Just Keeps Getting Better

Even the ugliest circumstances can look happy when looking at life through rose colored glasses. I'm sporting a pair now. Life is good- not the everything is perfect and dandy sort of good, but the I'm living and loving life because of God's handiwork kind of good.


My support is still low, but my bank account miraciously has stayed level for the past two months. I applied for support at Packinghouse. The meeting to discuss it amongst the board is the 1st Tuesday of March. I find myself nodding my head in agreement as Paul says "I know what it is to be in need and I know what is to have plenty - I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." (Philp 4:11-12). My heart is still floating in a fluffy, protective cloud of perfect peace.

Significant meetings and opportunities abound. Conversations regarding GX amongst the leadership of the US Center continue. I sense a great momentum building. 1200 advertisements for GX went out this month in all donor receipts (those who give financially to USCWM and it's missionaries). Greg Parsons put word to Rick Wood about featuring GX in Mission Frontiers; John Langer is working to build us our own custom database; Jon Pon has asked me to come into tomorrow to help plan the children's portion of our up coming FMF retreat; meet with Christy Graham tomorrow to discuss networking among Perspective churches, and I'm just waiting schedule alignment with the men from our Arkansas office to discuss children's mobilization on a boarder scale.

We had 5 new kids sign up this week. We just sent out our 41st issue on Mongolia (a country who just 20 years ago didn't even have a church). This month I celebrate the fact that I have survived the creation of 80 children's magazines- a feat that just never seems to get easier! haha

Today I had a very significant meeting with the children's pastor at Packinghouse. Mike Barrnet just stepped in 2 months ago...we are kindred spirits! We are both free thinking, unconventional, I'd-rather-ask-for-forgiveness-than-permission go-getters. And we both share a passion for family discipleship and ministry and giving our kids some real opportunities for growth. Conversations will continue in weeks ahead on how to incorporate GX or other mission focused ideas into our Sunday School. I'm also being put on the creative team for VBS to help add these components into what we do there. This kind of meeting would be the most exciting adrenal rush for me at any church...but to have it with the pastor of my own church!?! Somebody pinch me...I'm dreaming!

Wrapping up Mongolia stuff this week. Heading into our next issue on Ukraine. Still looking for more laborers- artists and administrative help in particular!

Up Ahead
March 20- Facilitating night of prayer for children around the world for a Perspectives course in Corona
March 26- Leading two live teaching demonstrations at Chinese American Idea Exchange



P.S. More pictures from Walnut Preschool and events at MVC still to come.

Walnut Methodist Preschool

A preschool class at Walnut Methodist Preschool as been traveling around the world with Conductor Courage through the Global Xpress. You can imagine their excitement when Conductor Courage showed up to their class!! Kids were able to ask questions about the places they were learning about and learn that God uses kids, no matter how big or how small!

Here is a few pictures from the day....more to come!

Click here to view these pictures larger

Carissa's Chronicles- Jan 2011

January 26, 2011

There is an old proverb that says the beginning of a new year paints the picture of what the rest of the year will look like. If this is true, than Global Xpress is heading into its busiest and greatest year yet.

This month we launched a revised and improved Sunday school program called Expeditions. It includes our magazines as well as teacher lesson guides, prayer cards, pictures, and more. Two new churches have already signed on. We completed our 40th issue of GX magazine featuring the country of Greece. Global Xpress was also awarded a $1,000 grant for operating expenses from a lady in San Francisco who we have never met!

In addition, we booked seven events before the first week of the New Year ended. On January 7, I helped teach kids about the nations at Chinese Church of San Diego. Sunday, I did a special kids program at Murrieta Valley Church. I also shared our vision with the adults in the sanctuary. Still ahead, my team and I have:

 A special appearance as “Conductor Courage” at Walnut Methodist Preschool (January 27)

 Presentation and exhibit table at the African American missions conference (January 29)

 Facilitating a focused night of prayer for children at a Perspectives class in Corona (March 20)

 Two live teaching demonstrations that other teachers will be able to observe at the Chinese American Idea Exchange (March 26)

 And teaching two workshops (Bill of Rights for Kingdom Kids and The Lies Children Believe In), as well as hosting an exhibit table, at the CMTA children’s convention (April 29-30)

My calendar may be busy but my heart is full. Each of these events, along with the daily production of the Global Xpress magazine, is an opportunity to transform the world by discipling a new generation. It’s an opportunity to bear fruit, fruit that will last. Beyond the recognition and growth are the irreplaceable stories of kids whose lives have been changed.

“[Hannah] really has a passion to see people saved. I really think that you and Global Xpress have played a big role in that,” wrote Carol Morris, mother of one of our longest subscribing Global Xpress kids.

I want to invite you to join with others in building this ministry. Every time you pray, every time you give financially, you are investing into the lives of children like Hannah. You are an irreplaceable and valuable part of the team. There is still so much more work to be done, so many more lives to impact. I’m calling for more troops so more victories can be won. We need financial supporters, people who give any amount on a monthly basis. We need people who can increase what they are already giving. We need committed prayer warriors fighting on behalf of kids all around the world as well as praying for needed laborers.

The task is great but God has already proved to be a powerful and faithful Commander. He is leading the way, opening up door after door, so that we can reach today’s kids and point them away from a life of selfish living and into a glorifying, Christ-centered existence.



Until the whole world hears,

Carissa Potter

Bringing the world to Chinese Church of San Diego

Friday night the 7th I and a team taught about 25 kids from 4 different Chinese American churches about God's heart for the world. They experienced life in Romania, Thailand, and Malawi.

Reaching Romania from a Warehouse

I had the great opportunity to help ROCK ministries this month by sorting through over a dozen large boxes of children's clothes and cataloging everything for them. These clothes will go to abandoned and poor children living in Romania. Plus, I was totally blessed getting to know Barbara and working alongside  long time friend Terry Lee.

Old Promises Made New

It's a new year...4 days in and it is already filled with new joy, new hope, and a new attitude.

The next four months are filling up fast with conferences and speaking opportunities. So far on the list: Chinese Church of San Diego Jan. 7th, Murrieta Valley Church Jan. 23rd, Ideas Exchanges March 26th, and CMTA children's conference April 23-24th. A possible preschool and Girls in Action group in the works.

GX received an unexpected gift for $1000 from a complete strange in San Francisco. The lady heard about our ministry, valued our purpose, and send us a grant for operating expenses.

We enter into the new year with all our current GX staff and volunteer recommitted and on board. We only sadly are saying good-bye to Kelly, our beloved artist who is stepping down to care for her family as her husband prepares to leave for the Army. Her work has been so valuable and irreplaceable. We cherish her greatly. Pray for her and her family as they enter this new transition.

We enter into this new year clinging afresh to two old promises:
   Ps 130: Put your hope in the Lord, for with him is unfailing love and FULL redemption.
   Jer. 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Bring on the New Year

If we win, we'll praise Him. If we lose, we'll praise him still. I'm going to resolve to give God everything I've got."

 -from Facing the Giants 

The count down to New Years begins. Every year, starting after Christmas, I go back the the previous New Years and read all my journal entries to date. It's a time of reflection and evaluation and remembrance. I found myself incredibly discouraged last night as I began to read and notice that I seem to be in the exact same place I was last year...afraid of the future, worried about support, unsure of what God was going to do. I wrote to my best friend in Korea and she responded with some good food for thought. Two things stuck out the most 1) God's faithfulness and goodness are not defined by the fulfillment of our expectations, and 2) Seasons repeat but our ability to handle them changes and increases. 

    I stopped reading to soon last night. If I had continued one more page (which I did today!) I would have seen hundreds of beautiful threads of faithfulness begin to appear. Although the struggles in my personal life never ceased, ministry grew in ways I never dreamed and fathomed. And through both highs and lows, I grew and changed.

   I had no idea the gloomy and hopeless 2009 New Year what 2010 would bring. It turned out to be the greatest and most defining year of my life. I got to TASTE and see that the Lord is good. So...

Let us praise him for the million great things: Global Xpress growth, new staff and volunteers, conference's and teaching workshops, VBS's and outreach programs, and a million other amazing moments.

Secondly, please join me in starting off 2011 with 30 days of prayer for His financial provision and change in my personal life. You can pray or you can fast or do whatever the Lord leads you to do. Feel free to share verses or words or pictures the Lord gives you along the way. Let's pray that all hearts, mine as well as those who are or will be giving, will be willing and open to learn the lessons He is teaching us along the way.

Becoming a fictional character...

I just wrapped up production on our January issue of Global Xpress. Our feature country is Malawi, a place I traveled to back in April 2007. Normally, Kiersti writes all our stories for our magazines, bringing each place to life and connecting kids with the people there. Usually, the stories are fictional.

This month I was blessed with the opportunity to write the stories for Malawi, but there was no need for fiction. Instead, Conductor Courage became me. Through my stories, I was able to share the real life adoptions of both Lauren and Gift, two children whose parents both died of AIDS. What a blessing it was for me to be able to share my heart and my experiences. It reminded me of why I do what I do. Our magazine isn't just a geopgraphy and culture lesson. It's an opportunity to connect kids here with kids like Lauren and Gift. We do it for them. We do it so an army of little faithful prayer warriors will petition to the Father on behalf of the lost, broken, lonely, and confused. Thank you Jesus for all the ways I get to serve you.

Here's our older kids story on Gift, along with actual pictures of him and his mom. Enjoy :)

    The Global Xpress pulled into the station in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. A man stood there waiting. He was holding a sign with my name on it.

    I walked up to the man. “Hi, I’m Conductor Courage.”
    “Moni.” He smiled. “My name is Moses. The orphanage sent me to pick you up.”
    Moses, Charcoal and I climbed into the van. As we drove, I couldn’t believe how beautiful Malawi was! Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, but it did not look like a place of poverty. Lush, green hills rolled out as far as my eyes could see. Banana trees lined the sides of the roads. The sky was bright blue with giant, puffy clouds. As we drove, I saw small red clay huts along the road. Children played soccer in a nearby dirt field. Once in a while we would pass a truck filled with people sitting on top of bags of wood and grain.
    As the sun was setting, we finally pulled into the small village of Mzuzu. As we pulled in to the orphanage, an older woman walked out smiling.
    Dr. Helen greeted me with a warm hug. “I am so glad you are here! We have a long day tomorrow. Let’s get you inside so you can get some sleep.”
    Dr. Helen led me to a small brick house. Inside my room was a bed with a large, blue net hanging over it.
    “What is that for?” I asked Dr. Helen.
    “It is a mosquito net. It keeps the bugs from biting you while you sleep. You can get very sick from bug bites in Africa.”
    As I snuggled into my bed, I thanked God for little things like mosquito nets.
    I woke up early the next morning. Beautiful shades of red and orange streaked across the sky as the sun rose. Dr. Helen was waiting for me.

    “Today we are going to a nearby village. We are adopting a little boy named Gift. His mother is very sick with AIDS and will die soon.”
    I silently prayed for Gift and his mom as we drove down a long dirt road. Monkeys called to each other in the trees above us. As we got out of the jeep, I saw several small square homes made with clay. There were no windows. Inside the house was only a small cooking pot and a wood chair.
    Gift was sitting next to his mother. A Malawian social worker talked with Gift’s mom about the orphanage.
    As the adults talked, I looked at Gift. He was small with big brown eyes. He had no shoes, and his clothes were torn. As I watched him, I thought about all the times I prayed for orphans around the world, asking God to help them find homes with people who would love them. God was now answering my prayer.
    “We will take good care of Gift,” Dr. Helen said as she held his mother’s hand. “We have been praying for him.”
    Gifts mother nodded her head as the social worker translated for Dr. Helen. Then he handed her a pen and helped her sign her name on the adoption papers.
    I held Gift’s hand as we walked back to the jeep. I thought Gift’s mom would be very sad. Instead, she smiled and clapped her hands.
    “God has taken care of my son!” she sang out in Chichewa. “I can die happy knowing he is loved!”
    That night I crawled back under my mosquito net with a big smile. God had given Gift the greatest gift of all: His love.

What's Your Next Move?

God moves me like a chess piece. One small move at a time, He is laying out His plan. I am anxious to call out "check mate!" but He is such a grand and patient chess player. He is making carefully thought out and calculated moves so as to not just win the match, but to win beautifully.


God has made a major move, a move that has changed my original game plan.

What was the original plan?
I joined the Frontier Mission Fellowship in July 2009. I was to first raise $2800 in monthly committed support. Then I was to pack up my bags and move to Pasadena where I would work full time at the US Center for World Mission (USCWM) as a missions mobilizer. My job was to continue running the Global Xpress, a missions magazine for kids.


What is the new plan?
I will not be moving to Pasadena. Instead, I will be staying right here my hometown. I will still be on staff with the USCWM, working from Redlands. My primary job will continue to be to run the Global Xpress. As Creative Director, I wear a lot of hats. I see to the production of each month’s magazine, manage our staff and volunteers, keep up on all the administration, and do everything else that falls in between. In addition, with this change, God has opened up several new doors. Starting after the new year, I will be working with a colleague to establish the USCWM’s first Global Desk for Children. This will be a place where people can come to find help and resources for anything relating to kids and missions worldwide. God has also opened the doors for me to do three separate teaching sessions and workshops in the spring at various churches and conferences.



When did you notice that God was changing your plans?
It was June 6th. I was speaking at a local church in Redlands. A volunteer came with me to help. On the way there, she shared with me that she felt God was leading her into a full-time position with Global Xpress. After some discussion, she moved from volunteer to full-time volunteer staff. We started working 25-30 hours a week together in her small apartment in Redlands.


What happened next?
A few weeks later, I sensed the Holy Spirit prompting me to attend Sunday evening service at Packinghouse church. The sermon was on the last chapter of Corinthians and Paul’s flexibility. He had a direction, but he was willing to change it as God lead and opened doors elsewhere.


Did you know then what was happening?
No, not at all. The rest of the summer played out in a series of small events. First God impressed upon my heart to leave my church, the Red Barn. I wrestled with that a lot. I thought I’d just leave and move on to Pasadena, but I lacked peace about it. I could only sense God telling me to be ready. He wouldn’t give me any specifics. In late July, I finally announced that I was moving on to a new church. Two days later, I meet an amazing woman who owned both a printing company and a professional fundraising company. We had a series of meetings and the floodgates flew open. Her husband offered to print the Global Xpress at 1/3 of the cost we were paying before. She offered to help us raise money for the ministry.
     One morning I woke up and just knew that everything had changed. I wasn’t going to be moving to Pasadena. There was no pre-thought about it. There was no stopping to pray about it and think through the decision. God had already made it. I could hear Him loud and clear saying “Forget the former things. I am doing a new thing. See, even now it springing up before you.” (Is.43:18-19)


So how was the final decision made?
After several weeks, I surrendered to the changes God was making in my life. I turned in a proposal explaining my request to be relocated from Pasadena to Redlands for the benefit and growth of the ministry. The USCWM personnel department responded within 24 hours and said they fully agreed. Where I am is the healthiest place for Global Xpress. I need to be in Redlands with my small staff and group of volunteers.



Why are you raising support?
Without prayer, missionaries are not effective; without funding, they cannot devote their full-time energy to the cause of Christ. Raising support allows me to do ministry full-time and focus all of my attention on the Kingdom. I was able to have a job and do Global Xpress on the side for several years, but the ministry has grown beyond that. It requires my full attention. The money I raise is the money I live on and work with.


Are you fully supported?
No, not yet. It’s been a long road, but I am still trusting God for provision. If everyone who has committed to give continues to do so, I have $1700 a month coming in. I still need $1100 more in monthly support…that’s people giving any desired amount every month. I have supporters who give anywhere from $10 to $300 a month. Every amount matters.


How does someone become a supporter?
It begins by just sending the first check to Ministry Accounts at the US Center for World Mission (1605 E. Elizabeth St. Pasadena 91104). Once Ministry Accounts receives your check, a receipt, along with a new envelope, will be mailed to you for continued giving. There is also an option for automatic giving. Checks are made payable to USCWM with MA164 in the memo line (not my personal name). The ministry account number signifies that the check is for me.


How can people be praying?
-Pray first and foremost that God is glorified in all I do, both personally and in ministry.
-Pray for the kids who are getting our materials every month, that they would fall in love with the Savior of the World and desire to make Him known.
-Pray specifically for God to provide the remaining $1100 a month I need to be fully supported.
-Pray for wisdom and guidance as I move forward in this new season of transition.

A life of faith is a life full of surprises. New doors and opportunities come with every move. I am excited for what fruit lies ahead as we move forward in obedience. I love watching God work.

Extra, Extra!

Man do I have big news! Lots of changes, lots of new opportunities, lots of reasons to keep praising the Lord for His faithfulness!

Come here some exciting updates and changes:

When: Sunday November 7, 2010

Where: 7842 Rose Ct Highland 92346

Time: 1:30-3:00

  *Kids welcome. Presentation begins at 2.

See you there!

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit's power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down or back away. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity, I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now love by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, life by prayer and labor by power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I wont give up, shut up, or let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up and preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus!

I must go til He comes, give til I drop, preach till all know and work till he stops me. And when He comes from His own He will have no problem recognizing me- my banner will be clear.

A whole new year; a whole new look!

A  few weeks ago I told you all about our Global Xpress Vision Retreat. Through the combination of that event and input we had been receiving from families who use the Global Xpress, we redesigned our magazines and gave them a fresh new look- one with the same great information but more engaging, fun, and age-appropraite. We launched our new look for our October issue. Here is a glimpse (you can click on each image to see a larger version!):

Global Xpress Magazine (3rd-5th grade)

Lil Engines (K-2nd Grade)

Tighty Whitey Worship :)

Carissa... you look like a whole new person.

This was the comment I received from a long time friend after speaking at morning meeting today at the US Center for World Mission. I only had a 30 second notice before I gave my 25 minute presentation on the growth of Global Xpress since January and what we were accomplishing while there in Pasadena for our 2-day vision retreat.

She was right. I feel like a whole new person! SO much is happening, so many things that are good and wonderful and praiseworthy, that I just can't keep up with telling you all. But I want to highlight just a few so you can partake in the fruit with me!

-We just finished two days solidifying out vision, our mission, and the spiritual fruit we desire to produce through this ministry. We also came up with some fresh new looks and ideas to jump start our fourth year. We had 8 people participate in this event, and although many strangers to one another, came together as one well-oiled team.

-Out of the Box printing has stepped on board and is rallying behind us, reducing our expenses and helping expand our quality. We praise God that in the two weeks they have been working with us there business has been incredibly blessed!(www.r81print.com)

- A beautiful and wonderful lady name Petty Thomas (co-owner of Out of the Box) has also rallied behind me and GX to fund raise to meet the last of my support goals and further provide for the ministry!! This is a HUGE praise report and a giant burden lifted from my shoulders! This week she was able to raise $300 in one time gifts. She has just began a 30-day trial run to see what kind of response she can get.

- Our volunteers are growing more and more committed. We are seeing them take ownership of Global Xpress and give full commitment to the tasks at hand. This is an incredible thing for me to witness as I watch this ministry grow.

I could keep going and going. I'd love to take you out to coffee and fill in all the rest (just let me know you want to!)...but these big praise reports should be enough to make you want to dance around in your underwear just as David danced...uninhibited, unashamed and utterly in love with God!(2 Samuel 6:14-15)

God is GOOD...like crazy, it's hard to believe, you almost need courage to accept it, good.

Thank YOU for all you do to support me and the minisrty. You help make all this possible.

A new chapter begins

One chapter ends. A new one begins.

Tomorrow will be my first Sunday morning at a new church.

After church, I will be heading to Pasadena to meet with 8 other staff and volunteers for our Global Xpress vision retreat. We will spend two days praying, discussing, and making changes for a more fruitful and effective future.

It is a strange thing to think of the many different people who will be there and the individual investments they have each made. And they're not their as a benefit or favor to me. They will be there because they truly believe in this ministry, have taken ownership of it, and have committed to play their part to make it happen...

Beyond my wildest dreams....I can't wait to see what lies ahead.

Good-bye Little Red Barn

"So, how can we pray for you Miss Carissa?" John Deming, our children's pastor asked.

He was interviewing me in front of our preschool through second graders on my very last Sunday at Calvary Chapel San Bernardino. I had called this church home for 8 years, and I had sat in front of these students as Missa Carissa for 7. Today I would say good-bye.

"Well, most importantly, pray that I would never stop loving Jesus and that my life would always bear much fruit."

John Deming asked the kids what it meant for me to bear much fruit. He needed to be sure they knew that Miss Carissa didn't want to have grapes growing from her arms!

Then he he asked, "Hey kids, if you love Jesus, raise your hand!"

About 45 little hands shot up like arrows into the air. I was sitting in the front of the class with John D watching their smiling faces.

Just then, he leaned over towards me, and in the smallest whispers said, "Miss Carissa, see that? There's your fruit."

That's when I lost it. All the composure I have maintained that morning went right out the door and the flood of tears broke forth. As I looked at each kid, I remembered all the amazing mornings I had spent with them. I remembered talking about Heaven with Lexi, and how she said one day I would see her there. I remembered the countless mornings Freddy came into my class crying and begging his parents not to leave him only to leave laughing and begging his parents to let him stay. I remembered the day when Luke and Ethan went from rebellious 4-year-olds who wanted nothing to do with me to two lovable boys who always wanted to play and joke.

The Red Barn was more than just a church to me. It was my home for the first 8 years of my walk with Jesus. There I was feed and loved and supported. There I was given the courage to grow into the woman I have become today. I would not be who I am without the people and teaching of the little Red Barn. It saddened me greatly when God first prompted my heart to tell me it was time to go. It was unexpected. I hadn't planned to leave until I had reached full support and headed to Pasadena. But I am reminded time and time again that God's ways are not our ways, nor His thoughts our thoughts. So I obeyed, even through tears, knowing that God had a purpose even if I didn't see it.

By the time class ended this Sunday, I was filled with such joy and excitement for both what had been and what is to come. Since deciding to leave the Barn, some gigantic doors have opened in my life and a new paths are unfolding. I have a great confidence that this was indeed the right decision. I am ready to pour new wine into new wine skins, to embark on a new journey of faith. I am ready to experience God in new ways, falling more and more in love with Him.

I will always cherish the many beautiful faces that make up the church at the Red Barn. And don't worry...I'll be back to visit sometime soon. But for now, it's time to say good-bye.

Good-bye little Red Barn.
Thank you for all that you have done for me.
Thank you for being a refuge from the world and a place of love and truth.
I feel incredibly honored to be a part of you,
to serve you and be loved by you.
Thank you for being the wings to my dreams and giving my the courage to fly.

Party Pictures

We had a great time celebrating Global Xpress' 3rd Birthday! Here's some pictures:

Happy Birthday!!

Yesterday was the 3rd anniversary of Global Xpress! What a thrilling day in history that was for me! And we're going to celebrate! Join us for some fellowship and fun! Party starts at 7pm!

Everyone loves pictures

Here's some more pictures from my first debut as Conductor Courage! (Yep, I even wore the red shoes!)

Good doesn't even begin to describe it!

So much is happening! I've been meaning to come and tell you about it more often than I do (to whoever, if anyone, who reads this) but time is a precious commodity during this season of life!! Here's some exciting snippets from this last week:

- I received a long-prayed for anchor donor last weekend!!! There significant monthly gift brings me up to 63% support! I only need $1,000 more in monthly giving and I'm on my way to Pasadena!!

- I had two AMAZING opportunities this month! First, I spent the week at Packinghouse's VBS- Egypt File! Each day, I got to dress up as Conductor Courage (from Global Xpress) and come running on stage with a train sound and spend about 5 minutes teaching kids about different mission topics relating to Egypt. Then, on Friday, I was asked to teach the Bible study rotation. We went through the 10 plagues and how the whole time God had one main purpose: that they would KNOW HIM!!! I spoke to over 500 kids all week! And on Friday, I had there complete attention. It was so incredible!!

- Secondly, I also spent this week running an around the world program for Novaland Youth Development Center. I wrote the program to mirror the Amazing Race (a reality show on TV). This week, kids explored areas of Africa and the Middle East. Through several activities and challenges, the kids learned about culture and tradition, along with tribal religion, Islam, and orphans. At the end of each day, we spent time debriefing and talking about God's love for them and for the whole world. They are responding so well, and they keep showing up each day! These 15 kids come from an area of San Bernardino known as "Little Africa." It's an area that, just a few years ago, was also considered one of the most dangerous, drug infested areas of our town. Next week, we will be exploring Southeast Asia, Asia, and Latin America.

Please join me in praying for these 500+ kids that I was able to teach this week and will continue to teach next week. Pray that the seeds that were sown take deep root, growing and multiplying into a life that seeks to make Jesus known in all they do. Pray that what they've heard this week will create within them a desire to play a part in the story for His glory!

Lessons in Mokpo

Hello all!

Right now I'm sitting in a small apartment in Mokpo. I'm miles away from home in the beautiful country of South Korea. It feels so strange to be overseas for vacation rather than missions, but even in vacation I find myself still on mission.

I find myself still praying for the shop keeper we passed on the street, for the little boy I saw kneeling before a Buddha statue, for the gigantic Christian churches that hold their banner high across the city.

And still God is teaching me, whispering to my heart and helping me to heal and grow and change. It is still my story of grace.

I heard a quote yesterday at church that rocked my boat...

"The best thing we can do for God is let Him love us."

Let Him me. Hm. How often I DON'T do that! How often I work and plan and work some more in order to feel worthy of his love and affection. But all the working in the world does not had one ounce of extra love. I already have it in it's fullness.

And then I think, what would the next six months look like if I determined to just let God love me. Period. Forget the support raising and the ministry and all the things that I work and work and work for. What if I just let Him love me? If He provides, perfect. If He doesn't, perfect still. Either way, He is doing what He, in his infinite wisdom, knows is best. Why? Because I just let Him love me.