Hey sorry it's been so long since I updated you all - I made this video last week but was having problems uploading it for some reason and haven't had a chance to figure it out till now. Love you all! Sorry I rambled so much, pretty tired!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
Drinking From A Fire Hose
Well, I made it. I can't believe this is only my second day here - and my first full day - because I have already learned so much and met so many incredible brothers and sisters in Christ. I can't even begin to explain how overwhelmed I am by how much God has blessed me already and how much I have learned. Yesterday consisted of mostly delayed flights from weather and travel and then getting to know people (picture 40+ college kids on a picture-scavenger hunt and icebreakers). But even my first few hours here I was already blown away with the way that God is moving in this place and encouraged so much by the people I am getting to know and the conversations I am having. Day two now, this morning was orientation information and more fellowship, Target run for necessities, and our first session/class tonight.
It's amazing how God draws people together; when your identity is in Him social boundaries and limitations are meaningless in light of the glorious grace that we share. I already love the people here so much and am so encouraged to be around like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ that are pursuing the same things I am.
I can't possibly share everything, I already feel like I've been here for so long and learned so much in the short time I've been here already. In orientation today we went over the summer schedule.... Let's just say I'm already feeling like I have "information overload" and the summer has barely just begun. Our days are going to be packed with so much and not just "busy work". There's a reason this is called the IT (INTENSIVE TRAINING) Summer Project. I don't know how I am going to take this all in, I'm already overwhelmed with how much I've learned already. It's going to be a jammed packed summer but words cannot begin to describe how excited I am. I can't wait to see what God is going to teach me next or how he is going to use this in my life, he already has so much. Our Project Director - Hudson - explained it like this "This summer will be like drinking from a fire hose." And I believe it.
Tonight we had a talk about Evangelism by one of the leaders and Traveling Team staff members here named Morgan. To sum it up: MIND BLOWING! For something so basic and essential to the Christian walk I don't think that the gospel and it's implications for not only us as individuals but in the world is talked too little about. I know I've mentioned it before, but God is never done teaching me more about the "basics" of who he is and my relationship with him. Morgan talked about evangelism and the reasons for it in a way I have never heard before. I can't possibly share it all or begin to even touch on all the things he shared - I wish I could - but one thought that really stood out to me tonight was the fact that evangelism is not for people - though they do need it and that is one of the reasons we share - but more importantly it is for God's glory because he is WORTHY of their (the people we share with/the world) honor and praise (read Revelations 5:9). I've been thinking about evangelism backwards this whole time - with people being saved as the purpose instead God's glory as the purpose and people's salvation as the means to that.
Morgan talked about how people sometimes bring up that they think it's "unfair" that not all people get to hear the gospel but in reality none of us deserve it and it is entirely for God's glory. Morgan's three main points for tonight were (1) Christ Commands it (Matthew 28:18-20, Matt. 4:19, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8, 2 Cor. 5:15-20 and so many more!!!!!!) and that is enough. Period. God says if you love him you will obey his commandments (John 14:15). Period. (2)People Need it (Eccl. 3:11, Romans 7:24, Eph. 2:3, Romans 10:14). (3) Jesus Deserves IT!!!!!!!! (Col. 1, Psalm 33:8, Psalm 86:8-10) Colosians 1 talks all about who Jesus is and how glorious he is why would we not, as Paul writes labor to "proclaim" him to "EVERY MAN".
Again, I can't share everything - and looking at our schedule for the summer I'll probably have even less time in the future to explain and more information to process a lot faster as well - I don't know how much sense this all will make since I can't explain further but I am just so overwhelmed and excited for what I am learning here I had to share with you all. I feel like I am only now beginning to understand just a glimpse of what my life should be about and just a glimpse of the glory of God.
Tomorrow we are going to get some more evangelism training and then go share the gospel with people down by the pier at one of the beaches here. I'm a little nervous but mostly excited and even more now than ever before because I am coming to more fully understand the importance and the reasons for evangelism.
Please continue to pray for me and the other students and staff here - whenever God is at work you can be sure to find Satan lurking nearby because he definitely isn't happy about the fact that we all are learning how to battle like never before against him. Also for the people we will be talking to tomorrow that we would find open hearts and minds and most importantly that God would be glorified.
There is so much happening and so much that I'm looking forward to - I wish I had more time but this is already pretty lengthy and I have stuff to finish before lights out. Thank you all so much for your love and support - I think about you often and thank God for you all. You will never know the full extent of how much you have blessed me or the people that will be changed through you sending me to grow and learn how to reach lost people. God's work is so exponential. I can't begin to tell you how blessed I am to be here.
Much love,
Jessalynn
P.S. I will try to continue to write often but looking at the schedule I know it will be pretty crazy from this point on so I'm sorry if it's a few days between posts.
It's amazing how God draws people together; when your identity is in Him social boundaries and limitations are meaningless in light of the glorious grace that we share. I already love the people here so much and am so encouraged to be around like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ that are pursuing the same things I am.
I can't possibly share everything, I already feel like I've been here for so long and learned so much in the short time I've been here already. In orientation today we went over the summer schedule.... Let's just say I'm already feeling like I have "information overload" and the summer has barely just begun. Our days are going to be packed with so much and not just "busy work". There's a reason this is called the IT (INTENSIVE TRAINING) Summer Project. I don't know how I am going to take this all in, I'm already overwhelmed with how much I've learned already. It's going to be a jammed packed summer but words cannot begin to describe how excited I am. I can't wait to see what God is going to teach me next or how he is going to use this in my life, he already has so much. Our Project Director - Hudson - explained it like this "This summer will be like drinking from a fire hose." And I believe it.
Tonight we had a talk about Evangelism by one of the leaders and Traveling Team staff members here named Morgan. To sum it up: MIND BLOWING! For something so basic and essential to the Christian walk I don't think that the gospel and it's implications for not only us as individuals but in the world is talked too little about. I know I've mentioned it before, but God is never done teaching me more about the "basics" of who he is and my relationship with him. Morgan talked about evangelism and the reasons for it in a way I have never heard before. I can't possibly share it all or begin to even touch on all the things he shared - I wish I could - but one thought that really stood out to me tonight was the fact that evangelism is not for people - though they do need it and that is one of the reasons we share - but more importantly it is for God's glory because he is WORTHY of their (the people we share with/the world) honor and praise (read Revelations 5:9). I've been thinking about evangelism backwards this whole time - with people being saved as the purpose instead God's glory as the purpose and people's salvation as the means to that.
Morgan talked about how people sometimes bring up that they think it's "unfair" that not all people get to hear the gospel but in reality none of us deserve it and it is entirely for God's glory. Morgan's three main points for tonight were (1) Christ Commands it (Matthew 28:18-20, Matt. 4:19, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8, 2 Cor. 5:15-20 and so many more!!!!!!) and that is enough. Period. God says if you love him you will obey his commandments (John 14:15). Period. (2)People Need it (Eccl. 3:11, Romans 7:24, Eph. 2:3, Romans 10:14). (3) Jesus Deserves IT!!!!!!!! (Col. 1, Psalm 33:8, Psalm 86:8-10) Colosians 1 talks all about who Jesus is and how glorious he is why would we not, as Paul writes labor to "proclaim" him to "EVERY MAN".
Again, I can't share everything - and looking at our schedule for the summer I'll probably have even less time in the future to explain and more information to process a lot faster as well - I don't know how much sense this all will make since I can't explain further but I am just so overwhelmed and excited for what I am learning here I had to share with you all. I feel like I am only now beginning to understand just a glimpse of what my life should be about and just a glimpse of the glory of God.
Tomorrow we are going to get some more evangelism training and then go share the gospel with people down by the pier at one of the beaches here. I'm a little nervous but mostly excited and even more now than ever before because I am coming to more fully understand the importance and the reasons for evangelism.
Please continue to pray for me and the other students and staff here - whenever God is at work you can be sure to find Satan lurking nearby because he definitely isn't happy about the fact that we all are learning how to battle like never before against him. Also for the people we will be talking to tomorrow that we would find open hearts and minds and most importantly that God would be glorified.
There is so much happening and so much that I'm looking forward to - I wish I had more time but this is already pretty lengthy and I have stuff to finish before lights out. Thank you all so much for your love and support - I think about you often and thank God for you all. You will never know the full extent of how much you have blessed me or the people that will be changed through you sending me to grow and learn how to reach lost people. God's work is so exponential. I can't begin to tell you how blessed I am to be here.
Much love,
Jessalynn
P.S. I will try to continue to write often but looking at the schedule I know it will be pretty crazy from this point on so I'm sorry if it's a few days between posts.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Abundantly Beyond All I Ask or Think
"Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think..."
- Ephesians 3:20So this past week someone called me and said they wanted to send me support and that they knew I had a lot of support left to raise so they wanted to "take care of a good part of it." I was thinking maybe $500 or so... well I got their check in the mail today and it was $2,000! Never assume to know what God has planned! And the day before I'm heading out! Could his timing be more perfect or his provision be more complete?!?! But it get's better, I got ANOTHER check in the mail from someone I don't even know (again!) which put me $60 OVER what I need! And I'm still expecting at least one more check from someone! God has not only provided abundantly for me but the extra money will be able to help multiple other students that are still short on support. I know I shouldn't be surprised because God never does anything ordinary or in the way I think it is going to go, but I am. I prayed for support to come in so I could go but God has done "ABUNDANTLY more than all that I have asked or think"! He is so good!!!!!!!!!!!! Exclamation points, capital letters, words, they all fail. We serve an awesome God!!!!!!!!!! I feel like all I ever do is cry because God has been blessing me so much, He is so good!
Love and Blessings,
Jessalynn
p.s. I'll try and write more soon! Just had to give everyone an update!
Monday, June 4, 2012
Provision From Unexpected Places
Yesterday I went to my parents church for the first time this summer and got up and talked about going to LA. Some of you may be surprised I am still raising support with only a couple days left before I fly out but in my experience a lot of support raising is like this; last-minute, God-glorifying, faith-growing experiences. I can honestly say with all my heart God has given me such peace about this summer, whether all my support comes in or not. When I think about it too much on my human terms of time and space and value I can get overwhelmed a little but when I look in my fathers eyes there is such sweet peace and rest and I know I have no reason to worry.
In the mean time, while I wait, I have been so completely overwhelmed with the blessing of people I don't even know. For most of the people at my parents church it was only my first or second time ever meeting them and yet they received me open-armed and supported me not just financially but spiritually. I was so overwhelmed and blessed by these people that don't even know me and how passionate they are for Christ and his work. This entire support raising process has been so much different than any other I have ever experienced - out of the six missions trips I've gone on - over half the people that have supported me are people I don't even know. I can't even describe how encouraging that is to know that people I don't even know are being moved by God to send me to LA. It's been a crazy and exciting whorl-wind ride where I can't wait to see how God is going to provide next - he blows me away - it's never what I expect, but who am I to think that my tiny human mind could ever grasp the glorious plans God has?
I have two days till I am supposed to fly out. I'm still expecting some support in the mail but as of right now I'm still $2,000 short. I can't wait, I know God has something huge planned. As I write this I keep thinking of the faces of people and the ways that God has sent people to encourage and support me in this journey to LA and I am so overwhelmed. I can't help the tears rolling down my face because He is so good and the love He has shown me through his people is breathtaking. The word "love" doesn't even seem sufficient because God's love and the love of his people is so much greater than the loose term I hear bantered about in a world that has yet to realize just how great of love has been shown them. God help me be and share this love!
With the love that only he can give,
Jessalynn
P.S. Someone asked me if I will have a mailing address while down in LA - YES! I would love receiving letters while down there and to hear from all of you! If you would like to send me some [Godly] love letters the address is:
Alyward House
The Traveling Team - IT
Jessalynn Centifanto
1539 East Howard St.
Pasadena, CA 91104
In the mean time, while I wait, I have been so completely overwhelmed with the blessing of people I don't even know. For most of the people at my parents church it was only my first or second time ever meeting them and yet they received me open-armed and supported me not just financially but spiritually. I was so overwhelmed and blessed by these people that don't even know me and how passionate they are for Christ and his work. This entire support raising process has been so much different than any other I have ever experienced - out of the six missions trips I've gone on - over half the people that have supported me are people I don't even know. I can't even describe how encouraging that is to know that people I don't even know are being moved by God to send me to LA. It's been a crazy and exciting whorl-wind ride where I can't wait to see how God is going to provide next - he blows me away - it's never what I expect, but who am I to think that my tiny human mind could ever grasp the glorious plans God has?
I have two days till I am supposed to fly out. I'm still expecting some support in the mail but as of right now I'm still $2,000 short. I can't wait, I know God has something huge planned. As I write this I keep thinking of the faces of people and the ways that God has sent people to encourage and support me in this journey to LA and I am so overwhelmed. I can't help the tears rolling down my face because He is so good and the love He has shown me through his people is breathtaking. The word "love" doesn't even seem sufficient because God's love and the love of his people is so much greater than the loose term I hear bantered about in a world that has yet to realize just how great of love has been shown them. God help me be and share this love!
With the love that only he can give,
Jessalynn
P.S. Someone asked me if I will have a mailing address while down in LA - YES! I would love receiving letters while down there and to hear from all of you! If you would like to send me some [Godly] love letters the address is:
Alyward House
The Traveling Team - IT
Jessalynn Centifanto
1539 East Howard St.
Pasadena, CA 91104
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