Update and MEXICO Mission Trip!

Long overdue update.....

Well, I have been back from Zambia for 2 months. After the first half of the summer, I knew that the Lord was calling me out of my position with Family Legacy Missions International. My heart is still very much in Zambia and tied to my boys, but I was not at peace staying with the organization. So, I put in my notice while I was still in Zambia during the 8th week of camp. After camp and cleanup (and yes Douglas had his cleft pallet surgery - it went well) I spent 2 weeks in Italy with a good friend. She was definitely a blessing from the Lord, as I got to process with her through the heartache and joy of my summer in Zambia.

When I arrived home, I enjoyed spending time with friends and family. (My nephews got HUGE over the summer.) I took alot of time to pray through where I felt the Lord leading me. He directed me to an organization called Youth Villages. I am back to my roots of counseling full time in completion of my hours for licensure. I work with 5 teenagers who are on juvenile probation and their families. It is very intensive therapy as I meet with each family 3 times a week in their homes (along with each kid's probation officer and school counselor). These kids are on probation for racking up multiple charges ranging from running away, drug use, assault, truancy, prostitution, gang association, and suicidal behavior. So, pray that the Lord would open their eyes and heart to the truth and that I would love them unconditionally. (Which I admit at times is challenging, but I know that loving difficult and hurting people is definitely my calling.)

AND.....I'm going on another mission trip ...... to MEXICO! NEXT WEEK!!!! This opportunity completely fell in my lap. A good friend of mine who is a fellow therapist and I were talking one day after I had gotten back from Zambia, and she presented me with this opportunity. I will be working alongside her and the directors of the organization. I got off the phone tonight with both Vicki and Sarah (one of the directors). The organization is called Good Samaritan Ministries. Anyway, my job will be to train and encourage the current staff in counseling and basically do some consulting on what needs to be done. The organization would like to start a parenting/process class/group therapy for unwed teen mothers in Mexico. So, I am in charge of looking at the information and training the staff, and just helping overall with trouble shooting. Alot of prayer is needed because the staff has been feeling very discouraged. I am looking forward to getting to know these individuals and their struggles in ministry and just praying with them........ I also get to visit the orphanage and pray and play and love on the kiddos - which is totally MY FAVORITE THING TO DO. I will also get to pray with some refugees. Apparently, there are many who are fleeing from different parts of Central and South America, and they are seeking asylum. My hope is just to hear there stories and encourage them with the Lord's love and truth.

So..........what do I need from you guys................Just PRAYER!!!!! I leave on Monday Nov 3rd and will be back on the 8th. I don't have alot of expectations other than to just let the Lord use me where HE will. I've learned that if you go into missions with just Hope in the LORD and ALOT of GRACE - you will fare alot better than if you were expecting alot from others and yourself. Actually, I don't even know what to expect since it is a completely different culture than Africa. But JESUS is JESUS - no matter what country you are in. With that being said I'm not even sure to tell you what to pray - other than to just pray as God leads you to. Pray for my "ministry' here counseling these difficult teens as well as my time in Mexico. Continue to pray for the children of Zambia - that they would be bold for Christ. (I know that the Lord is not finished with me there- I will be back.) ....Most importantly......just pray for my heart. That I would be obedient to do HIS will and experience HIS grace. And to just love others well....

In Christ,
Rachael