"Hope in the Things Unseen"

If you've ever been on a mission trip, you've been astounded by the fact that the people in that poor country who are lacking even the most essential needs, can still have hope and cry out to Yahweh and thank Him for all they have, as if they had everything they needed and ever wanted!

In those poor countries is where most of the inexplicable miracles happen. Some may ask, why are those miracles not taking place here? If you take the time to notice a pattern, you will see that God is showing up in places that are lacking because people are still deciding to say, "Jesus, even though I have no food, water, shelter, etc., I will still praise You because You are good, and even if I never eat or drink another day, You WILL STILL be good! I will still have all I ever need and want--You Jesus! So thank You for what You're doing and going to do in my life, my families, and in my country!" They not only are thanking The Lord for what they do have (which is little to nothing), but they are putting all their hope and trust in His promises, and are expecting more! Anyone, anywhere can have hope if they know Jesus and the covenant promises of God. God isn't limited by man's resources; He's an equal employer! 

In one of Kenneth Copelands devotions, he stated,"I've seen God prosper people in places where there was absolutely nothing. No food. No jobs. No welfare program. Nothing! There is a country in Africa where the government wanted a tribe to die out, so they just stopped the flow of food and began to starve them to death. But that plan failed because some Holy Ghost-filled, African Christians refused to give up hope. They knew their covenant, so they prayed, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Do you know what happened? The people were fed and the government went under!"

Just imagine what would happen if we begin to do that! We live in a country that's free, yet we praise God as if we are bound! We have all the resources we need to know the promises of Yahweh. We don't have to go into an underground tunnel, risking our lives, in order to get closer to Jesus! If you want to see God show up in not only your life and your families, but in this country, thank Him for the things unseen! So let's not depend on the world's economy, but on what God has promised in His covenant. 

 

WE PRAISE YOU YAHWEH FOR THE THINGS YOU ARE DOING AND HAVE YET TO DO!!!!

"Freedom Place..."

Well guys, I'm sad to say that Good Friday was my last day working for Triumph Church. It was such an amazing experience and I'm so blessed and privileged to have worked there! In this new season of my life, God has called me to move to Houston to work full time in a safe home. Here's how it all happened....

While I was in Ecuador, I applied to be a residential counselor at a safe home in Houston, for underage domestic girls who have been victims of sex trafficking. Once I applied, I didn't think too much about it. I had applied to many anti-trafficking organizations before, and I never got any of the jobs. When I got back from Ecuador, my phone was blowing up with voicemails. I had one from the program director at the safe home, asking to set up an interview. I freaked out because she left the message the week before I left from Ecuador, but I was just getting it because I didn't have service! I ended up calling her back and setting up an interview. Long story short, the interview went great and I prayed hard on the decision. I felt in my spirit that this was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up; The Lord was really tugging on my heart. So I ended up taking the job and informing Triumph on my decision. I made sure they were in "the know" of what was going on the whole time; so it wasn't really a surprise when I made the final decision. They were very loving and supportive! 

These past couple of weeks, reality began to sink in. I haven't had the chance to tell many people about my move. First off, because I just made the final decision at the beginning of April, and secondly, because I honestly didn't know how to tell people (so please don't be offended if I didn't get to tell you personally)! I'm leaving my hometown; my home church; my friends; and most importantly, my family. I'd been telling the people closest to me that I'm technically not "moving;" I'd just be in Houston 5 times a week, and in Beaumont 2 times a week! That was actually true, but at the same time, it still wasn't very comforting! I'm use to seeing my parents and my brothers everyday; they are my life. I know I will be able to see them when I come home (since it isn't that far); it just won't be the same. Yeah, I would've had to do this eventually, like when I got married or something, but I just figured that it would be awhile from now (lol). I am and will always be a family oriented person; I love my family to death, and would do anything for them (YA'LL HEAR THAT)!

Anyway, I kept telling myself and others that everything would be okay, but in actuality, I didn't even believe that myself. I thought of ways I could back out and just continue to live and work in Beaumont. Then I realized: if I continue to stay where I'm comfortable, I will never get to where God wants me to be. I've noticed something God does with me: He likes to take me from where I'm comfortable to where I'm uncomfortable, in order to show me all He has for me. He also really loves to test my obedience, just like my natural father (lol)! 

Sometimes, it may seem as though I'm confident and have everything together, but I really don't. I'm human. I'm scared of the unknown. At times, I often wonder why God gives me such huge tasks to complete; knowing the sacrifices they will require (just being honest). Then The Lord reminds me of these comforting scriptures: 

“I assure you: The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father" (John 14:12 HCSB). 

"...Much will be required of everyone who has been given much. And even more will be expected of the one who has been entrusted with more" (Luke 12:48 HCSB). 

"For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14). 

It is when I'm reminded of these scriptures, that I remember...what a privilege it is to receive any task (big or small), that God has assigned to me! Yes, I was (and still am) pretty sad to leave my family and friends, but when I thought about this amazing opportunity that has been placed in front of me, everything changed. These beautiful girls need me and I need them. I'm honestly scared as crap (yes, I said CRAP), but more excited than ever to embark on yet another journey God has placed before me! Please keep me in your prayers, as well as the awesome young ladies that I will have the privilege of getting to know and love! Thank you in advance, for your prayers and support!  

With love, 

Magan 

Last week in Ecuador/Exciting News!

Wow, where to begin! My last week in Ecuador....

After I left Riobamba, I traveled to Latagunga to meet up with a team from Minnesota at one of the orphanages there. The team was dope, and so were the kids there! I got to see a lot of the kids that were there last time I was there in October--so it was good to see them again. We had an awesome day with the kids: we went to the mall, got them ice-cream, and rode up and down the escalators (the kids had a blast)! The rest of the week, we went to two more orphanages (one that I had been to before), as well as a street ministry! It was an awesome experience for me to watch how the team loved on the beautiful children at each place.

I've honestly learned so much in Ecuador for the month I was there; way too much to even put into words. Whether it was changing diapers, feeding babies/toddlers, changing their clothes every time they got something dirty on them (especially the toddlers that were in the potty training process), taking toddlers to the restroom every 5 seconds, trying to keep babies/toddlers busy so they wouldn't get bored and roam all over the place (which they still did), chasing them, holding sick babies to try to make them feel better, etc. I've learned a lot from the kids, tias, caregivers, directors, and missionaries. This trip has forever changed my life and I will never forget it. Thank you, again, to all who supported me; whether it was financially or if you prayed for me while I was there. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!


THE Exciting News
Even while I was in Ecuador, God began to open up so many doors for me! One particular door He opened, was the nonprofit my best friend and I have been in the process of starting since 2013: The Sozo Project! Sozo is Greek for to rescue, keep safe, heal, deliver, restore, etc., and that's exactly what God wants this organization to be about! The Sozo Project will be an anti-trafficking organization that will bring justice to the voiceless, hope to the hopeless, and restore the lives of the broken. Our goal is to have a safe house for victims of sex trafficking to get the care they need to have their lives rebuilt.

As soon as I got back home, we had meetings scheduled to get this up and going! We have no time to waste; especially since Sozo women and children in Southeast Texas right now, that are needing our help! So as of right now, we are in the process of getting our 501(c)3, and we should be done with all of our legal work within the next few months. Please keep us in your prayers as we embark on this journey to abolishing modern day slavery!


Some Statistics: 

• There is an estimated 27 million slaves in bondage across the globe. Men, women, and children are being exploited for manual and sexual labor against their will.
• Slavery generates $32 billion for traffickers each year.
• The average age of a trafficking victim is 12 years old.
• 1-2% of victims are ever rescued. 
• Some women/children are forced to sleep with anywhere between 8-20 customers a day. 
• Sex trafficking has been found in a wide variety of venues of the overall sex industry, including residential brothels, hostess clubs, online escort services, fake massage businesses, strip clubs, and street prostitution. 
• Houston is the 2nd largest hub for sex trafficking in the US 

THE PROBLEM

Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings, mainly for the purposes of forced labor and sex trafficking. As the world’s fastest growing criminal industry, it affects every nation across the globe. Every thirty-seconds, someone is forced into this type of bondage—modern slavery. As long as people are willing to pay for sex, human beings will be raped and exploited for profit.

LET'S BRING CHANGE!

With love,
M.C.F. :)

Third Week Back in Ecuador...

This past week has honestly been the toughest on my health since I've been here. Normally, people get sick the first couple days they've been in Ecuador; or maybe even the first week. But no, I decide to get sick the week before I leave Ecuador and the last week I am in Riobamba.

My allergies started bothering me last Monday, and Tuesday I went into work at the orphanage and I just couldn't do it; I felt so weak...So I decided to take a bunch of meds and just stay in and rest. After I woke up, I wasn't feeling significantly better, but I felt well enough to go back to work Wednesday. So as the week went on, my allergy problem started to get better. BUT, just as I thought my health was improving, they had a stomach bug going around with some of the children at the orphanage...and guess who got it? YUP, I DID! Ugh I felt so terrible--I haven't felt like that in a long time. Since Saturday, I've been trying to get over this stomach bug. Yesterday I started to feel a little better, but this morning I woke up not feeling well again! So I've had to take TWO days off from working in the orphanage; not to mention, I leave Tuesday morning. Today is my last day in Riobamba and I am so upset I will not be able to be with the children...Please continue to keep my health in your prayers! On to a better note, the time I've got to spend with the kids while I've been well, has been AMAZING! I seriously love these kids here and I am sad to leave them tomorrow morning, but I know I will be back!

Through all the health chaos, I actually planned a fast for this past week. Even though I wanted to give in at times, I stuck with my fast and the Lord surely confirmed everything I'd been praying and seeking Him for; on the last day of my fast, of course (the Lord is never late, but He's always on time)! A lot of people like to blame the devil for everything bad that happens in their lives. I feel as though the issues with my health, have been a distraction from the devil, but mainly, a test from God; especially during this time of fasting for me. Let's not give the devil more credit than he deserves!

Like I 'd mentioned, God confirmed so much with me and where I am headed! I cannot wait to share with you guys when I get back!

HIGHS:
1) Being able to bond with one of the little boys by holding him when he wasn't feeling well. I thought of what my mom did for me when my stomach would hurt when I was younger: she would rub my back/stomach, pray over me, and sing to me. So that's exactly what I did--it was a special bonding time!
2) Being able to lead worship at a church here in Riobamba was an awesome experience! I even got to lead the bridge of "Oceans" in Spanish with another girl :)

LOWS:
1) Getting sick, not once, but twice!
2) Not being able to spend my last two days here with the children :(

With Love,
M.C.F.

Second Week Back in Ecuador...

WOW, I cannot believe I've been in Ecuador for a little over 2 weeks now! Time sure does fly by--in 2 weeks, I will be on a plane back home. It's so crazy to think I will get to see my family and friends soon; I love it here, but I really miss it back home!

Last Tuesday, I traveled to a city called Riobamba to volunteer at an orphanage for 2 weeks. I've almost been here for a week now, and I've already learned so much (from the children and other things)! The first couple of days here, I was doing A-Okay; but as days went by, I began to get extremely tired and more homesick. Since I love you guys so much, I decided to just be real and share my heart with ya'll (missing that good ol' Texas):

This past week has seriously been rough and very tiring. Since I've been here, I've only got to work with the babies; which was cool because at the last orphanage I only really got to work with the toddlers and older kids. Being with the babies has been pretty tough! There are two babies who are actually "babies," and then there are 4 babies who are in that stage where they are crawling/walking and getting into EVERYTHING! I've never changed so many diapers in my whole entire life! If there was a diaper changing contest, I would win first place! From changing poopy diapers and getting poop all on my fingers; to getting spit on when feeding the babies their food; the list goes on and on. Please don't take this as me complaining--I am just being real with ya'll (you will see the reason behind all this at the end)!

I also ran into some personal problems:
1) The first night here, I got attacked by HUGE bugs outside (for some reason they love me here)!
2) The bugs just love to fly under my door and into my room!
3) The other night, I was laying in bed, and a spider crawled onto my arm...it was terrible lol
4) Two days ago, my phone fell out of my pocket and shattered... :(
5) My phone was working just fine yesterday, but today, it started acting crazy and I can no longer use it.

To extend on the shattered phone issue:
After it happened, I came in my room, called my dad, and just started crying! I honestly wasn't necessarily crying because I broke my phone AGAIN (I cracked my screen a few days before I left for Ecuador and I got it fixed just so I wouldn't have to deal with a cracked phone here), but I was tired, worn out, frustrated, and upset that I would have to pay to get my phone fixed AGAIN. My dad felt so bad for me and tried to comfort me, informing me he would take care of it (what are daddies for, right?). He mentioned he would try to get me a phone shipped here and I thought about something...maybe this happened for a reason...maybe God was trying to have me all to himself. So I told my dad not to worry about it because I didn't need a phone! I said, "Okay God, this is what you want? Me all to yourself? Well, you got it Mister!" My God is surely a jealous God :)

With ALL that being said, God is showing me a lot of things here: it's not about whether babies poop/spit on me; or whether I get attacked by bugs; or my phone stops working. I cannot forget the reason why I came here: TO LOVE ON THESE CHILDREN AND BE THE HANDS AND FEET OF JESUS! At the end of the day, I didn't come here for me. So everyday I wake up and say,"God use me in whatever way you please. I am yours, and I am here to do kingdom work!"

Highs: 
1) I am really enjoying spending time with these beautiful babies :)
2) Tungurahua has erupted 3 times since I've been here already (twice today).

Lows:
1) Breaking my phone
2) Missing my family and friends

With Love,
M.C.F.

First Week Back in Ecuador...

I've been in Ecuador for a little over a week now! Monday through Friday, I was at an orphanage I got to visit last time I was here. I saw some of the kids I got to meet last time, and then I met some new kids! I barely got to go to the baby house, which was totally okay because I got to spend a lot of time with the toddlers! It was mostly a pretty week, so we got to play outside a lot. When it was "down time," after lunch, I would help the Tia's (aunt's in spanish/caregivers) do laundry, clean up the kitchen, do dishes, etc. I also got to spend one-on-one time with AJ and AL (I will not use their names for privacy purposes)! I got to color with them, jump on the trampoline, watch TV, etc.; but mostly I got to love on them. I really enjoyed this because it allowed me to connect with the both of them on a more personal level! It allowed me to take time out and pray for them individually; which was a very special bonding time. I also bonded with one the Tia's: Tia L! I would teach her English words when I would see her, and she would write whatever word I taught in her journal. You should've seen the joy on her face when I taught her a new word; she got all excited and even started dancing! She wanted to know how to spell the word and how to spell the pronunciation of the word. It was crazy cool :)

Overall, I had an awesome first week back, and an amazing time volunteering at FHC! Next week I will be headed to another orphanage in another city for two weeks! I am excited to see what all God has in store for me there! Please continue to keep me in your prayers. I will be blogging at the end of each week (Sundays), so stay tuned!

At the end of each blog, I will list my highs and lows for the week, so here they are:

Highs: Spending personal time with AJ and AL

Lows: Missing my family and friends back home


Chow for now,
M.C.F. :)

Finally Back in Ecuador!

Sooooo yesterday evening, I flew into Ecuador, and arrived late last night. My flight (thank God), actually was one of the best flights I’ve ever been on! Oswaldo (one of the missionaries) and his father, greeted me at the airport, and took me back to their apartment. It was there where I was greeted by Denise (the other missionary/Ozzy’s wife)! I was super exhausted, so I grabbed a bite to eat, and went straight to bed.

Early this morning, I was awakened by construction workers making a bunch of racket (lol), but I was excited to open the curtains and see the beauty of Ecuador that I had missed oh so much! Later that morning, Ozzy and I went to an outreach that his church was having. We cleaned the windows of cars that would stop at the red lights on the streets; give them a card with the church information on it; and of course, tell them about Jesus! It was such an awesome and fun experience!

When we got back to Ozzy and Denise’s apartment we had lunch, and then Denise helped me settle into “Bethel,” the apartment below them we stayed in when we were here in October! She informed me that I would be alone here for a few days until the next team arrived sometime next week; but she welcomed me to come up to their apartment anytime. As she left Bethel, I thought, “wow, there’s no TV or internet here, and I am all alone.” I guess you could say I got a little homesick for a bit (yes, already), then I decided to just not sit and stare at the wall (lol). So I got up, opened the window, and found a nice little spot to just look outside and read my bible for a little while; let's just say I found my "safe haven." When I began to read, the Lord began to comfort me; He let me know that I wasn’t alone, and that although there was no TV or internet, it was all for a reason: TO SPEND TIME WITH HIM! It made me realize how much I watched TV and used the internet back home; which seemed to be a hindrance to hearing His voice. BTW, I am not saying watching TV or being on the internet is a bad thing; don’t get me wrong, I love it! There just obviously needs to be a balance in my/your life: MORE of Jesus and LESS of everything else!

With that being said, I just wanted to let everyone know how my first day back is going! I want to thank all of you, once again, for your prayers and financial support. Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I embrace this new journey God has called me to!

P.S. I will most likely blog about how my week went on Sunday nights, so stay tuned for more post to come!

Hablamos más tarde de Ecuador,

M.C.F :)