Hi friends,
Wishing I had the time to stop and blog more often but I'm excited to share some exciting news with you. You know it's funny how many excuses we can make to put off what God is calling you to do. I decided to come into this year with the mindset of stop making excuses and just listen and take every step that God is taking me thru with no questions or doubts. Have you ever had one of those days that you wake up and feel God just tugging at your heart in a unusually loud way? Well I had one of those days a couple of weeks ago and as the day went on God led me to step out by faith and decide to join a cause that is so close to my heart. In December 2013 I will be traveling to Cambodia with Jordan International Aid. My heart literally jumps every time I think about this trip. I am so excited! Not only because I have been wanting to take this trip for a long time but because the mission field is such a special piece of my heart. It's been a little over 10 years since my family returned back from the Mission field. Being a missionary family for 4 years, it changed my life forever. I can still look back at moments in the mission field and God speaks to me in a new way. Growing up in a Pastor's home I have learned that every opportunity that we have to serve is a chance for God to minister to us thru the people we serve. Serving others reveals the heartbeat of God into our lives. His compassion for His children is so special and many times incomprehensible. The thought that I am going to be able to go out into the world and serve such special people is so exciting. To make this trip possible I will have to raise $1,500.00 by May 15th to pay for the 1st portion of this trip which is my plane ticket. I was talking to a friend of mine the other day and sharing with her how much I need to raise. When I told her that it needed to be raised by next month, her mouth dropped, and she said "that's impossible!" I looked at her and said "no it's not! God is going to do something special!". To be honest, normally I would be afraid, doubtful, and nervous that I could not get the financial aspect together. However, since I decided to join this trip I have had nothing but peace. I KNOW that God is going to make all of this come together for His good. I am reminded of one of my favorite woman in the bible, " For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)
I encourage you, if God is tugging at your heart to make a step of faith in your life, stop hesitating! Listen to His voice. Remember, if He calls you it's because He will provide every step of the way. Maybe it's not a missions trip but maybe He is calling you start a small group or step into a new ministry. Get up and do it. This is your time. You were born for such a time as this.
Ps. If you would like to participate in my Cambodia trip by being a financial blessing, simply visit my page; https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/2UW82 and click on the "Give" to give your donation. Anything you can give would be a HUGE blessing! THANK YOU!!
~Vanessa Katherine Cardenas