New Stage

       So it has been a while but with high school, finally graduating, and a crazy summer, I have been too busy to even think about posting. I considered deleting this due to lack of readers but in the end, I'm not writing for other people; I'm writing so that I can remember everything in this awesome journey.

I am so excited for the next stage of life. I will be starting college in the fall to study chemistry and spanish and have been blessed with an incredibly amazing roommate. I am looking forward to all that God has for my life. I want it to be insane and to be more fun than I could have ever imagined but at the same time to be a stage where I am truly living my entire life for Him. I want to be a light to a campus full of non- Christians.

Lovely roommate, Megan, and best friend, Casey

"It's going to be wild, it going to be great, and it's going to be full of You." -Jesus Culture

Home

I am finally home after a very long day. We flew from Guyana, stopped in Trinidad for 2 hours, flew to Miami, drove to Ft. Lauderdale, flew to Orlando, flew to Raleigh, and then finally drove back home. It was quite the adventure! I must say, however, that all of the traveling was well worth being home.

I miss Guyana so much.
I miss the little children.
I miss Reshma and Naresh.
I miss the selfless love they all give, regardless of their circumstances.
I miss hugs from the little ones every single day.
I miss the Guyanese food.
I miss part of the team who we left behind-- Tessa, Peter, Josh, Andy

Tonight, I'm thankful that I can use the sink water to brush my teeth.
I'm thankful for my family and my best friends who were anxiously awaiting my return.
I'm thankful for the memories I made.
I'm thankful that those stories will be told to people who might join me on my dream to continually change the Guyanese people's lives.
I'm thankful for American food.

Painting security fencing to keep thieves from entering the orphanage 

I may have been a little tired...

Guyana, once again, was a trip of a lifetime. The children blessed me and helped me more than I could have ever helped them. God is so good, so so good. He revealed himself to me over and over again on this trip; I left Guyana comforted by the fact that He is in control and that He will keep the beautiful children and homeless men and women safe. He has a plan-- a good and perfect plan. I have many more stories, pictures, and videos to share later after I get back to the American way of life. Thank you for all of your many prayers and much support.

**Update
God moved in a powerful way. We were able to get all of our medical supplies back from customs; everything was like we had packed it, and we got it in time to deliver it to all of the orphanages and the rehab center. Just the fact that we were able to get it back so fast is huge! Praise God!

Guyana Day 5

Once again, we enjoyed another wonderful day in Guyana! We had breakfast at the hotel very early and headed out to Hope Home to we our friends there. Seeing Naresh and Reshma again was definitely a highlight of this trip; Naresh still has my name badge from last trip and Reshma still has my letter. She told me she wants to write in my journal again tomorrow which of course she can do! She also asked that next time I come I bring her a Rihanna cd. I think I can do that :) Our project at Hope is painting metal grates that will become part of a barbed wire fence to keep out thieves; that is becoming a problem there. I have many more stories to fill my blog with when I'm state side. We are about to leave to eat dinner at a US ambassador's house whom we met because of the medical crate incident. She is from Mississippi and wanted to eat dinner with some fellow Southerners. We happily accepted! More stories later... I need to focus on enjoying my last few days here! Much love to everyone back home, Lauren

Guyana Day 4

Today has been yet another incredible day in Guyana; something about this country is incredibly captivating. We enjoyed another morning of "sleeping in" and an amazing breakfast at the hotel. We then went to church and due to a little mix up got there early but it allowed us to participate in the Palm Sunday march with the church children! It was an awesome experience and definitely something I'll remember for a lifetime. The church service was really good too although it lasted three hours. It was kind of a Guyanese version of Life CC which of course made me really happy! After church we enjoyed a fried chicken lunch at the hotel and headed on to the streets again to feed the homeless. What an eye opening experience!! Those people have so much potential and I pray to God that they can somehow see it. Miles says his favorite part was having Clement, a former street resident and now an addictions counselor, join us. While riding, he saw alot of familiar faces and told us their stories. After the feeding, we headed to the Pegasus for a nice American style dinner! We have an early busy day ahead of us tomorrow. Much love from Guyana, Lauren and Miles

Guyana Day 3

Just a short post because Im having to use an iPod. Today has been alot of fun so far!! We went to the market this morning to do some shopping. That was very exciting, but extremely hot. Tessa says the temperatures will be extreme today!! We will be going to a little cafe for lunch and then back to Joshua House for our last few hours there. I'm so not ready to say goodbye but at the same time I can't wait to go back to Hope Home to see everyone there! Dinner tonight will be at Tessa's house tonight... probably an authentic Guyanese meal. Lots of chicken curry :) Hope all is well back home!! Continue to pray for our team and our safety. Much love, Lauren and Miles

Guyana

Just a quick update to say that I am back in Guyana again, and it is so completely wonderful! I feel like I never left; everyone is just so welcoming. We spent our day yesterday seeing all of the beautiful children at Joshua House and at the Red Cross orphange; we had Easter egg hunts at each place. We then went on the streets to feed the homeless around town and give out the flip-flops that CCHS collected. They were so thankful!

Today we went back to Joshua House to do some construction projects and hang out with the kids. It was so wonderful to see all of my old friends and to meet some new ones. We are just getting back to the hotel now, and we will have some lovely "pizza" for dinner tonight!

** A Little Sidenote***
When we arrived at the Guyana airport, the corrupt customs officers took all of the medical supplies we were bringing to help all of the kids. We have contacted many people within Guyana to try and help get them back. Please pray that God's will can be done in this situation. Also, pray for those officers who felt the need to take them; pray that they will realize we need those supplies to help their people. God has an incredible plan, and I can't wait to see it revealed, whenever that may be.

Thank you everyone for all of your continued prayers and support! Much love, Lauren









Just One at a Time...

Bob Pierce once said, "Don't fail to do something just because you can't do everything." These are wise words to anyone overwhelmed with the magnitude of human suffering in our world. We are not asked to help all of them at once, just one at a time. - Richard Stearns

Travel plans were confirmed today.
April 12th through the 21st, I will get to go back!

Planes, RVs, vans...
It will be a long travel journey, but one well worth it.
I can't wait to go back to those people.
Acceptance, love, humility, gratitude.
They teach me more than I could ever teach them.
I want God to break my heart for what breaks His. No matter what that means.
That's scary to me. It will hurt; I will not want to leave because a huge chunk of my heart belongs to those people. He will sustain me though.
Exactly how He sustains them every single day.
Like Bob Pierce and Richard Stearns have said, I can't fix everything.
Just one orphan, one widow, one homeless person at a time.

I have no doubts that when I get back, my heart will rebreak all over again.
All I will want to do is go back. I will have to be patient and wait which is really NOT easy for me.
So what does that mean...
It means I love them with everything in me, with love like Christ, the entire time I'm down there.
I play whatever silly games they want to play; I go out of my comfort zone to join in their dance parties.
I try and remember everything that happens and everything they say to me.
I have them write me more letter to read when I'm thinking and praying for them.
I have the sweet feeling of sheer exhaustion the whole way back to the states; it's such a sweet feeling because I know I gave all my energy to the people of Guyana.
I tell them that they belong; I love like crazy...

2 months.

Two months, and I'm back where I belong.

Luke 6

Luke 6: 45-49.
i am strong in Him.
by His strength, I cannot be shaken.
this is something beautiful to rest in tonight.

Amer-indian People

     While we were in Guyana, we took a boat ride (well, a few boat rides) to this beautiful little Amerindian village in the Amazon interior. After a terrifying run-in with the military, we were left there to explore and get to know the people.

There were no roads.
There were no cars.
There was very little technology.
No air conditioning.
Only thatched roofs.
Poisonous snakes that bit a little boy while we were there.
Military miraculously in the area to help him.
There were monkeys as pets.
The wives were usually left alone because their husbands had to seek work off the island and could only return on the weekends.
Alcoholism among the men ran rampant.

The thing about this village is all they had was each other. They simply knew how to love authentically and just be there. It was so encouraging to me to see how they had next to nothing but lived like they had  everything in the world. I need to learn how to live like that here...

I wasn't working on the particular medical project that day so I got the opportunity to just explore and love on the people there. We walked all over that island. We saw all of the huts; the places where the children play and too many little neon blue lizards : )

I met a girl there who was about 15 or 16 whose dream goal was to get to the United States and become a doctor. She was absolutely brilliant; she blew me away with everything that she knew. Had we had more than a few hours there, I would of really wanted to know how in the world she learned all of it. I really hope that somehow someway she gets here and fulfills that goal. Unfortunately, we won't be going back to that village this April, but I pray that God leads people to her that have the ability to help her fulfill this dream. I hope that somewhere down the road I see that little girl, grown-up and a doctor, back in her village helping her people. I believe she can do it.

One of the nicer houses in the village, and one of the cutest kids : )

Typical housing...

Thankful Thursday!

I'm thankful for polka-dot dresses and a beautiful orphan's smile in the midst of extreme poverty...

Why Guyana? Part 2

So I got the yes from Dad, but I still needed the money and to overcome a few fears. I prayed and prayed that God would provide the money and upon sending out support letters, I had enough money to go in a little over a week. I was thrilled!!

The next problem... I was terrified of planes. I didn't even like going into airports. I knew, however, that if Guyana was where God wanted me, I would just need to face that fear. My boyfriend and his family picked me up the day of, and we drove two hours to the airport. The whole time I was praying that I would be able to get on the plane and not be scared. When we got into the airport, I was fine. We went through security and even as we were waiting to board, I was okay. I assumed that once we actually got on the plane, I would freak. Thanks to God and Miles, I was perfectly calm. I actually really enjoyed flying! God is so incredible : )

After finally getting to Guyana, I was ready for the adventure. Surprisingly, I didn't get car sick like I usually do on the bumpy car ride to the place we were staying. The boat ride down the Amazon didn't scare me like I thought it would. I was able to eat more meat than I usually do without getting sick! God calmed all of my fears and anxieties so that I could truly enjoy my time there. Fortunately, my parents were willing to let me go again so spring break while my friends are on their senior trip, I'll be seeing my Guyana loves again!! I can't wait!

Why Guyana? Part 1

I just realized that I never really explained "Why Guyana?" Part of this journey is how I got there! Plus, the story is kind of funny : )

Ever since eighth grade, I had watched tons of my friends go on foreign mission's trip. The one the church I was going to at the time sponsored a church in the Dominican Republic, so every summer I would ask my parents if I could go. Their answers were usually "yes" because they knew I was too terrified to do anything like that to begin with. Obviously, a few years had passed, and I really felt like God was calling me to go somewhere. I really thought it was going to be Belize, but long story short, my parents said no and the trip ended up falling through. So I kept praying...

About this time, my boyfriend, Miles, threw out the idea of Guyana. I think he figured I would say no because I was terrified of a lot of things the trip would entail. My answer was a little different. I said that I would go if my parents would agree. There's the catch. Neither of my parents have ever been on a mission's trip, and my dad doesn't really like me even leaving my city. I knew, however, that if Guyana was where I was being led, God would answer my prayers. So I walked into the kitchen, "Dad, I really want to go to Guyana this summer... Can I go?" And Dad says "Yes!". I was shocked and almost 100% I was hearing it wrong. DAD SAID YES!!!

My Community

         A few summers ago, I had to privilege to go on a domestic mission's trip to Bluefield, West Virginia. It really opened my eyes to how much need we have within the United States. The children we worked with were in horrible home situations and lived well below the poverty line. It made me realize how fortunate I am to be where I am and to come home to a safe and loving environment. I'm to the point now with high school that I am so ready to be done; so ready to move on and see new things. Start my own life. Sometimes I feel as if God is telling me to just stop and realize what I have. Be thankful for family, friends, and the memories I have made with them. When I graduate and leave this town, things will not ever be the same.

    
      I think I get so completely caught up in the moment that I forget how badly my community needs me too. There are plenty of people within my own city who desperately need help, whether it be food and shelter or love and support. I'm currently trying to plan an outreach event for my school's Beta Club, and I'm excited to see how God is going to move within my city. As badly as I long to be back in Guyana, there is no need to waste precious time. I need to get to serving my own town!!

A Guyana Story

The cruelties of hunger...

Obviously, Guyana is on my mind ALOT. I miss that place, and I think about it all the time. I want my stories to be somewhere so if, God-forbid, I ever forget I can remind myself of what I saw there.

One story that stands out in my mind is about a boy named David*. He lived at the second orphanage we worked at, and the one that truly captured my heart. The entire time we were there he was your typical "cool kid". He was one of the oldest, and he wanted us all to know that he was "in charge". He commanded respect from all of his peers.  All of the other children really looked up to him.

Oh, what I'd give to bring them all back with me

On a previous trip there, leaders had promised the kids that the next time they came back, they would bring them fried chicken. This trip we fulfilled that promise. The group leader drove into the city, purchased the chicken, and brought it back to the children. They were ecstatic! The food was passed out, and they were all enjoying their meal. All of a sudden the kids started laughing at David, and no one knew why. Come to find out he had eaten the chicken and all of the bones. To me, this was incredibly sad, and it really shows how cruel hunger can be. He was clearly starving and wanted to make the most of the food that he had been given. Who knows when his next real meal would be. If I had nothing else in Guyana to go back for, I would go back for him. I would go back just to bring him food and to give him a hug and promise him that God had a plan for his life. To think that he is just one hungry kid in one third-world country and that there

are so many other "Davids" out there breaks my heart. Hunger is a cruel, cruel thing.

*Named changed for protection

Desperately looking for food...

A Letter to My Sister

UPDATE:
So what did Leah think? 
Leah's Reply

Leah (E, Lele, Lee),
This is a much overdue letter.
I'm pretty sure I promised you one before you started high school, and I never actually did it. But here you are, my dear.

As I was walking around the college I will call my home next year with you close behind,  I couldn't help but think of the changes you will face next school year. I want you to have a letter from me telling you how I feel, what you will likely face, and of course, how much I love you.

I'm sure that by now you know how awful high school can be sometimes. Keep your head up, girl. There are people at our school who would kill to see you fall and self-destruct. But you won't do that. Your intelligence and beauty will get you so far in life. Friend-wise, I encourage you to find a few very very close friends who you can call whenever you need to. These people will love you for who you are; they will laugh with you and cry with you and they will walk with you through some of the hardest times of your life (and the good ones of course). They will see through your imperfections. You will make some of the funniest and craziest memories with them. Look at Casey and Melissa if you want to know what those type of friends look like.

Learn to tell people "no". That will make high school a whole lot easier for you than it was for me. Don't push yourself too far. You want time to spend with God, your family, and your friends because high school flies by. Trust me on that one. You're so incredible at baking. Keep it up!! I'll keep my job as taste tester for as long as you need me to be.

You will discover, especially senior year that Grammy and Papa's house will become your safe haven. There is a special feeling there. It's quiet and serene. Grammy will love to hear every detail of your day and what you want to do in the future (no matter how many times that changes). Papa will always be so excited to know you are hanging out with Grammy. When he comes home from work, you will always get the biggest hug and bring a smile to his face. That to me can fix any really crappy day.

Mom and Dad will drive you absolutely crazy sometimes. No worries, just call me, and I'll make the journey home and rescue you for the weekend. Just remember, Mom actually is a lot smarter than I have ever given her credit for. Her advice is miraculously always right, although I'll never ever admit that : ) One major thing to remember: KEEP YOUR ROOM SPOTLESS. She will call you wherever you are and remind you that she is taking money from your banking account for her "maid fee". Another thing, Dad is extremely good at convincing Mom. If you want to do something that she would normally say no to, call him first : ) He's pretty awesome, but you're a true daddy's girl so you know that already.

As far as love, don't look for it. Most of the guys at school are not worth your time and to get through me, you are going to need a pretty good one (especially when I call him). Remember, he's going to need my permission, too : ) Let someone completely incredible find you. Wait until you are much older. Miles is a really good example concerning what you should be looking for! He better always open doors for you and tell you how much he loves you. Let's wait a REALLY long time for you to have a boyfriend, okay?

Make the most of your high school experience. Run to God first and foremost. Learn to give everything to Him in complete surrender. When you're scared of something, do it anyway. Conquer all your fears because it's so much fun. We have many more days left while I'm still in town to hang out, but after that, I'm always a phone call a way or a two-hour car ride. I love you so much, and can't wait to see who you become.

                                                                                                                    Love Always,
                                                                                                                                    Laur

P.S. Play volleyball next year. You made huge improvements this season! You're more than good enough, and that team is going to need you!

Authenticity

I don't want this blog to be a heap of happiness and of perfection because that's not me.

Somedays I'm frustrated, tired, mad... the list goes on. I'm not perfect either. You will never ever hear me claim to be.

I don't want to only show pieces of myself. I want to be authentic.

One thing that I have an extremely hard time with is forgiveness. It was the word I picked to focus on during 2010. I straight up failed. Not being able to forgive destroyed friendships for me. It gave me a negative attitude, and at some points, allowed me to feel superior to certain people, which I am not.

I want to work on it again during 2011, and really work on it. I am called to forgive everyone (absolutely everyone). Its going to be hard, and there's still a part of me that just wants to hold onto my dislike of certain people. I don't need to anymore.

authenticity. forgiveness.

Before I Left

I had just returned from an awesome trip to Massachusetts with my best friend, and I was frantically packing to leave the next morning for Guyana. She was helping me, as usual, and talking to me about her two recent trips to Haiti. She's absolutely incredible; her passion for those little Haitian orphans she spent her time with is something that I truly admire.

Back to the story : )

I was half listening because I was so "busy", and then she quoted something that hit me...

It was from the book The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns. I can't find the exact quote but it went something like this:

Those who have God and everything have no more than those who have God and have nothing.

She reminded me, with this quote, that I had nothing more than the people I was going to be with. She also told me to remember while I was there that I wasn't God, I couldn't save them or even offer a huge solution to their lifelong problems. I was going to be there to love on them, to be an extension of Christ, and to make Him known. It was a powerful reality check for me because honestly, I probably would of stepped foot in Guyana thinking I was going to be their savior. How wrong would I have been...

It's still something that I think about. I really, really want to know the magic solution to ending all of their hunger, pain, desperation, etc. but I won't ever know it. No human ever can know it.

I need to keep this mindset when I go back (God-willing) in April. I have nothing more then they do.

Reality checks are a very good thing sometimes...

Wouldn't it be wonderful...

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had a solution to the problems of this world?

If we could take every little orphan home with us and comfort all the hearts of the broken. The fact that I can't do that really bothers me sometimes.

That's when I realize that God has a plan, and He really cares for His people. He will never leave us or forsake no, matter how hard that is to grasp.

The fast-paced society we live in often makes in hard for us to focus on Him and give Him the attention He deserves. We are often too "busy" to spend time with Him. But as my pastor said this past Sunday, what is busy? Do we really know what it is? Or is it just an excuse to put important things off for less important things?

We should never be too busy for God or the ones who need us the most. There are so many hurting people in this world. So while we rush through the unnecessary parts of life: smile a little bigger, hug a little tighter, read your Bible a chapter longer, always tell those who mean something to you that you love them. Never be afraid to let your guard down and just cry, but then pull yourself back together and know you'll be okay. No matter what the circumstance or situation, we all have something to live for. For me, He is my refuge. My strength when I'm weak. My shelter from life's storms. My Savior.

It's time for me to slow down, live, and make memories. Because what is life if I'm only watching it pass me by?

Today.

Today, I'm thankful for the kid that totally rocks my world.

It's very rare that you find someone at such a young age that you truly care about.

Some say young love is stupid; I say young love is wonderful.