Mardi Gras Mission Trip 2016 ~ Part 2

Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Psalm 51:8

Let me crudely break down this scripture for you. We heard plenty of joy and gladness...I had more fun on this trip than all the past years combined.  I don't mean that in a bad way regarding past trips, they were wonderful and worthwhile and filled with amazing life-changing things.  But I got lots of both this year and I am not ashamed to say that.  As for the bones that you have broken part....ummm, we may have broken some things but not in a way many would understand unless you were there...let's say it was a "had to be there" moment(s).  And I may need to ask one or more of my team members for forgiveness along with the entire state of Mississippi.

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips. Psalm 63:5

We had the opportunity to eat some really amazing foods and fellowship together.

I was not "in charge" this year which perhaps made me relax and enjoy every aspect of the trip.  My pastor went this year, he was the rookie on the trip but watching him had a great impact on me.  I have served with and under this man's leadership for several years now but seeing him love people on this trip gave me a greater respect and love for him.  He taught me how to be a better missionary.  And when we weren't "doing ministry" we had so much fun together.  What a great trip and awesome team.  God is good!

Mardi Gras Mission Trip 2016 ~ Part 1

My 4th year of going on mission to New Orleans during Mardi Gras did not disappoint.  We did things a little different this year, new ideas had been brought to the table, new people (ok, one person) were coming along, and a new sense of boldness.  Conversational evangelism was, I believe, the main goal on this trip although I had used it every year in the past whether during face painting, passing out tracts on bourbon street, you name it.  But this year we were more intentional in our pursuit of conversations with the people we would encounter.  We prayed ahead of time and during for a love and opportunity to share Christ with those God would place in our path.  We used interviews as a way to engage people in conversations that would hopefully lead to the telling of Jesus and His love for them.  Yes, we were shut down by some and appeased by others but the gospel was put into their hands with a little card that had our name on it and a website that they could go to see their interview when it was posted but first took them to our personal story and testimony.  God does the saving, we just have to be obedient in the telling.

We also did a breakfast ministry each morning, the original thought was to find those who were still around in the morning that had perhaps partied too much the night before or were left behind by their friends, etc.  We didn't find many of those but we did find a vast amount of homeless people.  On day one I met a young woman named Rachel, she had sores on her feet and one above her mouth, she had a sweet smile and countenance and I was immediately drawn to her.  I prayed to find her the next day and I did.  It was a little chillier and she had boots on and other layers of clothing.  She let me sit with her and pray with her.  She said she was a mom of four children (she only looked to be in her twenties), she said they were with family in Colorado.  Sometimes she made sense and at other times I couldn't follow her but I was able to tell her the truth about Jesus, that He loved her and that regardless of her circumstances she could have joy and peace with Him.  I told her I wasn't better than her and that she wasn't better than me.  I held her hand and prayed for her, she hugged me I think three times.  I gave her one of the cards that had my name on it, I told her I didn't want her to forget me.  I don't know whether she will ever be able to look up my testimony but I wanted her to look at it and remember when she heard about Jesus.  She seemed genuinely touched and just stared at the card mouthing the words on it.  She is still in my heart and on my mind and I hope I never forget her.  Maybe God will even place her in my path once again.

I Believe

Sometimes I feel like my life is a fairytale.  God has given me so many good things, those things being opportunities, the love of so many dear people, talents to use for Him, awesome kids, a husband who loves me almost too much (ha!), true friends, and most of all peace and contentment.  Living life with and for Jesus is so fulfilling, so full of joy.  I am so grateful I am His.

The title of this post is "I Believe"...a special friend of mine recently told all about the miracles God is doing in his life, where God has brought him to, and more...and he said "Here is my Declaration...I BELIEVE...I dare to believe that miracles still happen...that mountains still move and demons must flee...that the God that I serve is much more than able...so I won't be afraid. I'll stand up and say...I dare to believe. Have you got something I can believe with you for? I am believing for something big this week, will you believe with me? God Bless my friends and family and may Jesus my King be glorified in your lives...."

I do believe! I believe that God is working in the life of Christy Hoagland in ways she could never have imagined, that He is going to do even bigger things and grow her to understand more about who He is and why He saved her and how He is going to use her for His glory and for His purposes.  What an awesome God we serve, He is waiting for us to cast aside our anxieties, our fears, our pride, our selfishness and trust Him to lead us.  He is the God of the universe, why do we put Him in a box?  He is faithful and trustworthy.  Why are we so weak?  He is strong and makes us strong when we let go and give over control.   Why are we so impatient?  His timing is perfect, His ways are perfect.  Thank goodness He loves us the way He does, in our weakness, in our doubt.  I hope that you will believe a little more about the big God that gave His Son, Jesus, for you and for me.  He raised Him from the dead...why can't we believe that He can do miraculous things in our lives?  He will.  I believe.

And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.  Isaiah 55:8-9

And so it begins...

I thought I would have posted several posts already this month but here it is January 29th and this is it.  There are so many exciting things I've wanted to share but haven't made the time to write them all down.  On January 1, 2016 -  James, Johnny, and I walked into Algoa Correctional Center to share Jesus through music, testimony, and the Word.  My husband preached like I've never heard or seen him before - it was simply amazing seeing God using him like this.  It was a night of defining moments, for the offenders and for us.  This is the beginning of something beautiful, challenging, life changing and more.  We are missionaries but instead of going across the land and sea, we are charging into prisons to share Christ with anyone who will listen....and they are listening.  They are listening, receiving, and being made new.  What an adventure!  I look back over the last couple of years and see God's hand all over my life, how He has brought me to this place, this special ministry; how He has equipped me, humbled me, and raised me up to do this good work.

Psalm 37:4-5

⁴ Delight yourself in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him, and he will act.

 

This is exactly what He has done for me, for my husband, and for our friend, Johnny.

 

On January 14th, we went into Moberly Correctional.  I led worship, James preached, men gave their lives to Jesus.  On January 17th, I went with my friend, Arlene, to county jail.  I led worship and simply shared the gospel with them...and they got it.  Several ladies surrendered their lives over to Christ.  At Celebrate Recovery this month, I've had to privilege to pray with two women who prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior.  I am so in awe of God using this dirty, rotten, sinner - Christy Hoagland, as His instrument.  Help me, Lord, to never take these moments for granted, to always be in awe of who You are and how You love people, how You and You alone change lives.

 

The upcoming weekend and week ahead are busy...busy with service to our King.  What a life I get to live! God is so, so good.

 

What a Year...

2015 has been one of the most difficult years of my life and also one of the most amazing.  Difficulties that included my mom's battle with breast cancer, one of the lowest points ever in my marriage, my children running from God, other family members struggles, my own selfish personal battles, you name it.  But through and amidst all of those things God has proven His faithfulness and goodness and love to me...more than I deserve.  And even more, began showing me a glimpse of His plan for me.  I really need to share about His marvelous works in my life, how He repaired my marriage and made it better than ever, how He is using me to serve Him and changing me into the woman He wants me to be.  He has given me incredible friendships with some might say "unlikely people" but I say they are an inspiration and amazing part of my life.  He has grown and stretched me, disciplined me and loved me more than I can describe.  He has given James and I a ministry together to use the gifts and talents He has given us to glorify Him and do His kingdom work.  And on the first day of 2016, this ministry will truly begin.  James and I and our partner in this work, Johnny, will go to Algoa Correctional Center to share Jesus.  James will preach his first sermon in prison, this is the start of something big in our lives, a calling from our King.  God has placed us here to use us, to grow us, to proclaim who He is and to provide freedom for the captives.  I am honored and humbled to be called to do this work, God doesn't need me for anything but He chose me and He chose James and He chose Johnny to do this together.  He made us a team to give away what we've been given through the blood of the Lamb.  How marvelous, incredible and wonderful is that?!?

I ran across these notes I had made a couple years ago and they blessed my heart today...

12/4/13 - Live your life for something other than yourself.  Live for something greater, something eternal.  When your toil is for The Lord, it is no longer toil but joy.  If you do anything for yourself it will not produce joy.  Joy comes only from pleasing God.

1/15/14 - God takes pleasure in me, His creation, when I live out my purpose.  When I sing, God takes enjoyment.

Here's to 2016! Let's live for Jesus and declare the Gospel!  Let's Praise the Lord!

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
    let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
² Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
    let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
³ For the Lord is a great God,
    and a great King above all gods.
⁴ In his hand are the depths of the earth;
    the heights of the mountains are his also.
⁵ The sea is his, for he made it,
    and his hands formed the dry land.

⁶ Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
    let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
⁷ For he is our God,
    and we are the people of his pasture,
    and the sheep of his hand.

Psalm 95:1-7

 

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens!^[a]
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
    praise him according to his excellent greatness!

³ Praise him with trumpet sound;
    praise him with lute and harp!
⁴ Praise him with tambourine and dance;
    praise him with strings and pipe!
⁵ Praise him with sounding cymbals;
    praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
⁶ Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

Psalm 150