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
Friday, May 25, 2012
Pictures of Gods Love
I traveled with my family yesterday to Minot Air Force Base to visit my brother,sister-in-law and (dare I say) most importantly my little nephew for memorial day weekend. As I lay awake in my lazy-boy/ bed for the weekend last night, I felt such an incredible overwhelming sense of how blessed I am with the family that I have. Granted, during the six-hour drive that should have been a four-hour drive I was wishing that my two little brothers didn't have to stop so often and that my parents didn't have to stop at every sign of civilization or have a sit-down dinner even when traveling, but I am blessed.
Last night I got to tip-toe into my nephew's nursery and creep up to the crib and watch him sleep. He's gotten so big already. This morning I woke up from my lazy-boy bed to baby chatter and got to hold the love of my life (I make no secret of this to my fiance by the way haha), my nephew Titus. Every baby seems perfect to me, I love babies, but I swear my nephew has to be the most perfect of them all. He has the biggest blue eyes, the softest skin, the most delicate and perfect face, the most hysterical and precious laugh. When he held his chubby little hands up to my mouth with a piece of squished peanut butter and jelly sandwich at lunch today my heart melted and when he laughs at his own joke (gibberish chatter) I think he is the most hilarious comedian I have ever heard. You know that feeling when you think you can't love someone more? Yeah, I get that every time I see him.
I've been thinking about how blessed I am and how much I love my family and my precious little nephew and I am overwhelmed with how much my heavenly father loves me to have blessed me with the family that I have and give me one of the greatest treasures in being an aunt of such a precious little boy. When I look at Titus, my heart bursting with love and admiration, I can't imagine how God could love me any more than that, but he does. And he loves every other person like that. He wants me to love everyone like that. It's so simple but unfathomable and I fall so short. I mentioned in my support letter (which I shared in my first post on this blog) that God has been working in my heart to anguish for people and not be satisfied with superficial or complacent love but that I would ANGUISH for their souls, that I would love them desperately, that I would give anything for them. I don't love people like that yet, I don't love everyone like I desperately love my nephew but I want to and I know if I am faithful God will continue to grow that in my heart.
This summer I want to know more deeply how to anguish even more for the lost people of this world. I want to love them so much my heart hurts, I want to look in their eyes and fight for their salvation like I would fight against anything that tried to harm my nephew. Someone asked me once if you can love someone without knowing them. I know I loved my nephew before I ever met him. I would have given my life for him the moment I knew he existed and after meeting him that only grew - even though I still don't even know how that is possible, I loved him so much before. I want to love people I've never even met, and yes, it is possible. I want to love them so desperately I would give my life for them before I've even met them and when I finally do meet them, when God brings them in my path, I want that desperation and love to grow even more - though I won't know how that is possible either. I know I can't love like this without God and I couldn't even desire that kind of love without him and so I pray that God will grow in me the kind of desperate love he has for me and every other person in the world.
As I write this, I try to hold back tears, because I know that somehow - I have no idea how - God loves me as desperately as I love that little blue-eyed boy asleep in a room nearby, and more. God has painted pictures of his love in all his creation and today I am overwhelmed with the picture he has given me. What picture of love has God put in your life today?
Saturday, May 19, 2012
What is your mission field?
Jim Elliot, the famous missionary who was killed in the service of the gospel once said
God has given each of us a mission: He has commanded us to spread his word, his gospel, to the ends of the earth. He has given us each a mission field: EXACTLY where you are at any given moment. Every second is a second towards eternity, every second is a second towards someone's eternity in heaven or hell, every second, every place, is your mission field. This is a fundamental concept and yet so easily forgotten.
I arrived home, at my parents house, a few days ago, they just moved to a tiny town in the middle of nowhere, Montana. I've never even visited a town this small and I catch myself wishing I was somewhere else, DOING something else than killing time and doing seemingly meaningless things. But God has a mission for me even here and the more I recognize that the more I am blessed in indescribable ways. I pray every day that God's will would be done in my life this summer - wherever he chooses to place me. I pray that support would come in so I can go to California, if that is his will. I want that so bad. Questions swirl around in my head, wondering if I'll raise support in time or if I'll be somewhere else this summer, and if so where and how? BUT,in this time of waiting and unknown God is whispering in my ear "wherever you are, be all there, Jessalynn" and verses like Matthew 6:25-34
On a side note, one unexpected blessing God has given me here is rest and nourishment for my body. It seems simple but it's amazing how getting good, consistent, sleep for the first time in probably two years and eating good food - as opposed to college food - has really rejuvenated my body and my health problems have gotten so much better. I have so much more energy and I'm realizing how much I have previously been running myself into the ground. I really am not being all God wants me to be when I'm not giving my body what it needs to be all that he created it to be. God is good. He gives what we don't even know we need sometimes.
I am so blessed to have you all supporting me.Thank you for reading, I know I can get kind of lengthy when I write haha.
One last question today, for all of you: What is your mission field?
Love and blessings,
Jessalynn
"wherever you are, be all there."I've been thinking a lot about this over the past few weeks and praying that wherever I am I would keep my eyes fixed on what God has given me at that moment and in this place so I don't miss the opportunities at hand because I'm too busy looking towards the next place I want to get to. I've made that mistake too many times. I've missed out on so many opportunities that God has given me because I was too busy wishing I was somewhere else. "Wherever you are, be all there."
God has given each of us a mission: He has commanded us to spread his word, his gospel, to the ends of the earth. He has given us each a mission field: EXACTLY where you are at any given moment. Every second is a second towards eternity, every second is a second towards someone's eternity in heaven or hell, every second, every place, is your mission field. This is a fundamental concept and yet so easily forgotten.
I arrived home, at my parents house, a few days ago, they just moved to a tiny town in the middle of nowhere, Montana. I've never even visited a town this small and I catch myself wishing I was somewhere else, DOING something else than killing time and doing seemingly meaningless things. But God has a mission for me even here and the more I recognize that the more I am blessed in indescribable ways. I pray every day that God's will would be done in my life this summer - wherever he chooses to place me. I pray that support would come in so I can go to California, if that is his will. I want that so bad. Questions swirl around in my head, wondering if I'll raise support in time or if I'll be somewhere else this summer, and if so where and how? BUT,in this time of waiting and unknown God is whispering in my ear "wherever you are, be all there, Jessalynn" and verses like Matthew 6:25-34
"25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his lifeb? 28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."God has a mission field for me right where I am at, in this tiny town in Montana - for however long he wants me here - and I am finding my mission field in some of the smallest things. I don't know how long I will be here, and there are many unanswered questions but God has placed me here for "such a time as this" and I am finding such sweet rest knowing that he is in control. Please pray for me that God would continue to draw my heart closer to him and that my eyes would forever be exactly where he has placed me.
On a side note, one unexpected blessing God has given me here is rest and nourishment for my body. It seems simple but it's amazing how getting good, consistent, sleep for the first time in probably two years and eating good food - as opposed to college food - has really rejuvenated my body and my health problems have gotten so much better. I have so much more energy and I'm realizing how much I have previously been running myself into the ground. I really am not being all God wants me to be when I'm not giving my body what it needs to be all that he created it to be. God is good. He gives what we don't even know we need sometimes.
I am so blessed to have you all supporting me.Thank you for reading, I know I can get kind of lengthy when I write haha.
One last question today, for all of you: What is your mission field?
Love and blessings,
Jessalynn
Friday, May 11, 2012
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