It's been a while

So... I'm not so good at this whole blogging on a regular basis thing.... but here's what has been going on the past year...

I have been working for 15 months at The River Community Church. It has been one of the best and difficult times of my life. God has chiseled away (and still is...) and pruned off (and still is...) things that weren't of His image. He has put me in difficult, character-building spots where the choice was to run from or turn to Him. About 10 months ago my house burnt down... It was one of the most disastrous things I've ever been through, but more than any other feeling, I felt incredibly loved. I had more people than I can count offer me a place to live, support, prayer, and just a shoulder to cry on. I am now more than ever sure that no matter the circumstances, God has got me.

So now to what is currently happening in my life...

I leave for Kenya & Uganda in 44 days (wow that's the first time I've counted it). I am going with an organization called Visiting Orphans. In Kenya, our team will be working with the 320 children at Hope Community Center we will work and stay at Fiwagoh Mission Orphanage. This orphanage is run by a former orphan who dedicated his life to rescuing orphans after realizing the amazing love and care of His Heavenly Father.

In Uganda, our team will work with the children's prisons (yes, you heard correctly!) in Kampala through the wonderful ministry of Sixty Feet. The team will also travel to Jinja and stay at Canaan's Children Home ministering to the children in this orphanage and working with the people and children in the "least of the least" called the Karamajong tribe.

I am so excited about this trip and what God is going to do in and through me and my team. God was revealing to me last night my identity in Him. I believe that God is stretching me and revealing things to me that are vital for what He wants to use me for on this trip. I am still raising support. I still have about $2000 to raise, but God is faithful and I know that HE has called me and so He will provide for me.

I am hoping that this trip will foster connections for me to go back to Uganda on long term basis. I have such a heart for Uganda and especially the orphans of Uganda.

More than anything, I covet your prayers. I know that I have been called and I am anxiously waiting to see what God is going to do.

Until all have heard,

lauren michelle

Growth...

So today has been extremely encouraging. In class this morning I was told by the class what they thought my biggest gift was... Big surprise: Servant's Heart. I also got teaching (which God has been pressing me towards and no one knew), and missions.

Area I need to grow: boldness and faith that the Lord will fulfill what He's told me. I really thought it would be discouraging to hear what I need to work on, but it really just makes me excited. After this morning I am so looking forward to what God plans for my life.

The exciting part is that God cares enough and has tons planned for my life that He needs me grow for Him to work in me. Isn't that exciting? I think so...

The Beginning

So this is the beginning.... It becomes more and more evident every day that God has called me to something huge. My hope is that this blog becomes a journal of my adventures in missions.

So i guess I will first explain the meaning of the title of my blog... While it does hugely deal with the fact that God calls all believers to be salt and light to the world, God has given me a significant meaning of that scripture in my life. God has told me on many occasions that He has made me physically different for a reason. God gave me red hair and a fair complexion to stand out in the mission field. God has called me (I believe) to be a missionary to Black nations. He has called me to visually stand out in those places so that His word can go farther, so that people will be drawn to me, and ultimately to Him through me.

I am constantly amazed that God has chosen to use me as unworthy as I am... Last year I spent a month in Uganda with some of the most amazing people in the world. It was a completely life-changing and jump started my desire to fulfill my calling. In 31 days I leave for Haiti. I cannot wait to go and see what else God has planned for me....