I thought I'd share something with you all... I just received an email update from my dear friends, Ashley and Beto Lagunas, who are leading an outreach team in Israel. They are there until December to share God's love and serve the community. I was so encouraged by their update, I thought I'd post it here. May it be a blessing to you!

And you can check out their website/pictures at: http://betashgarden.com (click on the "News and Updates" page)

August 19, 2009 - Beto & Ashley Lagunas Update
"Its hard to believe we have been in Israel for 11 days now. It has been nothing short of seeing His favor resting over us. We felt like the Israelites crossing the Jordan crossing over into the promises that the Lord has for this season. Lets just say starting in the Airport we saw His hand, and it was a miracle we even set foot into Israel (if you want the full story you'll have to give us a call:)). Once we got here, Beto and I came to Jerusalem to find an apartment, and within hours the Lord had opened a door for us to stay in the very heart of Jerusalem for an amazing price and just the right size! We felt the Lord was prompting our heart to come to Jerusalem and WAIT for what He would want us to do, and it been breathtaking as we have watched Him supernaturally bring us to people. Even this week one day we felt like the Lord wanted to go down to the streets and play music and make friends. SO we did, and before long we had made our first friends. Shmuel took us to His house and served us Moroccan tea and insisted that we come to house for Shabat. (A big feast on Fridays and he is going to invite all his friends). We also met another friend Joel, He plays music also on the streets of Jerusalem, but his songs are about the Messiah that the Jewish people are waiting for, we invited Him over to our house and it has hard to hear Him talk about how he is still waiting for His messiah. We are hoping that through our friendship He will see the Love of God.

Yesterday we went to a hospital recovery center, its a ministry that brings babies from Iraq to give them Heart surgery, we got hang out with the Kids that are going in for life saving surgery. All are Muslim but are open to God. We will be visiting hanging out with them every week. Its crazy how God is really bringing All Nations to Israel. This week we had tea with a Moroccan and we had Lunch with Iraqi women, and hung out with the Jewish brethren.

The biggest thing the Lord is teaching me is HIS FAVOR lasts a Life time and all we have to do is trust in Him and Believe by Faith that ALL His Promises are YES and AMEN. He IS faithful to meet us on the other side of every moment."

Hey, all! I just realized that I have not updated you on my trip up to Salinas, California. And since I can't seem to fall asleep, I guess I'll use this time to blog about it. So, here goes...

In two words, I'd sum it up as inspiring and humbling.

It was such a JOY to work with the preschoolers for 5 days... we sang and danced to fun songs about God, we did a creative craft project every day which usually incorporated a Bible lesson, I lead them in fun games that made them laugh and smile, and we talked about how much Jesus loves them. I didn't think my heart could fall in love with kids that quickly. It was so affirming to be reminded of how much I LOVE kids and that I was meant to make a difference in their lives...no doubt about it. It was so sad to say good-bye on the last day!

What made the week so humbling was to be served so graciously and supported with so much love by the local church. In preparation of our arrival, they prayed and fasted for us and the families we would be interacting with. During the week, they served us incredible home-cooked dinners and helped us throughout the day in many ways. And we had so much fun together! The instant bond we can have with other Christians is such a unique gift.

Oh, yeah... one of the reasons I was asked to go on this trip with the Migrant Ministry was to see in action what part the SMCC Small Group Ministry plays!!! So, earlier this year we asked the Small Groups at Shadow Mountain if they would put together what we call "Love in a Bag." These bags are filled with toiletry items like soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, a comb, etc. etc. With the help of about 80 groups, we collected around 300 bags to give to the single men who live on the camps. As we gave out these bags, it was awesome to see this project come full circle--through the generosity of our small group members, hundreds of men were blessed with some much needed stuff. Yeah!

I think everyone comes home from experiences like these with ideas, refreshed perspective, and thoughts about what's next. Here are some of mine...

• I came home with a new desire to do a mission trip once a year or every 2 years. Maybe I'll return to Salinas next summer and hopefully see some of the same kids??? Maybe I'll get hooked up with an organization that works with rescued victims of human trafficking... Peru? Cambodia? India? God, where would You like me to go?
  
• My heart broke for kids and families who don't know Jesus and His redemptive love. I felt such an excitement in sharing who Jesus is, but along with this excitement came a deep sense of responsibility. That excitement and burden still lingers, which brings me to my next thought...
  
• I really want to get more involved in community service in San Diego or Mexico (since it's so close). Just don't know how yet. Praying for clarity and divine appointments.
  
• I also came back thinking once again, that I REALLY want to learn spanish! I took one semester of it recently, but didn't keep up with it. Maybe it's time to start studying and practicing!!!
  

I am so proud of my friend, Lindsey Isham! This picture was taken at her Book Release Party. Her first book titled, No Sex in the City: One Virgin's Confessions of Love, Lust, Dating and Waiting is all about purity. I've read two chapters so far and I've laughed out loud a LOT and have definitely been encouraged by it. Check out the description of her book:

"Many books about sexual purity speak to men, but few-if any-speak to young women. Lindsey Nicole Isham boldly fills that gap with No Sex in the City, the brutally honest and often hilarious story of Lindsey's quest for sexual purity in the face of an impure culture, baffled peers, and sexual desire. Speaking from her own experience and from years as an abstinence advocate, Lindsey treats young women like the sexual beings they are, exploring their desires and curiosities about sex while relating candid experiences and truths about sexual purity. A great tool for Bible studies, youth groups, and abstinence organizations, No Sex in the City will help young, single, Christian women discuss their thoughts and keep their purity commitments."

If you're interested, check it out on Amazon, Facebook, or her website.

Hey friends! Just a quick post to ask for prayer! Many of you already know that I'm going with a team of about 30 people up to Salinas, California to minister to migrant workers and their families. We're putting on a Vacation Bible School for the kids, having movie nights with the families, holding services, giving out needed items to the men on the camps, and more!!!

Could you say a prayer for our team? We'll be gone from Sunday, July 26 to Saturday, August 1. Here's a picture of most of our team. Thanks so much!!!!

I am really excited about something I feel God has laid on my heart. I’ve been thinking and praying about this for two months now and have finally decided to put action to my thoughts and prayers—it’s definitely a step of faith and I’m just going to see what God does through it. Here’s a little context to what I’m talking about…

About two years ago God began burdening my heart for the victims of sex trafficking and other forms of modern-day slavery. Over these years, my eyes have been opened more and more to the horrific realities of violent oppression that’s taking place all over the world—things like 5 years olds being bought and sold for sex, families forced to work 6 days a week, 16 hours a day for no wages, and teenagers getting kidnapped in foreign countries and brought to the U.S. to feed the sexual appetites of men here in the states.

Becoming aware of these realities has awakened a huge desire in me to help. I’m not exactly sure how God wants to use me, so I’ve been “getting my feet wet” in hopes to narrow the focus. One of the things I’ve recently done is volunteered with the Human Trafficking Ministry at the Rock Church (http://www.therocksandiego.org/ministries/trafficking/). We’ve gone out on El Cajon Blvd to outreach to women being forced to sell their bodies for sex. In the last three months, this ministry has helped four women get off the streets and start a life of recovery—amazing!

So, the big thing that I've been praying about and have decided to take a step of faith in: I'm hosting/leading 4 “Summer of Justice Meetings.” These meetings have 3 purposes: 1) spread awareness on the issue of sex trafficking and other forms of modern-day slavery, 2) educate people on how they can help, and 3) pray together for the victims, the perpetrators and organizations that are devoted to helping the oppressed. I'm so excited about this!!

So, I have a question for YOU! :O) Would you consider doing one or all of the following…

1. Attend one “Summer of Justice Meeting” (http://sites.google.com/site/summerofjustice/). The first meeting is this Monday, June 29 (see the link for the other 3 dates).

2. Share this link (http://sites.google.com/site/summerofjustice/) with anyone you feel might be interested in attending a meeting.

3. Say a prayer for me as I prepare for these meetings and wait to see what God does. :O)

Again, here's the link with details: http://sites.google.com/site/summerofjustice/

Thanks so much for your time and consideration!!! I really appreciate any support you can give!!!

As I read Matthew 23:23 today, I was spurred on to dive a bit deeper into the definitions of justice, mercy and faith. How am I to live out those things better if I don't understand them fully. So, here is what I found...

Matthew 23:23 says: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."

JUSTICE

• Dictionary.com describes justice as the quality of being just (guided by truth, reason and fairness) and being righteous (being upright, moral, and virtuous)
• Blue Letter Bible defines this entry of justice as having an opinion or making a decision concerning right or wrong; sentence of condemnation and punishment
• There are 285 verses on justice! Woah! Here is one I recently read and love: Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. Isaiah 1:17

• Dictionary.com defines mercy as compassion towards an offender or enemy; to pardon or mitigate (lessen) punishment; an act of kindness, compassion or favor
• Blue Letter Bible adds to the above definition to have compassion towards the afflicted or miserable joined with a desire to help (love it!!!)
• I also looked up compassion and here's what I found: feeling of deep sympathetic or sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering - WOW!
• Mercy is used 27 times in the NT; here is just one other one: But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It show favoritism and is always sincere. James 3:17

• Blue Letter Bible defines faith as the conviction of the truth especially the relationship between God and man: relating to God the Creator, ruler of all things and bestower of salvation thru Jesus; relating to Christ, a strong conviction that Jesus is the Messiah through whom we obtain eternal salvation; the beliefs of Christians; and and finally, the ability to be relied on
• Faith is mentioned in the Bible 228 times in the NT. Here is just one other: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22

Hey friends & family,

Some of you may know that I’m going on a week mission trip up to Salinas (central Cali). I’ll be there from Sunday, July 26 to Saturday, August 1 with a team of about 30 from my church. Every year, migrant workers travel from camp to camp located throughout central California and the surrounding states to work on the crops.

They have many needs and to help meet those needs, our team of volunteers will partner with the local churches in the Salinas area. We are going to put on a “Vacation Bible School” for the kids of the migrant workers—singing fun songs, doing neat crafts, and teaching them about Jesus. We will also be delivering donated items such as clothes, food, and toiletries that are much needed. I will be taking part specifically in the teaching of the younger kids about God—very exciting—along with handing out bags of toiletry items that the ministry I work for at my church helped put together!

I just wanted to let you know about the trip because you’re important to me and I was hoping you could pray for me and the team. Any prayer would be appreciated. Thanks! I’ll keep you updated…

Here's a picture of the team I'm on.