The end of one journey and the beginning of a new one...

So much has happened in these last few days, I'm so sorry for not updating you all sooner! To start out with, saying bye to Tre was rough but so sweet. As she stood in my arms balling, tears welled up in my eyes thinking of the impact of this ministry and the strong relationships that have been formed. I'm so grateful for God's sovereignty in bringing me to UT, going to my church, discovering this ministry, sponsoring Tre, and being able to visit her twice already. (Even sweeter that my boyfriend, Matthew, was able to meet her!) I love that sweet girl so much and am amazed to know that pales in comparison to the Lords love for her....and for me. She asked me before I left if she could "live with me forever"...talk about penetrating the heart. Also grateful that the ministry has now set up computers in the homes to allow for Skype! I am excited to keep up with Tre and some of the other children throughout the year.

Before saying goodbye to the girls in that particular home, we went to the beach and played in the ocean. Many of the girls would come up to me asking if I would be coming back next year...oh dear I just didn't even know how to answer that in broken English. "I want come back so much but don't know not yet";) I hope it will be soon.

That same day we visited people living in a dump. We handed out food to them...I wish we could have done more because these people were some of the poorest I've seen here (other than beggars on the street.) In fact, if we calculated correctly, I think these people make less per day than a beggar probably would. All day into the middle of the night these people collect items from the dump to re-sell. (they live on $2ish per day.) I'm still processing some of the things we saw and smelt there.

The next day we went to the beach and hung out with the boys home. I took some of the younger boys into the waves and afterwords we spent hours collecting the most amazing sea shells I've ever seen. We all went to a restaurant on the street after the beach...Rice pancakes with bean sprouts and cooked squid inside! Cant say was my favorite but better than Dim Sum mom and dad!

The following day we traveled all day back to the city we fly in and out of. We took the girls home there to a mall that had a big arcade on the top floor...most Asian malls here have everything from grocery stores, clothing, exercise areas, food, arcades, and furniture stores. It's so tacky and hilarious...but efficient I guess!

Today is our last final day...our flight leaves late tonight. Pray for Matthew as he has caught some sort of stomach bug and is pretty miserable at this point. Love you all and cannot wait to share more stories.

Ps. Food updates: We ate at a fast food place in the mall last night and then had a "rice burger"...I was thinking regular burger with maybe rice flour bun or something...no, It was 2 cooked sticky rice parties around a burger...Hahahah sooo delicious though! Will be your Carolina burger any day, Dad!!! :)

"Stop this train"...(motorbike)

I cannot believe how fast these days are going. Walking into down the street, sometimes it feels like I was just here...all the different food, the motorbikes, the kids, the smell in the air.

We have been in this new city for two days and will leave in one more day. The first day we arrived after traveling nearly all day. I was so thankful for free time and chose to get a cheap pedicure and spend a few hours on the beach. Following a morning of rest, we traveled to a leper colony. I did not know what to expect but quickly discovered that most of the kids were children of those infected by leprosy, HIV, or other skin diseases. Even though most of them do not have diseases themselves, they are shunned and treated as if they do. We played several games with the children and met a lady minister to the community who has sacrificed her life for the ministry. She was such a testament to Gods heart for the sick and the outcast...i walked away in awe.

Today we went to a tribal community that was unlike anything I've ever experienced. The people were so hospitable to us even though they were among some of the poorest people I've seen here. I cannot wait to post pictures of the area these people live in. It was one of the most beautiful areas I've been to in this country. The village was a Christian community having faced a lot of persecution and welcomed us with open arms...

After sweating more than I thought was possible, we cleaned up and then went to a high school worship service at a nearby church. Following this, we went to my girl, Tre's home and ate frozen mango (out of this world!!) and then played outside until it was time for dinner. (can't wait to tell you about the dinner dad! should place should be on food network.

Tomorrow I will say goodbye to my favorite 12 year old :(. We have had an absolute blast with her and the rest of the children in this city. Before we leave, we are taking the kids for ice cream and down to the beach! I am excited to hang out and take pictures :)

Cannot wait to give more info but that is all for now! Will attach some pics from the last few days! Thank you so much for your prayers!

Lions, Tigers, and Crocodiles oh my!!

Loving my time at camp! Tre and I have had an absolute blast! She has grown so much and getting more and more beautiful! This past year she has even learned some English that she has been surprising me with all the time! This resort is amazing...more like a huge camp ground with everything from zip line, white water rafting, rock climbing etc...except all those things cost extra, we are just using the facilities to do all our games, crafts, small group time, etc. On one of our walks around the camp, Tre and I found a "zoo" filled with 50 alligators caged in it!! It was so scary!! Also I am posting a funny sign that says "bathroom"...it took us a couple days to figure out it is the camps "sense of humor"...not a normal behavior of Asians in the bathroom. Hahah sooo funny!! Thank you for all the prayers, the kids are LOVING camp, we are too...keep you posted!

Children almost here!

Here at camp having lunch and waiting for children to come! Please pray for our time with the kids!! Oh and ps. I ate eel!! Internet access is limited but will try and update soon :) love y'all! Thanks for praying!

Seoul!!

Well we are here in Seoul, South Korea waiting for our next flight out! With the longest part behind us, we are all anxious to get to our destination :) I got some good homework and napping time, for those of you who know, I had a very eventful morning. I am embarrassed to even document this but it's just part of my story now so might as well. I realized that my passport was in Nashville at 5AM when I was to leave from Knoxville at 7:40AM...this was not a turn I was expecting to take. Wow, was the Lord so gracious. Called my dad and we both immediately got in the car and met each other in Cookeville. Thankfully there was another flight at 9:30 and I got to Chicago to meet my team with an hr and a half to spare...getting on that plane, I had tears in my eyes. Life has been so crazy these last week to make me question if I am prepared at all to go on this trip. Feeling drained an worn down, this morning was such a reminder that the Lord has me surrounded on all sides- family, school work, future internship, forgetfulness...and in so many other ways I am not even aware of. My sweet roommate wrote me a note yesterday before all this happened with 2 Cor 12:9-10 about how His power is made PERFECT in our weakness....he is so faithful and I am so grateful!

The Meaning In It All

"The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; 

your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. 

Do not forsake the work of your hands." -Psalm 138:8

Photo taken from: http://www.travelfish.org/blogs/vietnam/2012/06/22/lotus-flowers-in-hanoi/ 

Here I am again preparing to travel to S.E. Asia!  A year can go by so fast- sometimes too fast, sometimes not fast enough.  This trip brings some different emotions than last year, but the excitement and anticipation is just the same.  This year, however, I am going back to familiar faces...faces I've starred at in picture frames and collages that are hung in my room.  I cannot wait to see my little sister, Tre, who I have supported throughout college. It is becoming so surreal.

A few of the collages I made from my Vietnam pictures last year!

I am so excited for all that is in store for this trip!  I cannot thank you enough for your encouragement- I have been overwhelmed at how blessed I am. I prayed I would receive enough money to go on the trip and the amount I raised is double of what I needed. God is sooo faithful.  All the extra will now be used for Homes of Love, for future trips, and/or the missionaries we partner with in S.E. Asia.  I am still praying about how the Lord desires me to use it specifically.


The Lotus flower, Vietnam's national flower, was the inspiration for this blog.  The Lotus flower is also known as "the flower of the dawn" and is an Asian symbol of rebirth, purity, commitment, and faithfulness. The flower naturally grows in muddy waters across many ponds and lakes. Its roots go deep into the dirt and mud but after just a few days, a beautiful blossom emerges.  In so many ways, I feel like the legend of the Lotus reflects my story as a follower of Christ-- Jesus pulled me out of the muck and mire (my sin) and made me whole and "pure" through His death. Even now, through the up's and down's, He uses that very muddiness to grow and challenge me.  He is making me into something beautiful and is committed to finish His purpose in my life.  As Philippians 1:6 says, "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Through everything in life, my purpose stems from that promise. 

 Lotus flowers displayed at a restaurant in Vietnam