Look What God Can Do.... through Alex too!

3 summers ago, I embarked on a journey to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe for my first summer missions trip where I was given this little book to read for the first time. Who knew something so small could make such a difference in my life?! 

It is crazy to think how vastly different my life is now. I have gone through a lot these past 3 years: moving states twice, transferring universities, 2 summer missions terms, a summer youth internship, losing my grandmother, moving countries for a season, meeting so many new and beautiful people, making amazing friends, losing some friends along the way, traveling to my 6th continent, and following Jesus to the best of my ability. Each of these hold both good and bad memories. Through all the change, the loss, the gain, the failures, and the triumphs, I did not always know how to handle it all, nor did I always execute it all gracefully. But through reading this book and the constant scripture referenced throughout it, I was able to read about God’s Word coming to life in the lives of past and present warriors of my faith. 

I read about ordinary people like William Carey, a shoe cobbler, being unsettled about the reality of lostness and dedicated to his part in doing something about it. 

I read about Lottie Moon, a very small, seemingly insignificant woman, creating a new definition for the word “servanthood” and who Southern Baptist name our annual Lottie Moon Christmas Offering after. 

I read about Jim Elliot, a young man with a young family, who’s bravery and faith let to martyrdom and influenced hundreds, maybe even thousands, to follow Jesus’ command to complete the great commission. 

I’ve read this tiny book too many times to count. Each time I read it, it becomes more and more evident that this book was written about people who were ordinary, simply human, and sinful- much like myself! And yet, look what God can do! They had complete faith to trust God and follow Him to wherever He may lead. They had weaknesses just like the rest of us. As the Bible says, His power is made perfect in weakness. To me, this is life-changing! This is such good news! 

He knows we are going to fail sometimes. He knows our deepest hurts, thoughts, desires, sorrows, joys, and failures and He uses all of it for His glory and for the nations to be drawn to Himself. Right now for me, as much as I want to succeed at everything, I’m sure I will fail many, many more times. But, His power is made perfect in my weaknesses. The craziest thing is, more change is coming! I literally have no clue what the next chapter of my life will hold, and that’s okay. God knows. And if there’s anything I learned from reading about all those amazing Missionaries, it’s that when we follow Christ, life will be worth while. God used a William, a Lottie, and a Jim. He can use an Alex too.


Look What God Can Do is available through Amazon. 

Welcome "home"

Read this timely post from a former Nehemiah Team member... as students have returned from their summer of ministry & gotten back into the daily routine of school... their lives have still been changed.

Over the next few weeks, many students will return from life-changing summers overseas and begin transitioning back into "normal" life. 

The problem is that life will never be "normal" again, or at least I pray that it won't be. They inevitably will be greeted by many well-meaning "Welcome homes" and "I bet you are so happy to be home", which will most likely be returned with a forced smile, a simple thank you, while internally pondering the meaning of home. Read more....

-Megan T.

2014 & 2015 team member

Some days....

Some days are harder than others.
Some days I want to hop on a plane and leave.
Some days I want to cry.
Some days I wonder my purpose here in America.
Some days I question everything.

Today is one of those days.

But sweet reminders on my Instagram like this remind me of so many things.
They remind me of awesome memories.
They remind me of the people I have grown to love.
They remind me of the seasons of life that I got to be there.
And most importantly, they remind me of who God is.

This is why we go, this is why I go. My heart is in Indonesia. And I can't wait to be back. 

-Wess
Southeast Asia, Summers 2015 & 2016

NT/P52 Get Together

Fall. Friends. Food. Fellowship. Future.

Enjoying the weekend in northeast Alabama! 

Pray for the participants as they will be sharing in 13 local churches on Sunday morning (Nov 6th), during Sunday School time & in the worship services.

Pray that the Lord will use the stories of their experience to mobilize others & challenge them to be World Christians.

Nehemiah Teams property sign unveiling

Nehemiah Teams Training Center with staff... it's official!

John Potter giving a tour of the property... so thankful for his partnership

Get whipped into shape!

Not sure what to do this summer? Why not go on mission?! 

Nehemiah Teams is an incredible organization that sends college students all over Asia, Africa, and more! God has used Nehemiah Teams to not only change the lives of those that students reach on the field, but God has used it to personally change my life. Before going through NT, I knew I wanted to be a missionary, but I had no idea how little I cared about lost. I had no idea how little I cared about reading God's word and talking to God. When I went on Nehemiah Teams, just the orientation was enough to whip me into shape spiritually and emotionally. NT helped me realize how much I lacked a personal relationship with Jesus. It helped me to grow so much closer with Him, and it allowed me to be used by God to help others find Jesus Christ.

Go!! You won't regret it. If anything, just apply and see what God does!

-Alex

Slap of Reality

On my short-term mission trip to the Philippines two summers ago, one of the ladies we had been discipling for several weeks asked my team and me a question. She asked, "If you have known about the Gospel for so long, why are you just now here?" Not only was that question a punch in the gut that has stuck with me to this day and will never fade, but it was also a hard slap of reality. 

Thousands upon thousands of people die each day and perish to a Christ-less eternity. They walk through life blind to their sin, to their lostness. They live in fear, with no hope. They are waiting & longing to hear the sweet name of Jesus. To hear that they are deeply loved. That they have a Savior. That they have hope. And that they have a purpose. 

They will always search, hunger, and thirst for the Truth yet never find it, unless you and I are obedient to the calling that God has placed on ALL of our lives to GO and make disciples of ALL nations. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. They are waiting. They are ready. Will you go?   -Jacob

How then can they call on the one they have not believed in?

And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?

And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?    -Romans 10:14

We shall have all eternity to celebrate the victories,

but we have only the few hours before sunset in which to win them.

-Amy Carmichael

Man of Sorrows

This past weekend, several organizations in Mississippi came together to worship and talk about missions opportunities. One of the first songs that we sang was "Man of Sorrows" by Hillsong, and all that I could think about was this room at 6AM. 

Many mornings last summer, my team and I sat at this table and sang that song after our quiet time before we began our day. It is a beautiful description of the Gospel and something that we desperately wanted to be able to convey in our place for the summer.

As students begin the processes of summer missions, be in prayer for those who will serve in their hometowns and who stay within the States sharing the Gospel, and also pray for the ones who will go far away, to unknown places and unreached people groups. Pray that they too will know the beauty of this message and share it with courage.

-Bekah O

Philippines 2015

Man of sorrows Lamb of God
By His own betrayed
The sin of man and wrath of God
Has been on Jesus laid

Silent as He stood accused
Beaten mocked and scorned
Bowing to the Father's will
He took a crown of thorns

Oh that rugged cross
My salvation
Where Your love poured out over me
Now my soul cries out
Hallelujah
Praise and honour unto Thee

Sent of heaven God's own Son
To purchase and redeem
And reconcile the very ones
Who nailed Him to that tree

Now my debt is paid
It is paid in full
By the precious blood
That my Jesus spilled

Now the curse of sin
Has no hold on me
Whom the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed

See the stone is rolled away
Behold the empty tomb
Hallelujah God be praised
He's risen from the grave

Willing

Willing. We say we are willing to go... so, why aren't we? If God's heart is to make Himself known among the nations, why aren't there more workers? Why are there so many unreached? Why are we still trying to justify our disobedience and disguise it with this idea of a mystical calling, as if God should have to... on top of leaving us with the great commission and the Bible... have to personally beg us to go to the lost. How do we not understand that we follow a God who sacrificed all to save us so why would we expect anything less? No longer can we justify our disobedience with the excuse of not having "a calling." We don't need a calling because we are commanded to go. Maybe we aren't as willing as we say we say we are. What is it that is holding us back? There is no sacrifice too great! As believers we have an eternal hope TO LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN, therefore there is nothing to fear! Let's nail the colors to the mast! We have been given the chance to be part of something bigger than our short lives, we can make them count for eternity. The Lord is sovereign and His name will be known among the nations. All I know is I want to be one of those who are part.

-Hannah A.
Nehemiah Teams 2015, Philippines

Family In Him

I struggle today with how to adequately convey my feelings from this past week and how the Lord is working.

The word the Spirit brings to my heart is الأسرة. In English, "family." Twice this week, some of our close friends that we have been visiting frequently and sharing with told us "we are family." One of these families is the one I asked you all last week to pray for an opportunity to share with, and God provided! We were able to share THE story with them. And they were very open and had many questions. I realize the difference that an established relationship makes with this particular culture. It was that same visit that they called us family and asked us to return with an Arabic Bible that we may study together. All I can say is praise God.

Another significant moment from this week is when I met a young woman named Marah. She is 20 and speaks very good English. I have visited her every day, sharing the story of Jesus and more stories. We have become fast friends. She takes care of her father and her 4 younger brothers and sisters while their mother is in Germany. One day, I saw her sitting by herself and I could tell that she looked very sad. I asked her what was wrong and she just began to cry. I knew that it was just being in their situation. She feels very hopeless. I began to cry with her. I told her I wished I could do more. We went back to her tent and shared some verses with her and talked more about Jesus. Please pray for Marah, that Jesus would reveal himself to her in a mighty way. That she would find hope in Him. I want desperately for her to have hope.

I think our whole team is understanding how the work is really all in God's hands. We know all we can do is keep sharing and being there, but the Spirit has to do the work. Some people are so close, mainly some men that our guys have been diligently ministering to. Please pray for them, that the Spirit will make himself known to them. We are having to constantly remind each other to not be discouraged, because we do not yet know what the Lord is doing in the lives of the people we are sharing with. 

-Kallie

Why I LOVE Nehemiah Teams

Helping with a free dental clinic

I love Nehemiah Teams so, so much because it is so gospel-centered. Before Nehemiah Teams and before reading Preach and Heal written by Dr. Charles Fielding, I always thought, “One day, I’m going to work in a clinic somewhere and people will be healed. Then, before they go home, I’ll share the gospel with them.” 

Now, after Nehemiah Teams, I just want to share the gospel. 

I love nursing so much. The hospital is one of my favorite places to be. I know that the Lord has given me this passion for a reason, and I will use it for His glory. However, Nehemiah Teams and Preach and Heal taught me that it is not about nursing (or any other profession). It is about relationships. It is about people loving others. It’s about sharing the truth of the gospel so that the lost can know about Jesus Christ, who took the punishment for the entire world’s sin to restore our relationship with our heavenly Father. Yes, lost people need physical healing, but more than anything, the lost need to understand the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I’ve been on too many mission trips where we go, paint a handful of houses- maybe even build a house, and then pray for the family at the end. I’m all for showing the love of Christ, but if the lost aren’t presented with the gospel, what are we doing? 

It upsets me to think about all the times I have gone on mission trips, displayed the love of Christ, and left it at that. Yes, they experienced Christ’s love, but did they understand that their faith in Jesus can save them from their sins by seeing my actions? That’s quite a stretch. 

Both NT and Preach and Heal provided motivation to be bold in sharing openly with people I encounter. Nehemiah Teams and field supervisors went above and beyond in teaching ways to present the gospel effectively and giving resources to do so. I wholeheartedly support NT and strongly believe that it is a vessel that the Lord will continue to use. 

-Allison 

2015 Preach, Hoops & Heal

Bicol, Philippines

Allison with her summer team & supervisor

Together Again!

Words cannot describe the happiness I have felt this week and weekend. I have been waiting for the chance for a reunion with my team ever since we left each other. No one understands completely what was experienced this summer like the people who experienced it with me. This weekend was full of story telling, reminiscing about Indonesia, and wishing we were back. The Lord is so good and this was directly proven throughout this weekend. Hearing endless stories of how He is working through our lives after returning is truly the biggest blessing one can imagine.

THANK YOU Lord for calling me to fill out that application for Nehemiah Teams! If I would not have, I would not have met truly the best friends a person could ask for. My heart is so full and I felt like I should share it!

THE LORD IS SO GOOD! BLESSINGS UPON BLESSINGS UPON BLESSINGS!

‪#‎foreverTeam6‬ ‪#‎NT‬

-Wess Magee

I wish there was a way I could put into words how much I love these people. You all teach me how to serve, how to love, and how to live a life of absolute abandon. My heart overflows with gladness after this mini reunion. Thank you all for being obedient to God's calling to love all people because of the love He first showed us.

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace"  1 Peter 4:8-10

-Coty Cook

My heart is full. Almost six months have passed, but most of us were able to come back together and pick up right where we left off. My life has been forever changed by God through all of you. ‪#‎team6‬ ‪#‎SEA2K15‬‪#‎doyouevenindo‬ ❤🌏🇮🇩

-Jenna Smiley

Christmas in July

.

Last week, I was driving home from work and listening to Christmas music on the radio and was instantly taken back to one particular evening in my favorite coffee shop in Southeast Asia. We spent a lot of time in this particular coffee shop, consuming more iced coffee, tea, and smoothies than we probably should have. Sometimes we would hang out there simply because it had air con, fans, and ice- a nice relief for the scorching heat and humidity. Other times, we would go there because we didn't have any other plans and just weren't sure what else to do.

One day, my teammates and I were just sitting there staring at each other, running out of things to talk about, when I finally suggested that since we spend so much time at the coffee shop, we should get to know the workers! I'm not sure why this hadn't crossed our minds before, but it may, in part, be due to the fact that the workers never spoke English to us so we assumed that they didn't speak any English. It turns out that they spoke quite a bit of English but had just been too "shy" to talk to us. We ended up building a friendship with them that was mostly based on laughter (those boys are hilarious) and would go to that coffee shop during the afternoon (when business was slow) specifically to hang out with them. We had shared a couple of random stories from the Bible which they thought were cool, but that was about the extent of that. One day, as a team, we decided that we needed to start praying more boldly and more specifically, rather than generally.

Shortly after making that decision, we were once again hanging out in our favorite coffee shop when, all of a sudden, "Silent Night" starts playing overhead. This was extremely surprising because 1) it was the middle of July, and 2) you don't hear songs about God in this country. The coffee shop workers are the ones who choose which song will play next as they typically just search different songs on YouTube. We excitedly ran up to the counter and I told the coffee shop boy, "Hey, I love this song!", and then asked him if he knew what it was about. He thought about it for a second and then proceeded to tell us that he thought the song was about "a boy breaking up with a girl." :)  Trying not to laugh, I acknowledged his clever thought, and told him that I could tell him what the song was really about! We then got to share the meaning of "Silent Night", then the meaning of Christmas, which led into sharing the whole Gospel message. Our coffee shop boy listened intently

to the stories, but did not ask many questions. Afterwards, we shared some more of our favorite Christmas songs and he looked up the lyrics to each one and read and listened as we explained what they all meant. It was such a sweet, sweet time. The coffee shop boy may not have made any sort of decision that afternoon, but he came one step closer...he heard the greatest news of all time for the very first time!

As we were heading home that day, my teammate, A, said she had been silently praying for a specific opportunity to be able to share with those boys just minutes before Silent Night (randomly, but not so randomly) started playing! God is so good and I can tell you without a doubt that He answers prayers. I learned to pray specifically, pray boldly, and have faith that God is big enough to answer prayers. This Christmas season, and even throughout the upcoming year (July, maybe?), I encourage you to pray for opportunities to share the story of Jesus' birth with someone who has not yet had the chance to hear!

-Megan

#whywego     #ntp52

Please tell me how I can go to heaven!

Over the course of the past summer, my friends and I encountered so many wonderful people. There were times when we were tired, worn out, perplexed, and discouraged but, the Lord constantly sent people our way who would encourage us to keep going.

Toward the last leg of the summer, we had been hiking for many miles in the beating sun. We approached a village that seemed like all the rest. I recall this day being specifically hot and draining and we were desperate for rest.

Our team gathered under the platform of the village leader's home, where we hoped to rest for the night. With much sincerity, the village leader apologized when he informed us there was no room for us in his home. It was relatively small and his whole family still lived there with him. My selfishness drove me to being annoyed with this village, though I made every effort not to let my actions show it. I was honestly ready to strap up our packs and head out to the next village.

Moments later, an elderly woman came out of her home insisting that we all stay with her. She was a widow, who had been living alone for many years. My teammates and I were overjoyed that the Lord was working in our waiting and, that He provided even when I doubted.

We rested well that night and enjoyed most of the next day in that village. When we returned to the lady's house that evening we found her weeping in her kitchen along with her friend (who was also a widow). We were concerned about the situation and we asked what was going on. She proceeded to tell us that she felt a peaceful presence in her home while we were there and when we left for the day it was gone. We told her with confidence that it was completely the presence of the Holy Spirit with us.

"As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him." - 1 John 1:27

From that statement, the conversation transitioned to a spiritual topic and this woman wanted to know how she could know Jesus. She explained how she had not fulfilled all the requirements of her faith, and she feared she would surely go to hell.

I'll never forget her words: "Please tell me how I can go to heaven!"

Her friend who had been with her in her mourning had been hearing the entire conversation as well. By the end of the conversation we were all compelled to tears and the two ladies asked Jesus to save them.

It was so beautiful to see what God had done even in my selfishness and even though we were so exhausted. The presence of the King was with us and we brought His Kingdom to a small platform home in a remote village of Southeast Asia.

There are people like this all over the world who are saying "Please tell me how I can go to Heaven!" They will never know if we never go! We serve a living God. Go and see what He WILL do through you this summer. But I warn you, do not go if you are not willing to learn more about God, push yourself to new limits, or see people come to know Jesus as Lord of their life.

-Coty

#whywego      #ntp52

Reminders

Today I'm really missing Indonesia, my team, and especially my little friend Ambre! I was super homesick the day I met Ambre, but his smile and kind heart reminded of the real reason I was there! It's the little things that really make the biggest impact on your life! Forever missing the experiences I had this summer! 
‪#‎IndonesianAtHeart‬    #NTP52

Children Around the World

Oh, the joys of knowing and loving children from different places in the world❤ This is Naam and Biw. Please pray for these two and the children at Grace house in Thailand where I stayed over the summer. These children are the future of Thailand. Please pray for them to grow strong in the Lord.

-Alyssa
2015 Thai Dorm Team

Quotes from the Heart: The Ones God Uses

How has your perception of a missionary & mission work changed as a result of this summer?

I always thought missions was for those with a specific skill set. They needed to be at a certain spiritual level, have some authority- the perfect Christian which obviously is non-existent. Now, I realize Christ calls the broken, the hurt, and the weak to lead, to be strong, to be the lights of the world.

-Jamie
P52 Detroit

Tell me how to know Jesus

This was the day Alice received her Bible. She cried tears of joy, and I cried with her. The previous day was the day she received Christ, her words pierced my heart and I could never forget them.

"I had been wishing someone would come and tell me how to know Jesus."

If you've heard me speak about my trip then you've heard her story. Not a day goes by that I don't remember these words. They changed me. I realized it's moments like this that I want to be a part of for the rest of my life; to be a part of what God is doing and to let Him use me wherever He will. Nothing else seems to matter anymore.

I have been told that Alice is now suffering persecution by her neighbors for studying the Bible, but she continues to study. That's what faith is. Please pray for Alice, that her faith would only grow in adversity.

There are so many people in the world whose hearts are ready, who simply need to be told how to follow Christ. Will you go to them?

“So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, 'Do you understand what you are reading?' And he said, 'How can I, unless someone guides me?' And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.”   -Acts 8:30-31 ESV

-Kallie

Mtn Trek 2015

Quotes from the Heart: Storms of Life & Laundry

What was the funniest thing that happened to you this summer?

After taking a few hours to wash all our clothes (by hand) then as soon as we hung them out to dry... a storm came through and they all got soaked and were blown down the mountain into the mud. Storms like this were a part of daily life... we learned to just wash them again & move on through our day.

-Bohol, Philippines

We Must Show them the Way

Tonight, this place has once again been on my heart. Some days, I think of a memory or two but lately I've missed it so much!

I thought specifically about these precious girls tonight and the sisters that they became over the summer.

I am so proud of Alyssa, Myra, and Mae as they continue to follow the Lord. I remember their baptisms as if it happened yesterday, and I am so excited to see what the Lord is doing in the lives of my teammates, Ate Alex and Allison. He is truly such a good Father, and He is fighting for His children every day. 

My mentor described to the team her experience in the Philippines in the best way possible. She said that she looked and saw so many people who wanted to serve God, and they just didn't know how to get to Him. These girls are just one of the many examples of the work that He will do if we show them the way. 

"Where I go, the King goes.
Where the King goes, His kingdom comes.
When His kingdom comes, the power to be must submit."

-Bekah
Bicol, Philippines

#MabutiAngDiyos #SalahatNgOras

Quotes from the Heart: Stand Firm

In what ways has God changed you through this experience?

God has shown me the lostness of this world. How I am obliged & honored to carry His name to those who need it. He has also showed me how He can work through me in anyway He sees fit. I'm not a person who gets in front of people & talks. It's not comfortable... but that was my whole summer. That's how we shared our stories. So, God had to give me courage to do this. I pray that when God asks me to stand in front of people & testify to His name that I will stand firm & not waiver.