Last Minute God

Most of you know that I have been working like crazy trying to bring in the needed funds for my mission trip to Uganda. Over the last few weeks God has blown my mind and performed miracles, through friends and family over $3,000 has come in. So I thought that I'd share about how amazing our Lord truly is. :)

I had one week to make the $2,000 deadline, and I had only $100 in my account. Let's just say I was a little stressed considering my letters were sent only seven days ago. I knew that if God wanted me to go to Africa He would get me there, but I didn't understand what exactly He was doing, why He was waiting until the last minute. Throughout the week I received about $300, which was amazing, but I was also still $1,700 short. I received a message from my cousin throughout all of this chaos, and his encouragement was exactly what I needed. "Money is nothing for Him! He is all powerful. Just rest in Him. He will do the rest. He is a last minute God. It grows our faith." So one day prior to the deadline I fasted and texted, emailed, and called everyone I could think of begging for prayers. It really doesn't make a lot of sense, but I could literally feel the prayers and through it the faith to know our God never fails. Over the next few hours through family members and some bonds I received as a child the deadline was met. What a blessing! I was so unbelievably relieved..until I got a message from AIM saying I couldn't be for sure guaranteed a ticket unless I could manage to get another $700-800 by the end of the weekend. Oh boy, Iwas so upset! I had just been relieved from this huge stress and now it was back! Throughout the weekend I received $200 which I was extremely grateful for, but I still had $700 to go. My mom said she could put in about $100, but it still wouldn't be enough. Sooo I decided to open my Bible and let the Lord do a little talking. I stumbled upon a little notecard that I had written a verse on from the previous summer (from Kingslove), the original plan was to give it to somebody but for some reason I felt the Lord telling me to hold on to it..I guess it was for this very moment. On the card was Isaiah 26:8, and I know it sounds so cliche' but it was exactly what I needed to hear.

Isaiah 26:8 "Lord, we show our trust in You by obeying Your laws; our heart's desire is to glorify Your name."

I went on to read the rest of Isaiah 26, which felt like God was literally speaking to me, so..amazing. This is now a chapter I will read everyday. :) Anyways after reading that I knew without a doubt that the Lord would provide if it was in His will. So I decided not to tell anybody, because I knew my God would come through and in the end be glorified. The next day I received a phone call from an old friend in Washington asking if his online donation for $500 had come through. I almost dropped the phone, especially considering I had never mentioned anything to him. God was so so good!!! My mom put in another $100 and I got to my deadline, actually I went over by $50. Throughout this past two weeks God has completely blown my mind with His love and faithfulness. What an amazing King we serve! Considering I haven't even left America yet and God has been working wonders now I'm SO pumped to see what all He has in store for me and my team in Africa!!! Right now I have $3,525, meaning I have $1,925 left to raise but I know that God will provide without a doubt. Our God is such a good God, and I'm so blessed to call Him my king.

His Daughter,

Hannah Renee'

Across The Pond

My heart has always belonged to Uganda. Most don't understand how I can have such a deep love for a country and its people without ever stepping foot within its boundaries, but God has always caused me to have such passion for other cultures. Lately He has grown my heart for the United Kingdom. I have always been fascinated with European culture, being that that is where my ancestors are from. But lately my desire to learn and hopefully even move to the UK has sky-rocketed.

~A Few Facts About The UK ~

-Made up of four countries. (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

-Population is over 60 million

-An Englishmen drinks more tea than any person of any other nation

-Is an extremely diverse nation.

-Is the birthplace of Newton, Shakespeare, Darwin, and the Beatles.

-"The Tear Fund Survey in 2007 revealed 53% call themselves Christian but only 7% are actually practicing Christians." (OM International)

-Manchester United is the world's richest football (soccer) club.

-Currently, alcohol and drug abuse are extremely big issues there.

I'm not sure where God is going to lead me, but in the mean time I'm going to allow the Lord to grow my heart for Him and His beautiful people. I am so excited to see how He moves me and my heart for missions this coming fall in Africa.

His Daughter,

Hannah Renee'

With All My Heart

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

Proverbs 3:5 is one of those verses that almost everyone seems too know, and yet trusting with everything in us is just too difficult. It's weird, because I have seen God provide for my needs all my life. I've even seen Him perform miracles. He has NEVER failed me, and yet, I still sometimes doubt that He will come through. The last few weeks God has definitely been teaching me about the importance of trust. By July 13th I have to have $2,000 in my account for Adventures In Missions. I currently have $455.00. But thankfully my God is much bigger than dollar signs, and I HAVE to trust with all my heart that if He wants me serving in Uganda this fall that He will provide the funds without a doubt. So I cry out that He is holy and worthy of being glorified whether the money comes in or not, and I trust with everything I've got that He has me right where He wants me.

The bridge in Desert Song by Brooke Ligertwood really describes where I long for my heart to be, that no matter where God takes me (Uganda or right here in Cleveland) I will still worship Him and trust in Him with all my heart purely because He is my God.

All of my life in every season

You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

His Daughter,

Hannah Renee'

Mission Trip Letter

Dear Family and Friends,

I hope this letter finds you well! I wanted to share some exciting things that are occurring in my life. Three years ago I was able to learn about the country Uganda through an organization called Invisible Children, and since then God has given me such a deep love and passion for this beautiful country and those who live there. I am so excited to share that the Lord has called me to missions, and upon my recent graduation from Strongsville High School I made the decision to serve as a missionary overseas before attending college!

I will be serving as a missionary through an organization, Adventures in Missions, in their Passport program. Passport is AIM’s college-age program where individuals learn how to serve God’s kingdom and become secure in who they are in Christ. From August 29th to December 19^th I will be serving in Uganda, where I will be assisting in children’s ministries, HIV/AIDS education, hospital and prison ministries, as well as many other opportunities. 

I am so grateful for this opportunity that God has given me, and I have every confidence that He will provide for my needs! I am writing to ask if you would consider partnering prayerfully and financially with me in my ministry. I must raise $5,500 in order to go on the Passport Mission which covers my flight from Atlanta to Uganda and all my expenses on the field. In order for me to go on the trip a minimum payment of $2,000 is due by July 13^th and the rest is due by August 13^th. Please be praying that the Lord provides and that His will be done. 

I am inviting you to share in this ministry, which you may do this by donating online. In order to do so first go to http://adventures.org/, just click “Mission Trip Participants” under the “Donate” tab at the top of the page. Next to “Choose Program” click The Passport and next to “Participant Full Name” type Hannah Apelt.

I am so excited to see how this coming fall God grows me and uses me in the lives of others for His glory. My prayer is to not only be a blessing to those I serve, but also to you. I would be honored to go as your representative to bring Jesus Christ to the country of Uganda. I would also like to thank you in advance for your prayers and financial support. May God bless you as you prayerfully consider supporting me.

Joyfully,

Hannah R Apelt

To Donate Online: http://www.adventures.org/give/donate.asp?giveto=partFund

For AIM's Donation Policies: http://www.adventures.org/policies/policies.pdf

There's More To Life Than This

            I look around at the American church, and all I can do is shake my head. Somehow we have made it okay to live for the world first and put our duties as Christians on the back-burner. I'm so afraid that in ten years this will be me, I don't want to conform to the so called "normal" American-Christian lifestyle. There has got to be more to the Christian life than this! If I was truly filled with the Holy Spirit, completely committed to living for Christ, and surrendering every aspect of my life to Him I KNOW that my life would look completely different, as well as the lives of those around me. The Lord says to do unto others as you would have them do to you. I know the truth, and therefore I must share it with others. I feel like I have never even experienced the life God has called me to because I'm to busy living comfortably. So this summer rather than sitting in my air conditioned home in my pajamas, watching TV I'm asking that God fill my days with opportunities to glorify Him and share the gospel. Praying that this summer God completely blows my mind and uses me for His glory! I want to be completely stripped down to nothing but the cross! Cannot wait to see what He has in store!!!! :)

His Daughter,
Hannah Renee'

Right Here. Right Now.

          I have realized that it has come time to refocus. During my devos today I read something that made a huge impression on me. "Instead of praying, 'God, what do You want me to do next? you might ask, 'God, what do You want me to do while I'm right here.?'" I think that this kind of thinking is absolutely brilliant. With only nine days left of my high school its become super easy to be uber focussed purely on the future alone, rather than where God has currently placed me. Although I greatly look forward to future relationships, situations, and adventures God will bless me with I need to refocus and pay attention to where I currently am. My family, friends, neighbors, school, youth group, etc. God, I ask that you fill these last nine school days with opportunity after opportunity to glorify You, grow me, and witness to others. Help me look forward, and prepare for the future, but stay focused on where You've placed me right here, right now.
Your Daughter,
Hannah Renee'

Lean Not On Your Own Understanding

trust n. a: Assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something b: One in which confidence is placed. (Merriam-Webster)

It's official! I sent in my $100.00 deposit and I'm now apart of the fall mission trip going to Uganda with Adventures in Missions!! God is SO good!! Now I have to start working on fundraising, oh boy! The trip is $5,000 not including the money to fly down to AIM in Georgia, pay for shots, the things I need for the trip, passports, etc. But I'm going to have to trust in the Creator of the Universe, it's my only option. Since trust has been such a prevalent theme in my life lately I scoured the Bible for verses which pertained to it. Here are a few that I found..

"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord have never forsaken those who seek you." Psalm 9:10

"Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. Selah" Psalm 62:8

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;" Proverbs 3:5

"Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." Proverbs 11:28

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Time and time again I (unfortunately) relied on my own strength and resources, each time I either fell flat on my face or missed out on witnessing one of God's many miracles. I have no idea how in the world I'm going to come up with all of this money. But what I do know is that God is my provider, and that He wants me to trust in Him because He's got this all under control. Besides, God's resources are far more vast than my own! :)

Prayer:

Money for mission trip- $4,900

Money for plane ride to Georgia, shots, passport, etc.

Trust

His Daughter,

Hannah Renee'