Take off!

Any and all prayers are appreciated today as the journey begins!
My flight leaves today from Manchester, NH at 2:20pm est. I will write again from Kigali, Rwanda!!!!!

Thank You

"Take my life and let it be, all for you and for your glory, take my life and let it be Yours..." - Glory to God

These lyrics were playing tonight, which then drew me to this song of a similar message:

Take my life and let it be- Chris Tomlin

I am thankful for songs like these, which give me words to pray when my mind is jumbled and all that I can think to pray is "God- lead me." ----Really, I want to have this full surrender that at times is so hard.

My date of departure is nearing... 17 days... the range of emotions on a given day is quite the ride- but my peace comes in knowing that this path was laid before me long before I was ever aware. Thank you, God.

I also want to say THANK YOU right now to so many people. So many people who have prayed, who have financially supported me, who have pledged their support... Thank you. I am beyond overwhelmed at the generosity of you all. I am also excited to see, and begin to post the fruit of that generosity. I believe God has a lot to do with your gifts. :)

Thank you to so many of you who have walked beside me in these days, who have prayed my anxiety away, who have reassured me, and reminded me, and encouraged me. Thank you...

I want to make these last 17 days here count as much as the months that lie ahead in Rwanda... Our lives are truly a gift. Many of you have gifted me with your words and prayers- May we all use our lives well, like that, for each other.

I am excited!!!

I'll post again just prior to departure.... :)

One way ticket to Rwanda... June 30th...

Below is a letter highlighting the next steps in my life...

Dear Friends and Family,

In thinking about putting together this letter, I thought of you all- the people who would receive it: my family, my friends, who have walked life with me and made an impact in my life at some point over the past 30 years. I am so grateful to each one of you.

If I’ve ever been transparent with you over the years, you know I have questioned God about my life story… Many of us have. I have also walked alongside others who have had similar questions and discovered I wasn’t alone in my thoughts.

I think that regardless of the timeline of our lives, and when various milestones occur, we are all given two options, to remain pliable, to be open to God’s moving in our lives, or to dig our feet in, and harden our surface, holding tight to the plans we want. God hasn’t allowed me to harden and dig my feet in over the years. I know that this is largely due to my prayers, asking God for what I truly desire with all of my heart, but also acknowledging that He knows best, that His Story, regardless of my understanding of it, is the story I want to live.

One of these stories began in February, 2009 when I traveled to the tiny little country of Rwanda in the middle of Africa. I left knowing that I was leaving a part of my heart, especially for the widows and orphans, and that God had more for me to do there. As the urge grew in my heart to return, I pushed on doors in the summer of 2010, just to have them close. I was disappointed, but I also knew He was using me locally in a homeless ministry, and my community. He had plans for me in my teaching job, and quite simply, His plan was His plan, and my job was to wait.

In February, 2011, I traveled with my church, Grace Capital to Haiti on a mission trip. God confirmed for me on that trip that He wanted to use me in poverty stricken communities as my heart for widows and orphans had continued to grow. I began praying while considering options.

I learned of a need in Rwanda for an interim director of a women’s training center, called the African Bagel Company. The founders were looking for someone to fill the position for 6 months, perhaps up to a year, while they are on furlough. It is an amazing ministry that operates a growing business, making primarily baked goods. They pull mostly widows from the streets, many with children to care for, and disciple them and teach them a trade that they can use to sustain and provide for their families.

The doors I pushed on have swung open. I am stepping out in faith believing now is the time. As a matter of fact, June 30^th I board a plane to fill this position in Rwanda for at least the next six months, maybe longer. I know the skills and encouragement I will bring them will only be half of the story as God is guaranteed to teach me and challenge me through this journey as well, if I remain pliable.

I am excited, and I am scared. There are many unknowns. There is a lot of work ahead, an entirely new culture to live in and run a business in. The only way I can begin to do this is by God’s strength, and with the prayers of His people. I want to keep a heart of praying His Will in my daily decisions. While I have an idea of some of what’s ahead, the true journey will unfold in His time.

To step out and do this I am leaving my teaching job for a year to work without salary. I am praying that some of you may be moved to help me financially with my expenses during this time. It will cost me $1200 a month to live and work there. Thank you in advance. I am humbly grateful. Donations can be given monthly, or as special gifts. There is more information on the form below.

Regardless, if you could remember me in prayer- that is my greatest ask. Stepping out in these situations can bring opposition. I need the covering of prayer that you all can provide. Thank you.

If you’d like, you can share my journey with me and pray for me through my blog which I will be updating at www.livewideawake.blogspot.com

Sincerely,

Rachel Carter

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

James 1:27

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I, ______________________________________________________ pledge to support Rachel Carter’s mission financially in the following way:

Monthly for $ per month to support her work in Rwanda.

Yes, I would like a monthly email reminder.

A special gift of $ for her work in Rwanda.

Checks are tax-deductible and are to be made out to Grace Capital Church. Please cut off this form and mail with your donation to Pastor Mike Mavity, 542 Pembroke St., Pembroke, NH 03275

Life change...

Well, I am back from Haiti. I was right. A week wasn't enough... What I saw there, what I felt, only confirmed the call I have felt on my life for loving this population- The widows and orphans that are so dear to God and hold my heart...

I am pushing on doors to commit a year to serving in this way. So far they are opening... Any prayers towards this would be gratefully received.

This is my heart song through this process: Surrender

Say it today...

I was shown something by God tonight that I don't want to forget. Please read...

In August of 2010 I had the opportunity to share a Biblical message of hope with a Saturday street ministry that I am involved in- Reach4Hope. It was a message of how God uses every difficulty that we come across to shape us, to make us into something beautiful for Him. I used beach glass as my analogy. I shared that we all come to the world broken, we all have sharp edges that can hurt others if we aren't careful, if we don't see His love amidst the pain. Yet, God takes us from this place of brokenness and wants to refine us. As we come upon difficulties with God's strength, he softens our edges, he shapes us like beach glass- we become beautiful...

A woman who was there listening approached me after. She had tears in her eyes and asked if I could email her my message, she wanted to encourage someone with it. I wasn't comfortable giving her my email address so I gave her the copy I spoke from. She pressed further that she needed encouragement from the Bible... I had a Bible there on the table... but I had things to do... I told her I would get them to her next time... Ugly, I know... She said she wasn't sure when she'd be back... I said okay, I would pray for her...

I was convicted as soon as I left that I hadn't taken more time with her. When I got home, I searched scriptures and wrote them on an index card for her. I stuck it in my car.... She wasn't there the next week... she wasn't there that whole month...

The next month I missed the Saturday she was there, but I heard she was on fire for God, and led the group in prayer. I smiled to hear that- but I also knew I missed an opportunity for God to use me in her life.

The first weekend in December she came back. I ran to my car and got the folded index card for her. "Scriptures for Jessica" was written across the top. She accepted it gratefully, but I felt a little silly since it'd been so long...

One month later... yesterday... Jessica was killed in a plane crash.

I know it's all God, and He ministered to Jessica despite my insensitivity that day. But I also know that He gives us opportunities- He lets us be a part of His story. He was gracious to me in allowing me to see Jessica last month and fulfill what had been put on my heart that I ignored 3 months prior.... He knew she wouldn't be here much longer.

That index card could have still been in my car yesterday, and I'm not saying it made any difference at all- but I am saying God gave me a second chance to reach out to her when I made the mistake and was "too busy" that first day. I am grateful for that second chance. I am grateful God lets me be a part of His work.

But I was also reminded tonight, there isn't always a "tomorrow" or a "next week."

God loves you, yes YOU- He would do anything for your love--- He did the unthinkable for our love. Follow His lead- there's nothing like it. It's what we're here for...

I have to say it today.

click here for full "Beach Glass" message

Grateful for Another Journey...

A week goes really fast. Really, really fast. It's Wednesday evening and Sunday feels like it was yesterday... each week I am excited for Friday, and each week Friday comes. A week is short. Too short.

While it will be short, I am SO thankful for the opportunity to be going to Haiti for a week in 2011. February 26th to be exact. But the thing is, on March 5, I'll be home.... I'll have left the chaos, destruction, longing eyes of children and unpredictability. I'll be back in my comfortable, predictable home with images etched in my mind of a world that is so far from my reality... All in a week's time... I want February 26th to come quickly, and March 5th to take it's time... I have too much to learn, too much to love, for that short amount of time. But I know I can't change that, and I am grateful for what I have.

I am anticipating, and so greatly looking forward to this week on a calendar in 2011. I am going to Haiti with a team from my church. We met on Sunday and talked about how despite our best intentions and efforts, when we depart Haiti on the 5th, Haiti won't be drastically different... Will we touch hearts and lives? We pray so.... Will Haiti change us? Absolutely.

My prayer is that I'd surrender to what God wants to do with me in Haiti, that people there ARE blessed by our coming, and that Haiti will change me in a way that doesn't remain in Haiti. I pray that the little good God allows me to do there through encouraging or praying for someone, leaks into my life here which I allow to get so dangerously "ordinary." I pray that it isn't a WEEK in Haiti that stands out to me about 2011, but I pray that God might use that week to show me more of what He wants from me in my "ordinary." How God wants to use me to bless others in the time and place He has me in.

Some have asked if they can support me financially. Thank you, I am humbled. I will put that information below.

I do ask, however, more than anything--if you pray-- for your prayers. Specifically that the lives we are ministering are touched with God's love. Prayers that they are encouraged, and the Haitians that we work alongside would get the accolades for the visible work that is accomplished. Prayers for me personally, that this trip helps me know more of God's plans for March 5th and beyond.

Thank you and God Bless you.

Please make checks payable to:

Grace Capital Church

memo: Haiti (put my name on a separate note)

Mail to:

Grace Capital Church

542 Pembroke St.

Pembroke, NH 03275

"We see from where we stand" -Haitian Proverb

2 years ago I started this blog. I had a heart's desire to Live Wide Awake. I had begun to realize that my "normal" is not normal... That God has given me abilities, and has placed me in America in this time to be His hands and feet. I will preface this by saying I have a long way to go to reach my potential- I am a work in progress just like everyone else :) but today I had an experience that brought me to tears for many reasons. It is evidence to me that God is blessing my desire to Live Wide Awake- to live consciously and purposefully- and I want to thank Him for the opportunity. Today I was given opportunity to join a community as we mourned the loss of a friend. Billy.

In December of 2009 I started serving at the homeless shelter in Concord. It is a cold weather shelter for our community members who live in tents through the "warmer" months. I had gotten to know some of this population through a street church ministry- and I wanted to know their reality better- to be Awake to their "normal."

As the months passed I got to know the guests well. There was one man in particular, yes-Billy, who made an impression on me. Each week he greeted me with a fierce face, that melted into a grin- and a robust "Hi Smiley!!!!" While the shifts there weren't always easy- they always went quickly with Billy around. He, a few other regulars, and I would sit in card table chairs from 6-10pm telling stories, laughing, or sometimes sitting in comfortable silence. He was always quick with a joke, as well as being alert to the 30 minutes that would pass signifying a smoke break. He was one of my "go-to guys" who would step into a conflict and talk people down... Billy. A man who had many conflicts in the daytime, but knew not to bring them to the shelter at night.

It was no secret that alcohol was a demon in Billy's life. Sobriety was a dream he chased. A dream he'd achieve, just to fall again... Alcohol is what finally took his life... When sharing life stories with me Billy often told me that he had a rough past. He wouldn't go into many details, but he'd share that he had hurt many people. Thing was, he had also helped many... I hope he realized that.

Billy's service was a Wide Awake experience I am forever grateful for- to remember and honor Billy's life alongside his friends. As I sat in the church pews alongside a community that I didn't know just over a year ago- I was humbled. I was humbled that while being an outsider, they don't make me feel like an outsider. There were many friends from the street who I was able to greet and sit alongside. I was honored that they accepted my presence so naturally. It made me remember the importance of reciprocating that love to them...

I am grateful to be able to have considered Billy a friend. Now I know I don't understand the ways of the homeless intimately- and to be honest, I thank God for that. But I am humbled that God allows me to know some of His children, who are outside of my normal "bubble" of life. I am grateful to hold hands with people who walk a life I don't understand- but love and pray for them just the same.

I write this as a way to remember and honor Billy. I am one who can say that I am better for having known him. But I also write this in hopes that it encourages you. Take a look beyond your "normal" and you will see a world in need. A world in need of something you have to offer- and you will discover in the process, that within you, something is filled- some place is filled that you didn't know needed filling, as God works through you.