One Thing Remains

Wow. This week has literally been one of the best weeks of my life. I’ve always wanted to go on an international mission trip, and I finally got my chance! It’s just really funny how God works everything out! So these are just some of the things that went on in/things I’ve thought about while in La Republica Dominicana

                It’s funny how God can use the smallest things like wearing a t-shirt to accomplish his will.

It started when Michael Dunbar (the leader of our group) wore a River of Life (ROL) shirt for the flight down. I mentioned that I have that shirt, that I’m from the church that started ROL, and that it’s been a really big part of my life. I figured that’d be it, but oh no! God had much bigger plans for that t-shirt. Michael went to a prayer meeting with Chaggy (one of our awesome hosts!) and that’s where it really gets cooking! While Chaggy was talking to members of his church, Michael began getting a vision for ROL, except in the DR. He knew immediately that God was calling to talk to Chaggy about ROL’s mission and see where it went from there. The really cool part about this story is that at the exact same time Michael was getting this vision, Chaggy was talking to members of his church about fixing someone’s house in another language! Michael had no idea what Chaggy was saying, but the beginning was just in bloom! Michael couldn’t wait to tell me all about this story and I couldn’t believe that something that has been such a huge part of my life could potentially be taking root in another country! It gets better: Michael invited me and my church to become part of this vision! He invited us to help “sponsor” the funding for a ROL in another country! How awesome is that!!! All of this came about because of a t-shirt. Interesting, huh?

                Could teaching in an orphanage really be what I want to do with my life?

Chaggy mentioned it to me several times while we were working on the actual orphanage. There honestly wouldn’t be anything more literally perfect for me to do with my life. I’ve always felt that there was more to my immediate calling to orphans than just adopting and I find so much joy in teaching. It’s just been something that’s been on my mind a lot, especially after Chaggy mentioning it at least 3 times. I also mentioned it to someone else and he said that he would love to come back and see me working at that orphanage. He thinks that I can give them a true value for education, love them, teach them core Christian values, how to work hard, and provide hope and that’s what they need. Talk about some encouragement. Will God’s will bring me back to the DR? Will I be teaching at the very orphanage I helped build? It’s interesting to think about!

                With one hug, one smile, one call of my name, these kids captured my heart.

Visiting the kids was literally one of my favorite parts about this trip, naturally! I knew before I came they would have my heart, but I had no idea to what extent. It was heartbreaking leaving them every day, especially when they’re running beside the van and calling your name when you’re trying to leave. If I could have just stayed and played with them all day, I would have done it in a heartbeat.  

The biggest thing that was on my mind while I was in the DR is “Why”. Why is there such poverty? Why is there such a sharp contrast between everything I have to everything that these families have? Why? How is it fair? How does God decide who to bless with monetary, worldly things and who not to? I don’t have an answer. I don’t think I ever will. I think it’s just one of those things that I will always question, especially if God really is calling me to teach in an orphanage. Jesus Culture’s “One Thing Remains” has been playing in my mind a lot when I think about this. Some of the lyrics say “In death, in life, I’m confident and covered by the power of your great love. My debt is paid! There’s nothing that can separate my heart from your great love”. Even if everything in the world passes away, one thing always remains: God’s love for us. It never fails and it never runs out. In the end, that’s all that matters. Everything that I’ve been questioning has been based off of “worldly” things. Never in my life have I seen such joy in the smiles of these people. They know what’s important! They know God’s love and we never have to be afraid because one thing remains!

                

This is the house that Chaggy's church will be repairing!
If you want to help by donating, feel free to let me know!

With the sweet home owner

Precious baby! Broke my heart!

Loved baby Samantha :)

Isn't his smile just the sweetest?

Radical Love

At Wesley, I get picked on so much for my love of children. I'm totally serious. It's gotten to the point now that if anyone ever sees a child, especially a cute, black baby, they'll text me or tweet at me just to let me know. Children are so precious to me, but they were also precious to Jesus. In Matthew 18:1-4, Jesus talks about how unless we accept the kingdom like that of a little child we'll never enter the kingdom of heaven. Wow. I really began to ponder that and wonder what it meant and then I remembered a note that I'd read from one of my favorites: AJ Cheek.

"God’s love is Radical.
It sounds absurd.
Some would say it’s "too good to be true"
That it is ‘unreasonable’
Some would ask? "How can it be? ..that he would love me after all I have done"
Some would say "there must be a catch"
"There must be a list of good deeds I must do"
But the truth is…
All we can do is accept God’s gift of salvation and unconditional love. Accept his love like a child.
Like a infant holding out his hands for a bottle of milk
A baby does not have the capability to earn or work for there food.
All they can do is hold out there hands and accept it
That is the only way to truly accept God’s grace.
But as we get older…the harder it is make sense of God’s love.
We work to ‘deserve’ cars, houses, promotions…
We are raised to think that everything comes with hard work and diligence and preparation. To prepare in order to promote...
But, that is not the case with God..
No matter what we have done..Good/Bad ..Jesus loves us.
On the day that Jesus was crucified..
He paid our Debt.. He took every sin. Died for you and was raised from the dead …with new life and something that the world has never seen…
Not what we have done..but what He has done.
The gift of salvation..."
I just love what he wrote about how a child can't do things on his own and has to stand there waiting on someone to take care of it. There's no other option of trying to do things ourselves! We have to wait on God, wait on him to provide us with every little thing we could possibly need. Just stand there and receive God's love for us, even if we are totally undeserving. Wow.

I am all that He says I am...

Well, it's been a totally stressful week in the life of Sarah Herring! With a huge project looming over my head all week, I was feeling not up to par. I didn't feel that I was really good enough to complete the project, that I wasn't creative enough, that my lessons weren't going to be as good as everyone's, the list can literally go on.  Tuesday night at cell group (aka: best cell group ever!), Taylor did the word on who we are in Christ. Earlier this month, I had the absolute privilege to see Kari Jobe in concert. Being the concert obsessor that I am, it really takes a lot for me to be blown away, and boy, did the Holy Spirit do it! To this date it has been one of the most Spirit lead nights of my life (aside from the prayer tunnel Wednesday night in NOLA this spring break! Holla!!). Anyway, she sang an absolutely beautiful song over her audience and I really took it to heart. Unfortunately, I can't find it anywhere, but here are some of the lyrics:

"I am all that He says that I am

Chains are broken

Scales are on the floor

Truth is spoken

I'm no orphan anymore..."

Powerful, right? Well, I made a list that I was reminded of tonight (and Tuesday) for times when I don't feel good enough. I am everything that God says that I am. Everything. Not just some picking and choosing, but everything! So, if you're feeling a little broken or like you're not good enough here is some good ole fashioned encouragement straight from the source of joy!

I Am Everything He Says I Am! And He Says I Am

•  Made in his image- Genesis 1:27
• Never Alone- Genesis 28:15
• Known- Psalm 139: 1; Jeremiah 1:5
• Fearfully and Wonderfully Made- Psalm 139:14
• Thought About Psalm 139: 17-18 
• Beautiful-Psalm 45: 11; Song of Songs 4:7
• White as Snow- Isaiah 41:8-9
• A covenant for the people Isaiah 42:6-7
• Redeemed- Isaiah 43:1; Gal. 3:13
• Not forgotten- Isaiah 49:15-16
• Comforted- Isaiah 66:13
• Set Apart- Jeremiah 1:5
• Planned for- Jeremiah 29:11
• Delighted in; Rejoiced and Sung over- Zephaniah 3:17
• Forgiven- Matthew 6:14
• Loved- John 3:16; Romans 5:8
• Alive in Christ- Romans 6:4
• Adopted/Children of God- Romans 8: 15-17; Ephesians 1:4; 1 John 3:1-3
• Called; Justified; Glorified- Romans 8:30
• New Creation- 2 Corinthians 5:17
• Not our own- 1 Corinthians 6:19
• Free- 2 Corinthians 3:17
• God's Workmanship- Ephesians 2:10
• Chosen people; Royal priesthood; Holy nation- 1 Peter 2:9
• Cared for- 1 Peter 5:7
• Restored; Strong; Firm; Steadfast- 2 Peter 5;10
• Pure- 1 John 3:3
• Righteous- 1 John 3:7
• Anointed; Owned; Sealed- 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
• Salt of the Earth; Light of the Earth- Matthew 5:13-14
• Friend- John 15:15
• Rescued- Psalm 40: 1-3
• Witness- Acts 1:8
• Alive- Ephesians 2:5

I hope this helps you as much as it helps me! I encourage you to make your own lists too! There's nothing better than discovering all of this when you're feeling pretty crappy. Such empowerment!!

Run in such a way to get the prize...

So, I completed my very first 5K today. It was a very interesting experience considering I have never (ever) been much of a runner. I've always admired people who can run in any weather. It was for Wiphan (Widows+Orphan...a super awesome non-profit! Here's a link to their site http://www.wiphan.org/) and I automatically knew it was something I wanted to do, even though I'm not a runner. In my head, I had everything all planned out on how hard and long I was going to train. I actually did pretty decently with it in the beginning...but the more stressful school got and the more things I had to do training got pushed off to the side. I set off for my 5K today not being able to tell you the last time I ran and let me tell you that did not end up well. I ended up walking way more of it than I wanted to in the misty (and sometimes drizzling) rain. I began thinking about anything and everything to get me through. My mind eventually drifted towards the bible in 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27. The Message version of these verses says this
 ^"24-25You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.
 ^26-27I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself."
Wow. That is definitely not how I trained for my 5K, but Paul isn't talking about literal races here! He's talking about living our lives as if it is a race to achieve the ultimate goal, which would be having eternal life with our Father in heaven. I have to admit: I haven't been living my life like this either. I guess that's why it's a good thing to work your way up to things. We can't just jump into the middle of something and think we're going to be ok! We need training and preparation for (races) the great plans that God has for us. He is more than willing to provide everything that we need, he just needs us to come into action as well. Is it your time to run?

Coexist...

I've been thinking about this word for awhile now, especially now with everything that is going on in Egypt. I mean I know that we've all seen them, the cutesy little bumper stickers that say "Coexist" in all the religious symbols. I've been wondering what my role is as a Christian in this "coexisting" world. I was praying about this back in September when the threat of the burning of the Qua-ran came about and this is what I believe to be my stance:

"Because I love you"

I'm obsessed with children's books. I love them! I love the way that literature can communicate so many different things across cultures and ages. It simply amazes me how a short 20 page story can change a child's (or adult too!) perspective on things. After I took my weekly Friday afternoon nap, I found one of my roommate's tub of children's books (she's an education major too! We don't just collect them!). I began reading all of the ones I've never read before and came across a book written by Max Lucado called "Because I Love You". I knew Max Lucado had written several books, but I've never had the opportunity to read it and really ponder all of the connections he was trying to make with God but never said. The story line of this book is that there is an old man named Shaddai and he loves the children in the village so much that he built literally everything they could ever want for them. He spent his days loving the children and truly knowing them. One day Shaddai decided to build a wall to protect the children from the outside world, but he also built a hole into the wall so that if the children wanted to leave they could. Paladin, the most curious child in the village, found the hole and asked Shaddai about it and he said that he put the hole there because even though he wanted the children to be there he didn't want them to have to be there. Paladin being curious crawled through the hole to discover the outside world, but when he decided to come back, the hole was gone. Paladin began to cry out for Shaddai to come rescue him, but what Paladin didn't know is that before he had cried out to Shaddai he was making another hole to rescue the child that he loved.