Girl Talk with Sarah: 6 of 10
August 01, 2012 • No comments
The Contest:
Each time you comment here on our Graf-Martin Communications blog, you will be entered into a contest for a chance to win a copy of Stress Point. Winners will be drawn (from names on the blog) every two blog posts! Details are here. Our next winner will be chosen among these next two blog posts, so be sure to leave your comment on either of these two blog posts!
The Question:
Today’s question comes from my friend Meghan. I met Meghan in high school, and since then we’ve attended the same young adults group at church and she has become one of my closest friends. We both share a passion for reading and Starbucks chai tea lattes.
Hi Sarah,
One of my friends’ Moms started her own charity about four years ago. It’s a small charity but does amazing work with women and children living in poverty in Guatemala. The charity sends at least ten teams over to Guatemala each year, and my friend has been able to go many times herself. Whenever she comes back she shows me her pictures and tells me stories about the work they do. I’d love to be able to go with them, but the cost of the trip is high and I don’t think it’s going to be in my budget for a long time. I also don’t know that I’d be able to get the two weeks off of work to go. I love working with children and I’d love to go and make a difference in their lives. I’m just struggling with the financial aspect of it. I want the Lord to use me in some way, but I’m finding it hard to decipher how. Can you offer any help or words of advice with this? Have you ever gone on an international mission?
Sarah’s Words of Wisdom
Meghan, I love that you desire to serve the Lord and make a difference in the world. It is challenging as a 20-something to plan for international mission trips due to the cost and time away from work. So many young adults desperately want to do “something” but lose hope due to their financial constraints. I would start with praying through some long term goals. Ask God to help you look toward the future in serving Him and begin that process by starting a savings account. Even a little bit of money every month will add up big time over the years. Also, look into ways your church could possibly support you financially in the future on a mission’s trip.
In the meantime, there are TONS of ways to serve Jesus in your own community. The need is very great internationally and it is equally great with in your own community. Ask God to show you ways you can do missions work “in your own backyard,” that is, in your own town. There are tons of kids who need mentors, there are plenty of ways to serve in a local food bank and there is so much need within facilities like women’s shelters. Start local and see how God uses you right at home.
To read more about what Sarah has to say about serving the Lord both locally and on an international scale check out chapter nine of her book; Stress Point: Making a Difference- I Can Make a Difference. Stay tuned for Sarah’s interactive online Bible study post on Making a Difference. Be sure to check out her blog for some encouragement from both Sarah and her readers.
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