A Wonderful Gift

I used to think that the best gifts where the really big ones, but God has blessed me with a wonderful gift today. Some kids who live in Romania that I got the pleasure to work with on my mission trip this summer, (all on their own) brought together about $31 to help me go on my mission trip to Italy and Moldova. It's a wonderful gift to have been with these kids (even though it was a short time), and I continue to be blessed by these amazing kids! 
No matter the amount a gift is a blessing, and the greatest one is Jesus. Consider giving back this Christmas season to the mission field. You can donate through Dec. 11th to my mission trip to Italy and Moldova. follow this link to give.

We Say We Love Jesus... But Not Our Neighbor?

I make you uncomfortable
When I'm around
You always find a reason
To shut me out
You don't understand me
So you push me away
And you claim
Jesus lets you live that way
Tell me

Why me?
Why am I not welcome in your company?
Why do you treat me like an enemy?
If you believe the way you say you do
Oh, then why am I unlovable to you?

This is something that has been on my mind for awhile. As humans we are flawed, and can be very judgmental beings. That's a given being fallen sinners, but it doesn't mean that we should judge who is good and bad, and who is a believer and who is not. It doesn't mean we should judge the people that dress differently, talk differently, live differently, or act differently than we do.

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” -Matthew 7:1-2

And I know that some of you may be thinking that I'm judging for writing this blog, that I'm a hypocrite. Yes, I am thinking the same thing, but I am trying to work on these things myself. So this blog post is as much me writing to myself as I'm writing to you (Hence why I use the term we).

“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” -Matthew 7:3-5

We should stop pointing out everyone else's faults and mistakes, instead we should except them and love them. We should show them the love and grace that Jesus has shown us, and continually pours out on us. Why else did Jesus respond to the scribes and Pharisees when they asked what they should do to the woman caught in adultery, (A woman they thought should be stoned) He said to them “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” and once they had left, Jesus (the only one truly without sin) does not condemn her either.

He is showing us that even him the son of God, does not judge. He except all those who come to him.

So we say we love Jesus
But didn't we kill Him?
Cause we thought He was different
What was He thinking
What was He feeling
I bet He was saying

Why me?
Why am I not welcome in your company?
Why do you treat me like an enemy?
If you believe the way you say you do
Oh, then why am I unlovable to you?

Let's start to try living a life like Jesus, loving the outcast, the different, the unloved. Let's show nonbelievers what true Christ followers really are.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” -John 13:34-35

God Bless!

(Song Quoted in this post "Unlovable" by Plumb)

My Next Journey

 On June 1^st only 10 days till I was going on my mission trip to Romania, I saw on Facebook that a family friend who works for OM (Operations Mobilization) had shared a video about OM Arts Training: Incarnate 2016. I was filled with passion and excitement. A four month intensive, discipleship training for artists and ministry with art in Italy none the less, it sounded amazing! Then I left for 3 weeks, and after a lot of prayer and challenges. By God's work I am now on the journey to Italy and this amazing opportunity to use my artistic gift to share the gospel.

A few details about the trip:

• I leave January 24th and return home May 16th.
• Incarnate 2016 will be hosted at Isola Evangelical Center, in central Italy.
• There will be at least 20 hours of studio time per week during the 12 weeks of training
• Incarnate festival weekend exhibiting the artists’ best work and art created in collaboration with local artists. The valley is blessed a truly international event and naturally connect the local churches with mainstream culture.
• The last month of the program is a Field placement so that I can immediately put into practice what I have learned. And pursue my calling to global missions as an artist.

I'm ecstatic about this opportunity to get intensive training in visual arts. But I'm not going yet, I need your help to get me there. I need $6,500 by December 11^th. You can donate by going to this link, every bit helps!  (and put "Deanna Barclay" in the comments)

Love in Another Language

I've put off writing this post far too long, mainly I haven't started this blog because I don't know where to start. Three weeks isn't super long, but so many things happened and I have changed from that short time. One thing for sure, God has given me a passion for international missions, and for sharing God's love with the unloved.

Romania was beautiful, but the people were far more captivating then the beauty of the land. They are the ones who have taken my heart, and I hope that I am able to see them again, if not again on earth, then in heaven. I'm not going to recount everything that happened, but I do want to share one story with you. One that was a highlight of my whole trip.

It was the last day of camp (the second week of our trip), we had just finished doing nails, hair, and face painting with the girls at the camp (the guys went for a hike). I decided I was going to go to the creek to pray and spend sometime with God, like I had done the day before. I was searching for God to give me direction in what to do next once I returned home, if I was to keep doing missions trips or to focus on my home town. He gave me the answer in a different way then I expected, he sent me one of the camp kids who spoke very little English.
The girl who followed me to the creek had been a hard nutshell all week. She was different, she was like me. The only girl who always played soccer with the boys, who tried to be friends with the clicks of girls, but would just close herself off in the end. When I saw her I saw myself when I was young, not fitting in with the girls or the boys, the need to be excepted lingering behind her eyes, and yet untrusting of others.
I don't know what made her follow me to the creek (it must have been God), but I looked up from where I had just sat down and she was walking over to me. Now I don't really know any Romanian aside from a few word like; Hello, How are you, Good, ect.. So I couldn't talk with her, but that didn't matter.
You don't need to know another language to speak love. Sometimes the shared giggles, sacrificed time and tender actions can be the most powerful kind of love you can give.
The time I spent with the Romanian girl by the creek, is a cherished memory. One thing she did say to me in English was "I love you." I hope that she'll remember that day for a long time, I sure will, but I pray that she will always remember how much God loves her.

God spoke to me through the 15 or so minutes spent with this girl. He told me I am to show people how great is his love for them, and that he will use me anywhere, anytime. Such as by a creek when I was seeking him, he sent someone else along looking for me, and I pray she found God's love in return.



A selfie to capture the moment by the creek <3

Doing the girls hair

My awesome camp translator explaining the game to the kids

Having to say goodbyes and taking last minute selfies.

Flights are Made!

         The tickets for my trip to Romania was purchased today!! I'm going to be flying out June 18th. I'll be changing flights, having layovers, spend a night on a plane, and driving over the boarder into Romania. God is finally making this trip happen, after a year and 8 months of waiting.

          Super excited for what God has in plan!

Salvation is the Mission

          "For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”" -Acts 13:47

          When I was looking at mission trips, I hadn't ever thought that God would have me travel almost half way around the world to serve him. I thought maybe some place closer, that didn't involve flying over an ocean. Yet here I am, writing this letter to tell you about the amazing opportunity I have to serve the Lord in Romania this summer.

          I'm going to be serving with the Global Encounters 2015 Romania team, the trip will be a duration of three weeks, June 19^th – July 11^th. I am looking forward to getting to share about God's love and grace to the Romanians, as well as the spiritual growth that God will be doing in me.

          Here's a glimpse of what I will be doing the three weeks in Romania:

Week One: church-based VBS in the mornings and schools in the afternoons.
Week Two: outdoor VBS in a Gypsy village. Lots of unsaved kids attend!
Week three: working as activities directors for a camp for poor kids. So much time for relationship-building with kids who need love!

          By now you're probably thinking, “Wow. That sound awesome!” You too can help share a part in this amazing opportunity! I need prayer and financial support. In order for me to get there and back in one piece I need about $3,500 (by May 1^st) and lots of prayer! 

          If God is leading you to help financially, Go to this page, fill out the form and select that you would like to assist “Barclay, Deanna”.

          I'm so excited for this journey that God is leading me on. 

          God bless you all!

~Deanna