October and the Write31days challenge seems so long ago. Lots of life has happened between then and now. Life that is certain to change the look to the new year. Life that is certain to not only bring hope, but the chance to have brave play out for real. Now, it’s getting real, friends!
My challenge in October was to write about #bravefaith for 31 days. I successfully completed the task and quickly moved on because as much as I wrote about brave, it still was not part of how I am wired. God changes all that when we least expect it. A study of brave does not just become a part of your everyday for 31 days without leaving an impact. Right before Christmas, I received an email from my church that I responded to with a “yes” never thinking that my simple reply would become God’s plan for me. The word brave that I always thought should describe everyone else but me is now my word too. Here is the backstory that will bring you up-to-date. 
I have some exciting news to share with all of you. A little less than a year ago, my church, Crossroads, extended an opportunity for all of us to sponsor children from Compassion International. Having heard the pitch before at other venues, I didn’t really believe that this time would be any different. In the past, I did not feel the nudge to sponsor a child, but this weekend was different. As we were asked to prayerfully consider sponsoring a child from Nicaragua, I found myself getting out of my seat to secure my own packet and thus my own child. I now have a sweet almost four-year-old girl, named Claudia, who has joined my family and has a special place in my heart.
After this weekend took place, our church began a journey called “Brave”. I do not consider myself brave, but what we count as a weakness, God treasures as our gift. During this brave journey, I met with a small group and we explored our headings or goals. My goal at that time was to go on a mission trip to Nicaragua and more importantly to meet Claudia. God loves seeing our dreams come true as we seek to honor Him. 
This March, I will be heading to Nicaragua with Crossroads to visit Claudia and work with Amigos for Christ in their work to provide infrastructures for the people of Nicaragua. I am beyond excited that God has chosen me and humbled at the same time. Being able to meet Claudia, through the people of Compassion International will be a highlight, but immersing myself in the environment and culture that she lives in will be even better. Doing God’s work out in the field is where my #bravefaith will be tested.
As I prepare for this trip, I would be honored if you would include the whole team and me in your prayers. Preparing is just one piece to the puzzle. Once we arrive, I would treasure your prayers that we honor God in all we do.
I am also asking you to prayerfully consider supporting me for this mission trip. I have never raised money in this way before and it feels rather daunting, but ultimately I know that God will provide since he has opened up this door for me. I am including the link below that takes you to my fundraising page. It is a secure page and any amount will make a difference.
I am blessed to call you each friend and knowing you are praying for me along the way, is the greatest gift. You are beautiful prayer warriors and God knew what he was doing when he intersected our lives together.
[Tweet “Join me as I walk out my #bravefaith in real life! #brave”]
I am blessed that God has chosen me to do His work through this trip to Nicaragua. With humble grace,
Mary
Here is the secure link to my donation page. I ask that if God is nudging you in this way that you act by January 25. I have been asked to turn in all money by January 26. This is a very short turn around due to the time frame that we have in order to secure plane tickets and due to not beginning this process until several weeks ago. Also, if this is still on your heart after the date, please contact me so I can share with you how to donate without using the fundraising page.
Linking with: Inspire Me Monday
Hi Mary – so many wonderful things going on in your life. It looks like Daniel and Kayla’s wedding was spirit and love filled! They look so happy and in love. May God bless their marriage.
And you are going to Nicaragua to meet Claudia. That is very exciting! Val and I have a Compassion child in India. What a blessing that you have this opportunity to meet your little girl.
We are overdue to get together. What days work best for you. Would love to set a date – soon!
Love you!
Karen
How fun to see you here, Karen! There is a lot happening. When you embrace the word “hope” for your one word of the year, you never know what God is going to do!
I would love to get together with you soon! I’ll message you after checking my calendar.
I read this post on Monday and have been meaning to come back and say, YAY! I am just so very excited for you, Mary. And will be praying for you too.
I cherish your prayers, Beth! Knowing I have so many prayer warriors surrounding me as I prepare and eventually travel to Nicaragua is such a gift.
Praying you are doing well! Hugs!
Hi Mary! I would just be beside myself knowing I could meet my sponsor child! My husband and I sponsor a young man in Africa, and have for a few years now. I can’t even imagine being able to meet him, and see how his life has been changed by the group that we use to sponsor him.
Of course I will pray for you and your group, and that you will raise enough funds to get there too. As you may know, my husband has been unemployed for several years now, so I wouldn’t be able to donate money, but I sure can donate my prayers.
Blessings,
Ceil
Your prayers mean everything, Ceil! Thank you for being so faithful. I love hearing stories of others who sponsor children through Compassion International. We are connected in so many different ways but taking care of God’s children in any way we can is a beautiful thing.
God has given me the phrase “Hope changes everything” this year and I am very hopeful and believe that God will provide. Blessings on your weekend!
How exciting, Mary! For the past 6 years we’ve sponsored a boy and girl in El Salvador. It’s been great watching them grow up and staying connected through Compassion. I’ve never had the chance to go, so I’m excited for you (and living vicariously through you)!
Prayers for a fruitful journey.
Seeing your beautiful face pop up here blessed my day. I love hearing stories of Compassion children and sponsors and knowing you are invested in this gives me a bigger sense of community. The journey will be new and exciting, but knowing there are friends like you walking alongside me gives me strength. Blessed to have you here today!
How exciting, Mary! Compassion is a wonderful organization. I’ve sponsored kids for years that finally grew out of the system and we now support a sweet little girl, Rebeca in Peru. I’ve never met any of children, but am so excited that you are able to do so! I will be praying for you and your team! So exciting!
I’m so excited for you, Mary. And for Claudia and all the lives you will make a positive difference in. It will be here before you know it! May God bless your journey!
The trip will be here before I know it because it is only about 70 days away. I love knowing that you will be part of my journey through my blog home and prayer. It means so much to me. Thank you for being here!
Mary, I’m thrilled for you! It’s exciting to see how God is equipping you to be brave and to serve Him mightily beyond our borders! I’ll be lifting you in prayer. Please keep us posted. Much love to you!
I cherish your prayers, Julie! I know they will make a difference. God has a great way of getting our attention and He does that in ways that make us stand back and say “who me?” I love that I tell people I am not brave and then God comes along and tells me I am.
Going on a mission trip is new to me but God will be leading the way and I can’t wait! Thank you for being here today!
What a wonderful opportunity! Claudia is a family name for us … and I rarely see it outside of my family. So it’s very sweet to read about your little girl. She is darling! Praying for you as you live out your #bravefaith!
Thank you Dianne! What a blessing that God has chosen me to be part of the team that gets to go to Nicaragua. I know that it will probably be rather scary for Claudia to meet me just because there are so many of us that are traveling together on this trip. Thank you for sharing about your family name-Claudia is not a name I hear very often. Thank you for your prayers. They will make a difference!
Mary, wow!! God is indeed calling you to brave faith. I am excited for you and this journey. Of course, you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Sure does change when the word takes on life and becomes even more real, doesn’t it? Love you, sweet sister in Christ.
Things do change when brave becomes real. In fact, it is rather mind blowing. Thank you for joining me in prayer for this brave journey! Love you too friend!
How very fun! I wish I could financially support your trip – mission trips like this are truly life-changing. We sponsored a child through an organization years ago and this year my daughter is working at an orphanage from the same organization. She’s volunteering, so that’s where our mission money is going! 🙂 It’s an amazing opportunity and I will definitely support you in prayer!
How wonderful that your daughter is working at an orphanage. I understand the difficulty of supporting mission work as I have a brother who lives off of the money he raises for support of his mission work. I am so glad you are able to help your daughter in this way.
I am beyond blessed that you will be joining me in prayer as we prepare and then journey to Nicaragua. Blessings on your week!
I’m so excited for you, Mary! You will be a blessing to not only Claudia, but every child you come in contact with on this incredibly important trip. Those cheeks are so precious! She is absolutely adorable. I know you will be thrilled to see her in person. Many blessings on this brave journey, my friend. Sharing this with everyone I know ;).
Thank you for being here and for sharing this brave journey of mine. I am excited about what God will do during this week and also to see how this brings me closer to Him. I know that one “yes” could lead to many more. I’m holding on tight for the ride of my life.
Thank you for being a friend who listens, cares and encourages!
Oh wow, Mary! This is brave in action! You and your little one are gonna bless each other in ways that will make your head spin.
I am so admiring this great big step you’re taking …
Incredible.
I am already feeling like my head is spinning from the sheer awesomeness of God. I feel like God has been telling me to “go big or go home”. I keep saying “yes” and then hold on for dear life!
I would cherish your prayers throughout this journey! Thank you for always knowing just the right thing to say.
How exciting! Compassion is such an amazing organization! We have sponsored children for about 6 years now, but have not taken the plunge to go see them!
This opportunity came through my church and I am thrilled that I will get to be part of this trip to Nicaragua. I know God will do amazing things. Compassion is such a wonderful organization as you know. Thank you for joining me in this journey!
Love it! God is so good. Mission trips have been such life-changing experiences for me. I pray the same for you! Looking forward to hearing more soon!
I imagine life changing would describe your trip to South Africa!!! 🙂 Thank you for joining me in prayer for this trip. I am amazed at how God is working in me right now. As I told someone recently, it is blowing my mind.
I am blessed you stopped by here today! Hope you are doing well in this new year!
How exciting! But I understand – I would be scared at several aspects of this and would need much grace to do any of it. I love how you said “what we count as a weakness, God treasures as our gift. “
I will have some butterflies for sure but I keep seeing how God is opening doors so I know He will give me the strength. I have a lot of weakness but this time God has chosen them to turn into gifts that honor Him. Blessings, Barbara!
YAY! So happy you get to go. Let me know dates so I can wear a prayer band while you’re away – helps me remember TO PRAY!
I am beyond excited at this opportunity. One simple “yes” can change things quickly. I am holding onto hope this year and believe that “hope changes everything”. I am blessed to have you join me in prayer! Hugs friend!
What a blessing to be able to travel and be used of God to help these dear children. I will pray for you as you prepare for your trip. I pray God will lead and guide you in each step and make provisions at the right time and in ways that amaze you! Love in Christ.
Your prayers mean everything, Mary! God will bless this trip because we are honoring Him in choosing to say “yes” to His plan. I am blessed to have you joining me in this journey through prayer.
That’s a very exciting journey God has you on! May God continue to grow you in your steps of courage and bravery! Thanks for sharing with us! (Your neighbor at InspireMeMonday)
I am blessed you stopped by today, Rachel! I am very excited about the journey and how God is using me to teach me that brave faith comes from saying yes and then trusting Him that He will do what He says He will do.
I pray you have a wonderful week!
Mary, this is so awesome! What excitement you have to look forward to. I pray God will provide the means for me to give towards your trip. Have a blessed week.
It is awesome and exciting. I never realized how saying “yes” can truly change things. I am holding onto “Hope changes everything” this year. It already has made a difference. Hugs!