Posted in General Posts by Julie Mendenhall on 1/13/2012
Wow...I can't believe it's already been one year.
One year ago...I left the Sunshine State and made my way up to Seattle. Two days later 33 of us would be flying half way around the world for the start of our 4 month Journey.
Most of you know my journey...but would you reminisce with me for a bit?
The first stop on our trip was Cambodia, me and my team worked at a prevention home with girls 15 and younger. The precious beauties had been placed here by a mother or grandmother in fear that they would be sold into sex trafficking by a possible family member. I left a piece of my heart in Cambodia and one day I would love to go back to visit. I still keep in contact with a couple of people from that ministry, I am so thankful for the friendships me and my team made.
Second stop, Thailand. Wow just as I began typing that my eyes started to tear up. I can't explain what God did that month in me. But I felt so alive in that country...Every night when we would ride our bikes up to Bar Street, I would have a thought like "I could literally do this for the rest of my life." Loving and sharing Jesus with those girls/women in the bars was such a blessing. I loved our ministry...but I also really loved the people and the culture as a whole. Lord willing...I will be back in Thailand one day, I pray it is longer than a month... I would love to be there long-term.
Oh India, my hardest, yet possibly most impactful month of the four. Our ministry was an aftercare facility, where we worked with woman who had been rescued from the sex trade. The aftercare facility helped the woman spiritually, as they were restored and learned of the man Jesus who would never hurt them, as well as, having a good paying job making bags/scarves etc. out of old Saris. I can admit it now, but I had a very hard heart towards the people there. (Not at our ministry) I really can't explain it, and Slumdog Millionaire wont give you the explanation either...for you to understand you would have to go and see and smell and experience it for yourself. But after coming back from the trip the Lord softened my heart for that country and for the people there. And I plan on going back one day, with a new heart and mindset towards that country.
The trip ended in Atlanta, GA. Our month consisted of calling girls who had placed ads in the adult section of Craigslist/Backpage. We were able to call them and give them a resource if they ever needed someone to talk to/needed help/ wanted a way out. Most of the girls we talked with were open and shared their stories of childhood sexual abuse/poverty and how that led them to where they are now. Sometimes we were able to pray with them over the phone and give them encouragement. We also were able to go into some of the strip clubs in Atlanta. As we worked along side our ministry contact Kasey who started 4sarah...we were able to walk into these clubs and go into the back dressing room and give the girls gift bags. I am so glad the trip ended in Atlanta, and we were all able to make a difference in our own country and learn how we can be just as impactful here.
It seems so crazy for me to try to "sum up" all the things we saw God do, we learn, we experienced in a little paragraph. It's just not possible....
On May 18, 2011 we returned home from our 4 month journey. For me this was process time. I remember early July...I had a couple nights of major breakdown sessions. I was a mess! It took me that long just to recap and grab hold of some of the things we saw both good and bad. But it's a process and i'm pretty sure i'm still walking through it.
Ok so to go back several months. October 2010. We had a 5 day training camp for this trip. In those 5 days I met him. The man I knew I wanted to marry. I knew in the first 24hrs. of meeting him. My thoughts "Lord are you kidding me!" Number one I really was planning on being single for several more years, while I traveled the world doing missions. Number 2 everyone had to make a commitment with the mission organization that you wouldn't date anyone till the End of the trip which was at that point 7 months away.
As I left that October knowing I wouldn't see Jason till that coming January...I knew I was about to experience the biggest lesson in patience. January came and how amazing it was to see each other again. But now started the 4 next waiting stage 4 months of our trip. On different teams, living in different places, serving at different ministries. Sure enough...4 months passed and on May 18th 2011, we were able to officially start dating. Even though my patience always wanting to run out through that process, I really can't think of anything more I would have like to have had. We will forever get to share this same adventure and rejoice in how the Lord brought us together.
Me and Jason said from the beginning "When you know..you know" Which is exactly what happened on Sept. 12th 2011 we were engaged and on October 29th 2011 we were married! I knew I would always have a short engagement. haha
Some other happenings of this year...I started back at school online through Liberty University for a degree in Psychology, with a focus in Christian Counseling. This is something I really felt laid on my heart, returning from the trip. I will graduate in Dec. 2012 and I am excited to see what the Lord is going to do with it!
I have also been recently connected to a new ministry called StreetLight here in Winston-Salem. It is a ministry that will be going into the strip clubs and giving the woman gift bags and works at building a genuine relationship and trust with the woman in the clubs. From that hopefully bible studies and new job placements will flourish! We actually go into the clubs for the first time Jan. 19th 2012. Keep us in your prayers!
So here I am on January 13, 2012, one year later. And I was blessed to be able to travel the world spreading the Light and Love of Jesus into some of the darkest places. I have been swept off my feet by a man that not even I could have put together...and now am 2 1/2 month happily married! And for the first time me and my husband get to do ministry together. Jason will be apart of streetlight through prayer and going with us to the clubs. (Not inside of course) but he will be there to build relationships with the valets etc. We both have a huge heart for missions and returning overseas...possibly Thailand. But we will just have to wait and see what the Lord has in store this year!
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Posted in General Posts by Julie Tellin on 2/27/2011
So as most of you know our ministry here in Thailand is going out into the bars at night; we are building relationships with the women (and young girls) and offering them a way out of the bar/prostitution industry. The organization we are working with has a café that me and 3 of the other girls help out at during the week day. This café helps find them a job other then in the bars.
But a huge part of my ministry has been to the "Johns" which is the term used for men who come to buy sex with these woman.
 So I want to tell you a little bit about "John" that's just what I'll call him. The first time I saw this older fellow, he was sitting in a chair at the bar, groping this girl who was dancing all up on him. Somewhere along the way he ended up sitting at the table with me and my 2 friends.
We did the usual, hey where are you from etc. etc. And this is what I learned about John. He was 52, from Holland, and had a wife of 30 years! So me being facetious I ask the obvious question, "Oh is that your wife over there who you were dancing with?" His response "ha no, oh I'm just here to have a good time" Hmm...I didn't have to many nice things to say to John after that.
I honestly don't remember much of what was said that night because I was often distracted by the way he would rub the 15 year old girls leg who came and sat by us. Or by the comments he made to my friend, "I really enjoy looking at your body, I want to have you in my bed tonight." But what I did catch through out the night was that this man was not happy, he was not satisfied with any thing in his life and he was convinced he was a Christian because of a spiritual encounter he had at a Buddhist Temple?
I knew this was going to be a struggle for me. To see these men, not through my eyes but through the eyes of Christ. Everything that is of Julie wants to punch these men in the face and then Christ in me wants to share His love and Freedom.
As hard as it was that first night talking with the Johns, I came back to my room overwhelmed with not exactly love for these men...more like anger. But I felt like the Lord was asking me these questions.
Did I come to offer live abundantly and freedom for all?
-Yes
Is there any sin you could do that my Son's blood wouldn't cover?
-No
Do you believe that I could do the same for these men?
-Yes
Do you really?
-Yes God!
Ok then will you share with them My Love/My Forgiveness/and the Life I offer.
-Yes!
So I had another opportunity with John. I came back to the same bar a couple nights later. I wasn't with the 2 people I had been with. So when he recognized me, he jumped down from the bar, and with excitement he came and talked with me. My heart had changed towards him. Even the fact that he came and wanted to spend time with me, when he knew that all he would be getting out of me was conversation and I wouldn't give him what some of the other girls in the bar would. But I knew that he had seen something different in me and my friend from a couple nights before...aka Jesus. And he wanted to hear more about it.
It would take to long to tell you about our whole conversation that night. I def. had a love for John that I hadn't had the first night we talked. But at the same time I didn't act like what was going on in these bars was ok. I was able to speak Truth into his life and ask him some questions that he couldn't answer...but hopefully will get him to start thinking and bring him to an answer or The Answer.
As much as I want to touch the lives of these woman, I want to touch the lives of these men. Because hey aren't they the ones supplying the need for this industry? So if their lives are changed by the power of Jesus, then a huge part of the problem would be solved.
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." -John 10:10
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Posted in General Posts by Julie Tellin on 1/30/2011
Do you ever put to much stress on what you can or can not do? Well I know I do...and I have to constantly remind myself "Julie it's not about you it's about Him."
The bible even tells us that, in John 3:30 it says "He must increase, but I must decrease."
I was reading in 1 Corinthians the other day and this passage jumped out at me. "And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling. And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."
That passage is so powerful to me, especially where I am right now. It was the Spirit of the Living God that has loved me first, given me a love for these girls, and placed it on my heart to even be here in Cambodia. And it's not the power of Julie that is going to change lives here, it's through the power of God inside me that will do great things. He get's all the glory.
When I first came here, my goal was to serve, give, serve some more, and then give some more. And the longer I am here; I realize that a huge part of God bringing my team and I here...was so that we could receive.
Yes, every little girl loves to be told their beautiful, longs for someone to play with their hair, hold their hand, etc. But there is something in humans that longs to give too. To show some one you care and love them and even more so for that person to receive it.
Since I've been here...
*I receive candy everyday (sometimes 2 a day) when the girls come back from school.
*I get my hair braided probably every other day
*My fingers and wrists are constantly being bedazzled with jewelry from the girls
 *I get pictures and letters from the girls saying things like "Julie I love You" "Jesus loves you"
*I get told I'm beautiful all throughout the day
*I go over to wash my dishes and one of the little girls runs over to take my dish and wash it (with a smile that is)
*I have little girls filling up my water bottle and bringing it to me at night
There is countless other things these girls do to express love to me.
It's so overwhelming at times...because I'm thinking "I'm here to serve and give to you" and not that I haven't but I didn't expect to receive so much from them.
But that goes back to the whole concept of its not all about me. It's not always about what I can or can not do. Sometimes all I'm suppose to do is just sit and receive from these girls. And ya know what? That is just as important. Because think about it...due to these girl's family/lack of family situations...the love that they have tried to give has probably at some points, been neglected and not cherished...
So not only am I here to love on these girls but I'm also here to receive the overflowing love they have/want to give...
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Posted in General Posts by Julie Tellin on 1/21/2011
What in the world did I just get myself into?!
This was the question I asked myself the first night in Cambodia. It didn't help that I had just been on a plane all day across the other side of the world. As I laid there, the reality really hit of me not being able to see my family, the soon adjustments I would have to make and the things I would have to surrender along the way.
Well thankfully, I had a good night sleep and was in a much better thought process the next morning. For the first 2 days my squad and I stayed at a "guest house" basically like a motel. We had some more preparation to do before the teams split off and started working with their ministries.
Wednesday morning came and my team and I departed to move on site of our ministry. For safety reasons I can't say the name of our ministry or any names. But I can say that we moved to a home where about 30 girls from ages 15-4 live. These girls have not been trafficked but were rescued out of a home where they were subject to it.
So we take the 20 minute "tok tok" ride to our ministry and as the gates fling open to the home about 10 girls run out to meet us all smiles, giggles, and full of love. As we got off the tok tok the little girls started carrying our bags (heavy bags that is) they would not let us do anything. At that moment the tears started to come...I don't know I was just so overwhelmed with the love and life in these little girls. Here we were strangers and they were so excited and received us so easily. I tried to wipe the tears real quick as they all jumped on me to give me hugs.
Our ministry here with these girls is sharing Christ's love with them and teaching them English (if they know English they will be able to get better jobs). A lot of the older girls speak very well and you can carry on good conversations. The girls go to school in the morning and the older ones go in the morning and afternoon. But the youngest ones stay here all day, so we play lots of uno, color, paint, make jewelry...Oh and not to forget jump rope. I def. think I will be a professional by the end of the month. My team and I bought some English puzzles with letters and numbers on them and color books with English words in them, so it's been cool just teaching them some English in everyday things, like playing.
For all of you who know my pickiness about my food...well haha, rice has been my breakfast, lunch, and dinner; there are usually some other things but I just stay safe with rice. Oh and I can't forget about my bird friends...quail. They are right here in the yard and they kill 'em, pluck 'em, and then we eat 'em. Tastes like chicken so I got over the fact that it was quail. Oh and my sweet tooth isn't being neglected either. Every day when the little girls come home from school, they bring me little candies. So that's always a nice little treat.
The girls go to church, which we will go with them on Sundays, so they definitely know about Jesus. But we get to help them grow in their relationship with Him and their understanding of who He is and what He thinks about them. Last night me and a couple of my team mates were able to pray for one of the older girls, she didn't think she was beautiful and was having self-worth struggles. So we were able to speak the truth that she is beautiful, and that God has formed her and knew of her before she was ever born. As I felt her teardrops on my hands, I was overwhelmed with joy for moments like that, when you can speak life into someone.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." -Psalms 139:13-14
More goodness to come...
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Posted in General Posts by Julie Tellin on 11/30/2010
So have you ever heard anyone say "God is love, God is good, and God is faithful."
I feel like we hear, or at least I hear that more when things are going good. When jobs are secure, when families are getting along, when a new relationship starts, when things are going "our" way.
The Bible says that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So that means that when people lose their job, when families/friends/relationships are rocky or even falling apart, when people are hurting and in pain...God is still love , He is still good, and He is still faithful. He didn't change because of our situation/circumstance or problem.
I want so bad to understand this and I do a little more each day. But it's a journey and I don't know if I will ever fully understand until I meet Jesus face to face.
I bring all this up, because it has been on my heart lately. With this trip I'm about to go on it makes me think about God's goodness. You see from the outside God doesn't look to good or loving or faithful when little children (boys and girls) and women are being raped/abused/exploited every day.
Before I go to these counties, before I look into the eyes of these victims, before I speak anything about God. I have to have an understanding of His attributes and believe that they are solid and true to each person and each situation good or bad.
To be honest, it scares me a little bit...that I may talk to a young girl (maybe even my age) and tell her God is good and that He loves her. And her to look at me and ask, "Have you ever been beaten?" "Have you ever been raped, and not just raped but raped 20+ times a day?" I would have to answer no. Would she then discount what I am telling her? I don't know...
I won't have the same testimony as any of the people I come in contact with, but I do have my own. I have been lonely and have found comfort in God. I have been depressed and God has given me joy. I have almost lost a loved one to alcoholism but have seen God restore that person to a sober life. I have been wounded emotionally and God has healed my wounds all the way down to the root. I have been in such dark bondage where I was lying to myself, to my family, to my friends that I didn't even know what was truth or who I even was...but God broke the chains of bondage, set me free, showed me who I was in Him, and spoke truth over me.
Even though I haven't personally been through certain things, I do have people close to me that have been abused, raped, molested, and lost someone close to them. They can all look at me and say that yes even though those times were hard, yes I had to get healing or am still working on the healing; God is still good, God is still love and God is still faithful.
Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." I love that verse. It blows me away...and I def. don't understand it to its full potential. Hmm... to think everything done wrong against me, every pain I've experienced, every stupid decision I've made; God will somehow down the road use that for good. It could be to make me stronger, to make me more dependent on Him, to bring me closer to someone, to help someone in that same situation. I don't know how God will work all the things in my life out; but I know that I have already seen things come to past that He has worked for good. When you finally get through a trial/hardship and see how you learned from it or how it actually makes some sense now...it proves God's faithfulness that He will work all the things of the past and present for good somehow...
I was sharing this analogy with one of my best pals the other day. It was kind of like this...If your training for a marathon...you spend weeks/months running/sweating...maybe you even get hurt, and have to take a couple days off because of shin splints or a hurt knee. Then, you don't run the race in the end. Umm...excuse me? Ha, what would be the point? That's what I think about a life without Jesus. If we are just living this life, with no hope, with no reason or purpose for every situation just to die and be buried 6 ft. under...man what kind of life would that be. Everything would be pointless...
But that's not the way life has to be. We can have hope and live and stand and see the promises of God come to past. Here are some of the good things our good and loving Father offers in place of the not so good...coming from Isaiah 61.
good tidings for the poor;
healing for the brokenhearted,
liberty to the captives,
opening of the prison to those who are bound;
comfort for all who mourn,
beauty for ashes,
oil of joy for mourning,
garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
No one and nothing can do all such things except for One.
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Posted in General Posts by Julie Tellin on 11/11/2010
Ok hang in there with me...I just have to get on my organic soap box for a bit :) So this is one of my favorite stores....Whole Foods. If you know me and have known me for a long time, you know that I haven't always been a health nut. Growing up I was raised on processed, junk, frozen pizza type of foods. I was obsessed with KFC (gross). Ha-ha, I even made a cheer up about it in high school "Popcorn chicken, Popcorn chicken, dip it in the mash potatoes(x3) YUM!" It wasn't till about a year ago that I really got on board with this whole organic thing. It started slowly, but now has progressed into everything from my food, shampoo, toothpaste, candy, even down to my gum! Now don't get me wrong I still will go out to eat, and occasionally have my favorite (sour patch kids).
Why go down this path? It's the way we were supposed to live and eat. Hundreds of years ago or even a hundred; we didn't have all these diseases. What we put into our body, is key to a healthy, happy, long life. When I'm 70 I don't want to be just getting by, with all my meds. I went to be an active healthy old lady! But, that dream isn't possible with a diet full of MSG, genetically modified, and artificially enriched food. And it's not just our food it's our beauty care...go look at the ingredients of any of your shampoo, body wash, and lotion there is a 98% likely hood that it has paraben, and 20 other ingredients you have neither heard or know of. That stuff is linked to breast cancer, and many other diseases and illnesses. Yea, I'll pass.
So now to transition this blog about Jesus...I have a point I really do!
Ok so sometimes I get this strong feeling of "Just give me Jesus." Just the raw, authentic, pure Jesus. How many of you have even tried to read one of those self help books, or dating books to bring you to an answer or conclusion about something? I'm guilty! But sometimes I just get so sick of reading all these books, listening to all these sermons, getting advice from a million and one people. Now don't get me wrong all these things aren't bad and can be used for good. But, sometimes I think we abuse all these sources and don't go to the main Source (Jesus).
I mean it is kind of like our society, we are a fast-food, quick fix generation. It is much easier to go through McDonalds drive through than it is to go home and cook a healthy meal. Or to pop in a pill for this problem, and a pill for this sickness, and a pill for this stress, than to change your lifestyle and physically become healthier. It seems much easier to read a book about how to become a better you. Than to sit and spend time with Jesus, read His word, and let that transformation happen.
Is it worth it though? The quick fixes, the quick answers, the cheaper route? I don't think so. I have read countless books and listened to countless sermons and asked advice from countless people. All of that is good, and to some degree has changed my life. But what has truly changed my life, my head (thoughts), and most importantly my heart is the revelations I have gotten straight from Jesus. Those times I have read His word and it becomes alive to my life and situation (Heb. 4:12).
He is what I want. I don't want a bunch of "added ingredients." Or someone else's revelation about how to date, how to be the best you, how to be the happiest you. (Again it is always encouraging to hear what the Lord has shown others). But, I want the Lord to show me personally who He is and His ways and what He has for me. And the cool thing is, He can and does!
So will you keep me accountable? If I come to you asking for advice, or if you see me reading "Your best life now" will you just be like "Hey, have you gone to the Ultimate Source, have you gone to Jesus first?"
This is all I'm trying to say; as much as I want a raw/organic lifestyle physically. I want a raw/organic life spiritually. With Jesus. He is the purest and most beneficial source to all my needs.
Just give me Jesus. and some organic dark choc. almonds wouldn't be too bad either...hehe
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Posted in General Posts by Julie Tellin on 11/4/2010
No this isn't a science lesson about the laws of gravity...haha
The other day I was in the prayer room at our church; they constantly have IHOP (international house of prayer...not pancakes) streaming through the speakers.
Whoever it was leading worship at this time, started singing this spontanious song. The lyrics were
"What goes up must come down, because you move at the sound of our voice." I really liked that line and decided to write it down and now I decided to write a blog about it.
So to sum that line up when I speak to God, He moves, He does something, He responds to His child.
I like analogies...so here is one. Our father on earth is suppose(which all fathers don't, and even the best of father's fail at times) to reflect our Father in heaven. I have been blessed with an amazing father. So I know that when I need some love, I can crawl on the couch and snuggle up to him like im 10 yrs. old and he will return the affection. When I say "I love you" I know I'll get an I love you back. I know that when I say "Hey daddy will you come out and check my car, it's making a funny noise", he will drop what he is doing and come out and check my car. ---Man is it good to know i'll get a respond from him.
But how much more is our Father in heaven listening? How much more is He able to respond to our every need? How much more does He know whats best for us? He is the perfect and ultimate Father...
Matthew 7 says 7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
So I encourage you with this He is not just listening to you, He is responding to you. When He hears your prayer, your cry, your frustration. He will respond; it's just part of who He is. It might not always be in our timing, or our way, or the answer we want. But His thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours.
NOTE: Through my 22 almost 23 years of life, I have learned the best thing to send up to Heaven is praise. Sending praise up can send down multiple things and fix multiple problems, it rains down joy, peace, comfort, hope, encouragement. I challenge you to let your first words to God always be praise about His goodness, faithfulness, love, holiness, wisdom and gazillion other attributes He has. This one thing has changed my life...there is something about taking the focus off of yourself and turning it to the One who is worthy of it.
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." -1 Peter 2:9 (whoahh thats something to praise Him for right there!)
Here is a link to a pretty cool song it's really long but worth your time. It's a prophetic song, as if God were singing to us. Check it out and be blessed!
http://mytrumpet.posterous.com/this-is-an-mp3-of-cory-asburys-live-performan-0
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Posted in General Posts by Julie Tellin on 10/26/2010
My college pastor the other night was talking about going after "the one." I was thinking he meant like Jesus--the One. But he was talking about that one person. Focusing on one thing/person at a time can be hard for me. I like numbers...and I like multiplication. One just seems so small...but what is it im going after? Is it better to say I have witnessed to 100 people or to say I have witnessed to the same person for a year and now they are finally understand Christ's love.
See I think this whole mentality of "more is better" started along time ago. When I was alittle kid (and even till I was in high school) I use to count my Christmas presents under the tree. Haha don't judge me. Looking back...man was I a little brat. If I only had 10 presents that wasn't enough, even 15, I wanted more. It didn't matter if the quality of the present was $1, I just liked to have alot of things. So this mentality of the more the better has even carried into my relationship with God.
Sometimes it's hard for me to be satisfied with just witnessing to 1 person, or just doing 1 random act of kindness. I feel like thats not good enough for God. But the TRUTH is that I could do nothing ever again for Christ or I could be like Billy Graham and lead thousands of people to Him; and still His love would not increase or decrease for me. His love would stay the same. Because Christ's love isn't dependent on what I do, He loved me before I even knew or did anything for Him.
I don't want to look at people to increase quantity, but I want to look at each person individually as quality and value for the Kingdom of God. So this is what im after, the one. That one homeless person on the street that needs money for food, that one lady with a cast who needs prayer for healing, that one friend who needs someone to talk to, that one person who needs someone to not judge them but love them, that one person you see everyday at work who needs some encouragement. This is what it's about, loving and being Jesus to one person at a time.
Isn't this what Jesus did? He noticed the one...the one lady who touched his garment, the one man in the top of a tree, the one adultress who was being judged, the one woman at the well. He isn't looking at people in mass numbers. But He is looking at each person and each life.
Psalm 139:13-16. For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.
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Posted in General Posts by Julie Tellin on 10/21/2010
I had no idea what to expect from training camp, but the Lord would have blown my expectations out of the water anyways.
So I got to spend 5ish days with my fellow World Racers. We had incredible worship, teachings and testimonies. We got to experience some of the food options we will be having and lots of fellowship with one another.
The Lord is so faithful...To be honest, at the beginning of training camp, I was kinda thinking great, I get to hear abunch of teachings about soul ties/generational sin etc. I was like I know about this stuff and have already dealt with it. But, quickly the Lord changed my mindset. God started reminding me of my testimony and how He has delivered me from these things. So then I was able to praise the Lord for what He has done and where He has brought me from. He is so good.
On Monday I was honored and blessed to be asked to lead one of the 5 teams. Tuesday morning the team leaders and our leaders met and we each received our teams. I was so excited when I saw the names of the girls on my team, I couldn't stop smiling. After announcing teams, we broke off for some bonding time. There was already such a unity amongst us. We were able to talk, laugh, pray and encourage one another--this was one of my favorite parts of training camp.
We decided to name our team Freedom 5:8. We chose this name because Freedom is exactly what we want to see happen in these victims lives. Freedom from self-hatred, guilt, shame and Freedom into a relationship with the ultimate Savior. 5:8 comes from Ephesians chapter 5. The passage is
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:
" Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light."
As lights of Christ we will expose the darkness and works of the enemy.
We are at war. Jesus says that "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." -John 10:10 I am fighting against the powers of the enemy...he is stealing little girls purity, killing dreams, and destroying lives. Me and my fellow racers are warriors in this fight and WILL WIN by speaking Truth, giving Love, and being the Light of Christ!!!
and yes that is xena warrior princess...I thought it was appropriate for this blog. :0)
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