Missin' My Family- Yes, Yes!

While working on gathering some photos for Antioch's College Ministry website, I found myself perusing through my pictures from India. I found some videos from team times- times of worship filled with laughter and dancing, joy and fervency. I REALLY miss these people. They are one of a kind. I absolutely love them all. I miss inviting the Lord to come among us every morning and night as we met together. I miss the encouragement. I miss the rawness. I miss the honesty. I miss the laughter. I miss the shared experiences. I wish I could spend everyday with this group. CANNOT WAIT for them all to get back to OKC/Norman in the next few weeks. I miss them!!



"They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met.
They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved." Acts 2:42-47

Good Health, Hearts on Fire

Today is the first day in I don't even know how long that our WHOLE TEAM is out on the streets sharing today! Woohoo! SO good to have everyone back. Yesterday we didn't see a lot of fruit, but there was surprisingly little discouragement. We had an incredible time of worship. The Spirit just keeps filling us up more and more! I have come to adore every single person on my team. I've made so many close friends. These guys and gals are truly my family. We have each others' backs and I LOVE IT. Today is our second to last day to share. I have personally not yet seen any salvations, but I'm believing for Love encounters today! Either way, I know that God has used my time here to do His will. I know I have part in the inheritance and I will choose to live in no regret. Any regrets are covered in the blood of Jesus! My team and I are going at it hard these last two days. We want to see God do more crazy things! Personally, I'd kind of like to see Him raise someone from the dead. I mean... He did it... I've heard of others praying and dead raising... His power is in me and my teammates, so I wanna see His Kingdom come in that way!! Either way, my time here has been good. I'm adjusting to the culture. I bobble my head like an Indian all the time. It's half annoying, half hilarious. I'm ready to see my family, but I know I'll miss the time I've spent here, so I'm choosing to live for today! God is so good friends. Man, I can't wait to see how He moves in the next two days.

"Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession." Psalm 2:8

That's our cry right now! We have crazy dreams for this city. But we have an even crazier God = )

On a different note, I have still not fulfilled many of my random goals for my time here. I hope to complete them... In fact, I'm set on it.

1. Get a henna tattoo- the girls here have some awesome ones. I just have to find somewhere to get it done! Most of the girls do it themselves so they don't know where to tell us to go. If I figure out where to go, I think I'm going to get some flower design on my hand as it was the word given to me concerning my time here. I have a friend who wants to get a sun design since that was the word given over here. Speaking of that word, let me talk about that a bit... Julie Bennett, our pastor's wife, spoke over each of us the night before we left. Her word for me was that I was a flower who was going to blossom on this trip. Satan was going to try to stop that, but I couldn't let him. I had all kinds of ideas of what me blossoming might look like, but I'm not sure I imagined what it turned out to be! I've opened up to people in a whole new way. I'm truly becoming Makenzi the Bold as I used to declare over myself. I still am my quiet self, but I enjoy people so much more! That sounds terrible. I've always loved people but have also been a loner. I've learned how to cope without having alone time, which I KNOW will be beneficial in the future. I've made some great friends. I've learned to enjoy games. I've learned to step out of my comfort zone. I've learned to initiate. I've learned to speak what God tells me with boldness. Those are just a few. God, more sunshine! More rain! I want to blossom more and more!!

2. I want to be taught an Indian dance by some girls here! Just got to meet someone who I'd feel comfortable asking!

3. Ride a moped- Not sure that one's gonna happen but maybe in the US hahah

Ok that's enough for now. It's time to head out for the day. Keep praying. You all are awesome!!

Sorry It's Been So Long!!

Hello friends!

Sorry I haven't been able to blog the past week! I've been so busy and then I got sick. I'm feeling a bit better although I'm still pretty dehydrated. Today is our day off so I'm trying to take it easy and get some good food inside of me. We leave in less than a week! So crazy. One of the most incredible things about being here is the way people seem to find US. People will come up to us and take us to a whole line of people who are wanting to be healed. It blows my mind. I thought I'd share some of my pictures. There are so many more on my flickr but these are some that I wanted to comment on. Love you all. Keep on praying!


This is a picture of a beggar and her child who I see regularly. They seriously break my heart. The little girl, whose name is Mary, is one of the happiest little kids you will ever meet. Her smile seriously lights up the area. My heart breaks every time I see her. We try to give them some food and drink whenever we see them. It's so hard to know what to do for the beggars. You don't want to give them money and encourage the cycle, but I'm always afraid that they are going to get in trouble with their pimps for not getting enough money. Also, I hate passing them by and doing nothing. How is that showing the love of Christ? So, we try to always at least talk to the beggar women and children, pray over them and give them food. Then we have to walk away and trust God to protect them...


Another picture of sweet Mary..


Here the team is playing Signs, a favorite game of ours. I can't believe how much I've come to love games since being here. Hahaha who knew that would happen??


Here's a picture of me and one of my new good friends, Madison. I'm so thankful for her!!


My meal from our favorite restaurant Toscano. Seriously, so good! We are going back tonight, and I have to admit that it's the main reason I'm not currently resting in the hotel right now hahaha


My little friend, Muskan who called me yesterday.. Although I couldn't understand her at all!!

Sending Out Song

The day my team and I flew out, some of the people from our church came and prayed us out. They played this song as a sending out song. We've been singing it everywhere we go here. I wanted to share because the words are so great! Sorry that there is no official recording so this is the best I can get ya = )



Overcomers
by Abel Musuka

We are all more than conquerers
And we all possess power
To heal the sick, raise the dead,
Cause the blind to see
Set the captives free

We are all overcomers
Sin no longer has power
For we have captivated our thoughts
And have honored the cost
We have victory, his victory

Chorus:
And I see a people changing the nations,
Now rising up to take their place.
And I see an army, righteous and holy,
Filled with the spirit and not afraid.
They carry a banner, written Jehovah,
The lion of Judah, the king who reigns.
Christ the redeemer he is our master,
We've conqured all in Jesus name.

It's our time it's our hour
And we only grow stronger
We are pillars with anners that only fly higher
For His majesty

We are called by the FAther
He has granted us power
And he sees you and me as the bringers of peace
It's our destiny, our destiny.

We are the overcomers
WE are the overcomers
WE have overcome in JESUS NAME!!

An Evening Walk to the Hotel

A rickshaw lets me off a few blocks away saying it isn't allowed to go through that road (ah the ways they find to rip us off). As my friends and I walk down the street I pass two men urinating. Men are holding hands. They aren't gay. This is just culturally acceptable. In contrast it is not acceptable for couples to hold hands in public. Rumor has it that on Valentines Day they were arresting any couples (and I mean heterosexual) caught holding hands. I pass piles of rotting trash with swarms of flies around them. There are no trash cans on the street. At the end of the day people empty their trashcans onto the sidewalk. The sidewalk is formed out of blocks with the sewer running underneath. It appears that there have been too many earthquakes or something as all the blocks are pushed up like some upheaval has occurred. Therefore every once and a while you get a nice whif of sewer. As we continue down the street, I see a young boy whose legs are broken behind him forcing him onto his face begging. I hear the call for prayer blaring over the speakers like a tornado siren. Three and four year old girls follow us, tugging on our shirts and begging for money. Older girls hold sleeping infants also asking for money. The night sky is orange with smog and light pollution. There seem to be no traffic laws as cars honk and weave in and out around each other without any apparent boundaries. You dodge cars, following locals who you hope have a better idea of how not to get hit by a car. Street vendors call out trying to sell watches, fruit and hot roasted corn. I see a hunchback midget on a mini motorcycle. We round the corner to our hotel and head back to our room. There's a little piece of my time here. I hope it painted a picture : )

We're Here!

Hi friends!!

We've reached the city in South Asia where we will be spending the next three weeks! We are loving it. There are so many new sites and sounds. It's super loud here. As one of the interns said, honking is their love language = ) But really... They ALWAYS honk no matter what time of day or if no one is in front of them. The people here are beautiful. It can be heartbreaking at times though, especially the children. They follow us and are so precious, but we know they don't get to keep the money. I just want to scoop them up and take them with me. Friends, God is already at work here! I am SO EXCITED to tell you that TODAY ALONE, my team members and I experienced 14 healings and 2 salvations. Isn't that AWESOME?! We're are overwhelmed. It is only our first day out on the streets!! We have 16 days to go! Can't tell you how excited we are to see God's kingdom come to earth.

We got to our hotel around 4:30 AM after around 50 hours of traveling. Needless to say we were exhausted but they have been giving us time to adjust which is very nice. So far no stomach problems! God's so good = )I've been thinking of so many things to say and now I can't remember any!! But hope this encourages you. Please keep praying and I'll keep updating!! Love you all!

2 Days

Chris read this verse in church today, and it just really resonated inside of me, particularly concerning India. I thought I'd share!

"My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.'" Haggai 2:5-9

This verse just gets me excited. I don't even know if I have anything else to say about it. God is shaking up the nations!! The glory is going to be greater than before! Also, the mention of treasures, silver and gold reminded me of a movie I watched recently. It's a documentary called "Finger of God." The two videos underneath are the first two parts of it. I'm warning you- It is VERY stretching, but try to have an open mind about it all. Why can't God work this way? When it comes down to it, what reason do we have to question? As Chris said today, never trusting what God is doing in other peoples lives only leaves you judgmental and miserable, and I've found that to be so true in my life. That's all for today. Enjoy the videos!

Ninety to Nothing

Wow... I'm straight up exhausted, but God is good. The South Asia team came over today.. Or at least the girls did. I had a blast with them. They are truly such a blessing. They're fun and uplifting. I couldn't ask for a better family for the time I'm overseas. I've been moving so fast the past few days. I'm not even sure what I've done!! Mom woke me up this morning to drive up to Guthrie where a girl from LA was having an estate sale. She had some super cute stuff that I was able to get for not much money at all. Anything ranging from antique/vintage linens to copper pots to a bed for my new house! This is it...



I'm pretty happy about it. There's just so much to get done before I go! Some of it is needless stress, I'm sure. I had a friend challenge me today to take an hour the day before I fly out, go out into the woods without any electronics or anything, and just BE. A great suggestion if you ask me. In fact, you can guarantee I'll be doing that very thing. I watched Slumdog Millionaire tonight. So much to take in... I'd seen it before, but it takes on a whole new meaning when you're preparing to go there. I can't wait to be there. Lord, use me! God just laid this verse on my heart...

"'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.' Then I said, 'Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.' But the LORD said to me,
'Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD.' Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, 'Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms... to build and to plant.'" Jeremiah 1:5-10

One of Satan's favorite lies during times like these, is to tell me that I'm not doing a good enough job-- that I'm not capable of doing a good enough job and that I'll always fail. This verse has long been one that has meant something to me, but as I prepare for one of the most life-changing experiences, I know that He is speaking this over me. Pray for boldness and trust. He's consecrated me. He's set me apart. He's put His words in my mouth. He's sent me to build and to plant. Lord, may Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven...

6 Days!

Well, I leave for South Asia in 6 days and I CAN'T WAIT. Today was the final day of our retreat. It was pretty chill which was much needed as we were all pretty worn out. We are currently $11,000 short of what we need for the trip. While that may SEEM like a lot, you must consider a few things. First, in the last week it has dropped from $20,000 so that's pretty stinkin' awesome AND the trip ended up costing about $16,000 more than originally budgeted thanks to the volcano and its effects on airfare costs. REGARDLESS we are confident that God is going to provide the last chunk. Be praying!! We're already thanking Him for the crazy way it's going to come in. I also ran some errands for the trip with my team and later with my mom today. As a team we are taking a bag full of foods and such that the long term team there have requested. My group was in charge of yeast packets and Honey Nut Cheerios? Hey.. Whatever makes them happy!! My mom and I went to Sam's where we began the process of making a bomb first aid kit for the trip, then Backwoods where my mom bought me some verrryyy useful stuff for the trip. So thankful = ). ALSO, I started packing today. Crazy, huh? You can call me Chandler = ). It actually feels super good to pack this early! I'm trying to condense as much as possible. I wanna travel light. Lastly, I took my first malaria pill today. That means the trip is CLOSE! Woohoooo!! Just be praying against the enemies attacks on our group. I got a picture today of our team in a circle but slowly we were spreading out more and more. I believe it was a warning that Satan sees how we are building unity and wants to try to make us feel isolated, judged, and insecure. He wants to prevent unity and trust, but we say none of that = ). So now for a few days to recoup before heading out. Have I mentioned I'm excited... Yes, I have. Sorry = ) I finished "Humility" by Andrew Murray yesterday, and I loved something he wrote at the end. SO, I will share it. Enjoy = )

"It is only in the possession of God that I lose myself. As it is in the height and breadth and glory of the sunshine that the smallest speck dancing in its beams is seen, even so humility is taking our place in God's presence to be nothing but a speck dancing in the sunlight of His love. How great is God! How small we are! Lost, swallowed up, in love's immensity!"
-Andrew Murray

8 Days

I leave in 8 SHORT DAYS. That's such a crazy thought!! Today we start our group retreat. There are 16 of going: Blake, Heather, Madison, Shana, Jenny, Jake, John, Rachel, Julie, Nicole, Caitlin, Lauren, another Lauren, Kelly, Stephanie, and me. Now you have all of our names to be praying for = ) So anyway, we are hanging out in Norman for our retreat to save money. We'll be watching films such as The Finger of God which I'm SUPER excited about, as well as having roommate dinners, treasure hunting, and joining the Equip team for their weekly meeting tonight. I'm really excited about all of it actually. It will be great to get to know everyone better before leaving and just get pumped up. I've been reading a lot in preparation for the trip. We are required to read "Humility" by Andrew Murray and "Words of Knowlege" by Randy Clark. I haven't read the second book yet, but "Humility" has been FANTASTIC. I'm surprised at what an easy read it is since it's pretty old (it was written in the 19th century). It's been very applicable. On my own I've been reading "From East to West: God in the Shadows" by Ravi Zacharias. It's shed so much light on the culture I'll be going into. There's a little update. I'll have more to say no doubt after the retreat. I'm also wanting to put the Creation to Christ story on here for you all to read. It's what we will be using to share the Gospel while in South Asia. I haven't gotten it all memorized quite yet but I'm pretty pumped. I'm really just excited all around. Man, God is so so good! I can not WAIT to see Him move!!! I'll leave you with a little quote I read in "Humility" that I loved...

"God created the world out of nothing, and as long as we are notion, He can make something out of us." -Martin Luther