I Want To Be A Millionaire

I want to be a millionaire. 

This statement looks pretty lofty for a missionary and honestly I never thought it would be something that was going to come out of my mouth. My hearts desire is to be a millionaire but not in the form you are probably thinking. As my teacher here told us a story of a man who wanted to reach a million people for Christ in his lifetime, I found my heart aching to reach out to a million being trafficked.

The numbers in human trafficking are astounding if you sit down and read them- 27 million people are in the bondage of slavery and that number is only growing daily.

Looking at the multitude of the problem I find myself saying, I do want to be a millionaire- saving a million children from the yoke of sex slavery in my lifetime.

Crazy you say? It is a pretty bold statement that honestly looks unattainable. I’ve learned in my time here that if I want to make a dent in this worldwide problem I’m going to have to fight for things that look unreachable. I’m going to have to look past the numbers, past those saying not to bother fighting a “losing battle” and see the hope that I bring to the table for these children. Jeremiah experienced something similar to this when God first called and spoke to him.

“And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see an almond branch.” Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.” Jeremiah 1:11-12

An almond branch is something very unique- it blooms beautiful flowers in the middle of winter. In the middle of a time where there should be no fruition at all, no blooming of anything, it stands as a sign for the hope and new life that is to come. Jeremiah looked past what his physical eyes could see and the problem in front of him to see what was coming- and that was hope and life through him. The Lord knew Jeremiah’s heart and in that trusted what He said so much that God spoke that He would make it come to pass. What a crazy amount of trust for a young man, with little confidence being called to something that was going to affect nations.

The same rings true in my own life. I know that God trusts me, and that He trusts my heart with this large of a calling. So I choose to speak out hope and life. I see and almond branch for Cambodia and for India. I see hope for a million children that are trapped in sex slavery right now, and I know that hope starts with me. 

Where do you see an almond branch?

Shaken and Dislodged

This is a recent article that I wrote that was put in the G42 quarterly magazine summing up my last three months here in Spain. 

Shaken: to become dislodged and fall off or down

If you spend more than five minutes in a classroom at G42 you will feel some things being dislodged from you and if you stay much longer than that you will see those things start to fall to the ground. My first three months here at G42 has had a shaking effect on me. What has not been founded on the rock, Jesus Christ has been falling to the ground. Lies I’ve believed about myself, about God, and about others have come off me like dry sand off the bottom of my feet. You see, I didn’t realize that in my three years of really chasing after my King, so many things have stuck to me; so many comments spoken over me, false teachings brought to my ears, and doubts presented to me were picked up by my feet as I walked through them. Hebrews 12:27-28, says

“This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful in receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken..”

The Greek word for shaken that is used in this passage is saleuo and it literally means to agitate or provoke and to cause to totter. Honestly when I first felt things starting to dislodge from me it felt a lot like agitation, questioning and tottering. But in all reality God was shaking the things off of me that were never meant to be there because they didn’t come from Him. The truth is they aren’t going to glorify Him in my future work in ministry either. There comes a point in everyone’s walk with God where they are either going to choose to let those things stay and start to stink on you or let the Holy Spirit remove them and place beautiful garments on you. I’ve chosen the latter and in that He has started to build upon what has remained from the shaking. My foundation is strong now because nothing else is lodged in it that is affecting it.

“Everyone who comes to me, and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house that dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and COULD NOT SHAKE IT, because it had been well built.” Luke 6:47-48

**If you would like to be a part of what God is doing through me here and my future plans you can hit the partner with me button and read more. 

Too Light of a Calling

Teaching has always been my passion from as long as I can remember. As a young child, I used to line up my stuffed animals and play teacher as I

dreamed at what that could really be like. As I went through college and started to travel the world, I found Jesus in the most astounding places and my passion started to shift. To be just a teacher felt like to light of a call on my life and my heart ached for something more- and felt it as I read these verses…

“It is too light a thing that should be my servant,

to raise up the tribes of Jacob,

and to bring back the preserved of Israel;

I will make you as a light for the nations,

That my salvation may reach to the end

of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6

As I left for Spain 3 months ago, I thought that the ache for something more meant trading in teaching for missions- but once again God amazed me as He got rid of that poverty way of thinking. The God I serve is a God of abundance, of increasing favor and power, and a God who personally loves me enough to combine all of my passions into something that glorifies His name.

In my time here God has broken off the lie that I don’t deserve good things or that when good things in my life happen they are only temporal. That’s not in the character of my savior, and I know that He only wants to lavish great things over my life. The favor that I felt for the first time over my life in India has only increased ten-fold since being here in Spain, and I’ve started to see the blessing that is in every situation that I’m in.

God has brought the blessing of teaching back into my life and continually shown me in my time here that He wants teaching to always be a part of my life in some form. For now that means teaching English to two amazing brothers, Julio and Pablo. I have learned more in 3 months of teaching these boys, than I have my entire college career of preparing to teach. Julio has a form of autism and from day one has challenged every part of my teaching. Similar to how G42 has shaken my beliefs until only was is true remained, Julio has shaken who I am as a teacher. For the first two months of teaching him, we didn’t have one day that didn’t end in a tantrum of some sort and me reluctantly giving in so they would “at least learn some English.” But one day I was sick of the tantrums and frustration of not understanding why he was doing it, so I ignored his tantrum and decided to just continue practicing English vocabulary with Pablo. After a half hour of screams, cries, and rolling on the ground Julio snuggled up next to me and started to learn beside his brother. From that point on, the relationship between Julio and I was different because for the first time in his life he realized someone was fighting for him to really learn and grow.

Man has Julio shown me how I’m going to have to be fighting for the girls being trafficked that will be entrusted to me. I want to be a safe place to find peace and freedom amidst the chaos of hopeless circumstances surrounding them. Although daily people are fighting Julio and his way of learning- often calling him disabled and stupid- I get the honor of being a safe place to listen to how he needs to learn and purely create a place of peace for him. Creating a place where He can experiment with his learning without getting reprimanded for it and be the creative, brilliant little boy that Jesus has made him has been vital to his growth. And it’s going to be vital to those little girls’ lives as well.

I am being equipped daily for life on the missions field, and my adventures have already started here in Spain. If you want to be a part of all that God is doing in and through me- you can hit the Partner With Me tab and get further information. I am so grateful to all those out there praying for me and sacrificing time and money to see the dreams God has placed in me come to fruition.

Living in Abundance and Need

The transition between India and Spain was quick back in October, and I’m not really even sure I knew why specifically I was coming here, except that I heard the Lord’s voice to go.  I was having coffee with Andrew, the founder here at G42 the other day and he asked me what my expectations were coming here- we both laughed as I answered that I honestly didn’t have many because I hadn’t really even researched where I was going- I just dived in because the Lord said so. It’s amazing what God chooses to do with those leaps of faith- usually they bring some of the closest community, grandest adventures, and greatest moves of God in your life. Most of my walk with God has been just that- hearing the Lords voice and just going with no idea what I am getting myself into, and it hasn’t disappointed me once- I’ve grown leaps and bounds because of it and met some of the most amazing people in places I never thought I would be. God has moved in Guatemala, Honduras, Thailand, India, and Spain right before my eyes and I’m nowhere near the person I was 3 years ago. That’s the wild adventure that comes when you put your yes on the table without even knowing what that really entails with God.

Spain has been some of the hardest 3 months of my life and the best. I’ve experienced increasing favor and blessing from the Lord in ways I absolutely never expected.  God has revamped what I thought I knew blessing and favor meant. I used to think blessing meant having great things, being surrounded by the best people, and seeing God heal the sick and blind in front of me. Boy was I wrong. Blessing is the continual presence of God, its being content in any circumstance, and wholeheartedly loving anyone who is put next to you. I could have absolutely nothing and still be blessed beyond measure. Philippians 4: 11-13 says,

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Paul nailed it here.  He knows how to find the presence of God in all circumstances, and in that Paul knows that he can do anything that God asks of him because The Source of strength is the one asking him.  

It has been a hard three months here at G42- I’ve been pushed past myself so much that at some points its hurt, I’ve had to find my voice, and God has broken some of the ugly parts in me off, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I live in a community of truth speakers, kingdom bringers, and beautiful people that are unwilling to let me stay where I’m at, ever. That’s why I am here. Yes, I am learning how to be content wherever God places me or calls me to, but more importantly God is shaking me to see what parts of me stand. The past three months has been the shaking- it’s been painful, frustrating, and hard but these next three months here are going to be vital to my entire future. He is going to strengthen what made it through the past three months and add what I need to dive into a lifetime of fighting for His kingdom and people in the nations.

My tribe here at G42 

 God requires much more than just putting our yes on the table to what He asks, He requires our covenant to never leave the table no matter what comes our way. To be content in all circumstances, because He will strengthen us for what He asks us to do. I’ve made my covenant; I am staying at the table. How about you?

I am still in need financially and prayerfully for these next three months. They are vital to what God is asking of me long term. If you want to be a part of this wild adventure and what God is doing through me, you can click the "partner with me" tab above. I deeply appreciate all your support- I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without my supporters! Be blessed this Christmas! 

A Dream becoming a Reality.

On the way to Spain about a little over a month ago my heart was aching for Cambodia, and for a ministry called Agape International Missions more specifically. They are a ministry in Svay Pak that is on the front lines battling child trafficking. I have heard their story, raised funds back in Buffalo with my college ministry, and prayed often for them but on that plane my heart ached to be there loving on those girls myself. I quickly corrected my heart, thinking it was what I wanted and not what God did but that question still lingered even after the plane landed.

About a week later I revisited that question asking God myself if it was what I wanted or what He wanted. His answer was so sweet to my ears as he whispered, “Sarah, it’s what we want. I trust you and I’m with you in this decision.” 

There is a point in any relationship where maturity happens. We grow, we trust, and we make decisions knowing the other person’s heart involved. I knew I was at a point where my heart was aligning with God’s and that He trusted me to make the decision knowing I had His heart in mind. So I took a risk, a leap of faith and applied for a job with agape. 

When I opened the email reply a couple days later, my heart dropped. “I’m sorry but you don’t have what we are looking for” was all I had to read to start protesting God in my mind and let doubts rise in my heart. During this time, we had a teacher here at G42 named Ethan who was sharing his story- where he has honestly faced almost every trial that could come against his dream and yet He was still standing before us encouraging us in ours. I didn’t understand it. He told us that at one point he felt like he had stepped out of the boat again and took that step of faith only to feel like Jesus had walked away. Man, did that resonate well with how I was feeling

.

A couple days later I found out that Don and Bridget- the founders of Agape were coming to Mijas to speak at our school. Once again I heard God’s voice speaking for me to keep fighting for that dream. I wanted to protest it but at the same time I my heart still wanted to be in Cambodia. A staff member arranged it so that I could have lunch with the Don and Bridget and they couldn’t have felt more like home to me. We both shared our hearts and I knew this was a divine appointment God had made. 

Don and Bridget left just yesterday after asking me to be a part of their team- teaching some of their beautiful girls that have been rescued from the evils of trafficking. So it is with great excitement to share that I will be in Cambodia working with Agape after my time here in Spain comes to an end. I can’t wait to contend for these girls hearts and become a part of this community as the Lord uses me to teach and love on these precious girls. More details will come soon, but all I can say is that I am blessed to have a savior that gifts me with great things and has put a dream in my heart to contend for these precious young girls.