Between summer 06 and summer 07 people kept giving me the verse Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. And at the time I was like ohhh that's nice, you know I'm leaving school and all that's really cool. I didn't know it at the time but I really think God was preparing me back then to have a big chunk of time for him. College stuff went wrong, and really at that time I wasn't listening to see what God wanted me to do, a year out never crossed my mind, it just seemed natural to go to college. So by September I was out of college and working full time. I really tuned myself in and knew after much discussion and planning coming to Houston was the right thing.

Coming to Houston I felt really excited, and I really wanted to take on anything God put in front of me. But I was scared, and felt like I wasn't ready, and perhaps I felt not good enough and not in the right place. But once I came and was thrown right in I KNEW it was right. I realised that God had me ready, and that His hand was over me.

I loved all the ministries. Through out Moms Day Out my heart was breaking for those kids. But, because my heart was breaking, it meant could feel how God feels about them, I could really show them the love and care that God is giving them. God broke my heart for them to show me how He feels about them, and all His children (like us). He has etched those babies on my heart, and that means I cant help but continually pray for them.

Looking through the journal I kept in Houston, I was reminded of the first time I went to Street church, and a thought that hit me when I was there, it was that God is sooo faithful to his people. Most of these people have nothing, they have babies, are pregnant, or are in abusive relationships. Others are pimps, prostitutes, or even drug dealers, yet God will never leave them. He has provided Street church, and people who have been helping long term, such as Martin and Kim. He LOVES each one of these street people, and He loves each one equally, no matter what. I saw how He can be so powerful in these situations, such as how things worked out for George, and how George really believes and knows that it was God who took him out of his situation. One night in Chile when we were working with the homeless, one of the girls, Piia, said something which really struck a cord with me. She said that it's like their (the homeless men) dignity has been stripped away. Who God has made them, what He had put into them, and the gifts He has given them are hidden. Again Jesus broke my heart for His people. And again He has shown me how faithful He is, He had us and the intensive training team out with them praying, and He is fighting for His people, that they can be who He made them.

I really saw that God is in everyone, christian or non-christian. I guess I saw this in Destiny's Door and at the bridges. That there is always that wonder, and questioning in people. That longing, and mostly people don't realise that its God that they hunger for, and they try to fulfill themselves on something else, whether its drugs, relationships, the list is endless. But everyone is hungry for Him. You can see His love being poured out on these people, but its like there is something making them walk around this, and they are holding on to something else. You can see in everyone, again christian or non-christian, characteristics of Him. He really showed me how relentless his love is for people. And how we should live like that.

I learnt that we will never see the full extent of what God is doing through us, that it can be much bigger than we know. In my few months in Houston I only saw the tip of the iceberg. That i will never see the full results of prayer, but I know that they are happening and that God is following through. I am not saying that in a glory way, but in a humble way, that we are not the ones in control and and the one making things happen. But that we are in certain situations for a such a time, and its God's hand all the way through. I may never know how life turns out for the people I met, but I know God is with them.

When we were doing practical help at Destiny's Door I was reminded that you don't have to say Jesus to show Jesus, and that carried on into when we were in Chile painting the Hogars. I saw how much God LOVES those kids that He would send us to the other side of the world, provide for us financially, and practically, to paint these children's bedrooms. To me that shows God's indescribable love. Cleaning the dirt and ming off the walls in the Hogars, it was like God's love cleaning the hurts and pains off the children. That us scrubbing and scrubbing to get the real color up, is like how He is trying to heal their hearts back to how He made them.

God spoke to me, taught me, and reiterated so many things to me that it would be impossible for me to be able to write about them all. It was a real time of listening and waiting. I felt like I was a sponge just absorbing and absorbing everything He was doing and showing. At times I couldn't process it all, and I really learnt that my times alone with him, whether it was in my room, or at the park were vital. I needed those times to sort through stuff he was telling me. One of the huge things he was telling me was that I am of value, I do matter and I am good enough. That for too long I have believed things about myself which weren't right. That lies and hurts have stayed with me so long that in my head they were turned into fact. When actually that's what they really were, lies and hurts which I had believed for too long. And He began a process of healing me. He showed me truths about my family, that sometimes pleasing them, and making sure they're ok can hinder me from doing His work. I need to have a high level of sensitivity in that regard, but He is my first and foremost.

He really showed me that He chose me, not that other way round, he pursued me. He showed me how powerful prayer is, and that its something which He has possibly gifted me in. He showed me to hear from him, and not to be afraid to say it. Through pictures and prayer He spoke to me in ways i had never experienced before.

In Chile especially he kept telling me that all I need is Him. I was reminded of the verses in Exodus. Exodus 14:14 "The Lord himself will fight for you." Just stay calm. That by remaining and listening, he will show me. Exodus 13:21-22 "The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people." That whatever situation, or obstacles arise, He will have something ready to protect us, to get us through,and that He is there the whole time.

I ADORED serving God, and am so thankful to him for the privilege and for my time away. But a massive thing which he taught and reminded me of was that everyday is a mission. That you don't have to necessarily go away. That just being at home, hanging out with friends, and just living life we are called the be examples of Him and to take on His attitude. I know that in this time He was teaching me sooo much to bring home. That I have to stay in His lap, feed off His word and remind myself that I am His example. In Philippians it says "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learnt or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice."

I don't know if I have managed to get even half the things I've learnt into this. I think if I tried it would well turn into a book, but I know I have to hold on to everything. And remain open because he is telling me new things everyday. But really I am just sooo thankful, and honored that I can serve God, and that he gave me such an amazing opportunity, such an incredible time and unforgettable memories.