Dear Friends and Family,
These past few months have proven to be a season of surrender, of returning to my first love, and ultimately of growth. I’m learning what it means to daily live life driven by Eternity. I’m learning to take ownership of and be deliberate in my pursuit of Him. The Lord has broken me, yet He has filled me 10 times over. I’m experiencing the joy of the Lord as my strength. I’m experiencing peace that surpasses all understanding. I’m experiencing God!
The Lord is sifting me of anything in me not of Him and refining me to mirror His image, removing “me” altogether. After all, my goal is more of Him and less of me. I have a lot of learning and growing to do but as Joyce Meyer says, “I’m not who I want to be, but thank God I’m not who I used to be!” I am a living, breathing example of His faithfulness and grace. He’s birthed in me a story of hope and grace. I pray that my walk is characterized by growth, wisdom, and discernment. I pray for sensitivity to the voice of the Spirit and for an ever increasing burning desire to be obedient to it. He isn’t through with me yet…
What is the next step for me? I’m glad you asked. The Lord has quickened my heart to serve through short-term missions, and there’s been a stirring in my Spirit to serve overseas again this summer. In continuing with the abandonment of “my comfort zone,” I’ve opted out of trips through my church and family ministries. I’m partnering with a ministry out of Florida (www.btea.org) and teaming up with a group of young people from around the US to spread the Gospel and give life to the lost. Evidently I didn’t get enough of Asia last summer, so I’m going back. This time, I’m headed to the PHILIPPINES!!! What a dream come true!
Our team will serve as missionaries, “those who are sent to witness across cultures.” We will make a direct investment in the lives of literally thousands of Filipinos by straight up sharing the Gospel in schools, film showings, markets, and throughout the villages. We’ll be broken out into teams, traveling in jeepneys to various locations, and working with translators to present the Good News. How sweet it is to see lives forever changed when people “get it” – when the veil is removed and eyes are opened to the hope we have through our Savior, when joy and peace are discovered from the author and giver of all things, and when the love and free gift of salvation from our sweet Lord is accepted. I’ll also be visiting Uncle Dick’s home (http://www.btea.org/orphanage.asp), which is home to 49 orphaned Filipinos. It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to work in an orphanage! I’m blown away by the Lord’s provision and timing in allowing me to serve in this capacity.
What a privilege it is to be part of this! YOU can be part of this, too! Will you please join me by covering me in prayer? Specifically, pray that I will not be so focused on the trip that I miss out on opportunities here and now. Pray that the Lord will prepare me now (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) for what is to come and for the circumstances that I’ll be faced with while there. Pray against any scheme and opposition that Satan has in thwarting this venture. He’s already working overtime, but he does not get the victory in this! Pray for the safety of our team, for team cohesion, for financial obligations, for authenticity and humility in our hearts, and for a deeper love and hunger for the salvation of the Filipino people.
As with any mission trip, the financial costs are high. However, the rewards are higher….ALWAYS. For those of you who feel called to it, this is your chance to invest in the Kingdom. Not everyone can physically go, but everyone can sow directly into the Kingdom through financially supporting those of us who do. Your dollars directly enable me to share the Gospel and to be a tool used to change where people spend Eternity. That’s a pretty heavy calling that we as Christians are required to live out. Would you like to sponsor me in this endeavor? You can make a tax deductible donation in the following way:
*To make an online donation, follow this link: http://www.btea.org/shorttermsupport.asp , select Natalie Goodson, and follow the steps to complete your secure online donation.
*If you’d like to make a donation by mail, please make all checks payable to BTEA (with my name on the “for” line) and mail to BTEA at: 8834-F Goodby’s Executive Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32217
So, why am I going on this trip? Why should you support me in prayer? What’s the benefit of you supporting me financially? What impact will this have on you, on me, on those I minister to? Check this out: Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Corinthians 9:6-9, Philippians 4:19, Malachi 3:10, Acts 20:35, Luke 6:38, Psalm 112:5-7, Matthew 6:19-20, Romans 1:16, Mark 13:10, Luke 10:2, etc.
"There before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb… “(Revelation 7:9) “Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." (Revelation 4:8) What a day of rejoicing that will be!!!
Often times we dwell so intently on reaching the American Dream that we altogether forget to live! We get lost in the “things” of this world and in search of wholeness, happiness, and whatever we think will fill the void that we have in our lives that we miss the only One who was ever meant to fill it. My prayer is that for those of you reading this letter, that you’ll be encouraged and blessed. I pray that you’ll allow Him to fill you with His joy and peace. I pray that you’ll find rest in Him. I pray that you’ll find hope through Him. If you don’t know how, ask me.
The Lord continues to rock my world and reveal himself to me in new ways. He has rescued me, He has permeated my heart, and I am captivated by Him.
Love,
Natalie Goodson
*~*I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16)*~*
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