South America

The next adventure that God has for me is to travel with a group from the Northwest Christian University choir to South America. We will be touring in Panama and Colombia and singing back up for Steve Green! It's going to be an amazing experience (and already has been) that I am very thankful to be a part of. We will do concerts in the evenings and get to do different mission work in the mornings, including working with Streams of Mercy Ministry in Bogota where we will get to love on orphans and assist the ministry in whatever way they need.

We've all been learning the songs, which are all in Spanish, and trying to earn funds. The whole trip costs $2,500 per person. God has been faithful to bless the fundraisers that I have done so far! Praise Him!! I'm waiting to see Him work more miracles because I'm supposed to have the rest of the money by the end of this month and I am just over half way there. Please be in prayer with me that it will all work out and that I will continue to simply trust and not stress out.

If you want to be a part of this trip with me, keep me in prayer! :) I will be posting up more blog entries about my time in each country and how God uses and blesses our group. I could also use more funds if you are willing and able. EVERY LITTLE BIT COUNTS. There is no gift to small or that God can't multiply. If you feel led to give you can send money to me at:

Mandy Robertson

P.O. Box 973

Veneta, OR 97487

Or you can make sure that you add a note that the donation is for me and send it to NCU at:

Northwest Christian University

Choir Mission Trip

828 E.11th Ave.

Eugene, OR 97401



Missions of Hope

It's funny; whenever it's time for me to share about my mission trip to Kenya and what God did there I am at a loss for words. Words can't really paint the whole picture, anyhow. People say that others will never understand until they go themselves, that's the truth. I'll give you the best I can do and pray that God fills in the gaps for you to know a little more what He's doing in Kenya... and in me.
About a year ago I heard at church (one of my churches) that a team was going to be sent to Africa the summer of 2012. I knew instantly that I was supposed to go. I had always wanted to go to Africa, but there was just something inside me (the Holy Spirit) that made it feel so right. I couldn't imagine not going! I expressed my interest right away to my friend, the youth pastor, and I got the okay a few months later to be on the team. I was so excited and thankful and I tried to fund raise. The experience was going to cost $3,500! Being the second mission trip of the year I had to put off focusing on it while working on Mexico. It was going to be very different since none of my close friends would be there; I also was going to be the only unmarried, younger female. I didn't know most of the team super well, and I knew that God would teach me new things and grow me in different areas. There was a lot of work that went into being able to go... but most of it was on His end. He takes care of me and provides EVERY time He calls.

For the month or so beforehand I had a strange feeling like I didn't even want to go! It was crazy because I had been looking forward to it for some time, but I had a lot going on at work and felt like I didn't want to be away from "real life" for so long. But at the same time I KNEW that those feelings were an attack and that the Lord was going to use me and show me amazing things in Nairobi. So I went. :) We served in the Mathare Valley in Nairobi Kenya. This is one of the oldest and worst slums. It's only 3mi by 1mi and contains more than 800,000 people! Mathare is split into ten "smaller" communities with about 80,000 in each. We spent a little time in Pangani where we did orientation and Joska where we had church on Sunday. Most of our time, though, was spent in Mabatini.

When we got to the airport, despite the long lines of missions groups waiting to get into the country, we were all excited (and VERY tired). The tricky part was collecting luggage... we lost two suitcases from the group... a friend's and MINE!!! It was the craziest. I had a blast with it, though, and felt like a "real missionary" when i had to wear the same skirt four days in a row. Thankfully, I did pack the skirt and an extra shirt in my carry-on. I loved everything about being there, though. The food was great, the people fantastic, and God the BEST. And time seemed to go by so quickly. By the time I got my suitcase I was definitely ready for it, but it didn't feel like it was as long as it really was.
Monday - Friday we were blessed to be able to do a Vacation Bible School in the Mabatini school. I got to teach the Bible lesson with two other amazing people. One is an artist so he drew all of our visuals on the chalk board as I told the lesson. Then our third teacher would do a review with the children. With 448 students in the school we had about 90 kiddos in each group!! I lost my voice by the end of the week, and it didn't really help that I had to yell over the music class that was right below our classroom! God totally got me through. It was interesting that I had to learn to slow down. If you know me personally, you know that I can speak quite quickly. For the two younger classes I had to speak slowly for the translators. Then for the other three groups I had to really focus on my speed because the kids just had me to listen to. The children at the schools are all so very hungry to learn and grow; it's really quite inspiring. They have scriptures memorized and know facts very well. Everyone wanted to answer when a question was asked. They truly are beautiful. I loved teaching them each day more about how: God Listens! God Provides! God Forgives! God Protects! God Rules!
Each day after VBS we would go out into the community of Mabatini and do home visits. We worked with the Community Health Evangelism (CHE) group and did a project called "Bring the Light." It was beautiful. We would split up into groups so as to not overwhelm each home and to cover more ground. The great thing is that the Lord was with each group. We would go into the homes, the small, dark, crammed homes made of tin, and we would just love on the people living there. Each group also had social workers from the schools and CHE workers to help translate where needed and get us started. They would find out if the person(s) we were to speak with was (were) born again believers, simply church goers, or had nothing to do with any of it. From there we'd decide where to take the conversation. If they were born again we would go straight to talking about health and encourage them in their walk. We educated people on HIV, malaria, and clean water - bringing them the light of health education into their lives. If the person was not born again, though, we would go right to the heart of the matter, the Gospel. Using evangecubes we got to share Jesus (I was blessed to be able to do this three times!) When this happened we brought real Light to them. The while we were in their homes straining to see with no natural light there was a CHE worker on the roof cutting a hole in the tin roof to be replaced by clear plastic bringing physical light into their lives. It was a very touching time and I was blessed to see two women come into the kingdom that week through Bring the Light. One was quite pregnant, had two older kids, and her husband was a drunk that didn't help as much as he should. I saw a light in her and she was so overjoyed when she finally decided to give her life to the Lord. I will never forget the beauty that radiated from her.
Time for a shameless plug: Sponsorship.
There is just something so mysterious about sending money to help a kid that we've never seen. But I've seen them. I had heard stories of how badly they need our assistance, but I never guessed that it was as bad as reality. My heart went out to every kid. They had torn sweaters, worn shoes, and little school supplies. But they were so very thankful for what they did have. It was always interesting seeing them after school when they were out of their uniforms in their mismatched, dusty, old street clothes. I knew by Tuesday morning that I HAD TO sponsor a kid. I told the woman in charge that I wanted a kid where there was a need, not giving any kind of specifics. I had one by that evening. A 5 year old little boy named Michael from MABATINI! AND I was able to meet and spend time with him Wednesday afternoon. I fell in love with that boy. And he came to love me, too, really, ask anyone! I can't wait to watch him grow up. God is good, and He definitely uses child sponsorship. One day when we were asking the children what they were thankful for one boy stood up and proudly said, "our sponsors." Don't wonder how you will afford it, just step out in faith and sponsor a child.

As you can tell I had a very blessed time in Mabatini. Those children stole my heart. I WILL go back someday (hopefully soon.) It was pretty cool, though, that we got two days at the end of the trip to decompress and just bask in the beauty of the Lord. We went on safari in Masa Mara and were able to see all kinds of fun animals and simply be thankful for who the Creator is and all that He has given to us. There's no way we can ever repay Him for all that He has given, is giving, and will give. And He's okay with that. That's the beauty of love. God loves us, and you better believe I LOVE HIM!

Puente de Amistad

"Dios le bendiga!" God bless you is a phrase that I use a lot while in Mexico. This year when I went was different from any other. Normally, I have driven down to Tijuana with a crew from Northwest Christian University. When I wasn't able to go with my own school I knew that it didn't mean that I wasn't supposed to go. I immediately asked one of my favorite people, my old campus pastor (and the new one at New Hope Christian College) if I could go with NHCC down to Mexico. He accepted me, no questions asked. It was interesting only knowing a hand full of people in the group, but everyone really made me feel loved, included, and part of the group. We all bonded and worked well together.

We were blessed to be able to do so many different things. We visited orphanages, preached in church, worshiped with believers and those who need healing physically and emotionally, fed the homeless, loved on the outcasts, did Bible study with a rehab group, spent time with HIV positive folks, and even helped to build on an addition to a church. God really worked through our team. The friendships that were already established grew and some of us even made instant besties, and I know that they are all relationships that will last a long time whether we see each other often or not. One girl from New Hope and I have served together in Mexico a few times now and we call each other best friends that never see each other. :) It's amazing how Christ brings us together and gives us a foundation for building an amazing relationship!

One of many favorite moments from the trip was being able to help a local pastor with his opening night of a coffee house ministry. Every year before we go to Mexico we brainstorm, pray, hear from God, and discuss what we would like to do in Tijuana. For a few years, now, ministering to the young adults/college-age students has been a thing that God has put on our hearts. But there was never a way to do so; there aren't many ministries to that particular population. This year God changed that. He had put it on a pastor's heart to create a place where the college students could hang out - a positive environment where they could be loved on in Jesus' name. We were blessed to be there the first night he was in business. In fact, we got to go out and pass around fliers letting people know about it! I spoke the most Spanish in my group that went out and was able to talk to a couple of girls (not quite college age) and see that there was excitement about having a coffee shop to go to. They ended up showing up and really connected to us. We talked about girl things (boys) and in my best Spanish soapbox speech I tried to encourage them to pursue a relationship with Christ first and only find guys who do the same. It was a great time of just hanging out and sharing life. They even added us on Facebook and I've been able to remember to pray for them and encourage them in Christ.

I was blessed to be able to go back down to Mexico and be used by God. It's got a very special place in my heart and I know that I will continue to go and visit for MANY years to come.

A Call to Go

Isaiah 6:8

New International Version (NIV)

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? ”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Each and every one of us has the command to "go and make disciples" (Matthew 28:19), but for some reason we fall short, we get scared, and we stay in our comfort zones. I try to remember the call as much as possible and shine Jesus everywhere I go. We don't have to go very far to be missionaries. Right in our own towns there are are people who need to hear the gospel; they need to know that there are people that love and care for them, but more importantly, they need to know that Christ loved them while they were still sinners and laid down His life as a gift for them. Each and every believer is to be a missionary to those in their circles of influence.

Then there are those that the Lord calls more specifically. I know that I have been called to a life of missions both in and out of my immediate and surrounding areas. Right now that takes the form of short term missions. I have, to date, been on ten! Every time that I have felt called and answered as Isaiah, "Here am I. Send me!" the Lord has totally been in control. He provides, He blesses, He protects, and He blows my mind. Every time. Without fail. I am so thankful that He chooses to use me and show me how He is working in cultures different than my own. I love the thrill of all of it - from deciding to go, fundraising, lots of prayer, traveling, being there as the hands and feet of Jesus, and then even coming back and sharing and encouraging others with my stories (that are really HIS).

God did something crazy this year (2012) and gave me the opportunity to serve Him on three mission trips!! Mexico in March, Kenya in June/July, and Panama/Columbia in October/November. All are totally Christ-centered with a lot of room for service and spiritual growth. My next several blog posts will be about these trips. Three in 2012! Still blows my mind.

Here is a video that I made (After going to Mexico) about the three trips. :)



Perspective

You know you're poor when:

• You help a friend move and you dig through their Goodwill pile like it's Christmas.


• All the items on your wish list are things you need and not actually want.


• You are forced to participate in "No Shave November" because you can't afford razor refills.


• You don't have gas money to get to the food pantry.


• You have to use shampoo to wash your laundry.


• You use duct tape to fix a problem in your car.

You know you're rich when:

• You are surrounded by people who you love and love you back.


• There are people that care about how you are REALLY doing.


• You have Brothers and Sisters that have your back in a tough time.


• God's joy runs through you despite rough circumstances.


• You are a child of the King of Kings.


• You are able to have fun anytime, anywhere.

These things are all straight from my life. It's all about perspective though. Do I choose to focus on the things that make me "poor" or those bullets that describe the great "wealth" that I have been given. I prefer to focus on what really matters. Though I may be poor by the standards of this world; I am very rich in spiritul blessings and the things that the Lord looks at.



Better a poor man whose walk is blameless

than a rich man whose ways are perverse.

Proverbs 28:6

Know the Truth

Too often kids are confused by all the information that is thrown at them. Sometimes that information is good… other times, not so much. It is vital that, as adults and followers of Christ, we have the answers to questions that they ask. Many times, though, adults don’t even know the answers or where to look for them. I see this problem a lot and thought that I would address it for my Action Research Project in my M.Ed. program.

My literature review is going, but far from a final draft at this point. The research question that I came up with for this paper is: How does students’ K-12 experiences in public education affect their attitudes and beliefs on creation and what they are taught in church? There is a lot of information and I am working on how to put it all into my paper. Somehow what to cut out is the hardest thing to figure out. But the 15 pages will be together before too long.

For those that don’t know, I get to do my project for my church and even implement it in one of the Sunday School classrooms. The lessons encourage the kids to think about the truth of God’s word and to take what it says very seriously. From the surveys that I received back from both adults and students I can tell that others also believe that there is a need for such a curriculum. Many people said that it’s important how the universe began, that kids are often confused by what they are taught in school versus church, and that the church could do a better job preparing the youth.

I am praying that God will use me and this curriculum to influence the kids in an awesome way. This is really more than just a grade, but it is my desire to instill in the students a love for the Word and discovering the truth and treasures that it holds.

God's Team

Last weekend I went to an awesome concert with Sonsofday. :) It was actually a youth event in Creswell, though, and they also had Jordan Kent there to speak. I had never heard him before, and what he had to say to the kids was pretty cool. The best part is that while he was talking about a passage God gave me a vision that helped me to understand better a rather interesting concept: predestination. The verses he spoke about are:

Ephesians 1:11-14 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of his glory.

There is a lot that can be (and has been) said about predestination, but I really love how God revealed it to me. The way I saw it might have been because Jordan was comparing faith to football, but this is the vision God gave me. It's like He's a team captain and He chooses each and every one of us to be on His team. He's so happy as He points to each of us as His pick! We, in turn, have the choice to join His team or reject the offer. We can gladly join, run in for a high-five, and prepare for victory; or we can choose to play for the opposing team being full of unhealthy competition and negative things. There is so much that comes from this analogy that the Lord gave me. He blessed me with this great way to look at things.

So please, accept God's offer to play, and when you do, don't sit on the sidelines and watch... PLAY. Participate in the excitement of being on the WINNING team.

God's Team!