) and listened to a few local bands. They were okay, but they took FOREVER to play, and because my Mom was driving us, we had to leave early.
I didn't get to see but a few songs of Epica though I did get to meet the band.
And they hit on my sister.
DARN IT! Why does she have all the luck? lol

Gardening, among other things

My parents have been pastoring a church out of their hope for the past eight years. It's a great place and I've really grown in this environment where every one has something to say. Where we've all been activated to speak and prophesy because we've all seen the loving heart of God.
On occasion my parents have asked me to speak while they were out of town but I've always been nervous and haven't really known what to say.
Tonight I'll be leading the 'service' and well I think this time I'm prepared.
Thanks to an early start at work I've had some time with God, just me him and the espresso machine. It's really given me some time to think about everything he's been laying on my heart and just let him know how thankful I am for the opportunities he's given me lately.
So I wanted to share a bit what God and I were talking about this morning.

Am I a gardener, or a garden?
At different times in peoples lives they are gardens, being worked on, worked in, and often worked out.
But also the Bible tells us Jesus is the gardener in our lives, the bible also tells us we are co-heirs with Christ and are to share in his laboring (IE be Jesus to every one we meet). So this left me with the question, When do I get to be the gardener?
When do I stop being constantly worked on and start showing others the potential they have?
Paul tells us in Corinthians that salvation is a continual work in us and that we must die daily to the human things. The things that make us separate gardeners from gardens.
And in that adamic human nature I asked: "When do I stop dyeing and when do I get to live again?"

I remember in Spain one of my teachers Andrew Shearman often said that we should be pouring into at least 2 people.
That is two people you are "mentoring", teaching and equipping to be all that God has called them to be.
It doesn't have to be a formal teaching, mentoring thing just hanging out and showing them Christ in a real world environment and being there when they need you.
For a parent this one is covered, two kids or more and your doing this mentoring thing, you got it down. lol
But for a single girl who often feels she is being poured into rather than pouring into others it's often hard to draw that mental line of being a proverbial gardener and a proverbial garden.
In my heart it's an easy answer. "I am both!"
But my head is another story. My mind has a hard time wrapping around being both a vessel and a pitcher. It seems impossible for my brain to comprehend that I'm being poured into while I pour out.
I'm trying to connect the two but often it's my brain that calls the shots and my heart takes the back seat.

While mulling this over another statement Andrew would often quote came to mind. "Ice cold brain, Red hot heart."
This means we should think things through while living crazy passionate.
Often I feel I've mastered this concept- only I haven't connected the icy brain and the burning heart.
My heart screams out the mysteries of God while my brain just struggles to remember who I really am.
I suppose this part of the asnwer to my original question; When do I stop being the gardener and start being the garden?
When I learn and truly KNOW in both my heart AND my mind that I am both.

Only problem is, this concept is easier said than done.

Shoot for the Moon...

So it's time to be painfully honest- again.
I'm my own worst enemy.
I've taken all the big moments in my life that have screamed YES to the will of God and shut them down in two words "I'm waiting".
Tonight God asked me; "Waiting on what?"
It seems that this is a lesson I have to continually learn. God didn't create in me a spirit of lack, but of more than I could ever want!!

My whole life I've had big, crazy, abnormal, out of this world dreams and I've lived in a fairy land of these dreams with just me and God. When I went to Spain I shared a lot of these dreams for the first time, and saw them come to life in me for the first time so that other people could see what I was seeing- or I tried to get them to see what I was seeing.
But for some stupid reason when I got home life took it's toll.
I woke up for the first time in my life and realized these big, crazy dreams I'd been living with weren't so apparent to every one else.
I heard; "What are you going to do with your life"
And when I told people my big crazy dreams they responded with: "How are you going to pay the bills?"
So I began to wonder, How am I going to pay the bills?
And the quest for a job became more than just a way to meet my needs but an obsession to survive in this ever worsening economy.
Soon I began to hear "When are you going to school?"
And when I told them I heard "But what if that doesn't work out?"
And I began to panic, what if it doesn't work out? What if I'm not smart enough, not dedicated enough, not this that and the other enough?
For five months I let myself unravel everything that God had built in me for 20 years.
This past week though God began opening doors. Taking little steps very quickly to prove he was working this out his way.

Last month I had two jobs in one week hire out from under me.
But in one week I've had two stores hire me this month.
First it was subway, which isn't my ideal job, but hey it's money and they begged me to work for them.
Then I got a weekend break and went to an art show where I saw my talents recognized for the first time in my life! THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE PEOPLE WANTED MY ART!
When I got home I saw my schedule for Subway, 4 hours, they can only promise me 4 hours a week.
So today when I was taking my sister to work, God provided another job, a coffee shop wants me to come and work for them. The owner wants my ideas, and my talents, he wants my world view and my laid back attitude.

I can see God is speaking to me so much, he's telling me it's okay to dream big again. That life should deflate the big dreams he's given me. I live in his world, a world of big, crazy dreams and if people don't like the answers, they can take it up with him.
As I've said before, I'm living his plan now, so I don't have to worry about what others think.
I'm striving forward, I'm going to reach my dreams, and I'm going to gain great things.
To tell you the truth, the real world sucked, I'd much rather live in the dreams that God has given me.

So I Did This Art SHow

Last night my sister Morgan and I drove up to Berry College in Rome GA for their yearly art show. This was my first year at their show and my first time ever showing by myself.
I had multiple 8x10 prints, Note Cards, 3x8 Prints/Book Marks and 6 original paintings.
To tell the truth I was very nervous and afraid that I may have brought to much.
The night before Morgan , our friend Amanda along with her friend Dan and my self all went out to dinner, it was great to see Amanda after so long and it really took my mind off the nervousness to be able to just chat for a while.
Afterwards we went to Berry's coffee house and listened to some live music and then back up to Amanda's dorm to fold all the note cards and put them in their shrink wrap.

The nerves didn't set in again until the next morning when I was walking to the Moon Lawn to set up.
I felt so inadequate and I was worried I wasn't going to sell anything.
The morning went on and I hadn't sold anything, a bit depressed; I sat and I sat and I sat.
It was 42 degrees Fahrenheit (which is about 6 degrees Celsius) and as 11am rolled around I couldn't feel my hands or my feet from the cold.
But that's when things started to pick up, a young man came by and wanted to know about the Romania in Red painting, He just fell in love with it, and couldn't stop holding it. When I told him the price he beamed and said "I'll be back, I need to go to an ATM" excitedly he set the painting down and ran towards his car.
Next a couple came by and she wasn't very interested in my art, and he was bored with the jewelry she was looking at. All of a sudden something on my table caught his eye, he picked up the 'Fire in my Soul' painting and commented on the muscle tone actually being accurate. I was so pleased, he quickly bought the painting and showed it to his girlfriend, she stood there mouth agape and then said to me.
"How did you do that? He hates art!" I laughed as he explained he was just picky, but my stuff really spoke to him. He took one of my cards and said he'd keep an eye out for more paintings.
After that things got kind of quiet for a while, I did a quick sketch of a little boy who was enthralled with my art and kept asking if I was a real comic book artist. I told him I was planning on being one and he said. "Can you please make something I can read, I really like your pictures."
It was really one of the best compliments I've ever received.
Shortly after that one of the girls that attends Berry stopped by and also fell in love with the "Romania in Red" painting, though she said she couldn't afford the original she bought a print of it.
About noon Morgan and Amanda returned from buying me a hat and some gloves and getting our lunches. I by this time had to go to the car and sit with the heater on to eat. I couldn't move my fingers and toes and forming R's M's and most words that involved moving your lips. (Which was a big deal because 2 of my paintings were themed off of Romania)
After regaining my humanity and thawing out my blood I returned to the table to see none other the young man from that morning. He was standing money in hand to buy my painting, he was so excited he could barely wait for me to wrap up the painting, but he wanted to make sure it was wrapped so he could protect the paint.
After that it was dead for a while, a lot of people took my business cards.
I sold a few other pieces and I was extremely happy to be able to sell them.

Probably two of my highlight customers of the day though were two older ladies who stopped by the table right before I tore down.
They were so giddy over my art and were quite impressed.
They bought one of my Haa-Chan pictures and likened me to Erte.
They were very fun to chat with and they loved all my work.
Both of them talked about commissioning me for Christmas cards this year which I think will be really fun if it happens.

So I sold a grand total of $109 worth of art, which was very impressive for me who was afraid I wouldn't make anything. After deducting my expenses it came to $85 in profit. I think that was a good turn around.

So I was praying...

So I was praying and this is what came to me.

"I look out into the endless sea of faces, of brokenness disguised by hate, by rebellion.
I look into this generation who not want to become great. Who wear apathy like a crown and say to those who write histories that we do not want to be remembered because we did not care.
The closer I look the more I see the fatherless, the abandoned the abused all who hide their shame with a mask of 'strength'. Their disguise is thin and never mistaken for the real thing.
As I look out upon this endless sea of a generation I know how Ezekiel felt looking upon the dry bones. I want to hold my hands high and cry "woe to the fatherless generation, who will heal their pain?"
But before I can utter the words I hear the voice of God beside me whisper. "Call them blessed, and call them out."
And so I find MY voice and I say to them:
I call you blessed, oh fatherless generation.
I declair peace over you for the rest of your days.
The Lord God is with you and you are not lost, searching or bound but you are free!
You are no longer a generation of bastards tossed to the wayside to deal with what life has given you, but you are Sons and Daughters of the most high.
(Sons and Daughters are capitalized because they're an identity not a title)
Rise up and be the army of God.
Rise up and claim the inheritance that is yours.
Rise up and know that eternity is written in your hearts and nothing can deny you.
This is the day of your awakening, when you open your eyes and realize your royal duties in the Kingdom of God.
Equip your selves and ready for the fight of your life.
Your destiny is before you and all the humanity you once held dear is coming at you to stop your divine emergence. They may look scary and the battle may be tough but nothing can stop you.
NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST YOU SHALL PROSPER!
Now rise up oh generation of fathered by the hand of God, rise up and go take back the dominion of your divine right."

Unplanning My Life

So I feel like I'm in a better place than my last entry.
Not that things are much better, but I'm actually listening for God right now.

Before I had a lot of plans, big plans, plans I've had for a long time. I'm not giving up on those plans, I'm just giving them to God.
When I was 6 years old I had an encounter with God. I felt his hands warm on my back and I felt him whisper into my ears "go to the nations". I saw a white membrane between heaven and my reality punctured and I knew I would never grow up normal.
Since that time I'd been wondering, where do I go? What do I do?
At age 6 I decided to become an Alligator Farmer in deepest darkest Africa... like Egypt. lol I was going to marry my crush at the time and we were going to pastor a church while farming said Alligators.
As I grew up that dream died, and became a joke between my family and I, but the words God spoke to me never left.

At 12 I felt a prick in my heart. Japan. I had no idea what was even needed there, at the time the best I knew of Japan was that it was kind of like China... which was an incorrect assumption.
So I began to plan a mega church that I would pastor in Japan. The whole country would be saved, just wait and see.
But I began to realize church politics and the traditional ministry scene wasn't for me.
But still, God's words never left. Go to the Nations, Go to Japan.

When I was 14 I began to fall in love with Cultures, and Cultural Anthropology was going to be my gig. I was going to travel with Nomads I was going to see the world.
And then I learned of Japan's suicide problem. I also learned the government was hiring cultural anthropologists to come and study the problem.
It felt like all the pieces were fitting in place.
The more I learned of the suicide problem the more of a pull I felt to go there, to be part of righting that wrong. A light started to shine of God's plan.
And then my dangerous, natural tendency kicked in. Just as it had with the Alligator Farm, and the Mega Church, I started planning.

By 17 I had it all figured out, go to Japan work with suicide prevention and in the mean time do ministry. I had a way in, I had a purpose there, and I felt God's peace about that plan.
At 19 I went to Spain and the God dream became a plan.
And the only thing that I didn't have to wake up and tell my self was God in the morning was "work with suicide in Japan".
I was so hell bent on working in Cultural Anthropology I'd never even looked into any other venues to get into Japan. (Aside from Art but there is no money in it.)
I had multiple people give me words (they said were from God) that Cultural Anthropology may not be the way to get into Japan,
And I ignored every one.

At 20, I'm home now. And again I got another word from God, the same one I'd gotten twice before.
"Think other ways besides, church, or cultural anthropology to get into Japan"
The idea of anything other than the life I've planned since I was 14 scares me. But I'm done planning.
THe end result is going to be the same, I'll probably even go to college for humanities and social sciences, but I'm open now to what ever God is saying.
"Here's my plan God, you messed it up, so I'm not going to try and fix it. It's yours, do what you want with it."

So I've been praying, and not planning, and thinking about what God is wanting me to do.
And oddly enough I feel like I'm going to buy a house in the next year.
A very stable move for some one like me who planned a very unstable life.
But I'm moving forward where I feel a peace. And I'm not planning any of it. God is holding the reins now, so I'm sure it's going to a much wilder ride than I could have planned.

I Don't Feel Like Saving the World Right Now...

Wow, haven't been here for a while.
Don't worry guys I haven't fallen off the band-wagon, I'm still seeking God and walking in his will- as barren and as bleak as it feels, but I'm still here.

When I left Spain I felt like everything was going to come together for me really quickly I was excited and I had a few bucks in the bank, it was like I was taking the first step into my life and I was ready to take it by the reins.
I could almost see my self climbing into a big red old convertible looking over an endless expanse of desert with a here I come world attitude. I had my big sunglasses, my cool high heels and the credits on my movie in Spain were about to roll. Every one left the theater feeling good and talking about how the journey to that scene was.
Now that I'm home I'm realizing the reality of that scene. I climbed into an old car with engine trouble with hardly any money for gas, and now I'm stuck in a hot desert with no rescue. Or so it seems.
I feel lost, out of touch and I'm not sure why.

I've been reaching out to all my new friends, I've been reaching out to old friends and there just isn't any response.
Now don't get me wrong, I haven't been completely shut off I've talked to some people but every has their own stuff going on. It's hard to keep in contact. But it still doesn't end the loneliness.
Then there is the dream, the big picture I've got the map, I've got the image of it, but right now the two just don't add up.
The money isn't there, so I can't take the tests, apply for the schools or even print the information.

I'm stressed, I'm alone and I'm pissed off about it.
This is just a big rant I know, but I need to get it out. I need it to be some where I can look back and say, "hey this next trial is hard but look where I came from then. It got better." And as much as I need to say 'it got better' I need it to get better. Fast.
I need a job.
I need a car.
I need money.
I need companionship.
I need to start school.
I need to start my 501c3.
I need to stop feeling sorry for my self and start moving forward again, get the tears out of my eyes and get the glint that says I can do this back in them.

Some things that stuck out to me from Spain

I feel like I've had some time to process my time in Spain, and here a few things I really feel like stuck out to me from my time in G42.


G42 – What I learned
• Until you know your loved EVERYTHING else is religion.
• Jesus went into the wilderness FULL of the Spirit, and came out in the POWER of the Spirit.
• God only has one plan. The cross was not a plan B.
• The ONLY THING He is motivated by is love.
• The difference between a Position and an Anointing is a position is man chosen and an anointing is God chosen.
• More people are scared of spiders than death.
• Return to your first love, not your first experience.
• Experience is a good teacher if you’re looking for the knowledge of good and evil. If you learn from experience you’ll only what you’ve always gotten.
• Every revelation from God is an invitation to have an encounter with God. Every revelation that doesn’t result in an encounter becomes religion.
• Paradise isn’t a place where everything works, but a place where nothing works with out God.
• In the Old Covenant the prophet heard God’s voice and went and told the people what he heard, in the New Covenant the prophet hears God’s voice and brings the people so they can hear what he heard.
• Peace is the evidence that you live in God’s house; Grace is the evidence that God lives in your house.
• Every girl should EXPECT God to reach into his quiver and pull out his best arrow for her. Because she is his princess, and no one should deny a daughter her daddy’s best.
• Knowing what HE says about me destroys the lies I say about me.
• God doesn’t want Worship he wants worshipers
• Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it.
• The great decisions in life you’ll probably know I a flash.
• God has given you everything you need some times you just need to dig it up.
• In the Bible we see Man was given a job before he was given a wife.
• Prophetic Worship is one song, many voices.
• God would rather you be an OWNER rather than a renter, SO TAKE DOMINION.
• God is waiting for a man; he won’t have to wait any longer for me.
• Don’t allow anything in your personal history to keep you from going forward.
• God speaks life happens.
• The highest form of communication is the Holy Spirit speaking to the human heart.
• Speak as the oracle of God.
• God’s voice is not an informational voice; it’s a transformational voice.
• Don’t get close to who you really are, GET TO WHO YOU REALLY ARE.



The Church isn’t the Kingdom of God but is only a part of it.
The Church:
• Is militant and victorious. God Never lost and knows what he’s doing.
• Has the keys to the Kingdom.
• Needs to have a binding and loosing ministry
• Is a glorious

I want to be so in the heart of God tha man has to go through God to find me.
-Alexis Black

Who taught you I wasn’t enough?
-God

Last is a Final Word

Last night was the last Thursday night coffee and game night with the home guys of Fuiengirola.

Thursday nights for the past 6 months have been spent at the Ark Church only 15 minute bus ride down the mountain. From January to yesterday we've gotten to know 7 homeless guys who would come on and off to our Coffee and Game Night.
We've also become very close with the woman behind the homeless ministry at the Ark church Jenny.
Our 8 guys, Sandy, Reggie, Rauly, the Czech twins, Philipe, and Tony all started out as closed up shells. (Well Sandy was very friendly from day one) and grew to be very friendly with us.

Most of our talk was over a game of Scrabble or dominos, while Philipe and Dave (One of the interns who goes down) would play checkers.
We heard countless story after story about family, and past experience before the guys ended up on the street.
One story that has really stood out to me was one I heard last night.

Tony one of the guys who has only been coming for a month or two is an aspiring DJ and is actually pretty good. He takes rock songs and turns them into techno remixes. Though his ability is limited seeing as he has to use a public computer.
Back in England he has/had a daughter who he adores.
The week before last I was doodling on our score paper for Scrabble and Tony came in late.
As the evening went on he noticed the drawings and asked who did them. Lindsay (Another intern who goes down) informed him it was me.
At the end of the night I gave him the paper and Tony was floored that some one would just give him a drawing.
I didn't think much of it because I never really thought much of those sorts of doodles.
This week when I went back we went to go get the tables to set up for the night and Tony pulled out his wallet.
He showed me a picture of his daughter, and beside it was the picture I had drawn.
He informed me that the picture reminded him so much of his daughter, and I have to admit there was a resemblance.
Tony said he'd never loose the picture because he feels like it's a very close drawing to what his daughter would look like now.
I can't believe God was use a silly little doodle like that to minister to a father who can't be with his daughter.

I've been thinking a lot about getting into the Comic industry, and I still want to. But now I know that even if I become a best selling artist it won't mean as much to me as having a picture treasured by a homeless guy in Fuengirolla Spain.

Servanthood

Servanthood.

“You're here serving, you're not a servant. Serving is the supreme art. God is the first of servants. God serves men, but he's not a servant to men.”
- Life is Beautiful

Upon googling 'servanthood' I found that it is mostly a Christian term. On some blogs it's a term used to describe 'Holy Doormats' who seem to have no other call on their life other than taking direction from the pastor or deacons. Other sources say that servathood is a job left to the elderly of the church who are either to old for ‘real ministry’ or those who have chosen abject poverty for the sake of being a better Christian.
When I looked to the scripture Ro. 15:1 I see a different picture entirely. Servanthood is depicted here as a ‘job’ for the strong. It is a job that requires selflessness and wisdom hardly the picture I was given with the ‘Holy Doormat’ approach.
Philippians 2:4-11 also continues that picture; a servant should be humble, willing to do whatever it will take to please those they’re serving.
1 Peter 5:2-4 then states that those who have humbled them selves as servants will be given the responsibility to take care of others.

Serving (as depicted in class) seems to have a circular effect, first you serve your leader as a follower, and then you serve your followers as a leader and it continues.

We can practice servanthood in every day just by practicing good common sense, asking how some one is doing, cleaning up some one else’s dishes. It shouldn’t be an abstract term that has to be brought to some ones attention.

(I wish) This is Bat Country

So last Thursday I set off on the trail to Romania.
Well, the trail to Madrid to fly to Romania any way. It was an exciting time of packing, planning and waiting all day until it was time to catch the train to my night bus in Malaga.
Upon catching my night bus I fought back the uneasy feeling in my stomach, the knots that made it feel as if I'd throw up or scream. It wasn't easy and it certainly kept me from sleeping.
So I got to Madrid and walked off the bus and headed towards the Metro where I headed to the Air Port.

I got the air port hassle free and sat down to wait for my 'check in gate' to open.
As I waited I noticed two girls about my age having trouble with their luggage. I got up and helped them over to their check in desk and asked about what they were doing.
They informed me that they were study abroad students and they'd just spent the past five months in Spain. It was their first time traveling alone and they were a bit nervous.
Seeing as I've had some experience with traveling all by my lonesome (as I was about to do then) I gave them a bit of advice and was able to help calm their nerves.
Three hours later I noticed my check in desk was open and I headed over to check it out. Handing the woman my ticket she typed in my information and looked over my passport then noted that I was not buying tickets but trying to check in. Sending me over to another desk I was ready to check in. Beaming with excitement I stepped up and handed the woman my information with a chipper "Good Morning."
She smiled back took my tickets and began to type in all of my information, then I noticed something unexpected- a frown.
With her brows still furrowed she looked up at me and said, "Ma'am, you're not booked for this flight."
As you can imagine I was taken aback, I asked her to look over the confirmation number again and she did only to find that they were not booked.
She politely asked me to wait while she called for her superior.
When the short bald man walked over he typed in my information again and called their information line, he then spotted the problem.
"The website you've booked your tickets through canceled your flight." He informed me. He went on to tell me how that if you don't confirm or mess up a number of your credit card then you only have three days to change it before they cancel the tickets.
I was immediately transported to a few days after I bought my tickets when I received an email asking for my passport number and credit card number, seeing as the email address had nothing to do with the company I bought my tickets through I assumed it was spam. Just to make sure I emailed the airline but they never responded, I then felt assured it was spam.
Now I found I was quite wrong.
The superior from the airline gave me 'i'm so sorry' smile before directing me to the ticket counting saying that I could purchase another ticket to bucharest and see if they'd comp my flight to Timisoara when I got there.
"How much are the tickets I asked?"
"Around 300 euro." He informed me.
I felt crushed. 300 euro? I barely had that much to buy my tickets home, I couldn't just spend that kind of money on the fly. I sighed, about to burst into tears and called my leader at G42.

He told me to pray about it before I came home. So I stood there, shaking at the metro ticket counter talking to God as bought my ticket back to the bus station.
"God," I said. "I feel like such a failure, I should be heading towards my gate right now. But I'm gonna get on the metro and your going to have to speak to me about where I'm supposed to go. When those doors open at each stop I need to know BLATANTLY if I'm supposed to get off there."
So I got on the metro and made the entire circle around Madrid, each time I stopped I asked God; "Is this it?". Each time I felt nothing.
When I got back to the bus station to see if they'd change my tickets from the 16th of May to the 7th later that day I asked God if this was just a big NO to Romania. If I was just stupid and missed the signs before now that said 'don't go'. So I asked God again. "If I'm supposed to go to Romania just give me a sign, am I supposed to go?"
When I cleared the top of the escalators ALL of the ticket windows read "GO TO ROMANIA" Accept the last two which said "Tour Romania" (but I don't have that type of money).
That morning when I got off the bus before I had my big disappointment didn't have any signs on them at all. Only the closed signs, but now they were full of bright attention grabbing signs all reading GO TO ROMANIA.
I really felt like that was my sign(s).

After sending a quick email to contact in Romania from an internet cafe I set off back to Malaga.
Tired, deflated and completely dejected. I had a sign from God but I still felt like a failure, like I was letting every one down.
I sat on the bus and counted down the hours thinking 'now I would be in Bucharest going through immigration' and 'Now I'd be on my flight to Timisoara'. (Just as a side note, don't EVER let your self have a pity party like that it makes a 7 and a half our bus ride seem like a 20 hour bus ride.)

Finally I got back to Malaga. After missing the last train to my city Fuengirola by a few seconds I ran into a woman I'd met in Madrid that morning. Her name was Emma and she was spit fire of a woman, dressed in red from head to toe and sporting a very fun Spanish accent while speaking perfect English.
She remembered me and quickly made sure I got a seat by her on the bus to Fuengirola, I was quite thankful for that too.
As we rode down some younger guys came on board and over heard Emma use my name. They began shouting at me and saying rude things.
Thankfully Emma was very protective. "Don't worry about them she said, just stick with me until your friends arrive to pick you up."
I nodded glad to have some one watching my back.
When the bus arrive back in Fuengirola Emma got off quickly to meet her own friend who was picking her up, the rude guys followed me off the bus closely. When I caught up with Emma her friend came around from behind the car. He was a six foot seven former wrestler, he took me the hands and kissed both of my cheeks (as is custom here in Spain). Thankfully the guys saw this and took off.
Emma smiled, she knew that would happen. They waited for a while with me until the creepy guys were long out of site and then Emma said her good byes to me. Come to find out she was a Christian and she said she'd be praying for me to get to Romania safely.

When I got home, tired and stripped raw of any nerves I checked my email to see if my contact had received my letter.
It turned out she had some problems of her own at the orphanage.
When she'd left that afternoon some contractors were finishing up the kitchen and bathroom remodeling jobs. But in the bathroom they thought they'd hit a pipe when nailing something up. They headed into the room where I would have been staying and took down the wall to see, come to find out when they put the shower and septic tank in the first time the contractors then had nailed the dry wall into the pipes. Since then they'd been flooding their wall with out knowing it every time they turned on the water.
The whole down stairs of the orphanage was torn apart, the kids are having to stay with other people and my contact wouldn't have been able to help me work with the government orphanage because of her own being a wreck.

So through a long day of toil and hardship I learned that God has perfect timing.
He knew the study abroad girls needed some encouragement so He sent me all the way to Madrid to help them with their luggage.
He knew that Emma needed some one to talk to on the bus so He sent me all the way back to Malaga to ride with her.
He knew I needed protection from the creepers so He sent a 6'7" former wrestler to pick up Emma.
He knew that the orphanage wasn't going to work out this week, so He didn't let me get to Romania only to be disappointed.

I still feel that I'm supposed to go to Romania, I just need to find the right timing.

It starts with EZ

I declare that I will not settle for anything less than my mountain.
Nothing else but the kingdom of God manifesting in my life, on my mountain, in my circumstances will ever be enough for me!
I am a violent woman! I will wreck cities. I'm going to stop asking permission and go out and be VIOLENT!! (For the kingdom of God of course)

Last night I opened my Bible after our evening worship service and just wanted to spend some time with God.
I flipped open to my standard choice of Song of Solomon and began to read, it just wasn't doing it for me.
Which is strange because I've been in this sort of romantic "what will my husband be like" kind of mood lately.
Never the less I closed my bible and turned on some worship music, God had really broken through some barriers in my life during worship.

The Holy Spirit fell on me like it hasn't for a long time, as I began to pray in the spirit I kept hearing my self getting louder, and louder and louder. All I could do was shout to the Lord in words I couldn't understand, my mind totally blank to anything but how awesome he is, how amazingly powerful he is!
It was like a shout of victory, of triumph, I didn't care what people thought about me shouting to God until my voice cracked all I could do was stand ready calling out my cry of "YES GOD I WILL FOLLOW!" (Only not in those words)

So with that bit of back story you can see why the gentle sonnets of Song of Solomon wouldn't sustain me. I asked God, what are you trying to show me RIGHT NOW.
I only got to letters, EZ.
So I began to flip around, flip, flip, flip the first EZ book I got to was Ezra.
"Okay, Ezra, that's good, I can't remember actually ever reading more than a verse or two from there God what are you gonna show me in Ezra." I thought.
But I just flipped, and flipped, and flipped until Ezra was gone and I hadn't been struck by anything. Okay, well, let's flip around some more.
The next EZ book was Ezekiel, I randomly flipped to chapter 2.
"And he said to me, 'Son of man, stand on your feet and I will speak with you'." Well that was a good start, I was asking him to speak to me. "And he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet and i heard him speaking to me." Wow, that's even better, God did that during worship.
"And he said to me, 'son of man, I send you t the people of Israel, to a nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day.'" The words began to change as I read them. "Daughter, I send you to the people of Japan, to a nation of people broken because of their rebellion. They rebelled against me and I have broken them, but I will make them whole- and I will make them new."
Now you can see this started to get my attention.
I read on, down to verse 6. "And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words." "Do not be dismayed by their words or their actions, for they are a rebellious house. And you shall speak my words o them, weather they hear or refuse to hear for they are a rebellious house."
Again the words took another form "Don't be afraid of their words, or be discouraged by their actions, they are a broken people. And you WILL speak MY words regardless of whether they hear or not because I HAVE called you here!"
By this point my heart was racing.
Verse 9 "And when I looked, behold a hand was stretched out to me. and behold a scroll of a book was in it." Down to chapter 3 verse 1 "And he said to me, Son of man, eat whatever you find here. Eat this scroll and go out to speak with the house of Israel."
Once again God spoke to me through this scripture. "I have placed you under these teachings, now take what ever you learn here, take what you learn and fill your self with it, and from there go and speak to the nation I have promised you.

Now that was a lot to take in just in one Chapter. Really it was, I almost shut my Bible then and went to bed, it wouldn't have been bad for me to do that at all, but then I saw verse 17 of Ezekiel chapter 3 "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel." Knowing that Israel was Japan in my life this scripture leapt at me. It tied in perfectly with Joshua 1:6 "Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land I swore to their fathers to give them."

Amazed at God's ability to piece things together I began flipping through Ezekiel. Chapter 29 came up, verses 3-6 The prophecy against Egypt. Egypt being spiritual bondage and slavery. God promised to break the chains of spiritual bondage and darkness.
then finally I ended up in Ezekiel 37: 1-14 the valley of the dry bones. God promised to raise up a generation of the dead and dried up and make them fully alive and fully capable or reclaiming their inheritance.

Last nights promises and filling were exciting, and I couldn't help but be in awe of God's majesty and might.

The Thaw

Easter is today the day of our Lord's resurrection.
Here at G42 we had a city wide Easter egg hunt, It was probably one of the most fun Easter egg hunts I've ever had. except the time I got the egg with $5 in at my grandmothers house. ;D
The thing that makes me happiest about Easter is the spring, the cool breeze, the warm sun and the life that it has breathed back into our hill top city.
The spring term is about to start here in G42 and I honestly can't wait to begin. Two new folks arrived last night (a married couple) and another girl will be coming in tonight. We'll be starting tuesday morning bright and early.
To every one who has supported me; Thank you for helping me here at g42 these past three months. God has done great things in this time and I'm pleased to tell you all that I have some great updates about my time here.
Every Thursday evening I attend a coffee shop for the homeless, one of the guys, a Finnish man by the name of Raully has accepted Jesus as his savior and has begun to share the gospel with his fellow homeless. As well a Scottish gentlemen named Sandy who is an admitted alcoholic is coming off of booze and coming to church on Sundays.
It's amazing to see how God works.

In Mijas with G42 I've been working through two 'English Camps' where we've been teaching the local kids English and sharing the gospel with them. It's great to be part of the community and see the lessons in the Bible really come alive in these kids.

In the next two months I'll be traveling to Romania to work with two orphanages.
As many of you know I want to work in Japan with the victims of 'suicidal tendencies'. Romania and Eastern Europe in general have a similar spiritual climate and I can't wait to go and work with it.
In Romania I'll be staying with an orphanage with well rounded kids and working with one where I'll be hanging out and decipling some young teens who battle with depression.
Keep me in your prayers during that time.

But for now I'm starting the second term, sitting under Andrew, Dave F. and Dave H. is truly an honor and I greatly want to show them and G42 the respect they deserve.
Upon coming to G42 I agreed to pay $1000 a month to cover my cost of living and help towards my practicum. (Working with the homeless and going to Romania)
As of now for April I will need $978, the dead line for having this money in is April 14.
I know that these are trying times for money but there is no better time to give than now.
I'm not asking for a lot, just ten people who would be willing to give $100, or 100 people to give $10.
Thank you guys so much for your support and prayers.

You can donate at this link
http://www.g42leadershipacademy.org/donate

Donate | G42 - the 42nd generation
www.g42leadershipacademy.org
Remember all donations are tax deductible. Also add my name Hannah Day to the the 'note' portion of the paypal gifts

Support update

Just wanted to give a status update about my support.
Still in need of $150 dollars to complete my time her in g42 this Month. Starting Next month I will need 1000 dollars again before April 14. I know this sounds like a lot but trust me this is good ground.
The lives being touched by G42 Leadership academy are numerous.
Just last month a homeless man was saved and is now decipling his fellow street dwellers.
In May we will be sending out missionaries to Thailand, Romania and many other places.

I only need 12 people to give 100 dollars or 150 people to give ten to be fully covered. Please give, and remember this is good ground to sow into.
Thanks for your gifts and your prayers.
http://www.g42leadershipacademy.org/donate

Remember to add my name on the note section of your 'paypal' gifts. And remember all of your gifts are tax decidable.

Vision Project Video

Giving Matters

Remember I'm in need of 1000 dollars this month! You can donate here-
http://www.g42leadershipacademy.org/donate

Things I've learned in Espana

When I awoke this morning- er... afternoon- I was met with the sound of what seemed like our washing machine bouncing around the laundry room. My eyes shot open realizing my laundry was the last one still in the machine. "Oh no." I muttered quickly making my bed and preparing to go face the worst.
As I was gathering up my toothbrush retainer case and the rest of my morning retinue I realized that accompanying the loud banging of our washing machine was singing... children singing.
It soon struck me that it wasn't the washing machine but drums- It was a parade!!
It struck me then that I've learned a thing or two about living in Spain these past two months, so to help any other struggling new comers to Mijas Pueblo, Espana I've decided to compile a list of things I've learned in Spain- especially Mijas.

-The 6:30 bus can become the 7:00 bus if the driver is hungry enough. Yes, that's right he will go grab something to eat before he comes back to drive you to your destination.
-Learn your Japanese. The only way to really put a dent in the mass of tourist storming your street when all you want to do is get home is to speak their language. At least the standard, "gomen" and "sumimasen" (Not sure if I spelled the second one right in english characters) will usually shock them into getting out of your way.
-Always think about how you want to be immortalized when you leave the house, you can and will end up in some ones travel blog, post card or holiday snap shot slide show, think about how you want to look for the generations that see great grandma's holiday photos to Spain.
-Make sure your camera is CHARGED and at the ready. Impromptu parades happen a lot. Well, at least they seem that way when you don't speak the language.
-Party's happen all the time, always be prepared to be invited- even if your not cool.
-The rain in Spain falls mainly on Mijas- So be prepared for it! Boots, Raincoat, Umbrella, Shower Cap, Change of Clothes, Hair Dryer and fresh socks and shoes should always be ready to be carried where ever your final destination is.

Well that's my survival guide to Espana, at least for right now. Hope it helped you brave tourist- or at least illicit a chuckle from your Hawaiian shirt clad lips.

Vision Article

Being a Princess

Before I left home I had the opportunity to apply for the position of princess in the castle in Medieval Times Atlanta.

I really did want that position but I wasn't to sure about it then. I'd have to leave my job at Publix, and I really didn't know how much Medieval Times paid, or if I would even be able to act for the Princess job.

But something in me has changed I think. I really do want that job.

God is showing me more and more that I am his princess! That I shouldn't settle for anything else and that I'm his precious daughter, married to his son.

The princess in Medieval Times is married to the Prince, she may or not have been a princess by birth.

For me I think I'd want to play that part like a real princess, one born and groomed to be in the thrown. I'd want to be dignified, mysterious and gracious.

I'd want to know that I know that if anything would challenge my honor not only my husband would be fighting for me, but our loyal knights and if all of them fell so would the king.

I think I'm understanding more and more what it is to be a princess, and the more I understand the more I want that job.

Please keep me in your prayers about this as a Job when I get back to the states.

Being a Grown Up

I seriously think I passed my self today while running errands, and I'm not sure I really liked the conversation I had in passing.

I knew when I went to sleep at 3:30 am this morning I was going to regret it. "You'll be running on fumes." I said to myself as I laid down to go to sleep. But I hadn't been tired until 3:30.

At 9am when my alarm went off, I was seriously regretting that move. I laid their until 10:30 and finally got up for the meeting planned for 12:30. I felt so lousy, man I shouldn't have slept in that late. It made me cringe, 10:30? Sleeping in? Boy that was early when I was at home.

After attending to my laundry, making my bed, having a bit of breakfast and cleaning up after myself in the kitchen I headed out for my meeting.

After the meeting I had a short list of errands, and was sure that I was on my way to having a lazy afternoon.

That was not the case.

For a list of Glue Sticks, and Colored Paper it took me four hours and two cities.

I passed the same pub owner painting the same sign three times. It was probably just passed his pub that I passed my self.

"Hannah." I said to myself. Of course I was shocked to see my self. "This is what it means to grow up doesn't?"

"What does?" I said, as I turned my head to watch my self go by.

"Being in a rush and keeping up with responsibilities." I laughed as I went back and forth.

Of course I really didn't pass my self, but I did have an epiphany.

I MISS BEING AN IRRESPONSIBLE KID!!

Ill Fitting Shoes

I've been here at the Leadership Academy for just over two months now. I'm learning so much, feeling so much and truly becoming equipped and activated.

Recently we were given an assignment called the vision project. In short the project was to take our vision (What we feel God has called us to) put it into two formats, the first an article between 5- 10 pages long with pictures and type settings. The second is a multimedia presentation.

When I began my research for my vision project (of which I will post here soon, don't worry) I was so overwhelmed. The statistics, the facts and the faces of victims of suicide and depression seemed to drown me and I couldn't wade through it. I became physically sick, nauseous to the point of having to stop and intentionally concentrate my entire being on something else.

When I finally got all of my facts done I sat down to write the article it felt like I'd taken on to much.

How can one person, one team, one idea save an entire culture?

In my heart I know that one person (Christ) can, one team (the body of christ) can, one idea (hope) can change a nation, a culture and anything that ever stands in the way of God. But in my head it seems so daunting.

I remember a conversation with God from before I left home. When everything seemed to be upside down in my life and It was almost like I couldn't take any more.

"God! How much more do I have to take to whole!? Are you trying to really kill me? How much do I have die!?" I cried out to him while cleaning a mirror in the downstairs bathroom, amazing how he chooses the funniest of times to talk to you.

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." He replied to me, always so calm. If he was a physical person he'd stress me out with how calm he is.

"How strong do you want to make me?" Of course my language was stronger, angrier but God can take it, he can calm me down, he's calm when I'm not.

"I promised you a nation didn't I?" He finished the conversation with a question. He knew he had promised me a nation, he promised me in his word that the nations would be given to his children. He promised me through his prophets and his promised me in the still whisperings of my heart.

He answered me with a question because the only answer I could give with out lying was "Yes and Amen."

Through the vision project, through the promises and reminders of God I realize I'm taking on a big task, but I'm taking on a blessed one.

Right now it feels like I'm running a marathon in ill fitting shoes, but I'll grow into them.

Support, Plain and Simple

Here it is folks, I need $450 to for this month here in Spain.

When you really think about it it's not a lot. But I can't do it alone.

If 45 people were to give $10 each that'd cover it! If 5 people gave $100 each I'd be covered into next month.

Just to clear the air, I'm not looking for a free handout. I'm looking for supporters, people who believe in me and what I'm doing.

While in Spain I'm being equipped to go out and create social reform for Japan! This equipping is not just for the future but for now as well. Every Thursday night we drive down to the city below us and run a coffee shop for the homeless.

Last Thursday we heard one man recant his tale of going from being a millionaire to living on the streets with out even one euro to his name all because he was in search of something he never had.

I hope that we can teach him that what- no who he's been searching for (Jesus) was with him all along.

But if G42 can't operate then that ministry goes with out the help it needs to run that coffee shop and then who will share the gospel with this man?

This is just one instance of good that g42 does in this community, but if interns like me can't stay here in Spain then none of that is possible.

Please, just a few dollars can make a big difference.

If you want to donate click the link at the bottom of the page and select intern support.

http://www.g42leadershipacademy.org/donate

I think I'm falling in Love

Every day on my way to class I pass this house. This gorgeous Spanish house with all the charm and grace of a duchess and all the mystique and magic of C.S. Lewis's Narnian wardrobe.

The front door's window is knocked out, all the windows are cloudy. The garden is over run and from what I hear the second bathroom is on the roof, has no ceiling and no way to drain water off the floor when it rains.

It cost 550,000 Euros. That's roughly 825,000 US dollars. That's right Eight hundred, twenty five, THOUSAND dollars.

I want this house.

Support and Other Matters

The day has come, February 3rd and the full amount of my support was due yesterday.

God has worked a great miracle in my financial situation in that I have half of this month payed for but I still like five hundred dollars.

Please feel free to give into my account, God will bless any and all seed sown into this ground.

Thank you guys,

Hannah

Another Class project

Script for Class

January 29, 2010

Excerpt from unfinished novel/book

Chronicles of the Land of Vala: Half-Blood Hero

The story takes place in a land called Vala in which immortals have set them selves up as rulers and gods over the land forsaking the almighty creator.

These gods have overtaken the land and for thousands of years and built their empire on the backs of dutiful worshipers. Only one land was still governed by the free magics of the creator; the High Elf lands, an air borne forest with decedent palaces of marble and crystalline rivers and lakes.

While the long lived High Elves have remained loyal to their sovereignty they began to give refuge to the twin gods of love patron Immortals to the elves, Freyr who sired the Elves of the forest and Freya who birthed the Dark Elves of the mountains.

From this unholy union of gods and High Elves the all father god Odin over took the High Elf lands and made himself the patron of all of the land of Vala.

For the High Elves not all hope was lost, for even though they lived as slaves to the god Odin their Queen the last heir of the royal line survived and escaped to seek the stones of Ragnarok as a way to control the gods and reclaim her thrown.

In this scene we find that Anya is not going about her Queenly duties of restoring her former glory. Instead we find that she has instead taken to helping a human Knight gain glory to be recognized by his own royal father. Anya is traveling back to the bustling human controlled city of Kristok to meet with the Knight Gaiken only for him to meet her in the Neshlaim Plains. After a brief confrontation with the devious Imps of the plain the two have returned to the estate of Gaiken, a placed called Ydalir where they will discuss business.

Dynamics of the scene

· Anya and Gaiken speak briefly over dinner; this scene will show the two in relationship to the staff in Ydalir and in regards to one another.

· Anya and Gaiken retire to Gaiken’s study here the two will talk business.

· Gaiken considers his personal feelings towards Anya.

· Anya’s most recent plan is offered to Gaiken.

The Scene starts with Anya and Gaiken riding through the back gates of Ydalir. The gates are smaller stone gates with twisting iron bars and complex locks. The two ride down the path usually reserved for servants and the camera pans through the fruit trees and orchards of the estate until settle on the back door where the two dismount and the scene begins as an older woman opens the large ornate back doors.

Edith: “The Duke has returned with his prize.”

The woman walks down a few steps and bows gracefully to the two signifying she is a servant in the house.

Edith: “Lady Anya, how happy we are to have you at Ydalir again.”

Anya bows her head in a polite nod and gives a micro-smile to the servant woman.

Anya: “I thank you for your Hospitality Edith.”

Edith: “If there is anything we can get for you please do not hesitate to ask.”

Gaiken moves towards the two women who are now standing in the doorway, stomping the mud from his boots.

Gaiken: “I’m starting to understand how the pecking order has been formed around here, Lady Anya, You and then myself. Am I right Edith?”

The Knight chuckles good humouredly as he walks over the threshold pleased with the amount of mud he’s removed from his boots.

Edith smiles at the two and pats Gaiken on the shoulder.

Edith: “My lord Duke, you’ve always been last in line when it came to getting your way in this house, you’ve nothing to worry about.”

Edith chuckles along with Gaiken before ushering them out of the corridor and into the kitchens.

Edith: “Dinner is nearly on the table, so, hurry and clean your selves up.”

The scene changes to dinner that night. Anya and Gaiken have changed into more comfortable clothes and the setting is more relaxed, the two have finished the first course of the meal and are being served the second.

Gaiken: “Tell me lady Anya, where did you travel to this time?”

Anya: “I have gone to the Liniek River, to the city of Gjoll.” “There I have spoken to the human Von, he has told me of whispers of the creatures of Grimlash.”

A servant girl begins to serve the two a plate of sweet meats and vegetables.

Gaiken: “The traitors to the crown? What of these Grimlash?”

Gaiken looks troubled. The over all feeling of the mood is changed to a darker more sinister tone.

Anya: “Now is not the time to speak of such a dreadful people.”

Anya begins to cut her meat unaffected by the mood change; she has remained stoic the entire meal.

Gaiken: “And when shall be the time?”

Anya watches the servants leave making sure their out of earshot before speaking again.

Anya: When you retire for the evening, invite me to your library.”

Gaiken gives Anya a puzzled look wary of her mistrust in his staff.

The two have known each other long enough that he continues eating normally after a moment then continues with normal conversation.

The scene again changes to after dinner in Gaiken’s library. This setting is darker lit by the glowing fire and is accented by shades of deep amber and red. Anya is inspecting the antique books before they settle down to talking business. Her countenance is softer in private and her mannerisms are still just as regal as before.

Anya: “How old are these?”

Gaiken: “Close to eighty or so by now.”

Gaiken begins to tap down the tobacco in his pipe.

Gaiken: “Does that seem young to you Lady Elf?”

Anya is now in position under a painting of Gaiken’s mother, her pose is similar to that of the woman hanging on the wall and Gaiken gives her a compassionate look.

Anya: “They are not so terribly young, such works do not last long even among the elves.”

Anya takes the book she was inspecting from the shelf and walks towards Gaiken, taking a moment to inspect his affectionate gaze at her.

Gaiken opens his mouth to speak before Anya settles on a footstool before him but a maid comes in with a tray and two glasses of brandy interrupting his confession of feelings.

Anya stiffens, unsure of the other and waiting for the young maid to leave. When she does Anya opens the book to a map of the lands of Vala. She does not give time for Gaiken to finish his thought before she dives into the plan.

Anya: “Nishk Braisk. A struggling city of outcasts and plagued ones, home to the Grimlash, the vile group of betrayers.”

Gaiken nods waving one had as if to signal her to continue her thought.

Anya: “The son of King Geirrod has planned an attack against his father.” “Von of whom I spoke with has told me the prince who was banished to Nishk Braisk now seeks his fathers thrown.”

Anya reaches for her glass of brandy and takes a sip, studying the map a moment as she does so.

Anya: “On the night that the nine moons vanish from the sky he’ll make his attack.” “But he won’t be alone, for on the night of the eclipse the band of Nishk Braisk are allowed to leave their city, and as a hired band they follow the prince.”

Gaiken sighs. He exhales the smoke from his pipe and then looks down at the map.

Gaiken: “King Geirrod is the king of Barish Tar, being so far away from both cities I dare not think your suggesting we stop him.”

Anya nods.

Anya: “We are a days ride to Barish Tar, and we have the advantage of being along the only road from the way of Nishk Braisk.” “We can cut him off from this position and you will gain the glory of defeating the usurper in battle.”

Gaiken nods, and chews on the end of his pipe.

Gaiken: “And what of these hired hands you mentioned?”

Anya: “Von, of whom I spoke with, and myself will have elements to deal with these traitors.”

Gaiken looks resigned to Anya’s plan for glory and sighs giving her a look of devotion.

Gaiken: “Then I shall lead us to battle.”

I Have Not Seen Greater Faith

Matthew 8:10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”

"People think we have such great faith going out and doing these things for God's kingdom and ministering to people, but really we can't do it with out their support. I think it's them who has the greater faith, because even though their not physically there, through every time they give their believing with us for what we're doing."

- Becky Miller

I just thought I'd post a little encouraging story about a little girl here in Mijas called Emma.

Emma and her family have dinner with us a lot, and Emma is a very cool girl.

Emma writes songs, very spiritual songs, Emma worships like an adult, if not more freely, Emma is also a giver, like no giver I've ever met.

The air port lost one of the girls in my house's bag a few weeks ago. She wears a size 3 or 4 in children's shoes. So you can imagine how hard it is for her to find shoes for herself in a foreign country.

I'm not sure if Emma bought the shoes or brought them but she gave the girl from my house a pair of shoes.

They didn't quite fit, but it's the thought that counts right?

I'm amazed at the faith Emma has to give things like this so freely.

I my self have always loved giving, but I want to be like Emma where I give out of an innocent heart always.

It's amazing what little things can do to bless some ones heart, and it's even more amazing how God can ues even a little girl like Emma.

My prayer is that the world can learn to give like Emma.

Another project from Class

God’s Revelation, God’s Vision, and Me

What is God’s Vision in my life?

To see Social Reform in Japan, and see their ‘cultural’ depression lifted.

Japan has been in an economic depression since the early 2000’s, many people have begun to believe that this is the cause for Japan’s rising suicide rate.

Statistics say that in Japan, since 2003, the rates of those who have killed them selves have become a major population deterrent.

Last year alone more than 100,000 men and women over the age of 60 killed them selves, like wise children 19 years of age and high school level suicide rates have jumped 25% and Middle School to primary School children leaped 60% more from their already record high level of 6^th in the world. (According to 2008 census.)

Pairing this fact with a 35 year declining birthrate from abortion as an acceptable form of birth control, sexually inactive married couples and a drop in fertility in women ages 25- 35 we can easily see that there is a problem.

Social science, economic stimulus and even political pleading has been in place since 1997 but still the number of Japanese citizens dwindle each year and now Japan is considered to be a waning nation.

Ever since I was twelve years old I have had a burden for the Japanese people, through years my fire may have been quieted from zealous studying to determined research of the problems and problem solvers in Japan, yet I continue to feel burdened for the waning culture. My dream is to complete the proper schooling as a Cultural Anthropologist; using this medium I can build a team of like-minded rock breakers to go into Japan and begin to uncover this spirit of social and cultural depression. As a Cultural Anthropologist I would have access to government information, government contacts, Psychologist research and other highly trained, highly qualified like-minded team members to help in this endeavor.

Now that we’ve heard the vision let’s talk some about the goals.

For this project I’ve been asked to set up three 3-week goals, three 3-month goals, and three 3-year goals.

Three-Week Goals:

· Begin courses in learning Japanese. (Retrieve Pimslur Japanese mp3’s from home)

· Research Work/School Visa’s for Japan.

· Research current ministries in Japan to partner with.

Three-Month Goals:

· Begin planning proposals for funding and support in this project.

· Learn at least 300 Japanese (useful to conversation) words

· Begin searching for supporters.

Three-Year Goals:

· Have Started Cultural Anthropology schooling. (Unless God otherwise leads for another route)

· Begin looking a place to live in Japan

· Have learned conversational Japanese and have learned to read enough to not get lost.

· To have contacts in Japan ready to start this ministry.

The heart and soul of every team, organization and even individual drives are Core Values.

For this project I’ll be listing several core values I will try to live my life by as well as measure my team by.

· A heart that listens for the direction of God.

· Integrity

· Excellence in ALL that we do.

· A servant’s heart for people, and a heart that wants to see lives changed.

In having a vision one needs to be able to communicate this vision to their supporters.

The old saying goes that money makes the world go around and God is able to provide people that want to give the revolutionary green.

In my life I’ve seen God supernaturally bring in money, and I’ve seen him honor those who gave supernaturally out of their limited funds. Seed, Time and Harvest are important keys to giving in God’s kingdom, and no one wants to sew (donate) their seed (Money) into questionable ground.

In Communicating with my supporters will be a large portion of getting this ministry started.

Media and spoken word will probably be the most effective ways of communication with supporters state side, and even in Europe and Asia.

I believe through positive media and testimony we can also achieve a good deal of support from Asia and Japan it self.

As well as donations I would like to create specialty products with a logo or picture about our cause. These products would not only fund this ministry but also raise awareness and be a form of communication themselves.

In my personal contacts as of this moment I would be able to print T-shirts, wristbands, hats, bags and order specialty made Capos (a musical device used to change the bridge on a guitar). Objects with our logo could be sold in stores in my state, and in music stores internationally.

Now that we’ve talked a little about the supporters and how to reach them, I should probably go into a little detail about them.

Supporters are not always those who fund this ministry. Some are financial, while others are prayer partners, accountability partners, people who offer guidance and those who are there for personal support.

Through media, positive actions and testimonies I hope to reach:

· Business owners who believe in my cause and are willing to help raise awareness and funds for this vision by hopefully offering products that the profits or a present of the profits will be donated to this social reformation.

· Local Churches that wish to support us through prayers, gifts and even manpower.

· Mentors and family who would like to be there for Personal Support, Guidance and again financial support if they are lead.

· A team who will serve with me and offer accountability to our mission statement, core values and choices.

Now that we’ve talked a little bit of whom the supporters are let’s talk about who the team will consist of.

Our cause will be a large one, and is a subject that as of late has become something of a cultural acceptance. For our team we will need people of influence as well as people in positions to reach the every day man and woman.

In my belief the people best suited for these jobs would be:

· Teachers in the local school systems

· People in government positions

· People who share this vision and are willing to hang in for the long haul.

· Ministers who are willing to disciple the people.

· Businessmen and women who are willing to support, and out reach using their influence over their work force (a large portion of the potential people who will commit suicide.)

While having a team and supporters are amazing with out a target audience there is no reason to walk around with such an entourage.

My target audience would be the Japanese. With a goal of social and cultural reformation like this one changes rarely take place over night. It will require constant communication through media, actions, spoken word and even just being there for a person who feels there is no hope left. Communicating with my target audience will be a challenge especially because Japan is so over stimulated by media, movies, music, and even just the advertisements as they walk down the street.

While I would hope to use some media in gaining support for our cause I feel that actions, personal interaction and positive works may speak louder than words.

Even with a game plan mostly set there are still some holes in my skill set.

Some of these holes include:

· Education, Seeing as I am very young it will be very hard for me to get a Japanese visa with out an education or with out being in an occupation for at least 10 years.

· For this the only way to for me to fill this gap will be for me to either work a job for 10 years or finish at least 4 years of schooling.

· Finances; as I’ve mentioned above, nothing in life is free. So it’s quite obvious that cash is going to be a bit of a gap in my skill set. Not just having it, but making it has never been my strong point either.

· Another ‘short coming’ I feel that I have is a boldness or natural talent for group speaking, or promotion.

To solve both of these problems I would hope to partner with business owners and fellow ministers that have been supporters in my ministry thus far. I feel that through learning to promote my cause and learn ways to create awareness I can better raise support and create a ‘campaign’ (so to speak) that could help further our cause and bring light to this bleak cause.