I have been spit on, drooled on, coughed on, sneezed on, snotted on, thrown-up on, and had food projected onto my face at a speed far too fast to dodge, thanks to the coughing and sneezing accompanied with eating, furthermore I have changed more diapers (nappies) in the past 2 days than in the past 7 years, which really isn't saying much. But, despite all of these wonderful fluids coming my way, I have also had something else dripped onto me; I have been loved on. 1 Peter 4:8 says that love covers a multitude of sins, and I have learned that not only does love cover a multitude of sins, it covers a multitude of bodily functions as well!

The past two days I have been helping out in what is called the Asiphe (uh-see-pee) House with Agape Orphanage in Grabouw, South Africa. The Asiphe House is the house for the disabled kiddos within the Agape orphanage community. The disabilities range from cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, brain damage, and one special little guy with Down syndrome. Most of the kids cannot feed themselves, and none of them can use the bathroom by themselves. There are 14 kids all together ranging from 18 months to 19 years old, each one unique, with her or his own personality.

Knowing that I was coming up the orphanage and more than likely helping out at the Asiphe House, I wasn't too sure what to expect. I don't have much, which is somewhat of an understatement, experience with disabled children or children in general. More than my lack of experience with kids "abled" and "disabled", I was afraid the feelings of anger and confusion that were brought on while helping out at a hospital for severe autism in Guatemala would resurface, hindering my ability to help out without hang-ups and a smile on my face. But, alas God knows our needs.

I was listening to a Francis Chan Pod-cast while doing some cardio (as missions work seems to be quite detrimental to the waist line a whole nother blog all together) and in his sermon he said something that blew my mind. He used the analogy of a rope and some red tape, however I'm gonna use my own.

Picture if you will (I'd ask you to close your eyes but then you wouldn't know what to picture however feel free to after you know, just re-open them to continue reading) newly bought fishing line and a tiny little knot tied in the very front/beginning of the line. Now fishing line that you buy goes a few hundred yards, I think, but imagine that this line never ends, ever! That tiny little knot represents your life here on earth, and the rest of the line represents the rest of your life after earth. What you do in the time span of that wee little knot determines how you will spend the rest of your line/life, lifeline if you will.

Crazy, strange, scary, fair, mind blowing? You decide for yourself, the bottom line is it's true; John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that who so ever believes in him will not perish but have EVERLASTING life.

 Our time on earth is just that time; time has limits and eventually runs out, everlasting is just that; ever-lasting, lasting forever, never ending, no time, no limits just keeps on keepin' on n on n on n on n on n you get the picture.

Ok now to my point! Finally, right? As I started working with the precious kids I was reminded of what I had heard Francis say in the Pod-cast. I thought, "You know what, these kids may be "disabled" here on earth, but they have an eternity to be perfect with Jesus." This is just a little knot in their line where they are in need of special care and help, but after this is nothing but sheer perfection and bliss in Heaven. Now yes I'm basing my logic on the fact that all disabled children and adults alike go to Heaven. Is it Biblical? I have no idea. But, I believe that God made them special and knowing they wouldn't or might not have the mind to grasp God and Jesus the son who's God in the flesh and heaven and hell and grace and forgiveness, then again do any of us really, so God kinda gives them a special ticket, which they deserve if you ask me. Plus I think they talk to God and He to them all day, again that's just Megan if you wanna argue go right ahead, but know that I have no back up cept my own thoughts n ideas..... kinda like you.

These children are an example of love, a reminder to be thankful for the simple fact that I can chew or pick my own nose, a testimony of gratitude, sometimes a test all together, but none the less love. A knot of love, I believe they will spend their knot being loved on and loving on others, along with a few bodily fluids in the mix. What about your knot?

Please stay tuned for further blogs bout these kiddos and love! I'd keep going but this one blog long enough. Thanks for reading hope you enjoyed!

1Corinthians 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

You know that Gods thoughts and opinions of you are the only ones that matter. You know that He will never reject you(1), though He may be disappointed, He will always forgive(2) and even forget(3), and because of that, you will never be condemned(4)! Now the question remains, do you fear God or do you fear Man?

As humans we have this tendency to put on a show, practically full Broadway productions, to make it seem like we have it all together, when in fact the show is falling apart. The lead actor came down with a cold and the understudy is so nervous lines are being dropped left and right. Mean while half the time you can't see what's going on onstage because lighting is so hung-over from last night's cast party they are missing all their cues. However, you sure can see the glowing stage hands as they decided to wear all white to get back at the director for calling them "wanna-be actors that will never make it cuz they aren't pretty enough", needless to say he too, had a few at the cast party. And yet, we scramble, improv, and plaster on a giant smile because the show must go on, after all people have paid good money and we don't want to disappoint let alone refund!

We do this for various reasons. We don't want people to worry about us, we think we can handle anything life throws our way on our own, in our own way(5), we don't want people to see our weaknesses or sins(6), we don't trust people to know the real us and still love us(7). These are merely a few reasons, well excuses really, that I know I can relate to, one hundred percent!

Throughout my life I have dealt with many issues all by myself. And one thing that I've learned, and trust me it pains me to say this, is that I didn't do the best job at it. However I thought that as long as I held it together, I would be fine and the show would go on! I was wrong, so very wrong.

God saw the play falling apart back stage, and knew that no amount of scrambling, improv, or smiles could make it work.   So, a month ago God called a very abrupt "CUT!" House lights went on curtain came crashing down and there was no curtain call to collect applause and flowers, simply because there would have been none. Issues that I thought were in the past were not, and because of that I wasn't allowing God to have all of me. He wanted my whole heart, all of me, not just the pieces I dressed up and put on stage.

"Okay Megan, what are you getting at?"

Good question, sorry I tend to babble when I'm nervous, so here it goes like ripping off a band-aid. I am no longer on the I-Squad World Race team. Whew, there I said it, typed it, whatever, you get the point.  As I said things I thought were in the past were not and I made some poor decisions. So, it was decided that it's best if I do not continue with the I-Squad. I am still a part of the race, however I am running it down in South Africa with Tom and Cindy Sipling, the I-squad parents. They are walking through this time with me as I learn to give all of myself to God.

I do miss my I-squad family so deeply, and this has been a sad scary time in my life. However I am clinging to Christ tighter than I ever have. I know that God is far from done with me and I am doing my best to look at this as a new door opening rather than a door closing. It is the end of the beginning of the World Race for me and yet the beginning of the end of Megan leaning on only Megan.

I am learning more and more that we are made to lean on our brothers and sisters, to carry each other's burdens, and help each other along this journey of life. Furthermore, we are to turn to God with each step, after all He will never lead you off a cliff(8)! As I continue to grow in my faith I am depending more on God than Megan to lead me in my steps of life, steps that lead to Kingdom(9) not Megandom.

I continually ask for your support in prayers as I am currently looking into various mission opportunities down here in South Africa, and possibly Kenya. However, I will go where the Spirit leads me whether that be here, or back home in the states. For now I'm ministering to whoever comes through the door of the Siplings, which is more often than not haha, and at Pneumatix College (www.pnxglobal.com).

The curtains are down, the make-up and costumes have come off, the lights are on, and I am standing on stage exposed for the mess I am. Yet I can breathe easy. Though, I may have disappointed, I don't have to refund. Jesus went ahead and paid that cost for me.

(1)      (1) Joshua 1:5b I will never leave you nor forsake you. (NIV)

(2)      (2) 1 John 1:9 If we confess out sins he is faithful and just and will forgive us from all unrighteousness. (NIV)

(3)     (3) Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (NIV)

(4)      (4) John 5:24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." (NIV)

(5)      (5) Galatians 6:2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (NIV)

(6)      (6) 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (NIV)

(7)      (7) 1 John 4:20 if anyone says "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love Go, whom he has not seen. (NIV)

(8)     (8)  Psalm 20:4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. (NIV)

(9)      (9) Romans 2:4b In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life change. (MSG)

(1)   

1 John 4:7-11                                                                                                                                                              
Dear Friends let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. 10 This is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Now I'm going to keep this as short and simple as possible, and if you have any thoughts questions comments please feel free, I'd love to talk/write more about it. But, for now here is the point/ thought that I'm trying to make in the best way I know how.

God knows us! He knows everything there is to know about us. Our secrets, our thoughts, our motives, when we lie when we judge, and he can see in the dark!

And yet He still LOVES us! He knows all our junk all our baggage every single sin and He, the perfect one, STILL loves us! We only know a portion of the junk we each have, and yet we will sometimes choose not to love. But who are we not to love one another? He commands us to love one another, and yet we struggle with this.

I am not saying that you need to make everyone your best friend. I'm sure there are people who have done you wrong in a bad way, and simply forgiving them seems near to impossible. However God forgives them as long as they believe in His son and ask for forgiveness, so who are we not to forgive? After all, God forgives us every day and usually for the same sins we committed yesterday and the day before.  Ephesians 4:32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, and forgiving one another just as God through Christ has forgiven you.   Other verses to look at: Luke 6:37 and John 20:23.

 What I m trying to get across is that we need to love no matter what. Last night while driving home from a bible study Sandu the local pastor we're working with, asked Taylor if the Romanians say they love God but hate gypsies can they really truly love God? Of course I said no, but that's my passion burning a little too hot and flying out of my mouth before thinking. However Taylor, taking time to think, brought up a good point. He said that if they truly love God then God will change their hearts and there hate for the gypsies will change into a love for their brothers and sisters in Christ.

So I pose this question to myself and to you. Do you truly love God? If so, is he changing your heart to love those around you, even the ones who may seem easy to judge and or hate? Is he changing your thinking to forgiveness instead of judgment and or bitterness? If not, are you truly loving God?

  DISCLAIMER! I have the hardest time posting pictures, so I apologize that is blog is somewhat scatered and disorganized!

Ok it's blog time yet again. Sorry, yet again, that it's been quite some time. As you may have caught on I'm not huge on writing blogs, but I'm working on it!

K so I believe that the last blog I wrote I was on the island Omitepe living at the Orphanage. So since then here is the low down on what's happened!

Went to Boston for a day! Huge shout out to Michael Sprague for his hospitality in taking myself and the Kelly's in having Ben and Jerrys in the freezer, making us an amazing breakfast and trucking us all over the out skirts of Boston in the rain!

After Boston,  it was off to Ireland! Yup Ireland!!!! We were there for 6ish days! It was beautiful and relaxing and simply amazing. We all tented it and even though it was windy n rainy most of the time it was still amazing! Some of us went to the Cliffs of Moher and they were, well the only phrase that comes to mind is; breathe taking. Oh goodness it was a reminder that God is truly the ultimate artist! Oh and I can't forget to give another huge shout out, to the Poth's this time. They are missionaries in Ireland and they opened up their home to all of us one rainy day, making an amazing lunch and the most amazing desserts, it was like Thanksgiving in August!

Ok so Ireland was fantastic, however it was quite the switch going from countries where the dollar was so strong to going to the euro. Ykes! However I'm happy to report that the dollar is stronger in Romania! That's where I am!

We are staying with our amazing contact here in Viile Tecii in the Transylvainia Romania! Where Dracula was thought up, and though I have yet to see any vampires, I have met many amazing gypsies! That's our ministry this month! We are coming along side Gypsie Agape a ministry that reaches out to Romania's forgotten. It is beyond me why these people are looked down upon. They are kind, hospitable, hard workers, incredibly family oriented, and full of passion! They have such a passion for music there is a saying that is you cut a gypsy they will bleed music not blood. And for the believers they fallow Christ with that same passion!

Sadly they are viewed kinda like African Americans were when they were "equals" but people still didn't want them in the "white" schools and they couldn't get a job cuz of their color. Furthermore, they work hard long days to make $$ to feed their families, but get paid crap, and sometimes people just won't pay them at all! The worst part is there is really nothing they can do bout it! For example a man Niku with EIGHT children has been working construction from early morning to late evening for the past three weeks and yesterday he quit because they still refused to pay him, along with bout 30 other workers. UGH! It makes me so angry! It makes me so happy to have worked for a lawyer back hime in MT, Tom Murphy at Murphys Law. A work-comp lawyer who always went to bat for the man getting the short end of the stick, and with such great passion. Tom I wish you could come here and bring some justice to these people! However, it's another situation that is teaching me that God will take care of his people and that revenge is His and not Megan's, even if I still wanna bust some knee caps.

To catch you up to speed with the ministry here:

We got here Friday worked Saturday (construction), 3 church services Sunday, and day off Monday, swimming and mud baths. We are going to get a children's ministry going, continue with construction on houses that need it, help out some elders who live alone, love on and play with kids at the local orphanage (well any kid we come in contact with really), and whatever else they need us to do! I already love the people and the ministry here, and I'm so excited to see how God will work through me, and what he will teach me! I'll write again soon! Promise! Love you all!

1^st off HUGE GIANT SHOUT OUT to my SUPPORTERS! It is because of you that neglected children with multiple sclerosis had someone to love on them feed them and sing to them, and that a little orphan girl had a lap to sit on during church, and that a boy had someone to playfully fight with during lunch, and that a road got paved in a few days rather than a few weeks, and so much more! Thank you I love each one of you!

Oh my dear blog readers. I fear that I have failed you this past month seeing how this is the 1^st blog I've written all month. Ok so allow me to catch you up. Here is a play by play

Left Puerto Barrios end of June took a lovely air conditioned bus at 3am to Guatemala City where we arrived round 7am! From the bus stop we all piled into taxies that then took us to the monostary where the rest of I-squad was awaiting our arrival with a baited breath. With little sleep being had on the ride it was nap time!

                After nap time it was mall time. Yup that's right we all headed off to the mall, which so happened to be one of the nicest malls I have ever been to. I had my 1^st salad since I had left the states and walked around with I-squad friends catching up on the last month, while enjoying all the air conditioning and no bugs.

                The next morning we packed up our circus and headed to Antigua on a chicken bus. In case you are wondering, a chicken bus is it's simply a bus made out of chickens. Ok that was a lie, it's a colorfully painted old school bus that stops at every little stop to pick up people and sometimes those people have chickens, hence chicken bus. However, I think that it should be called sardine bus, because they pack us in there like sardines in a can!

                Ok moving right along, we arrived in Antigua, a lovely little tourist town, July 2^nd mid afternoon. It was here that we did our debrief (talking n reflecting on last month) and met up with G-Squad who started their race last August 2008. Furthermore, we had a few nights of worship and teachings which were amazing!

                We hiked to the top of a volcano where I got to witness lava being birthed out of rock. It was incredible! We roasted mallows and some people brought up the fixins for grilled cheese and had those! It truly was something that will go on the coolest things I've ever done list, even if it was quite rigorous. The last bit of the hike was extremely steep and you're walking on loose lava stone. It was kinda like hiking up a coral reef, if you fall you get tons of little cuts that kill to clean, sorry Taylor.

                A few afternoons we went to a hospital for kids and adults with multiple sclerosis. We got to hang out with the patients that had it so bad they are bedridden. We helped out the overloaded nurses by feeding and dressing them, and Kelly Rampmeyer and I serenaded them with every Disney song we could think of! It may not have sounded like the original soundtrack but pretty darn close! They were the sweetest people full of life and so happy that someone cared enough to spend the afternoon with them.

                We also had our first "race" which NEON came in dead last. However I'm not too competitive and I had fun, so I'm chalking it up to a great race regardless. Ok wrapping up Antigua: got to kick it with my I-squad friends/family, had some great food, got a good chance to reflect on June, got some great worship in, met some new friends, and of course hanging with my new friends at the hospital.

                So to keep this already somewhat lengthy blog a little less lengthy I'll bullet point our travels from Antigua to Omitempe, the island in lake Nicaragua where I am as I type this blog!

*July 7^th wake up catch a van to Guatemala City *Hop on a bus to San Salvador, El Salvador *lost Josiah and Ryan along the way, sad sad day, but they are doing great on their own *Arrive in El Salvador late evening *crash *have to stay an extra day due to bus schedules *Oh meanwhile I'm sick with some cold fluey stuff so I lay low all day *saw transformers ii in theatre (I would not recommend it) *Wake up 3am on the 9^th n hop a bus through Honduras to Nicaragua then a 15min taxi ride to a 1 hour van ride all together a lovely 12 hour travel day! *Arrive stayed at Matts house, a hostle called Casa De Mateo *next morning jumped in another van to jump on a boat to jump on an island into another van to El Zopilote an Italian owned hostle in the forrest (I suppose you could call it that) where I slept in a hammock for 3 nights surprisingly comfortable! *Finally the orphanage was ready for us and on the 13th we arrived to our new home for the next almost 3 weeks!

                So far we have finished paving a driveway, mixing the cement by hand/shovel and wheel-barrowing it up a hill, helped out in the kitchen, and with the kids. It has been wonderful! My team is with Azaraha this month! All the kiddies are so adorable and they are treated so wonderfully and the place is nice. Totally opposite of the last orphanage we helped out at. It's amazing the difference in these kids lives and the kids back in Puerto Barrios, just goes to show how life is truly unfair. The owner of the last orphanage we helped out was in cahoots with the Guatamalan government and kept any donations made to the orphanage and the kids were poorly dressed, not well supervised, and showers seemed to be few and far between.

               

                Here is practically paradise compared to the last place. The older kids take care of the younger ones, they have tons of clothing, the little girls like to change multiple times a day, they have supervision, showers, food, and so much love. It's quite refreshing because I didn't know what to expect. Don't get me wrong it's still heartbreaking that these kids don't have parents, but they have a Heavenly Father that loves them very much and is taking good care of them!

                Ok I do believe that's PLENTY for now! I will write more soon! NO@W, if you're a parent go ahead and tell your kids young or old how much you love them and give um a big hug n kiss if you can, and then call your parents and tell them how much you love and appreciate them (even if you aren't a parent)! Whether or not you have a good relationship with your parents at least you have parents!

Mom and Dad I love you so very much and appreciate you more than you will ever know! I thank God for giving me you two!

stayed at a hotel/Hostel amazing super fun

Had the best coffee ever one morning for breakfast (haven't had it as good thus far)

Worship was super amazing

Whole squad was together LOVED IT!

Got a chance to go to a beautiful resort in the jungle n go swimmin'

Rained a lot

Roosters in the morning and the evening AND during the day...

Will n Gretchey-wetcheys birthday

Fun times watching Tara n Matty-schmatty dance off!

The most AMAZING nachos eva at Solomons café!

Ice Cream (shocking I know!)

Bathroom talk time with Will, haha

Tay singing in the shower

Boom Snap Clap!

Don't flush the toilet paper

Don't drink the water

2nd Week and beyond

Off to Puerto Barrios with NEON, Gretch, n Agap8

Rode in style, love air conditioning on busses!

3 bed 1 bath lime green house, 16 people

More sandwiches in the past few weeks than in my whole life

Just bout everyone's been sick least once

I got Dengue, not bad though n Matty Schmatty got (has) Typhoid but he's doin' great!

More Ice cream!

Hot, Muggy, Dirty!

Super laid back, 9am means noon and 3 pm means 5pm ext...

Maxie Bodega (aka wallmart. Well kinda)

Pollo Camperro

Military Showers

No showers

Hot sauna Prison Van

A million zillion bug bites! UGH!

Fun at the springs cooling off

Runny Rear (not me BTW)

TURKEY!

Girls night, NEON girls night

Got Married

Frosted Flakes

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Hand washed clothing, with fabric softener.

The most horrific smelling shower

Morning workouts

If it's yellow let it mellow if it's brown flush it down!

Community community community

Beckey-Schmecky puking in her panties!

Movie and Massage night

Sunday Pun-Day

Microphone Monday

Text Talk Tuesday

Would You rather Wednesday

Think about it Thursday

Forget about it Friday

Saturday Fatter-Day

Copy and paste June-Death

Mall food court

Roosters

Barking dogs

I was telling people that I love them instead of "what's your name" and on top of that I have been telling that I am very Spicy instead of hot. So I love you and I'm very spicy!

Booooooo

Got to go to Tikal n see the Myan Ruins

Scott is Chuck Norris

 

Sweat Sweat and more Sweat!

 

The orphanage, and Julio breaking my heart

 

Hot Hot Construction work

 

Josiah and Ryan, 2 adopted teammates, and 2 new spouses for me!

(PS this is NOT how they looked when we adopted them, this is pre walking round centeral america for a month)

 

And there is so much more to tell but i think this list is long nuff! So with out further ado THE END.

               I fear that I fear myself the most. It is me that holds me back, and it always has been. As I got to Guatemala I struggled with that right away. The feeling of unworthiness that I'm not good enough or spiritual enough, that I don't have what it takes.  

               The 1^st night during worship those thoughts flooded my mind only to be interrupted by Christ through a brother in Christ, AJ. AJ spoke out something that the Lord gave him and I feel as if it was just for me. He said that there are some of us that may have fallen off of our bikes but God wants us to get up, get back on, and keep on peddling, don't go back to the start line just keep on going, and don't look back!

               Those words spoke straight to my heart. I was dwelling on my past and all the ways that I have stumbled and lost sight of Christ. But the beautiful thing about Christ is that He forgives and FORGETS! God doesn't dwell on our past he looks forward to our future and growing in relationship with us.

               I too often struggle with this and I did again two nights ago. During our time of worship I could not get past myself and my fear of slipping back into my old self and the unworthy feelings. I have always been independent and good at doing my own thing, and I didn't know if I could let God in to take over the control that I so desperately cling to. Again as these thoughts were flooding my mind a leader in AIM Allison came over touched the top of my head and told me that to Lord was telling her that I am no longer my past and that I am new and I can walk away from my old self and that I am good enough and I am his daughter and He loves me so much and wants me to let go of the past and move on as his daughter and new woman.

               I was Blown away, God is so amazing! And if that wasn't enough I was called out by Tom Sipling (Tom n Cindy are our team parents, if you will) and he prophesied over me that I am on my way to be like Andy and Allison both amazing women of God and leaders in the World Race world. He said that God told him I would do amazing things and that the whole team needs to encourage me and hold me accountable as I go through this transition. Then he had the team and leaders all stand around me and pray for me and over me. Oh my goodness it was a little scary and overwhelming, and yet so amazing and uplifting. I felt, feel, so loved!

               I've got a long road ahead, and according to Allison and Andy it's a looooooooong road! But I'm excited to see where God takes me, and how he will use me. I want to know Him more so that I can share Him with the world. God is love and joy, peace, mercy, grace, compassion, forgiveness, freedom,  and able! Who wouldn't want to share that with the world!?!