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

Votes for $300 Scholarship

I'm a finalist in Global Encounters t-shirt design contest. Here is my design;

I need your votes to get me a $300 scholarship for a mission trip with Global Encounters , I'm planning on going on their Romania trip this June. Please go to the links below and vote for me! Once for each link. And may God have the glory!
http://bit.ly/1zVzxUn - Website
http://bit.ly/1sySiwo - FB
http://bit.ly/1vQA0qs - Twitter

Thanks immensely!


Update: Voting has been extended to Tuesday December 9th at Midnight EST

Lessons Through Trails and Pain

For almost two years now I've been in and out of doctors trying to have my fractured metatarsal finish healing. All the doctors can't fathom why a strong health young person as myself isn't healing. The Doctors have issued all sorts of things casts, vitamins, crutches and even a bone stimulator. Still I don't show any improvement, "It should have healed." they say when they see the x-rays. My doctor has extended my time on crutches, but sounds doubtful that my bone will show improvement, and says the next step would be surgery.
For so long I've been mainly trusting that the doctor's advise would heal my foot. Sure I've asked God to heal me occasionally, but I when my foot had shown improvement (about a year ago) I just assumed it was what the doctors and I were doing. I didn't give God really any of the credit, and I'm ashamed to that I didn't. Now that it's not improving at all, I realize it's never the doctors that heal it's God. They can help the healing process, but ultimately it's God.
I'm not blaming him that I'm not healing, I'm actually grateful I haven't because I wouldn't be learning the things God is wanting to teach me, such as acceptance, patience, trust and praise.
Accepting that I'm where God has planned me to be even though I may not be what I'd planned.
Patience as I wait for healing, whether it's through rest, surgery, or God's miraculous healing.
Trusting in God that he has a plan and that he will heal me.
And finally Praising God in my trails and pain.

~Deanna, just a girl learning lessons through pain.

How I'm a Selfish Coward

How can I be so selfish by being scared of what people will think of me, when I'd be sharing something so great? I have never shared the gospel to anyone. How can I be so very selfish? I'll tell you the truth I'm a selfish coward, and that truth scares me so bad.

"But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” ~Revelation 21:8

Reread that again and pay special attention to the beginning and end of the verse. Done? Did you notice that the cowardly are included with the faithless, the detestable, murderers, idolaters and ect... That's why I'm scared, my cowardice could get me to hell. I've heard that selflessness can lead to the bravest acts, such as taking a bullet from someone else. That's what I want to do. No, I'm not saying I want to die so someone else could live, although I would like to think I could do that. What I'm meaning is I want to be selfless - of course I could never fully be selfless, I think we know there's only one who is truly selfless. But I want to try to be selfless, and with that I'd get bravery to speak the truth about God. I love God and I want him to shine through me.

Lord, Please show me where to go, tell me the words to speak, and give me the love to share. Help me to be selfless God. ~Deanna