YWAM Las Vegas

HELLO! It is nice to be back home because I am most energetic and excited to share with you my trip partnering with Chinese Evangelical Church and Youth With a Mission to speak the gospel to the streets of Las Vegas! Going into the trip- all I could think about was the people who lived there- the brokenness of girls who put their identity in the way they dress, and throwing away the thought of modesty and purity. then at the same time, there are girls selling away their bodies or are being trafficked:( the addictions that are there- gambling, drinking, drugs, lust. i was just pumped like i want people to see there is absolutely no joy in this. I understand the feeling of rejecting God! I was excited but also nervous I would be the odd duckling because I am going with a church located in San Diego- not knowing anyone really. I have not grown up in a church as well so I missed out on all those retreat times, growing up with other kids my age in the church, and seeing that culture. But OF COURSE, God is so kind to me giving me kids to lead well, pour into, and listen to their life stories. These kids- full of rowdiness from time to time- have such a big zeal to talk to others about God, love on one another, and have a desire to worship the Lord! The food there was delish for being mass produced for 38 people! We would also do chores daily to keep the place clean which we gladly did so for our hosts! Every day we would also break into small groups of 7-9 people, talking about outreaches, testimonies, and games :) We had some free time in the city as well and played scavenger hunt around the strip. We slept in bunkbeds and were split into two rooms- 8 girls per room. There we would rest, read, talk to one another and get ready for our days! We had leaders meetings every other night in which we did pros and cons, and how we could be more intentional with the kids. We had spontaneous singing sessions to give praise our Lord deserves! The YWAM staff had teaching moments as well to strengthen our evangelizing, understanding of human trafficking, and discipleship. We played at a park with local kids and adults and were able to have a blast with the Dreamkids foundation. We did skits at the end which was hilarious!! It was a blessing to see kids that have a strong calling for missions long term and short term. What a week! Now for the outreaches to evangelize to others to make people wrestle with the thought of Christ, and praying for converts as well :) We would go up to people and ask them simply if they would like prayer for anything. I was rejected about.... 70% of the time! But the people we were able to speak with made me realize I never regretted once just posing the question. I need to ask this more of my church, my family and friends. It was beautiful and seeing broken people (like myself) giving their petitions to the Lord and also those who are already Christians willing to be prayed for too! We would also do a survey attempt asking for people what their beliefs were. That one I was rejected the MOST! I was thinking to myself, would I ever stop to talk to these people.. probably not.... I was only able to speak and pray with one lady. I still found God making me more bold to speak with strangers. We went to the strip at night with 6 foot tall crosses to carry it along the streets. This one I loved- it created conversations, people to stick make decisions over what they believed in. I felt eyes glaring at me but it made for great talks and wrestling when i would be following behind the cross and seeing people be offended or blessed by the sight of it. We were able to share out thoughts on. We also went in pairs of 2 to freely go up to people any way we liked. My partner knew how to make balloon animals, so we brought that to a kids area, he would freely make kids a sword, a flower, or a hat- and that freed me to speak with the parents while they waited :) It was amazing. We had a long car ride to and from Vegas to San Diego. They were filled with reflections on the trip, Mafia games, and conversations with the one who asked me to go- Austin! During all of these trips I was able to talk with people who believed in Christ, Mormonism, Judaism, Utopian-ism?, Catholicism, and Atheism. It was fantastic. God taught me how to trust not in my might by His Spirit. He was constantly humbling my haughty heart as I do not deserve His sweet mercy yet He chose to give it to me. Every day He would encourage me with conversations, with more of Himself to seek wisdom from a beautiful perfect Savior.

I do hope one day, if the Lord calls me to the unreached people groups, that I will respond obediently and joyfully. Vegas taught me a lot and I can only imagine what evangelizing to people who are unreached would respond. Faith comes by hearing and I do hope I am able to speak with more with anyone with boldness, truth, compassion, and humility :) Please continue to pray for salvation of the people of Las Vegas, for the city to rid of its openness to sin, and God to give me opportunities to go on more missions or talk with anyone who God calls me to!

Now heres to a buttload of pictures :)