"Into ash"

I find that I express myself best through the gift God has given me and that is artwork. Now I know this piece may appear to be dark but it isn't really so. As I was praying and listening to God, I got this scripture in Leviticus 1 and the beginning is all about sacrifice. I know there are many things I must die to right now and God has really reminded me of these tonight. I was reminded of how I really need to put my faith in God more and stop worrying so much about how I want things to go and how my plans are going to go. I need to depend on God's timing. Right now God is really stretching my faith and really teaching me discipline.

The meaning to my art:

The Cross:

The cross stands for something that I need to bear in my life all the time throughout every situation of my life. Also it stands for me seeing Jesus in every person and thing I come across.

The Bull:

The sacrifices of which I have to lay down and will lay down in the future. 

The Fire:

God who will consume all like a fire.

It is true, I really do want God to consume my life completely. That is why I feel led to go into YWAM to continue to develop my skills as a person. As I have said in my video on here I really want to be that example for other people and develop faith in God and my ability to lead people in Him. Most of all though I want to develop myself for the kingdom of God. I have been doing mission work all of my life and I never feel like I can get enough of God and what he has next to do in me and through me. Each time I feel so surprised by what he has given me or how he has come through.  It is very humbling! I have not really shared this through the internet, on a blog or anywhere, but there are many examples of when God came through for me. 

As some people know I grew up with it being just me and my mother. When I was younger we moved quite a bit from here and there up until I was 5 years old. At the age of 5 my mother decided that she wanted to do her Discipleship Training School in Youth with a Mission. So I grew up mostly on a YWAM base and was constantly surrounded by God. Many times though I felt this aching in my heart for my father not really being in my life. I did really enjoy the times when I did get to see my biological father, but truthfully I never really considered him my father. I saw God more as a father figure for me. 

Another time God came through for me is when my mom got pregnant with one of my brothers. That was a very hard time for me personally because I honestly only knew so little about the whole situation that was going on around me. My mom was struggling with a lot of issues with the father. During that time I had never seen my mom so heartbroken in my life and to see my mom in any pain hurts me too, so seeing her like that really took a toll on me. I would end up crying in my bed a night asking him to help my mom. Often I would ask God why these things would be happening and needed to find comfort in something. So I found it in God  when I needed him most. 

My most recent time God has come through for me is on my DTS. It was a week or so (give or take some). It was the deadline for my outreach fee's and I need a good bit of them. I was very worried about it and was feeling a lot of stress about the whole situation. I was sitting down in the lounge one night and was  praying and praying for God to come through for me. I was really feeling the pressure. As the time grew closer and closer my leader came up to me and said that someone paid the rest of my fee's for my outreach. It was such an amazing feeling to have to know God had come through for me once again. Words cannot express how happy I was that day. From now on I will not forget my DTS and all the amazing things God had done through that. 

Right now with my last two weeks coming on I am praying for God to come through once again like he has for me so many times. I am putting all my faith in God to pull me through this.I am really starting to feel the pressure of the two weeks that I have left here before I head off to Switzerland on this journey next journey I feel God has called me to. I need currently 3,000 more dollars until I am at my goal. I am already thanking God for what he is going to give me and what plans he has for my life. Would you please prayerfully consider if He would have you be a part? 

You can donate at:

http://www.gofundme.com/h94ct0

You can check out my video at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPGbk2G5DOk

Click here to check out my video and learn more about what I am doing and how you can support me!

I am going back!!!

After much prayer and consideration I have decided to return to serve at Lausanne YWAM. I am very excited about this opportunity. I am looking forward to being trained in leadership and being discipled.  I am getting a lot of questions from people my age asking me why would I want to do something like this, and I always want to respond, why wouldn't I?  There is a lack of leadership in my generation. I hope to set an example! 

The Ministry & Leadership Development program is designed to equip young leaders for ministry.  I have prayerfully considered joining YWAM Lausanne and be involved in Christian Ministry. I feel the Lord wants me to grow in the area of leadership know this is the next step he has for me. I will have the opportunity to serve, lead and grow in both my character and skills as I learn from international teachers and missionaries on topics such as:

- Biblical leadership
- The character of a leader
- Funding ministry (how to establish a financial and prayer support team)
- Discovering my strengths, gifts and talents
- Public speaking and effective communication
- Spiritual formation

- Team work, conflict resolution and learning styles.

After this 3 month training I feel the Lord leading me to join the staff of YWAM Lausanne while continuing to develop specific skills in areas of ministry at the base. This  includes styles of both formal and non-formal learning, requiring a minimum one year commitment At this point I need to raise $3440.00 USD by January 2nd for my school and $700.00 USD mothly support.  This time can be completely tailored to the gifting's s God has placed in me.  Will you please prayerfully consider funding me on this next adventure.  I am currently working at Chick-fil-a saving all I can, but won’t be able to save it all.  If you don't feel called to please pray for safety of travel, and provision.  Thank you all for the encouraging words and I look forward to doing a video blog soon so stay tuned! 

Leaders Always Set the Example Others Follow!

The Long Awaited Update!!!!!!

                                                    My outreach team at Victoria peak in Hong Kong.

Sorry for the long wait!! Please forgive me. During the time I was in Switzerland and on outreach it was very hard for me to find time to update because we were so incredibly busy and had limited access to the internet. In addition I have had some computer problems, so I am going to do my best to let you guys know what happened from where I left off in week 5.

Weeks 6-12 Lecture Phase

Week 6

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”  Proverbs 9:10

This particular week we were learning about personal Identity in Christ. This week was a very heavy week for my heart; it was about the truth pertaining to me as an individual.  I would say this is the week where I received the most healing and really got to learn more about my feelings towards my family.

A lot of things had really hardened my heart, and during this week I learned how to soften my heart to the things that had hurt me so deeply in the past. I learned how to forgive.  What freedom!!!

I also learned about self-image, and how, as a child of God, I am beautifully and wonderfully made. It was very hard for me before to even believe anyone when they would call me beautiful or say that I was pretty. I really struggled with this and still do, but God gave me a scripture for this problem repeatedly. During my time in Switzerland, it kept popping up.  The verse is Song of Solomon 1:15:  “My darling, you are beautiful! Oh, you are beautiful! Your eyes are like doves!”  Thank you, Jesus!

Week 7

Ephesians 1:3

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”

This week’s subject was on meditation and outreach . The speakers in this lecture really blessed me through their teaching. The subject of meditation has always been a very important subject to me. I have never really been taught on this subject before, and it was wonderful to gain deeper understanding. Through this week I really deepened my communication with God. I got to have such intimate times with God during this week. From then on, I felt a deeper walk in my relationship with God.

We also learned about rights during this week, and what we, as humans, should be more than willing to lay down for others.  We also realized how we should behave as Christians,  and that we should always be mindful when living and working among other cultures..

Week 8

I perceived this weeks subject to be about obedience to God and one’s calling. We all have specific callings that God has placed on our lives, and it is our choice whether we follow the calling or not. To me, personally, one’s calling/ vision is what really gives you purpose in life.  I learned that  until that purpose and calling is made clear, it is important to wait before the Lord,and expect Him to deliver instead of doing what you want to do on your own.  That’s a hard one, but I’m thankful to understand.

During this week we also had the NKSS (New Korea Servant Seminar).  It was about Korea as a nation. We got to learn how God is moving in Korea. We learned how to be a servant and really have a servant heart for another person. A servant judges no one’s heart. Only God has that right to do so. A servant forgives everyone no matter what the conditions. Jesus told us “whatever you forgive on the earth will be forgiven in Heaven,” Matthew 18:18. At this present time, North Korea and South Korea  are currently split, but nothing can block God’s purpose for North Korea. There is a great movement starting in North Korea. I believe God will really work in binding Korea as a whole nation.

Week 9

This week was about evangelism; it was a very useful week for me personally. We got to learn about how to approach people with the gospel and talk to them in meaningful way. Our teachers gave us quite a few tools in regard to evangelism. I learned that it’s important to be engaged with the person and have a genuine interest in them as a person. Otherwise, talking to them has no purpose. Jesus met people through interests. This is one of the tools we learned in the process of conversationally easing into the talk of religion and spiritual life.  Evangelism is about relationship. This is the S.H.A.R.E. process to help getting to know the person better:

• Secular or social life. Learning about their hobbies,interests...ect.  Surface level things.
• Home life. Relationships, learn their relationship background.
• Attitudes. Feelings,emotions. How do feel about your life?
• Religion. Do you go to church? Do you believe in God?
• Eternal life.Spiritual questions.

(Always ask for permission before asking personal questions.)

Evangelism is about caring for others the way God cares for us!

Week 10

This week for me was really about relationship with others, how we should understand other people, and how we are all connected as people. This week God really spoke to me about the unity of my outreach team. God was the ultimate teacher for me during this week. He taught me many lessons on how to relate to others and connect with them on a personal level.

He also talked to me about how we, as Christians, must come together for the better of all the nations and really reach out to the people who do not know about the Lord. We should be the wave of youth washing over the nations just as Loren Cunningham, the founder of Youth with a Mission,  spoke about in his original vision for Youth with a Mission. This vision just amazes me because there are 600+ missionary bases across the globe today because of his vision and God’s providence.

Week 11

This weeks subject was on spiritual warfare and relationships. Relationships, I found, are something that should be really treasured. God truly spoke to my heart, saying, “Sarah there is life within relationships, so treasure them with your whole heart.” I have found it is very hard for me to personally connect with people and relate to them. I do know they are deeply dear to me, so I have realized how important  the put forth the effort to connect with people.

Week 12

This was my last week of the lecture phase. This week I felt very homesick and was slightly depressed. This was a very hard week for me spiritually as we were preparing to go to on outreach. I was really praying hard during this week because of how homesick I felt. . I kept asking God for strength and to just really pick me up from my depression. We did not really have much teaching during this week, but we did receive instruction on preaching & teaching. That was very helpful for me before I went on outreach.  The teaching was about how we can teach people in a proper way.  Other than that, there was a lot of praying going on!

The Outreach

Conducting Intercessory prayer for our outreach location.

Outreach Summary!

Ministries we did:

Inner city kids ministry:

We worked with the inner city kids who are the less privileged kids of Hong Kong. Most of them were refugees from Nepal. We shared the gospel with them, loved on them, and played games with them.  

Gateway camp:

The camp was all about growing closer to God and becoming a missionary. There were around 2,500 people there and only 100-200 staff. Most of the people came to Hong Kong from China just for this camp so they could worship freely. Our team served by taking care of the meals & water team.We had the opportunity to talk with the people as we  passed out meals  three times a day.

 

Teaching English

We taught English to children mostly in our outreach location. We could not be too biblical with teaching even though it was inside of a church. We did get to bless the children by teaching English to them though. our outreach location was very strict even the churches.

English corners

Often at times we would visit peoples homes who taught English to the local people in Hong Kong & at our other outreach location. Home teaching offers a more comfortable environment for study. Also it was a lot more intimate for them and us as a team to talk to them freely.  

Outreach was a wonderful experience filled with many learning situations, new relationships, and evidence of God’s goodness.  Outreach for me was very busy and seemed rush when I was there in the moment . Through out this time I often found that I needed to slow down and take things easy. I often found myself meditating on Proverbs 17:22 “ A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” This scripture always picked me up whenever I was feeling down or discouraged. I learned that I need to have a joyful heart in every situation.  That will be an ongoing mission for the rest of my life!

During my time of outreach I found out how important it is for people of the team to work well with one another. Each one of us had to give our best; otherwise the whole team would be brought down. We encouraged each other and tried to stay very strong together. Relationships are so important on every level.

Thank you to each of you who supported me through giving and through prayer during this time.  I have grown more in God than I ever knew possible.  I have overcome some deep-seated issues that have held me back.  I have had the privilege of meeting wonderful Christians from other parts of the world.  I have seen parts of God’s beautiful world that I had only dreamed about.  And, most importantly, I had the privilege to share Jesus with people...people who were hungry and searching….in a land where His very name can mean death.  God is amazing.  Please know that through your support, you have been partakers in all that was accomplished for the Kingdom of God (I Corinthians 3:5-7).  Thank you and God bless! I will update you on what I feel the Lord is leading me to do next!

Sarah

My Team! This is us after we got back from outreach!

Week 5 -time is flying!

Sorry I have been away for so long! I will try to update every Friday from now on.

These past two weeks there has been a lot going on! This past weekend we had Cafe Night!  It was very fun. The theme was movie awards.

We could dress up as a animated character or a famous person. I dressed up as a genie and my friend Ruben was dressed as Aladdin. 

These past two weeks I have been learning about intercessory prayer!  Wow, who knew how powerful prayer could really be! With intercessory prayer I learned how to really connect with God and how to really reach Him and listen to Him. I don't think I ever really knew how deep one could go with God until last week. Having it explained to you and digging deeper really opens your eyes a lot more to everything.  

This week I am learning about God's character and nature. He is so loving, patient and kind. Also a highlight of this week so far is that I am getting to know more about God personally and it is very exciting to me. I cannot wait to learn more about Him this week.  He really craves a relationship with us as much as we crave to have one with Him!  Be blessed everyone and I will update you soon! And as always, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!

Week 2- Making friends and going deeper

I have really been blessed this week! Lots of fellowship and getting to know my classmates. As I have been sitting in lectures this week our guest speaker Annarose called upon me as I was reading a bible scripture aloud. She spoke to me and said " You are strong with the Lord and a Warrior, stay strong and encouraged." This really moved me when she said that. I thought it was so coincidental because my name Sarah Payton, which means Princess Warrior.  Then later that night we were exchanging gifts with one another and Annarose came up to me and gave me a card and it had a number 7 on it. She told me " the number seven means completion" and then she said, "I feel you are complete in God." This really blessed me and she really touched me with her words.  While I know we are never complete, it confirmed to me that I am on the right path and I am continuously seeking God daily for His plans and purposes for my life. I am so overjoyed and encouraged through this time and I cannot thank everyone enough for their prayers and support on this journey.

 

Week one- lots of meet and greet and getting adjusted!

I am so sorry I have not updated for the past couple of days, everything has just been so hectic.  Jet lag took a couple days to recover from and I have been trying to figure out my way around. A lot has been going on! I am having a amazing time so far. I have only been here a week but it feels like so much longer! 

 

Over the weekend I got to go into the city and explore. We visited the Lausanne Cathedral- absolutely amazing-pictures do not do it justice.I am really excited to explore and continue to grow with God as I continue on this awesome journey! I am only a week in and can already feel tremendous growth.  Please pray for me that I can get adjusted to this very busy schedule.  It is a lot to take in right now, but definitely worth it! 

Please pray for my team as we all learn and grow in the Lord so that we can know Him more and make Him known! 

As always thank you so much for your prayers and support and I will update you again soon! 

I made it to Switzerland!

I finally made it to Switzerland. I almost missed my second flight from Istanbul to Geneva but I made it!! I thank the Lord for letting me do this and I know He is going to use me to do great things while I am here!! Please keep me in your prayers as I continue on my journey with God and thank you for your support!

View from my room

on the train

Stamped passport 

Tomorrow is the big day!

I was so blessed this weekend by friends and family!  Some lifetime friends of mine drove in for a visit and that was a big surprise.  I was so blessed. My dear friends prayed for me, gave me Lots of Hugs, we did facials, laughed a lot and of course went shopping and bought shoes! 

My church commissioned me and sent me off with prayer as well as a party!  I feel very loved! I am sad in a way, but so excited to see what God is going to do in the future.  My mom keeps tearing up and I tell her that I will only be gone for five months, it's not like I am never coming back. 

I know after this I will be forever changed! Again thank you so much to all have supported me both in prayer and financially.  Pray for safe travels.  I fly out tomorrow and arrive in Switzerland at 10pm on the 2nd of April which will be about 3pm here in Texas.  I will be meeting my new friend Ruben who will be escorting me from Geneva to Lausanne.  We will stay in a Hostel that night and should arrive to check in about midnight.  

We then will meet people from the YWAM base at 11am on the 3rd of April to continue on to the final destination YWAM Lausanne. I will update everyone soon!  Lots of love!!!! 

The final count down begins!!!!

I just got back from seeing my Moment side of the family!  It was great seeing all of you before I leave the country! 

This week I will focus on packing and running around to thrift shops in hopes to score some great pieces to add to my wardrobe for layering in Switzerland.  I will spend lots of time with dear friends and family and eat some of my favorite foods before heading off. 

Thank you so much to all who have been praying and who have given financially.  I know I say this every time I post, but I am so thankful.  When I started this journey it was a complete leap of faith not knowing if I would raise a dime and I am excited to say that to date I have raised $6,210.00 praise be to God!  I will still be fundraising for my second phase which is my outreach phase.  I will post more about that after arriving in Switzerland.  

Prayers still needed for my Visa.  I will be leaving in a week and still do not have it.  YWAM Lausanne has received notification that my Visa has been approved, but I have not.  SO when I go I will have to enter as a tourist until I get my student Visa and sometimes it can be a sticky situation.  Please pray that I get my confirmation this week.  While it is too late to mail my passport and get it stamped the approval letter can serve as confirmation upon entry until I can make it to the Swiss embassy. 

Only Two more weeks

WE are getting very close!!!  So excited! You guys can pray for my mom, she is freaking out.....lol!
I have raised to date all my school fees 3,790 CHF and about $400 USD towards my outreach.  Thank you so much to everyone for your prayers and support.  I am sorry that I had not posted in my blog last week I was on a spring break mission trip with my church.  We stayed right here in the great city of Houston and partnered with Global Frontier Mission.  We had a great time of ministry, we got to learn about new religions and cultures and share the love of Christ in the inner city.  I also made some pretty cool new friends!

One little girl in a local housing project broke my heart by asking if she could come with me.  So precious! 

Some of you have asked me how much I still need for my goal.  I need anywhere from 

$2500 to $4500 USD depending on where we travel for outreach.  I will update everyone and let you know for sure.  Please everyone continue to pray for my Visa, we still have not received notification, my school in Lausanne has though.  They said that they received notification that it has been approved, yay! I can enter the country without the Visa I am just told the process gets a little more complicated.  I cannot wait to share with everyone my journey and look forward to updating you soon! I leave on my journey April 1st. 

Update....only 28 more days until I leave

Hey Everyone,

Again thank you so much to all of you who have been praying for me and showing me love and support. Your words are so encouraging!  I never thought in a million years God would call me to do this and I am so blessed that He has.  I have not heard either way about my Visa yet but I have been told that I will be permitted to enter the country and we can work it out if it doesn't come prior to me leaving so that is comforting news.  I must say this has been a great opportunity for the Lord to expand my faith.  One thing that I know and I saw it displayed throughout my life by way of my mother, that if God calls you to do something He will see you through it.

What is still needed......

Through donations I have raised $3460.00.  I have $1000.00 pledged.  I am still in need of about $3500.00.

If you would like to give:

Pay by Visa or Mastercard Pay Pal:Tahtenace@gmail.com

If you would like to donate by check make checks payable to Sarah Moment

For tax deductible donations make check payable to:        Current Christian Church (please do not put Sarah’s name on the check)

Please Mail to : 2226 Hollyfield Lane Katy, TX 77493

Half way there!

We just booked my plane ticket! I leave in five weeks!   It has been so fun to see God invest in me through you my brothers and sisters in Christ.  We booked my ticket in faith,  I currently have raised about half of what I am trusting God for.  Will you please continue to pray for his provision.  My faith is growing leaps and bounds throughout this process trusting God that He has called me and he will see me through.  I look forward to updating you soon!  Thank you so much for your prayers and your support!!!  I am confident in this very thing that He who has begun a good work in me will be faithful to see it through to completion on the day Jesus Christ returns (Phil 1:6).

Only 6 more weeks until I leave

Thank you all who have supported me this far.  I have raised 2,000 towards my needed amount so far and would like to say thank you so much to all who have contributed.  I leave in 6 more weeks, can you believe it?  Time is flying so fast! Would you please continue to lift a few things up in prayer.  My visa application, my finances and my preparation.  If you haven't signed up to follow me yet, please do so!

Pray for quick Visa process!!!

We got my Visa application off!!!  Due to the bad weather in Atlanta the Swiss consulate is moving slower than normal.  Please pray for quick processing with my Visa.  I currently have raised $1750 USD towards my mission trip.  Please continue to pray with me for the Lord's provision and I will keep you posted! 

Going Where?

I was praying asking the Lord what was the next step in my life. I just graduated high school in December and I figured I would get a job and go to college like everyone else. My mom and I went to register for school at the community college and I told my mom that it didn’t feel right. She figured it was my nerves and pressed me to enroll. Since she is my mother I respected her wishes and did what she asked of me. Come time to go to school I was mysteriously dropped from  my classes and turned out there was a glitch in the system with my financial aid and I was not able to attend. At that I mentioned to my mom that maybe I should do a DTS (Discipleship Training School). She was open to the idea having done one when she was younger, but she did think it would be in the United States. After attending a high school retreat with my church I strongly felt that God was leading me in the direction of Lausanne, Switzerland.

Will you please prayerfully consider investing in this opportunity for me to grow closer to God and spread his word to the nations.  

Where is God calling me?

 Knowing God and making Him known

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations….Teaching them to observe all this I have commanded you- Mat 28:16

Luasanne Switzerland

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>Youth with a Mission Lausanne,+Switzerland knowing God and making him known.

                                                                               

 YWAM Lausanne began in 1969 when Loren and Darlene Cunningham (founders of Youth With a Mission) started the first YWAM training program. Since that time,the Lausanne base has birthed many new ministries and YWAM bases through it’s doors. YWAM is an international interdenominational missions organization commited to spreading the gospel all over the earth.

>Five uninterrupted months to pursue God and touch the nations.

                                                                             

> Prayfully consider supporting Sarah on her journey.