Danielle's Story: What's so special about missions anyway?

What's my story? Why do I feel the call to serve on a mission?

Having been raised a Christian, I ran from God in my twenties and early thirties. Sucked into the world and its thrilling ways, I shunned the church as being irrelevant in the modern world. I told myself that I could choose to meet God whenever I wanted and that the Bible was but a fable for controlling the masses.

I told myself, and believed, the greatest lie that being a good person was enough. But even if that were true, I was not sure how good I was. I wasn't bad. Just not that great. I was pretty normal in the circles in which I lived.

Life took a lot of turns. I moved thousands of miles. My family suffered some hardships and deep tragedy. Life as an immigrant can be culturally difficult; homesickness, social faux pas, differences in politics and acceptable behavior, opinions on raising children, driving on the wrong side of the road, being misunderstood because phrases and expressions have different meanings from country to country - these things took a toll, and by the time our really difficult times struck, I was already in a struggle.

But all the while, I knew God was waiting. Patiently waiting with His hand out ready. To catch me. To guide me when I was ready. And when I felt Him tug a little, I could no longer remember why I ran away in the first place. Oh I had excuses. But when I put my hand out to take His, it felt more right than anything 'normal' could be. And it wasn't long before I really needed Him more than I could ever imagine, and I knew then why he'd given me that tug. Brought me back into the fold, lead me to a wonderful church with amazing people, and gave me all I needed to make it through the next few years - to survive then thrive. 

I always liked to help people, but I discovered that serving brings me a lot of joy and healing. I don't have gifts for cooking or crafting or putting on great events. But I do like to serve whenever I hear God's call. And I am learning to watch and listen for His invitation! Learning to hear His voice, and serve His call rather than my desires. These things are what heal me, when I listen and follow, wherever possible passing on the great blessings He has given me.

Serving and compassion isn't just for Christians. Anyone can be boldly compassionate, it's a call to all. But I challenge all my brothers and sisters in Christ more than anyone else. If you are standing in a crowd of people, would a stranger spot you as a Christian for your love, compassion and kindness to the crowd around you? Or would you blend?

See, anyone can be boldly compassionate, but we Christ-followers must be.  Jesus left us with the greatest gift of the Holy Spirit who gives us all the ability to stand out for our selfless love.

And this is why, at this stage of my life, I feel drawn to the verse Matthew 25:40. I always had a soft spot for the underdog.  Serving the smallest, the weakest, the unheard might be below some people, but not to Jesus. Indeed He is with them and where He is, I want to be.

Happy Easter! If you don't know Jesus Christ, I encourage you to learn what Easter really means for you. May His unfathomable sacrifice touch you in a way that nothing else can.

When you open the door and invite God into your heart.

For many years I felt too dirty for God to see me and show me his love. I just knew he wouldn't want someone like me in his home, let alone be an active force in my life.

I just had too much baggage for God to see my heart and all those issues I was dealing with. From drug use, alcohol use, sex, lies, using his name in vain, stealing my neighbor's paper and so on. The list goes on, but I had too much on my list and it went far beyond a sinner's list, so I thought.

Pastor Dale Coffey would be the turning point in my life, a man who not only stood firm on his love for the Lord, but a man who reached out and loved me. For the first time in my life, a Christian man reached out to me and invited me to understand and taught me how God loved me no matter what.

Although I have moved state, and dedicated myself to my new church, FUMC Butler I love how Dale brought me to our Lord. But Pastor Dave, and our other Pastors, have grown my love for God. Pastor Dave has been there so many times, and I love him so much.

Pastor Dave Panther has the same heart, and I quickly fell in love with him. I saw maturity and a love for God that was calm and honest. As I watched him getting ready to preach to our members downtown, I saw a man filled with the Holy Spirit and love for the Lord.

Here is a photo of my Baptism, and I remember Pastor Dale coaching me as we headed to the Baptism pool for a full submersion for a cleansing of my whole body. He said " Son you're a huge fellow, and your gonna have to help me out, I stand 5'7" and I just can't pull you back up on my own." I didn't help him at all, and as you see he brought me out of the water on his own.

Being on a short term mission team - what to expect?

One of the most obvious questions when beginning preparations for a short term mission trip is "What can I expect?"

This is such a big question with so many possible answers!  We are very blessed to be going with a team from our church and through World Gospel Mission, so we get help along the way. The planning involved will include everything from fundraising, spiritual preparation and physical preparation. Each of our planning meetings will include an element of bible study as well as a chance to get to know our other team mates.

Questions that will help with this planning involve knowing the culture of the country, the weather & humidity,  what vaccinations we need to have, what potential issues might arise, if we have any limitations on things like clothing we can wear. Knowing the project, we can determine whether we have electricity, a bed and various other conditions, as well as get an idea of what work we might be doing.


One book that has been recommended to us & that we will be reading is Successful Mission Teams: A Guide for Volunteers. 

From the Author

If you want to go on a mission team, but don't know where to start, you'll find common sense advice in Successful Mission Teams. From how to choose a sending organization to how to pack, tip, stay healthy,or speak through a translator, Successful Mission Teams provides easy-to-follow guidelines for the volunteer. The practical advice given in Successful Mission Teams enables volunteers to go to their field of service, prepared and able to focus on ministry rather than survival.

Want to support us? We seek your prayers for the planning and so that we may be a blessing to the people we meet in Honduras! For financial support, see our support page http://www.boldlycompassionate.com/p/support.html.

Donation levels and our gifts of thanks!

Giving is a joy all on its own. But we do like to show our thanks! 

Currently, when you give - unless you select to be anonymous - we will thank you on our supporters page and on our GoFundMe page. We are also offering thank you gifts. The various levels are below.

If you don't want the thank you gift, just let us know when you make your donation, or donate directly without clicking one of the boxes below. 

Donate any amount through paypal

Can't afford to donate? That's okay! We'd appreciate your prayers for our planning, the trip and the children we are visiting. You can also help at no cost by sharing this blog or our GoFundMe page with your friends!


Or select one of the levels below for the corresponding Thank You gift!
This takes you to Paypal. If you do not have a paypal account, ignore the sign in - on the left is a credit card or bank option.

The levels below have limited quantities.
We will remove the levels once that has been reached.

Making some changes that can only be positive

A few years ago, we suffered a great loss in our family. It was a life changing loss, one that tore at everything that I was. I knew God was with me everyday, I heard his whisper a few times, as well as felt his presents. 

Attending grief counseling for 3 months helped me to get my mind pointed in the right direction. However there were other issues including depression I needed to deal with. I had also just quit smoking six months before it happened.

Because I was often driving out of state to handle my Dads Estate, didn't care about my weight, I started some very unhealthy eating habits. Habits dropped into a way of eating and time off the homestead didn't allow me to grow my own food. I am not blaming or pointing the finger at anyone but myself here. With any tragic happening we all go through personal changes as we face these serous issues.

In two years I put on a lot of weight, 68 pounds to be honest. Before I decided to apply to go on this Mission trip, I knew I had to loose the weight.

I remember all to well the hot, humid days and the insects in the jungle in that region. For health reasons as well as for the Mission, I have dedicated myself to losing the weight in the next 110 days.

When we go through tough times in our lives, we can sometimes develop some bad habits that we need to control. It takes will power and a clear goal to make this happen. I have both of those, and I have already started my diet and exercise routine. So far I have lost 9 pounds, and although that is a start, I know I will have to continue to work harder and harder.

Grief is something that each of us have a very different time to work through it. If you can't do it alone, remember to always pray, seek out help through the Church and Professionals.  

Boldly Compassionate Themed Products!

We have opened a BoldlyCompassionate Zazzle store!  With Zazzle, we upload artwork and you can get it on any product! T-shirts, hoodies, ipoad cases, mugs, key chains, tote bags... you name it! 

We are working on designs so check back! We make 10% on all products (unless stated otherwise).

Note - if you share the link with anyone, please include the asterisk at the end - it increases our commission to 15%! http://www.zazzle.com/boldlycompassionate*

Bold Compassion - hands of Jesus Key Chain
by BoldlyCompassionate

March 25 - save 15% with code AMADNESSDEAL

About the mission project

Our mission is taking us to an agricultural area of Honduras, near Talanga, about an hour from the capital city of Tegucigalpa.

Honduran cities are home to approximately 15,000 street children. Abandoned or orphaned, life for them is one of scavenging, stealing, being abused, becoming drug addict or perhaps part of the sex trade or trafficking.  It's a grim, desperate life and many don't make it past the age of 18. Indeed, half of the population of Honduras is under 18. 


In 1999, Pastor Jorge Pinto founded the Manuelito Project. 
Funded by churches, World Gospel Mission and served by his church and by missionaries, the project is home to approx 40 kids. 








The children learn life skills as well as receiving a classroom education, nutritious meals, a home and the chance of a future.  Set in farmland, they grow food and keep cows and chickens, providing life-long skills for the children as well as nutritious food!

  The vision of their project is bold.

"To see Honduras free of children living on the city streets.

To see those who are currently on the streets, rescued and given a chance for an education that will enable them to become good men and women, immersed in the development and productivity of our country, and seeking God's will in their lives."

To learn more, visit http://www.projectmanuelito.org/

Boldly Compassionate and the Mission- Jason's Redemption

As you might know, my family and I have joined with others from our Church, First Church United Methodist Community to go to Honduras on a Mission trip. The cost for each of us is $1800, and our Church has agreed to pay half, and we will need to pay the rest.

I wanted to start by telling how exciting this is for us, and what this Mission trip means to me. God is at work here in many ways, and each of us will take away many heart changing memories.

However out of the group, I am the only Veteran. I served in the US Army where I once jumped into Panama during Operation Just Cause. Any violent clash driven by military power can be life changing as well as create awful moments and things that must be done. I have some skeletons in my closet from that time period I served there in combat like conditions. Though the skirmishes were often and short, I was involved in a few serous firefights as the second element on A.O.

This is God's Mission first, and those children are our purpose no matter what task needs to be done to help them. It doesn't matter to me what task I am asked to do, I will do it with love in my heart and God on my mind. God teaches me all the time, and I find my life to be centered around God's will and love.

Yes, it is true, once I carried a weapon into the region, it was my job, and yes I did my job. But I also have paid a price, the true cost known only by other Veterans, and my wife. For me, this is a full circle Mission from God. This time I am going with a heart filled with love and kindness, and the Holy Spirit filled in me.  I know Craig and Gretchen had the job of picking the team, but I believe that God had his hand all over this and Craig felt the same after I explained this to him.

I believe that God has brought me and this Mission together, and in my heart, I believe I will be able to leave down there what I brought back with me in 1990. I plan to bury that skeleton down there forever. I have been wanting to remodel that closet and downsize it anyway.

Knelled down in the middle with some of my Comrades, I was a highly decorated Soldier at that time. I would later be awarded many Medals honoring different acts of service I performed. One of the most valuable Medals to me, I was given was Soldier Of The Month, Battalion Level. This was for shooting a Full Bird Colonel with miles gear while trying to get his E.I.B (Expert Infantry Badge). He was low crawling through some grass, however it wasn't effective and would have been shot by the enemy. He failed honestly that day, the following day he did well and was awarded is E.I.B.

                            

Mission Trip to Honduras

In Summer 2013, my family (Jason, Jessica and I) will be traveling in a team of 13 from our church to work with the Manuelito Project in Honduras. We feel very blessed to have this opportunity! 

50% of the population of Honduras is under the age of 18.  53% of the population live below the poverty level, and thousands of children are homeless. Many are orphaned or abandoned, living on the city streets.

The streets of Honduras are dangerous places. Many of the street children live in abandoned buildings, cardboard boxes, old cars. Many are drug addicts, are abused, are murdered.

The Manuelito Project was founded by Pastor Jorge - he was once homeless himself. Pastor Jorge gives a home to approximately 40 of these children. They are given a loving place to live and an education so they can eventually join society with a positive role, instead of a desperate one.

We will be joining them for one week, ready to serve in whatever way God is calling us. Our church is generously donating 50% of the cost of the trip, and we are raising the rest.

Ways you can help

There are several ways you can help us!

Prayer.  Please pray for all aspects of our journey, and that we can bless the children as much as I am sure we will be blessed!

Time  If you are local to us (Butler County PA) and would like to help at a fundraising event, please contact us through our GoFundMe page http://www.gofundme.com/2d6v10 


Financial sponsorship

Paypal or Credit Card:

If you don't have a paypal account
you can still use this tab & just pay by card

 

Through GoFundMe

Check - US Dollars Make checks payable to World Gospel Mission, and send to PO Box 107, West Sunbury, PA 16061
If you would like a tax receipt, please include a return address!

In the coming weeks we will also announce fun fundraisers and other ways we will be raising money for this trip!

Introduction to Boldly Compassionate

In Summer 2013, our family is traveling to the country of Honduras on a short term mission trip with our church.

This is a wonderful opportunity for our family, and we will use these pages to log our planning, spiritual preparations, fundraising and eventual trip.
And in doing so we challenge others to be Boldly Compassionate. Where you see a need, be  bold and reach out!