Resolution VS. Goals

Pre Field Orientation in Missouri

Missionaries across the world!!

    It's the end of January of 2012. At the beginning of this month many people set "Resolutions". I had many ask me what mine were. I did not make any. I already have the biggest goal I could think of: getting back to the Philippines. This big goal is not going to happen without many small ones. Pastor Robbie Johnson has taught me well on setting goals that get accomplished. We must set attainable goals, keep track of them and set new ones to keep growing. I find myself making many lists and finding the joy when I get to mark off one. My goals recently are relational and financial ones. I believe in giving people the opportunity to sow seeds into the Kingdom. However, I also know that there is a twisted view of giving financially. I believe it comes from how people ask and our own hearts when we give. I am learning that God can untwist this view in provision of my goals. He has shown me that I can't let the fear of people stop me from asking. By not asking I'm not giving them the opportunity. I myself know this all so well.  During the holidays I LOVE going to Publix or another shopping center that has organizations at the register to give toward. Such as donating to a food bank. I love to give but I know I cannot  give every time I walk into a store. If they ask I give. If they don't I won't. What is this saying if I don't ask? This revelation shook up my preset notions of what people are thinking. I have to truly trust God and allow Him to move me toward my goal. I recently prayed and was able to get my monthly budget reduced $400. This was an amazing answer to prayer! I know it brings me so much closer to the field. I also was blown away when I was checking my account and had seen a large donation from someone I don't even know. I know that God has called me to live in this orphanage for at least a year. I have set and attained many goals over the years to get there. Two main factors in this has been prayer and a passionate heart. I prayed often and intensely about this. I never lost heart on the promise that God gave me at a young age.

        I hope you are setting goals that are accomplished and not resolutions that fail. The differing factor I believe is allowing God to set these for you.

     If you would like to help me reach my goal you can give through this link. I need monthly partners but I have a cash budget I need raised as well. Anything helps me attain my goal.

Thank you for your prayers and support!'

Ames definitely on the way :)

https://secure1.ag.org/contributions/detail.cfm?LedgerID=e7b6bb71-478f-4ac1-b94b-eb60f3c54301

Confessions of the ending year...

I have a confession to make....I'm not very good at this blogging business. I find it hard to choose the words to write and the time to put it up. Now that it's been 2 months since my last post I figure I should change that. So here it is. I had a Christmas blog written but never posted because I didnt find time to go on an actual computer to adjust the font.(iPad won't let me) This time I shall just post and not care about the font.
Here is what is on my heart: I'm thinking the new year is about to approach. I'm thinking about how I have heard that missionaries take a year to raise their budget and frankly I don't want to wait that long. I want my faith to grow. I want to leave for the philippines so badly in July or August. That is so close when you consider the amount I have to raise. If you ask me in person I'd be glad to discuss it with you. I just am going to choose to not post it on here. I've thought much on how I will raise my budget. Nothing seems like a 1+1=2 method. I don't find myself the bold type to ask for money. I don't find myself the successful type with the best paying job as I would probably keep my current job if they told me tomorrow it had to be a volunteer position now instead of a salary one. I love beng a preschool teacher and feelng like I am helping mold these kids at their prime years....even if they won't remember me. I think about the missionaries I have seen at my church and seen how the Lord has blessed them when they have been humble. At the same time I know I must ask. But how? My heart is so not wanting to offend anyone by asking for support. I want to spare them the shame if they can't or decide they would rather not. This is where I need more faith!!! I'm praying for an increase of that this year. I feel the pressure of the question of how is your goal of budget raising going? At the same time I feel no pressure because it's all in God's timing. It's different than a summer missions trip with a deadline. I know the Lord will provide. I have wanted to wait until after the holidays to really ask for the much needed support. I know that Christmas brings more stress than needed. I don't desire to be associated with that. I would love to be associated with the real meaning: Christ but it seems that since we are human we often forget and get caught up in the spending and silly traditions. So I wait for it to pass and pray that the Lord will stir hearts to remember what it's all about. Now that we face a new year we can realize what it's about and exam our lives to see what more we can do to make a difference this year. That is what I do. Right now I'm being stirred to remember my calling and having faith to be bold and yet walk in humility to ask for provision to get back to these beloved kids that I would adopt all myself if I could.
So please pray with me. What is it that you need to do this year? Pray that I get provision and my budget will be met for me to go when God wills. Pray if you should support me monthly(needed most). Pray that these kids in the Kings Garden Childrens Home will know how much God loves them.

Thanks for reading this and for your prayers:)
Ames trying to keep on the way.

Episode 2 of my visit!

        The next morning I woke up hearing little children singing. It was such a beautiful thing. I couldn't quite figure out where it came from. I knew they had children's devotions every morning though. After I got ready I went down for breakfast. They were all so cute in there white tshirt and blue bottoms uniform. And of course they all had flip flops to wear. To get ready for a meal they all gather around the tables. They stand behind the chairs. The house mom says "are we ready?"  and the children reply "yes we are."Then they say "let us pray"...then they pray for there food. Possibly one of the cutest ways to pray that I have seen. They eat with a fork and a spoon. You don't usually find knives they use spoons for that. After breakfast they all finished getting ready for school. They left shortly after. The staff gathered for morning devotions. Each morning a staff morning would lead and they would also have worship. Then Monica addressed anything on the agenda. Then we dismissed to go about our day. I spent a lot of time with the preschool aged kids. In the mornings they had 3 little ones ages 3-5 roughly. They went over normal education stuff they would learn here, had lunch and napped. When they woke up the elementary kids would be back for lunch. The schools do not provide lunch and not every family can send lunch so all the kids go home at lunch time. Our driver goes to pick the kids up and brings them back to eat. When the elementary kids are done eating 2 of the preschoolers go back with them to school. They don't come back until dinner time. It's a long day. When the kids come back around dinner time they shower and get ready to eat. After dinner they have study period. This is probably one of my favorite times. I got to go around and see what the kids were working on. The schools can't afford books so the kids copy everything. A lot of the children wanted to read to me to practice their English. I really loved this. If the kids didn't have work they could read or draw. Most kids there are obsessed with angry birds. However it's more of an icon not an app game on there phone. They had no idea what the game was when i showed it to them on my iPad. A lot of the kids are very good at drawing. After study period they get ready for bed. Lights out at 9. And yes I would be in bed then. The sun goes down really early and the heat and humidity wears you out. Sleeping is not a problem...except for the jet lag:).

That is roughly what the day looks like around the Kings Garden.

More to come!!

Orphanage Visit: Episode 1

        I now can officially say I have been in the King's Garden Children's Home. This is the orphanage I have been desiring to go to since I was a little girl. The whole trip was impactful. From the Kids to the bugs!! God spoke in so many ways I cant even tell you them all. So please ask me questions whenever you would like to!

         I was about to check-in and ofcourse there was something wrong...I am thinking it was the young worker who didnt know what he was doing. I was thinking I definitely payed a lot of money to get on this flight. It eventually worked out. I was traveling for 28 hrs. It was a long time and yet it flew by. I couldnt believe I was going to be walking through the doors of this home soon.

When I finally arrived in the Philippines Monica Jarvis, Director of KGCH, and Kim Snow, Missionary to KGCH, both greeted me. We stayed the night in the Assemblies Missions Home. When morning came I met more missionaries. Because this was the headquarters for missionaries to check in I got to meet a few. I even met someone who almost lost his arms from a machete attack. He was robbed. The interesting part is because the people in the town knew and loved him so much they "took care of it." What an impact this missionary had on his mission field.

           We drove out to KGCH that morning. The Philippines is such a beautiful place. There is so much to look at. There are cabao,chickens, goat, horses, dogs, cats and kids all running around and in the streets. The home was pretty much at the end of the road. The road was bumpy, narrow and just dirt. We pulled up to this home and it was so surreal. We got there before the kids were home from school. Monica led me on a tour. They are truly blessed and steward all that God has given them.

          One of the biggest moments of impact was when I was sitting in Monica's office as the children arrived home from school. In walks this high schooler. She needed to make copies for school. They dont get their own books. I fought back the hurricane of emotions inside of me. I have been to an orphanage before. I have seen the babies but this is a high schooler. I couldn't believe how hard it hit me. I work with youth the same age in America. This was a defining moment for me.

          After this impacting moment I wandered around after being introduced time and time again. I felt a little awkward as the new white woman. I love to listen to people and get to know little kids, but this was hard because I didnt understand their first language. They are learning english but dont speak it regularly. I eventually got to know the kids and felt more comfortable.

         The first night in my room I spent a lot of time getting aquainted with it. The water heater was tricky-but I was extremely grateful for it. The water pressure and my long hair battled it out. There were 2 fans and an aircon (airconditioner). I never used a fan in the US. I dont like the noise. However I slept with it because of the weather and to help keep bugs off of me. It also wasnt that noisy I use to sleep with a tv on because I couldnt go to sleep with my mind racing. However the windows are open with a theatre of outside noises. It was so beautiful. I slept wonderfully. I went to bed at 9 my first night and woke up at midnight. The Lord has a serious conversation with me that I am still praying through. I was experiencing some jet lag!!

There is sooo much for me to share about my trip. This is just part. I want to be able to give it to you in pieces so you are not overwhelmed and can experience as I did.:) So I will share another episode of my adventure at a later date!! Stay tuned for my first morning as I awake knowing Im really here in this orphanage.:)

       

          The time has come and I will soon be on the other side of the world! I have longed for this moment for most of my life. Even when I went to China I saw the Philippines on the map and secretly wanted to go there as well. This time the map will show the Philippines as the target goal. I couldn't be more thrilled.

            I am so thankful for all the people in my life that God has used to help me get to this point. The thing that has blessed my heart most is Mrs.Frontera's Kindergarten class at Westwood Hills. This is the classroom across the hall from me at work. They adopted me as their class missionary. I was able to come in and speak with them about what I am going to be doing. They in turn have being bringing in their money to put in the piggy bank. Now every time I see one of the little girls she says, "You're a missionary!" It just blesses my heart. I also have the prayer of impacting one of their lives like Monica Jarvis, director of the orphanage I will be going to, impacted me when she spoke to my youth group. God truly plants seeds at a young age. It's such a beautiful thing to see it bloom.
          I am ready to have my life changed by God's little ones. I've always had such a love for kids. But I can't help but know that there is going to be something deeper that will shift in me as I get to care for these orphans. I know they have such different stories. They also hold such a precious place in God's heart. I know I will not be the same when I return. I also know that God will speak louder the calling over my life. I am so ready to start this journey. All the prophetic words and visions will come to pass! I'm reminded of when someone spoke in a small group setting. She said had a vision I was overseas as a missionary loading kids onto a school bus. She knew I was a preschool teacher but had no idea I longed to go overseas to go work with orphans. What a gift from God that he uses people to encourage us not to give up on our dreams. He has a perfect plan for us. We must set our lives up in such a way that it directs us toward that. We must set ourselves apart from the rest so that we may be prepared when our time comes. Now my time is coming. Thank you Jesus!
    I leave the 12th!!!!!

          In less than one month I am hoping to be on the mission field. I am praying that God will provide and that I wont need to change my dates because of financial reasons. I believe I am learning so much to rely on God. I really have to trust if He wants me there, then He will help me get there.

      I have been very encouraged by the love and support of people in my life. I've been able to do some bake sales, speak to coworkers, dance classes, lunch sales and more at my work. I have a coworker and her sister who have donated some items to take to the kids. Heather Scott donated her time to teach the dance class to raise funds. I also have some one who has donated a wii to raffle off for me. The raffle will be starting Monday August 22nd. $3.00 for your chance to win  Wii!! Wonderful things have happened. And I am trusting that it will be enough to buy that pricy ticket to get me on the other side of the world!

     I go back and forth with thoughts of giving up because it's not easy. Then I remember that I am called to do this and I need to walk it out. I need to remember that it is NOT about me. It's about God's kingdom. In that kingdom are these precious children that I have been praying years to meet and love on.

      In addition to these things I will be making and selling bracelets. If you would like a bracelet at your missions donation then I will make you one! Please email me at Ameshaynes@yahoo.com your contact info and desired colors and size! I have made these as gifts for people. Spread the word and let me know.

    If you have any jobs needing to be done as well let me know. I love to babysit or clean. I am willing to do whatever it takes to get to the Philippines september 12-24! Help me get there. I am also trying to do a yard sale sept 3rd if there is anything you would like to donate to sell.

    
    I have been reading Revolution in World Missions by K.P.Yohannan. It is truly changing my view on my needs in America and my needs as a missionary. Here is a tidbit, dont get offended, "God did not shower such great blessing on this nation for the Christians to live in extravagance, self-indulgence and spiritual weakness." I need to do whatever it takes to do the will of God. I got the book free online if you are interested. He works with Gospel for Asia.

In final notes...Contacte me if:
       You want to enter the Raffle for the Wii $3.00 per ticket, no limit on tickets. Aug 22nd- Sept 4.
       You would like a bracelet made for a donation.
       You have a babysitting or cleaning or any kind of job. I love mowing lawns! Just dont have a lawn mower:)
       If you would like to just make a donation.
     
Thanks for your love and support. Please continue to pray for provision. Thank you to those who have posted this on their sites and spread the word to their friends as well. May God bless you as you make a difference with me.

Ames on the Way.... to buying a plane ticket!!



our welcome sign!



Yes I bought a shirt!



I'm back from Pre-Field Orientation. This means I am looking at going for a year long stay after my 3 wk September visit. PFO was to prepare me if I go for a year long stay. It was 2wks long and packed full of many things.



The Howards and I...They are going to the Philippines too!



     I loved getting to know other missionaries. I heard many stories of how they where called. Many people repeated the saying " you all cried somewhere" meaning that something tugged on our spirit so much that we cried. I really related to this missionary saying. I remember many services,  big or small, that I would cry when they spoke about kids. I thought it was just me. Instead it was something deep inside that God was doing. So pay attention to the stuff you cry over that most people aren't as bothered by...God could be calling you!



       We had many teachings:

 I learned about how the Asia pacific region's culture. The Filipino culture and American culture are very different. For example they don't say no. It's all about "saving face" and never embarrassing someone. If I invited you to come over but we were in a group, you would say yes, even if you were NOT coming. This is so I am not embarrassed in front of the others since you don't want to come over. Very odd. All through out these teachings we would keep getting books. I brought back over 10 new books! 

Other teachings were on budgets, investing in missionary kids, history of AGWM, support raising, principles of compassionate outreach, visa/travel, insurance, code of ethics, managing conflict,  missiology theology, destructive emotions, Holy Spirit ministry, live a devoted life, and many others!

  I had lots of extra activities with other:



"Caving"



            James River Assembly &Central Assembly services, nature walks seeing ground hogs, ducks, geese, turtles and baby skunks, caving (sorta),   hiking, $3 movie, shopping, pillow fights, bed bugs, yummy meals- one at lamberts where they throw rolls at you, celebrated birthdays at ihop(pancakes not prayer) dance off...and much more great memories!

    Its a wonderful place to be when you are able to surround yourself with followers of Christ who desire to go all over the world telling others about Jesus! I was really stirred up. Something in my spirit was changed. It was like a second family. They knew about my nephew David Allen Haynes and his story. Then during the first week my Aunt Joyce also passed away. They all surrounded me with prayers and support. They helped me get through an emotionally rough time. I stuck it out and was so grateful I did. The result being another change for the better in my life.



       On the flight home I was delayed in Atlanta. The weather was very bad. We finally boarded the plane but had to sit longer in the plane. There was a line up of over 20 planes waiting to take off! And we flew off in the storm. I prayed so hard.  I finally made it home safely.





Sara and Stehenie are the best!



   The next day was my 21st birthday! I felt the love of God so much through my family and friends. Most of my beloved friends had served all week at Gainesville outreach. That is when they stay at the church and do ministry to gainesville all week alongside the youth in our town. My friends still celebrated in the tiredness. It was so beautiful to me to see the tangible love that Christ has for me, shown by these people I respect so much.



the crew that stayed a little later than the others

Thanks for all the prayers, support, and birthday wishes. You are helping change the world as you support me on my journey to the Philippines!