Posted in General Articles by Lindsay Hoogendam on 12/21/2011
Christmas is upon us and with that in mind, tis' the season to shop, shop, shop. I wanted to share with you a story of how Freed by Design is helping one mother in particular through your shopping this holiday season.
Dang was married and had
a very successful business comprised of seven successful shops. She also had
a son and took care of him in addition to the family home and businesses. After seven
years of marriage, her husband and her split when she discovered he had been cheating on her with several different women. He left her and destroyed
the family businesses. She was heart broken and was left with nothing. She began to wonder how
was she going to support her family and her little son?
She decided to go to Bangkok in search of employment and, from
there, was offered work in Pattaya. She was so desperate to pay off the debt
and support her family, she began working in the red light district as a prostitute. This is not a job she had ever considered before and
hated it! Looking back, she felt lucky that she didn't have to sleep with too many men but the saddest thing for her was to leave her 8 year old son behind!
While in Pattaya, she met a lady pastor who offered English
classes. At that stage, she had very little to no English, but she studied hard because she hated what she was doing! Her heart was
broken and she missed her son, but she kept working in the red light district. Then, one day, she had had enough. She met another pastor who had HIV who shared
with her her story and invited her to go to the Tamar center. That's where her life started to change and where God became real to her. She was taught that her life was much more valuable than she has ever known before, and received a lot of healing. She went on to do a discipleship training school which helped her grow in
her relationship with God and received skills training in business.
She is now is reunited with her son and they are getting used to being with each
other again. Life is not as easy for her but she knows a job with Freed by Design will help her make the extra money she needs to provide for her family in a safe, healthy way. She has years of not paying her son's school fees and the money she makes will
help them live together and for her son get the education that he needs.. This is also a great way she can help women, like herself, who are are desperate in life to get what they desperately
need ie food, shelter, money for daily living, education, stay away from the bars.
Dang's story is at the heart of Freed by Design. Helping women find alternative choices to better themselves through education and job opportunities that promote safe, healthy environments. This Christmas season, I feel blessed to know that those of us blessed with resources can enjoy the shopping culture of the season to bless others in need. We get to bestow dignity to women and act out the heart of the gospel message--to help orphans and widows. To do justice and love mercy and walk humbly with our God. Thank you Dang for showing us the power of the will to choose life. And thank you for supporting Dang in her journey to help women know their worth. Together, we will make a difference, one life at at time!
To help Dang, spread the word to shop at
Dang has been recently hired to be the local buyer at the orchard and
butterfly sanctuary in Northern Thailand that supplies us with these one
of a kind pieces of art. Dang receives a portion of each butterfly wing or crystallized leaf you buy to help her support her son. Spread the word to shop at a store that gives back and help women like Dang find alternative employment and avoid the bars.
God Bless,
Lindsay Hoogendam
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Posted in General Articles by Lindsay Hoogendam on 10/14/2011
While taking an evening walk with my family tonight, we
stumbled across this "open house" near our apartment. Now Dave and I have been
toying around with the idea of having
a home but know we cannot afford any of the homes in our area-that is
without divine intervention from the Lord! Well, we decided to go in and look
anyway and two hours later and a headful of thoughts, I sit here writing this
blog.
Have you ever had those times in life where you have so much
going on in your head but the thought of sitting down and actually transcribing
the rollercoaster of ideas is just overwhelming?! I sit here now on yet another
rollercoaster in my life-the kind that is exciting but scary at the same time.
I have been riding this same rollercoaster ever since returning back from G42
in Spain. In essence, I would name it "Faith by Fire". I had this word months
ago that many people around me are going through a time of "fire" or refining,
which often comes in the form of challenges, trials or the unknown. For us, it
is the unknown. For as much as I know who I am and my giftings, the unknown
still plagues me for the future. Doesn't it to so many of us?!
Back to my conversation with the owner of this for sale home
tonight. It ends up he is some mega preacher and his wife and him invited us in
to unload there many ideas, visions and "messages" with us. They kept asking us
what we "need" in life and honestly, Dave and I kept giving them a blank stare
back. We both weren't sure how to answer that because even though we live so
simply, we are so satisfied with our life. Do we want a house? Sure! Otherwise
we would have never noticed the open house sign to begin with, but the thought
that keeps plaguing me that night is that message he kept trying to convey about
"need" and how so many of us don't' ask ,therefore we don't receive. I was
convicted in a way of my prayer life and yes, I do need to ask for those things
I feel God has placed on my heart including the healing for my father who is
sick with cancer, the opportunity for my husband to live out his dreams of
working with international students and leading voluntourism trips overseas,
the growth of Freed by Design in the area of marketing and development of its
non profit status and a position of discipleship and missions. I have a great
desire to see all of these things occur so was that my answer....what I should have told that man when he asked
our greatest need?
A nd yet tonight, hours later, the words that resonates in my
heart is that my greatest need is to KNOW my heavenly Father's love for me. The
pastor kept referencing that Jesus never lacked anything which is true, but it
is not a material lack that the Bible refers to. I find that Jesus never lacked
because he KNEW without a doubt His Father loved him and had the best for him.
Sometimes His best was not what I would think of, like a nice home to raise my family in and invite others into
or a fuel efficient car. Maybe His best for me right now is e xactly where He
has me among my neighbors in the shores who I see relationships in the making
all over the place! And it is these relationships filled with love and being
together that I know are at that essence of the Father's love and plan for  my
life.
So when I get my home one day, may it come from walking in
obedience and knowledge of how much the Father loves me and provides for my
every need now. Like Paul says, a contentment in ALL situations=) I am
completely satisfied with my life yet I want more. This more I speak of IS more conversations with my heavenly
father... a daily walking in my gifts (even those I shy away from like writing)
because I KNOW that it is in these very things, both others and myself will be
most blessed.
I want to commit to writing more, praying more, and inviting
others in more. So what is my greatest need I again ask myself? Nothing but to
continue on in this life of faith and KNOW how loved I am by my heavenly
Father. This knowledge alone will transform my "needs" into "wants" as I
consider my needs to be already fulfilled
by Him and my wants in His works because He loves me and wants to see me
take pleasure in this life we share together. Being a parent now has given
me a whole new perspective into this simple allegory. He provides because He
cannot do anything less, it would not be of his nature yet he spoils
because He knows it makes me smile. It has been a long strange day today but I
am smiling still at his amazing sense of provision. Thank you Father for loving
me more than I often realize!
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Posted in General Articles by Lindsay Hoogendam on 7/12/2011
Freed by Design feels honored to be featured as the featured charity for this upcoming fashion even in LA featuring amazing artists such as LUV AJ, Penelope and Coco and Katie May. In the past week, doors have been opened to feature my jewelry in not one but two stores! This means that more and more women can purchase products that directly support at risk girls around the world! I have been working diligently with my intern in Asia and am excited to announce a fall line of recycled bombshell in addition to the other great products featured on www.freedbydesign.org
Please spread the word to all your fashion forward friends and thank you for your support! Getting the word out is key and I am thankful for every outlet you have to help increase sales which increases the funds we have to support the girls. So far with the sales, we have been able to provide tutoring, life skills classes, school supplies and have most recently been working to help one of our orphan girls decide to keep her baby when she found out she was pregnant! I am thrilled that girls all over the world feel our support---YOUR support!
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Posted in General Articles by Lindsay Hoogendam on 6/21/2011
Freed by Design at work in Ukraine with orphans from Lindsay Hoogendam on Vimeo.
Thank you to the many people who made this trip to Ukraine possible! The time spent with the orphan girls was priceless and I am excited for many of you to meet these girls in the future! I was able to record many of the girls stories and help establish a schedule of tri-weekly English classes, life skills training and help Tanya inspire them to start learning English for a summer study abroad program I would like to develop. Many gifts were donated to the four girls who are now attending college on behalf of many of you back at home, including a MAC laptop computer, makeup, clothing, and necklaces from Freed by Design. I toured their dormitory and ensured their needs are being taken care---including a new mirror, book shelves and fruit! I want you to know that your donations through G42 are truly making a difference in the life of many at risk orphan girls in Ukraine. My dear friend Tanya wrote a very sweet e-mail I want to share in lieu of this blog~
"I wish your greatest dreams come true. I wish you peace in your heart and thank you for all your love and care you send us from so far away. We all feel it here.
And we love you, very very much.. I sometimes think that you are an angel sent to us from so far away.
You are the only one who ever came back. It's indeed amazing!!!"
It is my hope to see that these girls are loved and provided for and am unbelievably thankful for your partnership and support! Every week, I talk to Tanya and hear the basic needs of the girls ranging from food to taxi rides to English classes. Please watch this video and ask yourself if this is something you would like to partner with us monthly through http://www.g42leadershipacademy.org/donate (interns: Lindsay and Dave)
Right now, we are in need of about $1,000 more/month to have the resources needed to help establish long lasting programs ran by Tanya in Ukraine including giving her a monthly salary which will help cover the tutoring costs, food lessons and taxi rides! I see myself as a bridge connecting the resources we have in the West to the incredible needs overseas and I want you to know that yes, you can get involved by choosing to sponsor Tanya, an orphan girl and/or us as we go forward discipling the nations. We need prayer warriors, gift givers who enjoy the practical hands on support of sending boxes to the girls, encouragers and many monthly support that together, makes this dream all possible. The song you will hear in this video is entitled "Set the World on Fire". The words speak for themselves along with the pictures. I truly believe that we are all created to bring change, hope and inspire others. Don't settle....keep your dreams alive...and get in touch with your desires to set this world on fire! Enjoy the video and please do stay in touch with us! I love hearing from you and the amazing people you are! We are truly blessed to have you in our lives!!
"Set The World On Fire"
I wanna set the world on fire
Until it's burning bright for You
It's everything that I desire
Can I be the one You use?
[CHORUS]
I, I am small but
You, You are big enough
I, I am weak but
You, You are strong enough to
Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
Nothing I can not do
Nothing I cannot do
I wanna feed the hungry children
And reach across the farthest land
And tell the broken there is healing
And mercy in the Father's hands
[CHORUS]
Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
Nothing I cannot do
Nothing I cannot do
My hands my feet
My everything
My life, my love
Lord, use me
I wanna set the world on fire
I wanna set the world on fire, yeah
Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
Nothing I cannot do
Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
There's nothing I can't do
Nothing I can't do
I'm gonna set the world on fire
Set the world on fire
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Posted in General Articles by Lindsay Hoogendam on 5/31/2011
It has been one of those heart wrenching weeks filled with joys and grief all rolled into one. I received an e-mail from my dear friend in Thailand who works in the red light district as a bartender but is quitting June 1st!! My friend Stephanie and I actually met her on the World Race in April 2009 during our month in Chiang Mai and I saw her again with Dave during our trip last July 2010. She often told me of her dreams of opening up her own small business but kept saying she would work in the bars until she "saved" enough to quit. She wrote us last week saying:
 I opened an email account about two weeks ago. My friend from America is helping me type this email. I have many friends now, who love me and are very sweet. My friends are teaching me English three times a week for two hours a day. They have been teaching me in a cafe called WonGen.
My friends have helped me to get a job in this cafe starting June 1st. I will learn how to cook, make coffee, and make cake. I have never made cake or made coffee drinks so I am a little nervous. I am still working in the bar, but will stop on June 1st.
I miss you and hope you come back to Chiang Mai soon!
Love,
Ploy
I have heard from these American friends that she is being very brave for leaving the bar job she has worked in for so many years since her boss is cursing her and telling her all kinds of lies. Nevertheless, she is forging ahead with the community of God's people who have all worked together to give her a hope and a future. I can see now that every seed planted and every relationship formed is a small piece on God's greater puzzle! I am just thankful to be a small piece in helping women move one step forward towards finding their freedom in Christ and in this World. I am trying to figure out right now with my intern for Freed by Design, Kyla, how to help her start her own business and make her dream come true! Please pray for divine appointments and wisdom.
On a sadder note, the orphans in Ukraine have been hit hard this past week and a half with crazy meaningless attacks from the enemy and I would ask you to stand beside us in prayer for these vulnerable women. Tanya and I are forging forward in prayer and committed to stand beside these lades despite meaningless sexua  l attacks. Our hearts our grieving for the women in this world who are so vulnerable but NOT ALONE! I ask you to pray for angels to be sent forth and guard every single one of these precious girls and that their hearts would feel love that surpasses understanding. At times like these, I do not know what to say but thank God He is in control and that despite life's crazy obstacles, we know the source in which to put our trust. Please also pray for Tanya who is there on the front line helping  each one of these girls in counseling and friendship.
The four girls who are now in technical school are meeting with Tanya several times a week and loving their time learning to cook, English skills, and talk about real life issues. They are excited to be using their new macbook, mascaras and other gifts donated by many of you during my most recent trip to Urkaine and feel the love of your support. That is what community is all about and why Freed by Design is committed to helping these girls find support and never feel abandoned again.
There are several projects in which Freed by Design is funding right now, including nourishing food supplies, English classes, dormitory odds and ends and we are looking into micro-loans for women like Ploy. Thank you for those who partner with us monthly in the crusade to help women who need our support! We are most definitely in need of more monthly supporters http://www.g42leadershipacademy.org/donate but are SO thankful for the provision that God gives to us on a daily basis! Your monthly gifts enable us to continue to give freely the resources so desperately needed to help these women. In the near future, we are looking at making Tanya a paid employee starting at about $200/month which includes her teaching 12 private tutoring sessions of English/month and food for the older orphans who are now in technical school. I would love a sponsor who feels called to support her so she can best support the girls and who feels led to pray for her as she battles on the front line for all the orphans behalf! I also would love to start a group of solid prayer warriors who will stand alongside me to pray for intervention on behalf of these women who have been recently attacked. For we know the battle is not against flesh and blood but powers and principalities. We need to stand together to fight for love, justice and hope for a better future. It is not too late to get involved! In fact, the battle has just begun!!!
In His Strength,
Lindsay
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Posted in General Articles by Lindsay Hoogendam on 5/13/2011
Wow--so much has happened since my last update in February that I would love to share with you just some of the ways God has been moving today!! My apologies for the lack of communication on my part! God has been doing SO much with Freed by Design and in our lives, that we have been incredibly busy and loving every minute of it!
 The biggest news, and such an answer to prayer, is that Dave and I are expecting a little baby girl, Isabella, in August! She is a long awaited gift and we are ecstatic to welcome her into this world to be a source of love and grace to others. I have had a great easy pregnancy and am enjoying taking her everywhere with me and seeing how she is already ministering to so many hearts, even in the womb, including mine!
She recently joined me on a 10 day trip to Ukraine where we spent time with the four orphan girls that we are helping to support through Freed by Design. Step (from team Luminous), Tanya (my Ukrainian best friend) and I paired up to bring some love to these girls' lives through spending days with them cooking, sharing stories, taking pictures, and inspiring hope for their future  . My goal for this trip was to make sure they were on the right path for school and that they have all the necessary resources they needed to succeed. In our 10 days there, we were able to brainstorm with Tanya a plan for English courses three times a week, life skills classes in cooking, and even donate a macbook computer for them to use! We went back with them to visit their orphanage in Krasnadon and it was amazing to see the hope they invoked in other girls' there who look up to them as the ones who are making something of themselves. It only inspired me more to all of the ways our resources and presence show the love of God to those who have no support. It was an inspiring trip for us all and I am working on putting together a video to share with you all of the time there. Thank you again for your prayers and support!
In addition to the Ukraine trip, Freed by Design has an intern  in Cambodia and Thailand for the next four months working on strategic plans to help form partnerships with non-profits who help at risk girls. Kyla is presently in Chiang Mai volunteering with three different organizations that work directly in the red light districts and with at risk teens. We are developing plans for partnering with one of them to enhance their programs by raising awareness and funds through selling local handmade products such as the butterfly wings/leaves (pictured on girls) and recycled bombshell! I am thrilled to be a source of encouragement and connection to the very organizations who are fighting the good fight to help these girls get out of the bondage of poverty and into freedom through providing resources, skills training and education and I am thankful for the team we all make together!
Freed by Design is busy working on these projects but still  needs your help. G42 has graciously offered for us to stay under their umbrella which means we could use your support past July! We are about half way to our goal of $1,300 in monthly support. Please pray about partnering with us and know that every gift matters (from $10-$500), what counts is that we do it together! It is the "team" that brings the success and we know we are successful in helping girls move forward because of our vision from God combined with our partnership with you, His people!
You can give one time OR monthly to us
grad "interns" at G42
With Love,
Lindsay & Dave
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Posted in General Articles by Lindsay Hoogendam on 2/9/2011
First off, thank you for all of the wonderful comments, conversations and communication I received after the last blog I wrote a few days ago on Thankfulness. I am truly grateful for each one of you in my life and I love hearing the ways God works through us all....in the good times and bad....and works it out for good.
I wanted to give you an update on the upcoming mission trip to Ukraine. I am planning on heading to Ukraine in April to spend some time with the orphans (V  ika, Sveta, Dasha and Nadya) to see first hand how their first year of college is going as well as to brainstorm future ways to help them stay in school. We have seen much success in this initiative so far with Dasha receiving "orphan status" which means the government helps pay her tuition for college and through your gifts, we have been able to buy them winter clothes, supplies and even treat them to special events like a symphony or the movies.
In addition to spending time with the orphan girls, I would like to further disciple my dear Ukrainian friend Tanya who has been a tremendous help in getting the girls where they are at today. I am hoping she will agree to start regular English classes with the girls and Lord willing, get her a visa to come to America to visit many of you so you can hear first hand the life of the women in Eastern Europe.
Dave and I have the gift of being under G42, a mission minded tax deductible non profit, through July. That means it is not too late to start giving an automatic monthly donation for the next six months starting now. Our support has been very low and we are in need of about $700 more pledged/month starting now through July. Click on the following link and go to "monthly support"...and enter our names under"Intern" http://www.g42leadershipacademy.org/donate Please pray about partnering with us to help at risk women and children around the world throug  h education, training and discipleship. Dave and I spend much of our time doing missional work from our home right here in Long Beach as well as abroad...but we could not have done this work without faithful supporters like you! Thank you for believing in the Christ in us and the work He has allowed us to do. Please continue to pray for open doors, abundant provision and a heart of Christ in ALL times! And most importantly, keep in touch!
With Thankfulness!
Lindsay
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Posted in General Articles by Lindsay Hoogendam on 2/1/2011
I wanted to take a moment to than  k each and every one of you who faithfully read my blogs and walk alongside me in  this journey of faith. I have been so inspired by many of you...your passions, diverse gifts and amazing heart felt conversations. I have had many epiphanies since being back in California this fall, but the greatest by far has been walking through difficult times with a transparent heart with so many of you!
I cannot deny the fact that it has been a stretch to say the least of my faith to be back in the west without the comfort of a secure 9-5 yet excited about God's many promises...many yet to be fulfilled. Yet, the amazing awareness I have gained during it all is that I am not alone! We all face immense walls to scale and the many struggles, whether it be health of a friend or loved one, finances, stress or hope delayed, it is not unique and therefore should not be a source of shame or embarassment.
I think back to the many people who supported me during this time and all I can say is thank you!! Thank you for being a friend when I had little (I felt) to give and for believing in me even when I had a difficult time seeing the outcome. I feel like I am in a much stronger place now. A place I got to not by my own strength but by the sense of love I feel from God as He gently reminds me to look back on my life and cultivate a heart of thankfulness. I have so much to be thankful for---and so many of those thanks go out to you!! If you are reading this, you know! The many dinners, random checks, long walks, and tears shed. In writing this, I know I am not alone and all I can say is that I am excited to see what the future holds.
I have been spending much of my time recently, one on one, cultivating relationships. I feel this is where I can use my past, the good---bad---and ugly---to be with others in their times of troubles. Just last weekend, I went to this awaken workshop with my church, which had us look back at the many events in our lives that made us who we are. I have to say, I understand now some of those painful events and see them as times of extreme character development and growth.
I have talked to many of you re cently about difficult times, and I am writing this blog to mainly tell you thank you for allowing me to be in the "scary" times of life with you! Thank you for the ways you have looked out for me----may I be the same support to you!! And thank you for pressing on and allowing yourself to go there with people...for I truly believe it is in our moments of brokenness, that lasting bonds are formed.
I declare these next few months to be a time of breakthrough for many of us! A time of renewed faith, renewed commitment and renewed hope! I love that God never promised an easy life but one full of adventure, battles to be won and hearts to be restored. I see us as a people who can use our stories, and realize that everyone that God uses has moments of brokenness....I truly believe it is all par for the course and we are exactly where He wants us to be!
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Posted in General Articles by Lindsay Hoogendam on 1/7/2011
It is wonderful to be in 2011, a year full of anticipation for what the Lord has planned for us all! I feel like 2010 was a transitional year for many of us and I, for one, and happy to be where the Lord has me now, back in Long Beach serving my church, family, friends and seeing the dreams of my heart for women unfold.
Freed by Design has been busy launching its new website  www.freedbydesign.org, as well as attending a variety of wonderful boutiques and alternative Christmas events over the holiday season. I have been privileged to join a network of other business as missions who have a heart to see change be brought through design. Raven and Lily, Nightlight, Corridor of Hope and Youme Clothing are a few of the great businesses who I will be selling alongside in some upcoming events and I am blessed to have this Godly network of kingdom changers. If you want to see how business can be used for mission work, just take a look at some of these companies! It is a growing and inspirational concept that the consumer needs to see is possible. Next week many of us will combine efforts and sale our products at a women's conference in Pasadena for entrepreneurs. I went to a Christian conference for entrepreneurs not too long ago where one main speaker stated "If you truly make your business about helping other people, you'll always have plenty of work".
 Since launching Freed by Design in November, nearly $600 has been raised to help at risk women and children. The four orphan girls in Ukraine are already half way through their first year of school and my next goal is to go visit them in person in the next month or two. One girl, Dasha, was able to obtain her official orphan status which means the government helps pay for her school! I am amazed at times that my love for one girl named Vika in turn ending up helping four girls have an opportunity to attend school and be loved on by local missionaries, mentors and many of you abroad. During my trip in Urkaine, I want to set up a mentoring program for the girls and possible English classes with a future incentive of coming to America at some point for a summer home stay, possibly with some of you reading this blog right now! Please pray that the Lord will continue to father these girls as we work to help direct their future and prevent these four from being at risk for human trafficking. In Ukraine, the sad statistics of 6 out of 10 girls are trafficked is appalling but knowing that Vika, Dasha, Nadya and Sveta are safe makes my desire and efforts to see the awareness and business grow even more. These girls need to know that they can accomplish the dreams they put their mind to and at times, they will need support, that is what Freed by Design will provide.
In addition to the girls in Ukraine, Freed by Design is excited  to have a summer intern join the business serving us in Thailand and Cambodia for product development. There are many amazing ministries that work with at risk women who simply need an outlet for their products. Freed by Design will work with them to create the best designs with fair trade principles in mind. I strongly believe a shift is taking place in people's buying power where one realizes the cheap chocolate, clothes or jewelry made by slave labor is not desirable nor fashionable. With the global market, Freed by Design is excited to offer you products you can wear with pride.
Thank you for the many of you who make this dream of helping women possible through your monthly support. As the New Year commences, there is opportunity to give back to people through our time, talents and finances. If you are interested in helping Freed by Design, there are a few key ways we could use your talents!
*If you have air miles, you could consider sponsoring a roundtrip ticket to Urkaine to work with the orphan girls
*We need exactly six more months of monthly support that is now at 25%($400) of the desired 100%($1600/month) to help us help women around the world http://www.g42leadershipacademy.org/donate. The monthly support will help sponsor our trip to Ukraine to work with education and preventive work for the orphan girls, product development for southeast Asia's ministry's and obtain more official fair trade status/licenses and attend entrepreneurial/ freedom conferences to help the kingdom business grow.
Recycled bombshell from the war in Cambodia made above (finished product pictured below)
*Spread the word about the products and even have special privileges to a 10% discount code designed2bfree available for use at www.freedbydesign.org
Thank you again for your encouraging words and support through this past year of transition. God continues to amaze me with his timing, provision and the many incredible friendships we have found in you.
All for His Glory!
Lindsay
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Posted in General Articles by Lindsay Hoogendam on 12/6/2010
I have been pondering the word "trust" a lot  lately. What it means to trust. Take courage
if you are reading this and feel you have been going through a season
of trust issues, loss, financial troubles, health issues, relational hardship, or crazy amounts of stress lately...you are not alone! Let's just say it has not been the easiest few months of my life for each and every reason listed above whether fabricated in my mind or a real issue I had to face. And let me just say I used to pride myself in being self sufficient and things coming easy to me. Wow, has my paradigm shifted during this season of complete brokenness. First, I have realized that just because I am broken does not mean people are less attracted to me. In fact, I have formed some of the most amazing friendships and been healed in ways I never thought imaginable. Secondly, God provides in ways I never thought imaginable.... yet the amount of criticism and unforeseen judgment insued during this painful transition has only given me more passion to stand up for those who are going through transitions themselves. I want to be a voice in the wilderness reminding people that we were never meant to do this life alone!!
I suppose when life throws twists, we have two choices, to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and make it on our own OR allow those around us into our weakness and see the miraculous way God works in our lack. I find this such an oxymoron and yet the one of the many profound secrets of being a Christ follower, that of trust.
As I return back states side, people often ask me if it is refreshing to be home due to the comforts of food, warmth or convenience but time and time again, I find it a challenge....why....because of the lack of emphasis we put on the reality that we are broken people and that we need to learn to trust God and others. This is a secret of many  developing countries and their amazing testimony of both the miraculous events as well as undying faith is their ability to trust in the God who loved them in their confusion, lack and loss. God never promised to take away life's challenges, but He promised to be with us in the midst of them! I have found that to be one of the greatest mysteries during this time of adjustment back west....that both God and some amazing individuals in my life have chosen to walk beside me in this time of lack, when I thought I had very little to give, they gave to me sacrificially! I can not begin to express the amount of gratitude and love I have in these friendships.... friendships born in trust.
Trust is not an easy path to take, for it is vulnerable, unknown and often requires a "yes" regardless of the desired outcome. I am finding out that I can try to do things on my own, or I can learn to trust God and those people around me to be a resource to me in my times of need. Then, when the time comes, I am strengthened to be a resource for others!
I finally feel like me again but this challenging period of transition has only made me more passionate for the importance of people to be transparent, know their loved no matter what and accept that we WILL go through deserts, but that does not mean we have to do it alone. I am excited to see what the future holds as Dave and I continue to walk this faith journey and see where God leads us and  how He will use us to serve those around us. I love the fact I serve a Father in heaven who knows my best interest and will never leave me or forsake me, even if I experience trials at times. Paul explains it quite well in Romans..."But we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
And hope does not disappoint us." ~Romans 5:3-5 Why? Because we put our hope and trust in God. This is why in this life I have no choice but to trust. For me, there is no other logical way to navigate these unpredictable waters of life then by the captain's course. | |
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