Full of Emotions...

Christmas is over and all the decorations are coming down. Normally, I would be dreading going back to school for the spring semester; however, not this year… In just two short weeks I will be embarking on one of the most exciting times of my life (well, up to this point at least). In fourteen days, I will be on a plane to Manila, Philippines for seventeen weeks (the more and more I say 17 weeks the longer it feels…) So far, when people have asked me if I am nervous or scared, I have simply responded, “ahh… not really.” As I am sitting here typing this, I am feeling a mixture of emotions. #1 Excited: I love to travel and I love new things; both a huge part of this trip, which makes me bubbling with eagerness!!! #2 Nervous: I am not super world traveler and my perfectionist self wants to make sure I have all I need (or will ever think of needing) before I leave. While this will simply be impossible, my OCD tendencies can’t help themselves. #3 Overwhelmed: from experience, every time the Lord has taken me out of my comfort zone, He has also rocked my world. I can’t help but think of all the ways I will be different after this experience. I desire to mature spiritually, mentally, and physically while I am gone; all the while falling more in love with Jesus. #4 Attached: This is the one that is a little difficult to describe (for those of you who don’t know me, I am not real good and describing how I feel). I have this feeling of needing/wanting to spend as much time with each person I love so much in the next two weeks. Impossible Nonetheless, I am learning to cherish each moment with those close to me before I fly off to Manila. #5 Thankful: The icing on the cake. I can’t even describe (see, there I go again…) to you how thankful I am for the people who have supported me financially and prayerfully in this journey. The Lord has strategically placed so many people in my path that have nudged, shoved, and pushed me to surrender this to the Lord. I can’t wait to see how the Lord is going to rock my life. Thanks for following me on this journey. It means the world to me. I love each of you dearly.

In Him, Madison

Financial Support: I still need about 1,000 in the next two weeks. If you would like to help me make it to Manila, please send your check to- PO Box 209 Stantonsburg, NC 27883.

Prayer Requests: Travel Details, Finances, Preparations for leaving

One Month.

One Month, Thirty One Days, until I am on a plane headed to Manila, Philippines for 17 weeks. Honestly, at this very moment the thought of leaving in a month is surreal. So far, the Lord has made this journey exciting, interesting, surprising, and a little nerve racking; but most of all, the Lord has made this journey about Himself. From the beginning, I set out to go where the Lord could be given the most glory. There were several times when I wanted to give up (well, I did give up until the Lord kicked me back into gear) and there were times when I just had no clue what to do next. It has been a beautiful journey of trusting the Lord and realizing that I don’t have to know the next step. Over and over, the Lord has reminded me that He “is the one who goes ahead of me” and He “is the one who will be with me and not fail or forsake me”. He has reminded me that I should “not fear or be dismayed”. (Deut 31:8) God is good. As I am finalizing minor details and raising my remaining support necessary to leave, I am overwhelmed by the confirmation and reminder of the Lord’s hand in this whole journey. There have been numerous people that have been critical in the process (Mom, Dad, Michael, The Halseys, Professors, Friends and Family). I can’t thank them enough. I would like to end with a quote that I have been playing over and over in my head. May you read it, read it again, let it sink in and reflect on how good our God is to us. So so good.

-Madison

“Look in Jesus’ eyes. Take your eyes off the busyness, off your ‘trials’. And even off your sin. (I’ve paid for that), and be captured once again by the cross. For only one thing is needful. Only one thing matters. And it’s my cross.”

Prayer Requests: Financial Support (lack about $1,000), Details with Visa and Shots, Lord prepare my heart

Financial Support: PO BOX 209 Stantonsburg, NC 27883

Yard Sale Results

“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2

As you guys may remember, I had a sweet and awesome yard sale Friday and Saturday in hopes to raise the remains of my support needed for my trip to the Philippines. We had so many wonderful people donate clothes, household items, and many other things to help me raise the money! Let me just begin by saying, I had NO idea what the Lord had in store to bless me with. He went over and above. Doesn’t He always! We started about 10:00 am on Friday and didn’t stop until Saturday about noon. I was able to share with so many people the love and joy of Christ! By Saturday we were down to mainly women’s and little boys clothes. I began to pray about what to do with the remaining items. But the Lord knew where it was needed already. I was able to pack about 8 HUGE boxes to take to a family of 13 in need. The mother has an inoperable brain tumor and is in need of a miracle. Although, I wasn’t able to help medically, the Lord gave me an opportunity to show His love by blessing them with all of these clothes. Overall, the Yard Sale was a huge success of blessing and giving. Thanks for your support and help during this event. Continue to keep me in your prayers as I am preparing to leave in January.

Prayer Request: Recovery from surgery, Filipino People, and financial support

Financial Support: PO Box 209 Stantonsburg, NC 27883

All for His Glory,

Madison Clair

"Some wish to live within the sound of Church; I want to run a Rescue Shop within a yard of hell."

CT Studd

November 10, 2010 is exactly two months before I fly 8,500 miles to Manila, Philippines! The Journey is becoming more and more real as the days progress. I have just received my housing placement for the 17 weeks of my stay. A precious teacher at Faith Academy has opened her home to me while I am at Faith. She is a teacher at Faith and is currently in the process of adopting a two year old Filipino boy (who is so stinking cute, if I might add). I am so greatful for the opportunity to live in a Filipino neighborhood immersed in the culture. I am even more excited that I get to ride public transportation to school! In the Philippines they drive Jeepneys (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeepney)! It kinda reminds me of the safari trucks at Disney world. Well, except not the same thing at all. I can see it now, “The lone American girl who falls off the Jeepney in route to Faith!” I can’t be more excited!

In other news, I have decided to have a “Mad’s Mission Yard Sale” on November 19-20 in North Carolina. I am about $3,000 short of having enough money to go, and I really feel as if the Lord is calling me to personal sacrifice to be able to make it to the Philippines. I am asking any of my friends and family to donate any items that they wish as a support for my trip. I pray that the Lord blesses and that I may even be able to share the gospel at the yard sale! Such a beautiful thing to be able to share where the Lord is taking me and the good news of the gospel! (Keep that in your prayers!)

In the last few days, the Lord has really reminded me that He is so good. Many times throughout this journey of obedience to the command of the gospel, I have been discouraged and down, but every single time the Lord is quick to remind me that He is faithful. My one prayer is this, “I do believe –That you are faithful, good, and Sovereign-, but Lord, please help my unbelief!” I pray the Lord reminds you of the same!

Prayer Request: Upcoming surgery: Nov 22, finances, Yard Sale-share with unbelievers who come, travel documents

Support: Please send all checks to: PO Box 209 Stantonsburg, NC 27883

Serving Him, Madison

In the Beginning...

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

Thank you so much for reading my blog and praying for me as I take this step. This blog is an attempt at keeping as many people informed about my journey to the Philippines as possible. I want people to be able to read along as I take the gospel to the ends of the earth, well about 8,500 miles across the world. So as you read, I pray the Lord teaches you, encourages you and fuels your passion for His glory.

So first things first, you might be wondering how I ended up in the Philippines. Honestly, that is a great question. I have been wrestling with how to answer this question. To begin, the journey did not just start this week, last month, a few weeks ago, but it goes way back to my high school days. Just to give a short recap, the Lord placed a passion in my heart to take the gospel to the ends of the earth at Camp Lapihio my junior year of high school. Since then the Lord has grown that desire in my heart day by day. I wish I could remember all the specific times of confirmation from the Lord, but I do know this has been an ongoing process leading up to this point. In the fall of 2009, I began my process for applying for student teaching. I sent applications to several nations around the world requesting to do my student teaching at their international school. Through a series of closed doors and open doors, the Lord led me to Faith Academy in Manila, Philippines. After making the decision to do my student teaching at Faith, the Lord bombarded me with confirmation after confirmation. In a matter of a couple weeks, the Lord had brought specific people to answer my questions, pray with me and help me finalize the trip (The Halsey’s, Peace Church-Tony Sebastian and Brian Tippett, Alana Jones, Glenn Kurka). God is so good!!!

So what’s next! I am in the process of raising about $6,000 to fund my trip, applying for my visa, and getting the little details in place. I plan to fly out on January 10, 2010. Thank you for taking the time to read this post. To be continued…

Serving Him,

Madison

Prayer Requests: Financial Needs-Surgery on November 22-Small details that need to be finalized-the Lord continue to prepare my heart for this journey

Support: If you would like to support me financially, please send checks to: PO Box 209 Stantonsburg, NC 27883