Ceasefire.

if but for a moment;
peace.
if but for a second;
tranquility
if only it were real
sustained
long-lasting
permanent
silence.

Syria announced the end of its 7-day ceasefire. I asked many of my friends/colleagues on social media to say a prayer for the country last week because as history shows, ceasefires are temporary.

Little did I know, the actual term "ceasefire" actually has "temporary" in its definition.

But this ceasefire, according to most news outlets, didn't even meet its objective which was to provide humanitarian aid to those trapped in the embattled city of Aleppo.  This is on top of a war that has displaced approximately 11 million people. That's about the amount of people in NYC and Chicago combined. Which boggles my mind!

Truth is, we are always looking for peace to balance out justice for the least, last and lost of our society.  And when a ceasefire ends fairly unresolved and without solutions, it's easy for many of us to give up hope.

But I believe in a God who "makes wars cease to the ends of the earth."  He's done it before and he will do it again.  So perhaps the right prayer isn't that we'll reach another cease fire, but that peace will come to Syria, and to the hearts of its people for good.

I also pray for countries like Germany, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan, who regularly receive refugees from Syria and recognize the change that it has had on their population. May we continue to love those who are hurting and provide for those in need.

Today's Countries: Iraq, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jan Mayen, Jarvis Island, Japan, Jersey, Johnston Atoll, Jordan, Juan de Nova Island

                     

Let Hope Arise!

So I had a moment this morning where God had to come rescue me from myself and the enemy's thoughts immediately. I couldn't talk out loud, but in my heart I cried out "LORD HELP!" Yall, I almost broke down and gave in to Satan and his lies, but in Christ I found myself in the middle of that moment declaring that "God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble."

It's easy to look at my photos and think all is well. I like sharing my photos of travels around the world, and the amazing opportunities and people God has blessed me to experience. But I REALLY hope people aren't looking at my photos and thinking that I have it all together. No... I enjoy life BECAUSE of my challenges. I celebrate my small wins and great blessings even in the midst of my storms.

I have been in the middle of a MAJOR storm that I rarely talk about on any social media outlet, because of how close to my heart it affects. I still can't go into details, but basically I really wouldn't wish what I've been through over the past 3 years on anyone. But I know even my struggles were created for me to make me who I'm called to be. I'm still trying to figure out how much longer I've gotta sit in the middle of this fire, but at the same time, I love who I am today because of it. I hope whatever fire you're going through is refining you, too.

My girlfriends and I ziplining in the Costa Rican rainforest over the weekend :)

So today I pray for the personal storms that many of my friends and loved ones are experiencing both here and around the world. For I know that God draws near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. I know that God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. I believe that hope will not put you or me to shame, because God's love has been poured out to us via the Holy Spirit. And God has already demonstrated the height, depth, and width of this love through his son Jesus Christ, who, while we were in the middle of our self-created mess, died for us.

So my hope is not baseless, but empowered by the Lord and will get both you and me through today! Let hope arise!

Today's Countries: Guinea-Bisseau, Guyana, Haiti, Heard and McDonald Islands (no flag), Honduras, Howland Island (no flag), Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran

Connectivity

I hopped on a plane last Wednesday night and flew to Washington, DC.  A mere 14 hours, 2 brothers, 2 parents, and one memorable White House visit later, I took off again, back to Houston Hobby; only to switch bookbags, drive to Houston Intercontinental, and meet my friends on a (delayed! *surprise face*) Spirit flight to San Jose.

YES: I am already a card-carrying member of Team Too Much Int'l, Inc (TTMI).
Thx -Mgmt

When I landed in Costa Rica on Thursday night, I switched my phone off Airplane Mode and immediately the upper right-hand corner of my phone screen said "Movistar LTE."  When we hopped on the bus Friday morning to head to our weekend getaway on the Carribbean coast, my phone dropped to "3G."  By the time we were en route and far enough outside of San Jose but not yet near Limon, my phone declared that there was "No Service," and in an effort to save energy, I just sent my iPhone back to Airplane purgatory. It was still on, fully functioning as a glorified MP3 player, but it had no connectivity and lost most of its purpose.

I have been in many places where cell service has either been restricted (my work office), or just nonexistent (my brother's apartment). With no apps to use or even Apple music to browse, all I had available was what I already had stored to the hard drive.

Yes, if you're churchy you already know where this is going...

I get the same feeling of purposelessness when I am not filled and connected to my source - the Lord. Without God, I go astray.  I get angry much more easily, I lose a lot of my functionality, and eventually, the further I wander from His presence, I check out.  A pastor once reminded me that "God never leaves you or forsakes you, so if you feel far away from him, guess who moved?" 

Yep. 

Straight. Like. Dat.

In our highly connected society, sometimes we forget that there are still isolated places with no service, so we gotta seek out hotspots to renew our connectivity.  After a few days of asking every waiter for "la contraseña del WiFi", I realized that the only way that I can get through my days is by consistently asking God for his guidance and his presence in my life.

For example, next time I'm leaving a country and the customs folks want me to completely unpack my luggage, I'll pray instead of causing a scene.  Or if my boss throws an unexpected loop in my work plans, instead of complaining, I can ask God to help lighten my load so that I can shift my focus and be productive.

What's in it for you? How will you access God in your life today? Life is meant to be lived abundantly.  So what are you waiting for?! I know I'm not!

As we seek peace in our world, let us also seek the source of peace, and get connected with him; that through him we may find rest, peace, and true joy in his presence.

Today's Countries: Glorioso Islands, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guadeloupe, Guernsey, Guinea