Tesimony

Before I actually started having a relationship with God, I was only concerned with myself. I was fully absorbed in playing soccer. From 5th grade to 9th grade my family and I only went to church on Easter and Christmas. I hung out with the so called popular kids who were only concerned with what other people thought of them, so therefore, I only cared about what people thought of me. I cussed to fit in with the group. My actions never went beyond breaking the rules. My parents instilled me with enough when I was younger to respect rules and do what was right most of the time. On a flip of a coin I decided which high school to go to. I ended up meeting my friend Kim and having conversations about church. She invited me to go to church, which was the beginning of my transformation. Being naturally shy, I spent most of the time observing other Christians and how they acted and started mocking it, almost as a way to fit in. I would say I accepted Christ when I was 9 years old at the church camp my grandpa helped create. The bible studies leading up to that day were Christ centered and really explained what the Gospel was proclaiming. I was able to talk to my Grandma and pray with her as I accepted Christ. The look on her face is still a vivid memory. As I sat at the table in the dinning hall, with my hands in my head crying, I could tell she was praising God for revealing himself to me in a way where I would understand the sacrifice he made.
During the summer after my freshman year I got the opportunity to go to Alaska on a mission trip. I experienced something that I had never experienced before. I started reading my bible and praying every day. God somehow spoke to me on this trip urging me to start having a relationship with him and changing how I act to become more Christ-like. For the first time since I was 9 years old I was filled with the Holy Spirit and had a desire to grow and seek him. For a while before I started having a relationship with God I felt alone and struggled with just being me.
Being a Christian is not as easy as everyone makes it out to be. God is constantly refining us, as Malachi 3:3 says. There is always room for improvement. Right now I stand before you still struggling to totally rely on God, mostly because of my stubbornness, but also because of my lack of faith. I know God is in control, but I rarely give him complete and utter control. When I do, everything works out amazingly and more perfect then I could ever have. Thankfully God continues to have patience with me and pulls me out of the pit of despair. I am constantly reminded from the people around me how amazing God truly is.

Raising Support

So here it goes! I am leaving for France in 48 days. That is insane. I have about $400 so far. Not quite enough to eat for 75 days. I am hoping I can use my mom's air miles to get me to France. It's going to be amazing how God provides in the next couple of weeks. Be in prayer that God will provide the money for me to go. Also be in prayer that God will open the hearts of the people going. Pray for more people to accept the project. Hopefully you are all doing well.
Rachelle

 

Greetings

This is my blog so I can communitcate with everyone while I am in France this summer. Please feel free to leave me comments on this page. I will have an opportunity to go to an internet cafe everyonce in a while depending on how much it costs and how much time I have. I will be able to post pictures on here as well, so look forward to that. Please be in prayer for the people I will be witnessing to, that God would start to open their hearts and for the group.

God bless,
Rachelle