Hello friends! Thank you for taking the time to check out this blog. I also want to give a huge thanks to Cameron and The Cultivation Project for allowing me to partner with them. All of my updates will be posted through this blog.

Here are a few facts about me:

I just finished my freshman year of college at Point Loma Nazarene University
I am a psychology major
My home church is Chinese Evangelical Church in San Diego
I play the French horn and believe that music is a wonderful form of expression and communication

I’ll be serving with Pastor Danny (a missionary family friend put me in contact with him) at Mango House, an orphanage in Chiang Mai. They value:

Education & Discipline (M.A.N.G.O.)

Maturity - To grow spiritually mature to be able to discern God's leading for our lives.
Adoration - To be adored by God and to love Him with all our hearts.
Never Give Up - To persevere in the life that God has called us to live.
Grace - To experience the Grace of God and be willing to extend that grace to others.
Obey - To simply obey God when His will is made known to us.

I'm leaving for this mission trip this Wednesday, May 10th. It's crazy how fast time has passed, considering I initially contacted Pastor Danny only two months ago. By God’s grace, I was approved by my home church to be commissioned through them, raised approximately double the funds needed to cover all expenses (extra support will go straight to Mango House!), and ran into no additional problems. I'm currently still in the midst of packing, doing laundry, and preparing for this month of growing and serving. I am so excited to see how God will work in me!

There are many reasons why I want to pursue missions. I feel such an urgency for sharing the gospel. My relationship with God is currently an uphill wrestle, and He has placed the burden of missions on my heart. God has brought me out of many obstacles, so I have a strong testimony to use as a tool. The only mission trip I have served on previously was a two week trip to Costa Rica last summer. One memory that encourages me is of being able to share my testimony to men at a faith-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. Not only did I see how powerful my testimony can be, but also I felt a calling to serve at a site like that in my future. I want to use psychology and missions together to glorify God.

The current prayer requests I have preceding this trip are:

Physical safety and wellbeing - I’ve never traveled internationally alone before, and traveling stresses me out.
Spiritual warfare - It’s no coincidence that I am having more relational problems, floating anxiety, and spiritual and emotional stress than usual.
My heart to be prepared - I want my heart to be receptive to God and His plans. I need to let go of my pride and rely on God (Psalm 127:1).

“Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.”

— Psalm 127:1

In Him,

Janessa

Thailand STM — 5.8.17