My Family for the Summer!

(top left-right: Shane, Chandler, Mike, Phillip, Bottom left-right: Me, Hannah, Shannan, and Lydia)

Well it has been a total of 20 days since I have been here on Eleuthera, Bahamas!

We have accomplished….

11.        Hosted a Courageous movie night for the local church and anyone

22.       Built a roof

33.       Taught ESL (English as a second language) 4x’s

44.       Created lesson plans and prepared for ESL

55.       Primed a house (soon to paint it)

66.       Jack-hammered

77.       Dug up and replaced clothes drying lines

88.       Cleared dirt and relocated it

99.       Dug up HUGE spiky cactus plants

110.   Went grocery shopping (Food is CRAZY EXPENSIVE here)

111.   Cooked each night for the boys (I now have a new appreciation for my mom)

112.   Played with the local kids at the center and at the beach

113.   Hosted a Bible study for the local single women’s group

Well let’s just say through all of this I have learned so much!  Well with #1 I found out how this culture is very adulterous and it does not seem to matter to them (It is common).  #2 we built a roof for a Haitian woman whose husband worked on a small island right beside Eleuthera called Spanish Wells. The Spanish wells (white) people buy these Haitians out of Haiti and give them a house they have to rent from them (and they do not repair the rental homes for the Haitians). These people also have to work for the Spanish wells people (kinda like indentured servants). It is so sad but supposedly it is better than being in Haiti. #3 & #4 we have been teaching the Haitians English.  God is stretching me… well first of all I love kids and working with them in anyway… BUT God has other plans. I will be working/ interacting with the Haitian ADULTS teaching them English all summer rather than keeping the kids during the class. These Adults have brought a smile to my face but have challenged me too! #5, 6,7 & 8 Well these are just a few things I am good at (Manual labor)!  #9 this plant was the devil…. It poked me, stabbed me, cut me, and gave me a rash! But I conquered it and relocated (With the help of others) that stinker! Well for #10 and #11 THANK YOU Momma- enough said!!! #12 MY FAVORITE!  #13 out of my comfort zone but Shannan and I pulled it off! Shannan you did a great job leading!

As a group we are reading “When Helping hurts”. I have learned so much about helping the poor in a biblical way from this book (I recommend it)! I am so excited about starting to read Romans with just us 5 interns! This community is much needed! I have been struggling emotionally, spiritually, and physically while I have been down here! I ask that you pray for me and that you ask that God Lead my path in His ways and strengthen me! Pray that I become more encouraged and not hurt. God is Good in everything and I know that He is holding me and teaching me!

40 more days to go…..

( If Jesus can do it for 40days and nights so can I... BUT only with His help)

ENCOURAGED!!

Day 2 in (MISSION) paradise and you would think there would be all the time in the world to share my adventure thus far; yet, it has been a busy one for sure!  Words cannot describe my gratitude to everyone who has supported me thus far on my journey!  I have been blessed by such wonderful friends and family!  Not only have I been blessed with encouragement and financial support prior to my trip, but even as I traveled to my destination! I want to say thank you ALL for supporting me on my trip both financially and emotionally, along with numerous prayers.   I wanted to post a picture of the 4 letters I received between the night departing and day arriving to Eleuthera. My first letter came when I met with the girls :) and was encouraged by our conversation.  The second came late the night before I left, and was hand delivered.  The third was received 2 days before I left; however, it specifically stated on the envelope not to open till June 6th (the day I leave).  The last letter was hidden away and happily discovered while unpacking (thanks mom :)) Everyone please poll in and tell me which letter you think was the best!
As the memories, stories, and friendships continue to grow here in Eleuthera, so does my need to share these things with everyone; however, you will simply have to tune in for more updates as there is much to be done here!
Much Love and Prayers to everyone!
 <3 Em

I am going to Eleuthra, Bahamas this summer on a mission trip. This is the website Caribbean Ministries Association the organization I am serving along side. there is a video that you can see what I will be doing all summer long.       CHECK IT OUT:  http://www.missioncma.com/teams.html
Send a mission team! :)

Please Keep me in your prayer through this time of preparation! If you feel led please donate I have a huge fininical commiment of $2,000 by mid May (May 15th ish, 2012)

March 31, 2012
So I am in the car today going to Charleston, SC and I am thinking about my future... I have had a few worries as the weeks have passed but as today continues to forward I know this trip is good and what God wants for me to do. I still am working through the fact that Jesus would want me to go for him and that I can't do it alone! The Song "IN ME" by Casting Crowns reminded me that "I am nothing on my won, but the Power of Christ in me makes me strong..." I can only do it with God. this song continues to go..."How refreshing to know You don't need me , but how amazing to find that you want me.."
I am humbled and honored that some how even through all my sin and life that He would still want to use me! He gave me NEW life years ago and I am so thankful that He captured my heart and life! It is by His Grace that He saved me and that I am serving Him!
here is a link to that song:
http://youtu.be/yQ9uBMPnfW4

Again please be praying for me and if you fell led please donate I have to raise $2,000 by May 15, 2012

Thank yall for supporting me in Prayers!

Catching up CONTINUED...

 March 15, 2012
I had a rough day not feeling 100% (sick) :( but I still had so much to do! I read in the morning and God gave me great words of encouragement about serving Him....
just as David prayed this...
"...Therefore your servant hos found courage to pray this prayer to you and now O LORD GOD, You are God and your words are true and you have promised this good thing to your servant." -2 Samuel 7:27-28
So as my day went forward it was BUSYYY and I had to baby sit at 5 for a wonderful family!... I played with the kids and then put them to bed and worked on some homework. Once the parents returned home we were catching up and talking about y future and what I could do in life as a job. This person was encouraging me in how I would be great in sales and how I could use that in many ways to honor God and how he could maybe help me get a job too. **Most likely I won't be hired with his help .. but who knows it would be a blessing is I was. but what he was saying was comforting. It was Gods way to me of saying "EMILY I am ALWAYS going to take care of you, even when you doubt or stress about not having a job or money when you return home from missions" God shows us in NEAT ways that He is in control we just have to be open to seeing Him...!

March 21, 2012
so I had a migraine (I am sick in bed all day when I have one) 2 days a go and well now I am FREAKED out that  I am going to get them while I am in the Bahamas! I talked to a friend who went to Eleuthra last year and I kinda got worried when he was talking about the heat and everything. Many times I get migraines if I stay over heated... so that's why i worried my self even more.  I just sat down and Prayed literally crying out to God... "I need you God, I cannot do this, only you can do this... You can work through me. Please do not let me get a migraine while I am in Eleuthra... be with me God!"

March 22, 2012
GOD reminds me once again HE IS IN CONTROL!
I was reminded of a Bible verse in class today 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

"So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
(2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ESV)
When I got nervous that night before about having migraines again... God renewed my mind! Later in this day I was reading in 2 Samuel 12:10 and read this "Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.”
Through everything God continues to show me that He has a PLAN and will take care of  me!

Again please continue to pray for me and if you feel led please donate to help me financially, I have to raise $2,000 dollars by May 15, 2012

So I wanted to catch y'all up on how the past few weeks have been going (prepping for this summers mission) God has been teaching me A LOT!..... lets start back on the day I found out...

March 12, 2012
I received the news that my application was one chosen and that I would be going on an 8-10 week mission trip to the Bahamas!!!! :) At first I did not know how to react because this notice was coming two weeks later than they stated they were going to notify everyone. I had emailed them and called and no answer so I figured that I didn't not get chosen for the mission team. I had accepted that fact and continued praying for God to open other doors of opportunities. So when I did receive the news that I was GOING ON THIS AWESOME GOD GIVEN Mission trip I was taken back! I told my parents and some of my friends and thanked God... this is when my excitement settled in! I got excited  and knew that this was right when i realized how many people were praying for me and with me during this time!

March 13, 2012
I had a freak out this morning about the Bahamas! I thought to my self many worldly things like how was I going to survive when I got back to the Bahamas with no job and no money!! I was being so selfish and also thinking I am soooo inadequate, how could God use me??? I mess up all the time, I forget sometime to make time in my day for God... why would he want to use me as a tool??? As I was thinking all these things I cried out to God and was stating His promises to provide and that He made me new  and he was going to use me how He pleased but I was still upset! I knew I was letting the devil get the best of me :( I continued to pray!
I spoke with a Very Valued Christ centered friend of mine who reminded me that when I am seeking God and doing things for Him that is when the devil will work the hardest on us... I was also reminded that IF GOD BRINGS YOU TO IT HE WILL BRING YOU THROUGH IT!!
I calmed down and was refocusing my mind on Christ... When I was thinking how grateful I am to have Valued friends and family who can support me and help me recenter my thoughts on Christ when needed!

SO if any one feels led please pray for me over the next months and donate if you feel led also! thank you ALL who have impacted my life! WE impact and are IMPACTED by all we come in contact with! love yall

I am asking for prayers in preparation for this mission. There is also a large financial commitment. I have to raise $2,000 by May 15,2012 .

Hey everyone!
I am serving in Eleuthra, Bahamas for 8-10 weeks this summer! I have to raise 2,000

Friends and Family--God has blessed with the opportunity to serve those in Eleuthra in the Bahamas for almost 2 months beginning this June. I am asking for prayers in preparation for this mission. There is also a large financial commitment. I have to raise $2,000 by May 15,2012 .  A friend suggested that I reach out to my contacts through FB and said what an amazing thing it would be to get even just $1 (or more if you feel lead) from as many friends who felt called to give. Even a $1 could make a difference. If you feel lead to help me in this effort please call or message me and I will send you my address or you can use Paypal to donate with your credit card or debit card.  To get more information about my mission trip please see my "blog" http://www.emilyayer.blogspot.com/ 

God bless! I love yall all! I will be updating my blog throughout my trip! :) TO GOD ALL THE GLORY!

-Emily