God, greater than gas prices

Well, it's that time again for a new blog post. I am sending out a big thank you to those who keep up with my blog, even though it's probably just my mom who is reading it [in that case, THANKS MOM! I LOVE YOU]. I have some news to share concerning my trip. But First, I must share some other really exciting news:
I AM ENGAGED TO JAMES PASCAL GILBERT III!!!

Ok. Now that that  is taken care of ;), we can get on to the recent news about the trip. I went to a training meeting and we were informed that because gas prices have gone up so much, the cost of the airline tickets can go up substantially.  The tickets can go up to $1,300. So my initial reaction was: stress. But that is definitely not from the Lord. Bro. Bart was talking about in that meeting that whenever people decide to go on international trips it seems as though the Lord allows trials during that time. In this, I was still of the mindset that it just seemed impossible. In chapel this past Thursday, we sang a very familiar song but it hit me to the core in a very unfamiliar way. The lyrics are thus:

Water You turned into wine
Open the eyes of the blind
There’s no one like You
None like You
Into the darkness You shine
Out of the ashes we rise
There’s no one like You
None like You

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God…

Into the darkness you shine
Out of the ashes we Rise
There’s no One like You
None like You.

And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
What can stand against?You see, it all became clear for me at the lyric, "And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?" Who is bringing people unto Himself? God is. The Tsachilla are among those that are lost and are against God. They need the Gospel, and will the cost of a plane ticket stop the loving Lord from bringing glory unto Himself through the telling of His Gospel. Never.

May we have full faith and trust in our heavenly Father. And in doubt may we be humbled by His greatness.

God.

When I first started to type this blog post I wanted to start with a statement: God is so good! Then proceed to tell you readers what has been happening in my life and specifically pertaining to the process of my Ecuador trip. Then I thought, even if these things did not happen, would God still be good? Answer: Yes. Then I said to myself, I shall type: God is provider! But He is still, yet again, provider even if what i am about to tell you didn't happen. So, I've decided that you shall make up your mind as to what you think after I give you the progress of my trip.

   I woke up Wednesday morning, around 3:00 am with a terrible stomach bug [and all it entails]. This meant that I missed my training meeting Wednesday night. I was very disappointed because I was going to confirm with Bro. Bart that I was going on the Ecuador trip, if the Lord was pleased. Going into this meeting I was told by many people that, If God wants me to go on this trip, that He would provide the money. let's face it, I do not have $2,000 to go to Ecuador, but you know what I was reassured, "God does". I checked my email that Wednesday to find an EXCITING email. Bro. Bart said that we will only have to pay $200 by March 2, to confirm our spot on the trip and pay the rest for our airfare by the end of March. WHAT A BLESSING! In addition to this, the Lord is giving me the money for this trip from his faithful servants.

When I review all of these things I think, who am I to deserve these things? I am no one. I don't deserve these things. The Lord is a gracious God that provides for His children. Why He has chosen to use me, I don't know, But what a AWE-some God that He is choosing to do so. So, in the end, I have decided this about God: God is God.

Psalm 150

Hallelujah!

Praise God in His sanctuary.

Praise Him in His mighty heavens.

Praise Him for His powerful acts;

Praise Him for His abundant greatness.

Praise Him with trumpet blast;

Praise Him with harp and lyre.

Praise Him with tambourine and dance;

Praise Him with flute and strings.

Praise Him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that breathes praise the LORD.

Hallelujah

MY NEWEST ADVENTURE

The Lord has drawn my heart to a short term mission trip to Ecuador on May 28, 2011 until June 11, 2011. The purpose of this trip is evangelism among the Tsachila, an indigenous peoplegroup in Ecuador. While there, myself and my team will be evangelizing, putting on VBS, and church planting. I will be going with Kingsville Baptist Church and Louisiana College. 
Seeing as though I just decided to go on this trip, that has been in the works for a couple of months, I am late on getting payments in. The entire trip will cost a little over $2,000, which includes airfare and living expenses. I will be needing $950, by the end of this month (February) in order to reserve my spot for airfare for the trip. I know that this is short notice and it even scares me a little, but we have a great God and He has all the money in the palm of His hand.
 I ask that you will consider giving to support me in traveling to Ecuador to share the Gospel with a people that need it. There are a few ways to support me:
1.    Prayer. I need prayer throughout this whole trip. You can pray for the Lord to bless the trip, for safety, that the Lord will prepare the hearts, and that the Lord will work in my heart and 1.    In addition to your prayers, I need the funds to go on this trip. Please consider to give financially, if the Lord is leading you to do so. There are 3 ways that you can do so:
a.    You can mail me at LC Box 166 Pineville, Louisiana 71359
b.    You can go to my blog, where I will keep you updated about my trip and the happenings that go on during the process.You can donate to me directly by clicking on the donate button  found on the upper righthand corner of the blog, where you can donate with a debate or credit card. [this is a way I can get the money faster] My blog: samanthakarendufrene.blogspot.com
c.    There is a website called justlovecoffee.com where you are able to buy coffee from around the world and part of the proceeds go directly to me. My web address is justlovecoffee.com/samanthakaren

Following My Own Footprints

So I was checking up on my blog today, you know, to see if anything was new. Seeing as though I am new to this thing called blogging, when I went to follow someone  I ended up clicking "follow" and now I am following myself. I'm not really sure how you can follow yourself but, guess what, I'm surely doing it!

The Start of A Brand New Writer? Journaler? Blogger?

Well, you see, I am not very good at writing but  I hope to possibly entertain and inform by my non-blogging abilities. Even if my writing stinks or words are misspelled, or even if I  have grammatical errors I hope that this blog will join us together in my Journey's around the world spreading the Gospel.


I guess that's it. :)