The Supreme Court: How Do We Respond?

At this point, I'm sure mostly everyone has heard the news from the Supreme Court: the homosexual community has equal rights for marriage as a man and a woman do across all 50 states. Throughout the last few days I've had the chance to gather my thoughts. I wasn't going to post anything about it, but I can't keep silent anymore.

While scrolling through my Facebook feed, I have seen multiple different opinions. I am saddened by the decision our country has made and I am terribly scared for how Christians will respond. As someone who has homosexual friends, I really had to think out what I thought about this decision. 

At first I was angry. Even though I knew in the back of my head that this would most likely be the outcome, I didn't want to think that it actually would turn out this way. If I prayed hard enough, maybe God would be gracious and allow the Judges to rule in my favor. But, I am now reminded that the Bible constantly tells us how the days will become more and more evil. Those who once listened to and obeyed God have forgotten Him and have gone their own way. 

"Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error." Romans 1:24-26 

I have a best friend. She is a wonderful, godly young lady. She encourages me, keeps me accountable, and prays for me. But guess what? She's not perfect. She is a sinner. So am I. I make terrible choices on a daily basis even though Christ has forgiven me and set me free from sin's curse. Thankfully, I have the Holy Spirit as my helper to guide me and make me desire what God wants.

So, why did I say all that? Because people are sinners, and homosexuality is a sin. Even though a lot of the Christian world seems condemning and judgmental towards these people for committing "a great sin", the Bible calls all sins equal. Because of this, I am at fault just as much as one who commits the sin of homosexuality.

Can we just look at Jesus' life for a minute? Jesus came to earth and made friends with tax collectors -- the outsiders of that community. They were hated for the sin they committed -- being in with the Roman government and stealing from the Jews. No one would ever associate themselves with a tax collector. Jesus did. He not only became friends with them, He even called one of them, Matthew to be one of his closest friends and followers.

What about the adulterous woman? The religious leaders wanted to stone her and kill her for her sins. Jesus looked at them and said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” Jesus was the only perfect one in that crowd. While everyone else let their stones fall to the ground, Jesus could have threw stone after stone at her. According to the law of Moses, she would be getting what she deserved. But after all her accusers leave, Jesus chooses to ask her if she sees anyone who has condemned her. After saying "no," He responds with, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” Jesus had every right to judge her for her sin, yet He chooses forgiveness. 

Why then do we then, who are not perfect ourselves go around judging others who are caught up in a sin that is weighed the same as our very own? All are the same in Jesus' eyes. All were paid for on the cross. The salvation that was given on the cross is available for all who choose to come to Him.

Before one becomes a believer in Jesus Christ, they have no reason to be moral. They can do what is right in their own eyes. They do not see God as someone to be accountable to. So my question to you is how will they know unless someone tells them? I am not talking here about telling them their lifestyle is wrong. That is the exact opposite of what I am saying. What I am saying is preach the Gospel. Preach the Gospel just like you have been doing Preach the Gospel even more than you have ever done before. Preach the Gospel in the way you love and live your life. Jesus Christ died to save sinners, and as He loves them, He desires all to come to Him. 

So how do we respond to the US Supreme Court's decision as believers in Jesus Christ? We share Jesus' wonderful work on the cross and love others just like we already should be doing. There is no new reaction we should have. Tell others about Jesus. He does the saving and the life changing. 

Ministry Update December 2014

Thank you for your support of my ministry! God is doing amazing things through the ministry opportunities He sends my way. Click the link below to access the most recent ministry update.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love in Christ,

Sarah Nogueras

Click here: Sarah's Missionary Adventures December 2014 Update

Observing Kids and Defense Papers

Week 2 started with a course called Understanding Today's Child. Throughout this course we learned about age group characteristics, different religious backgrounds, children at risk, and our choice between preschoolers or adolescents. I chose the adolescence track.

Age group characteristics taught us a lot of different characteristics that are common among all ages, but some that are only common to a certain age range generally. After studying, we took a field trip to a school to observe two different age groups. I got to observe 2nd graders first, and then 5th graders. After observing, we had to write a two page paper on our observations. You can email me or comment on this post if you would like to read my observations. I had a lot of fun observing these children and I learned a lot about how to teach according to age group.

For the section entitled "Different Religious Backgrounds," we got split up for a group project. Each group had a different religion to research, write a paper on, and give an in class drama showing what we learned. My group got to study Roman Catholicism. We learned a lot and ended up doing a "Panel of Experts" to show what we learned to the class. I got to co-host it. If you would like to see the paper we wrote up, please email me or comment below.

In the adolescence track I had to focus in on one chapter of the book, "Youth Culture 101" and find practical ideas that would help me be a better children's worker that works with adolescents. I chose a chapter on media, and realized the way media shapes our world.

In the final section, "Children at Risk," we had to learn about abuse. This was a very hard area for me to sit and learn about. At the end of each day, I would be so emotionally drained. How thankful I am that I have great parents who love me and care for me. How great it is to know that I can (with Jesus guiding me) help these children who struggle with abuse. It saddens my heart these children have to go through this.

Weeks 3 and 4 were a course called "Progressive Methods of Child Evangelism." This course just finished today and I learned a whole lot. This was probably the hardest course I've ever taken. We had just 7 days to write a 12-20 page paper on a Biblical Defense of Child Evangelism. We used passages like Matthew 18:1-14; Mark 10:13-16; Ephesians 1:1-3, 6:1-4; Colossians 1:1-2, 3:20-21; Titus 1:6; and numerical Deuteronomy passages to make up the body of this paper. Even though this was so much work, I learned a lot and now I am ready to give a better answer for why I do what I do. If any of you would like a copy of this paper, please let me know.

We also learned how to make our own visuals, counsel a child, determine personalities, and other things. Today, after I post this, I am heading out with my group to put on a Party club for some children. The theme of this club is watermelon. We will be playing watermelon games and telling them the secret of the watermelon. The secret is within the colors of the watermelon. The dark seeds show us that we have sinned. The red part shows that Jesus came to die and give His blood to forgive our sins. The white part shows that we can be clean of our sin if we trust in Jesus. The green outside means that we are now to grow in our relationship with Jesus. And last but not least, the yellow watermelon blossom reminds us of Heaven and God's love for us.

You can't study all day and not have some fun! My 18th birthday was earlier this month so everyone celebrated with me! I got bombarded with cards from friends here and from home. We had cake (Disney Princess, may I add - even though I'm older now doesn't mean I have to grow up!) and watched God's Not Dead as a class. My Dad shocked me and sent me flowers. Don't I have just the best Daddy ever? Another day we went to an old fashioned town and walked around the old shops and took pictures. Starbucks runs are also a favorite fun activity.

All in all, I've made great friends and I am enjoying my studies. Thank you all for your prayers. Please keep me in your prayers in a few specific ways:

1. Keep praying for our studying and completion of homework.
2. Pray for me here as things happen at home and other places that I wish I could be at. Please pray for me to be content where I am and concentrate on my studies. 
3. Please continue to pray for God to provide the remaining funding for me as well as the other students attending CMI. We are all trusting in God to provide.
4. Please pray for me as I try to determine what will be the next step in my Missions journey. God has provided many opportunities, with more just added this week, and I just pray that I will have the wisdom to do what I should be, but step back from what is not meant to be.
5. Please pray as I continue to be part of Good News Clubs while I am up here. I get to teach the Bible Lesson of Jesus turning water into wine this Thursday (9/25). Pray I can balance this with school.
6. Please pray for unity amongst the students. We have all been living together for 4 weeks, and we are starting to step on each other's toes. Pray we can work well together and be humble enough to apologize when needed.
7. I have been given an opportunity to begin training to become a "Trail Guide" (moderator) on www.wonderzone.com. This training is online, but half of it would take place while I am still at CMI. Please pray that I can manage my time well so I can take advantage of this opportunity.

Thank you all so much in joining me on this wonderful journey to strive to be after God's heart.

<3 Sarah

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From Ireland to CEF Training School

The 2014 Dublin CEF CYIA Team

Ireland was a blast. I was so blessed to be able to spend 8 weeks there this summer. The last week I was there I got to meet up with Child Evangelism Fellowship and do 5-Day Clubs with them during their Christian Youth in Action week. I was put on a team with 3 other students along with Tanya Hamilton, the CEF director for Dublin.

Ollie, Adam, Andrew, and me

We were sent into the same clubs I was able to help out with one day last year. We had three clubs each day and it was a blessing to minister to the kids. I was able to teach 3 of the 5 Bible lessons - The paralyzed man, Jesus calms the storm, and then a wordless book demonstration. We all led songs, taught Bible memory verses, played games, and just had fun with the kids.

It was tough teaching those clubs as the kids are from very rough areas so some of them were huge handfuls sometimes. God was definitely protecting us as we were threatened to be stabbed, along with other things. One day one of the boys took our 'football' (soccer ball) and came up to our car with some friends as we were about to leave. He told us he would give our ball back if we gave him a 'jelly' (candy). We told him we would not give him a jelly for stealing. So as we were all buckled up in the car, he opened our 'boot' (trunk) and stole the jellys, spilling them all on the ground, and running away. His friends were encouraging him up until that point when they realized what was going on. They then told him to GIVE BACK THE BALL AND DON'T STEAL THE JELLIES! It was great. We got our ball back, without caving into what he was asking to do and the other kids stood up for what was right.

We didn't have any known salvations that week but we saw some softened hearts like Tommy who the first day of class was yelling at us and riding his bike right through the club. He was only 8 years old but his heart was hard as rock. A couple of us had the chance to talk to him throughout the week, and show Christ's love to him while inviting him to play games with us no matter what he did to us. By the end of the week, he was sitting quietly on the mat listening to the club and answering questions! Praise God!

It was a great week. God showed me how much the kids of the world need Jesus. And who will tell them? I will.

After Dublin CYIA, I finished up some things at Ireland Outreach before heading home on Tuesday, August 12. When I got to the Dublin airport that morning, I was told the plane that I thought had 9 seats was full as well as the plane that I thought had 21. At 7:00 in the morning I was told to wait until 8:15 to see if either would have a seat. So I waited in the front of the airport because they wouldn't even let me check my bag or go through security. At 8:15 I went back up to the counter inquiring of the situation. The lady was super excited to tell me I got on the earlier flight (the one I wanted to get on)! I then rushed through baggage check-in, security, pre-customs, and the rest of the airport. I arrived at my gate as they were just starting to board. I then realized I had a middle seat in between two people but it was an exit row so I had so much leg room so it was so worth it. God is so good!

In Charlotte, NC I found out that the pilot friend that provided me the cheap standby airline tickets was going to be flying into that airport while I was on my layover. He was hoping to surprise me, but I surprised him. We sat in the airport together until I had to board my final plane to New Orleans. 

On the flight from Charlotte to New Orleans, it was really empty. They assigned me a seat in an empty row so I laid down and slept the whole time. It was so good to see my family when I first saw them in the airport in New Orleans. Stephen and Olivia were waiting for me at baggage claim and when I saw them, we all started running towards each other until we ran into a huge hug! Oh, I missed those kids!

The rest of the kids were in the car or at home, and it was so good to see them. I was able to spend one week with them before heading off to my next adventure.

On Wednesday, August 20, I was once again at the airport. I flew via Houston to St, Louis, Missouri. I was on my way to Child Evangelism Fellowship's Children's Ministries Institute. At CMI I will be studying Children's Ministry and other ministry organization and leadership. 

The first week's class was Teaching Children Effectively level 1. A lot of it was review for me as I have been to CEF's Christian Youth in Action for four summers, but it was a lot harder. Instead of just studying our Bible lessons, we wrote our own Bible lessons. We also had to do writing assignments and practicums of a memory verse, the wordless book, and a Bible lesson. Today was the last day of the TCE1. I have learned so much that I will be implementing as I teach children in the future.

Some prayer requests:

1. Pray for our studying habits. We have around 2-3 hours of homework each night so it can be hard to keep studying when homework gets tough.
2. Please pray for unity among the students here. Its a small school (around 40 right now) and most of us are here for the full 12 weeks.
3. Pray for God to provide the needed funding for me as well as the other students attending CMI. We are all trusting in God to provide.
4. Pray for my family back at home as they are praying for me.
5. And please pray for me as I try to determine what will be the next step in my Missions journey. God has provided many opportunities and I just pray that I will have the wisdom to do what I should be, but step back from what is not meant to be.

Thank you all for your prayers! It means so much.

Sarah

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SMA2014: Kids Week 2014

Week three began with preparations for the kids week of week 4. As the graphics designer, I was put to the task of making flyers to stuff into letterboxes. Then we printed and cut 2200 of them. We spent Friday and Saturday stuffing them into letterboxes. With the help of Teen Missions, we were able to distribute 1,900 to homes around the community centre and put the rest in local stores. I was paired up with Ron, the AWANA Missionary from Iowa to letterbox. We were running out of the flyers on Friday when we ran into some kids. I got to talking to them about what we were doing and how they should come! The kids seemed really excited about it and one kid ran in the house to tell their mom right away. They came out really sad saying their mom wouldn't let them go. I was really sad and so were they but they said they'd try to get her to bring them. They also helped us know where kids lived on the street so we didn't waste any of our pile that was running out. I really wanted these kids to come. We all prayed they would.

We had three more team members arrive on Friday and Saturday. Haley from Arizona and Cam and Sammi from Michigan. Over the weekend I went around Dublin some more, got some pub food, took silly pictures, and rested for the big week that was to come. Teen Missions did a presentation at church including songs, puppet shows, testimonies, and dramas. 

Monday morning arrived and we finalized what we were doing that day. We planned to use the Wordless Book as the theme for the week so we would teach on one color a day. I made up Wordless Book Handbooks which had a verse the kids had to memorize each day that corresponded with the color of the day. I taught the first lesson which was gold. I taught the kids about Heaven and how it has a street made of gold, 12 gates made out of a huge single pearl each, how angels live there, and there's a crystal sea. But most importantly how God lives there and how he loves you and wants you to live there with him someday. I told them about the Lamb's Book of Life and how they can know if their name is written there. I then gave them the opportunity to talk to me if they wanted their name written there. No one came back to talk, but that's ok. Seeds were planted. As we reviewed day one each day, you could tell the kids soaked it all in. We had 15 children on day one. 

Day two my job was totally different. I sat at the registration table all day. Alyssa from Kansas gave the lesson on the Dark Page and how you have a sin problem that keeps you from Heaven. She showed how ALL people have sinned (Romans 3:23) and sin separates us from God. We had 16 children. 

Day three was the Red Page. Paul from Kansas taught how Jesus loves you so much that he came down to earth as a baby to one day die on the cross and shed his blood for you. He could do this because he is perfect. He never sinned. Jesus dying on the cross is your solution to your sin problem. 20 children attended. 

Day four was the Clean Page. Lois taught about how if you know you have sinned and believe what Jesus did to save you from your sin on the cross, you can be forgiven! 16 children attended. 

Day five was the last day. Rachael taught on the Green Page. She told the story of the ten lepers who were healed by Jesus but only one came back to thank him. She pointed out that when Jesus saves you, you don't want to be like the unthankful lepers. You want to live a thank you life to Jesus. Two ways to do that are to read your Bible - and obey it and to pray. You want to grow to be more like Jesus. Teen Missions also came to do a special presentation for the kids. 20 kids attended. 

Over the course of the whole week we were able to minister to 26 children. To God be the glory! Please pray for each of these children. 

Today we will go out to have a picnic in the park for the families of the kids who came. We are praying the parents will come and stay and we will be able to witness to them as well. We are praying the kids will bring more friends. We are praying for seeds to be planted, watered, and come to salvation. That will be an end to Kids Week 2014. Please keep praying for Fairview Hall (the church we work alongside) as they keep praying about starting a year round Awana club for these children. 

In Christ,

Sarah

SMA2014: What a Wonderful God We Serve

I have been in Ireland 2 weeks. This trip has been so wonderfully amazing I can't even begin to express it. I can tell you some of the wonderful things God has been doing.

Sunday, June 15 my mom and I were told we needed to leave for Ireland the following day. In order to have a chance at getting a seat on the plane flying standby, we would have to fly into Shannon, Ireland, not Dublin. Because of this we would have to rent a car to drive the 2 1/2 hours to Dalkey where we would be staying. We boarded the flight to Philledeplhia, PA not knowing if we would get on the flight to Shannon or have to spend the night in Philly. God knew what was to come. 

The Philly airport had a wonderful USO we ate a hot dinner at, refreshed ourselves, and watched a little bit of the World Cup while waiting to see if we'd have a seat on the flight. We then noticed that the Dublin gate and the Shannon gate were right next to each other and were leaving at the same time. We inquired about how many empty seats and awaiting standby passengers were on each. On the Shannon flight, we would be numbers 8 and 9 when there were only 8 seats while we would be numbers 3 and 4 out of 4 seats to Dublin. After much discussion, we decided to switch our standby status to Dublin. This was probably one of the most nervewracking things I've ever done. When it got down to the last few minutes before takeoff, we were told we had seats to DUBLIN!!! What a miracle! We then asked to get our baggage switched over and they assured us that it had been done. We boarded the flight ecstatic for what God had done!

On the flight to Philly

We arrived in Dublin the next morning and went to collect our baggage but we couldn't find it. We placed a loaf baggage claim and left the airport knowing we would have to pay €25 (about $35) to have our baggage delivered IF and WHEN they found it. Then we realized that Ireland Outreach had not seen the email that we were to arrive in Dublin so no one was there to pick us up. We got a bus to Dalkey, and then got picked up in the town. We had finally made it to Ireland Outreach! 

Went to the beach and got classic "99's"

Took her out to eat in a classy pub

Boat tour of Ireland's Eye in Howth

After getting settled in, Mom got to work in the kitchen preparing the daily meals as well as meals to freeze for the rest of the year when no cook is around. I was put straight to work editing and designing the new Aids for Bible Education Catalog. The Lord has been gracious and at this point it is almost finished. It will soon be time for it to be sent to the printer and then be mailed out to thousands of schools in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Please pray that God will use the catalog in mighty ways this school year. 

Mom's first euros!

Mom has since gone home. She went home on the 23rd of June. She did have to leave through the Shannon airport but because there are wonderful people here, one of them, Helmut from Germany drove her down there. She had an uneventful trip back home and got there safe and in a timely manner. 

My graphics work

Throughout the rest of my two weeks here, I have been put to work cooking, cleaning, making beds, doing laundry, and more graphics design for brochures, postcards, and posters. I have also done odd jobs when needed. 

God is really doing great things here. The Teen Mission International team is here working on building a playground and a roof for oil tanks. It's been great getting to know some great young people. 7 more people arrived today so the summer is picking up. We have 6 from Kansas and an Awana missionary from Iowa. Ron, the Awana missionary is going to train the team this week on how to do an Awana VBS program. I am really looking forward to that. The VBS starts next Monday at a community centre called Sean O'Casey Community Centre. It is in East Wall, Dublin, about a mile from the church we attend in Fairview, Dublin. Please pray for the outreach we will be doing this week (going door to door inviting people to the VBS) and next week as Ireland Outreach is praying about starting a year-round Awana program. It would be a great way to reach out to the community. 

Well, that's an update on the first two weeks of my time here in Ireland. Many more things are still to come and I am very excited for what God has in store. Thank you all for your prayers. I'd love to know that you're praying for me! You can comment, message me on Facebook, or email (eventheweeones@gmail.com) me! I'd love to hear from you. Thanks so much. 

In Christ,

Sarah

SMA2014: God's Providence

SMA2014: Sarah's Missionary Adventures 2014

Hey guys! This is my first update for my summer missionary trip to Ireland. Even though I am not in Ireland yet, I realized there is much to update already. I have titled this post God's Providence because I hope to show you how God has amazingly provided for my every need.

The first way God showed His providence to me was my friend's dad. He is a pilot for Us Airways. Because of that, he gets a number of "buddy passes" per year. These passes give a discounted rate to the pilot's friends and family. My friend's father offered up one of these passes to me. So instead of my roundtrip airline ticket costing $1200+, it cost me just under $500. Praise be to God! Be in prayer for my flight because the con of travelling with a buddy pass is that I will be flying standby. But God has already shown me that He provides so I know that God will provide a seat on the flights I will be on.

Up until last month, I still needed a good bit just for necessities. God was really testing my faith as I was weighing the option that maybe God didn't want me going this summer. Fundraising was going a lot slower than it had the year before. Then God plopped the remaining ammount in my lap all in one day. I was shocked and cried tears of joy. God wants me to go on this trip. He just wants me to learn to trust Him.

Another way God showed his providence was my last fundraiser. I had had a garage sale on my calendar for a while. People had been donating their unwanted stuff. As the weekend got closer, I saw that there was an 80-90% chance of thunderstorms all day long. Last time I cancelled a garage sale due to weather, it never rained. So, I was not going to cancel. I knew my God was stronger than the weather. He controls the weather. I prayed and prayed and prayed. The day of, I checked the weather. It was supposed to rain until 8am but then clear up until 3pm. We were on! The day was glorious! Praise God, the garage sale was a HUGE success with no weather complications.

During the garage sale, a man from a local thrift store stopped by. He told us that after we were through for the day, if we wanted to call him, he would come back and take the rest of our stuff. Not only would he take it off our hands, he would pay us for it! He payed us $100 for our leftovers! Praise God!

One more way God showed his abunding providence is that I went WAY over my funds goal. I realized I had enough money for one person to go with me for a week (airfare, lodging, and insurance). I could either gift someone with the funds to go on a mission trip or keep them for myself for my next trip. I felt God calling me to give it away so that I could trust Him even more next time. My Mom has always wanted to serve on the mission field but has never been given an opportunity. For Mother's Day, I surprised my Mom with an all exspense paid trip to serve in Ireland. She will be joining me from June 18 (traveling over with me) through June 26. Please be praying for her as well.

God is so great. I can't even express how amazing He is. Thank you all for your prayers. I know God is hearing them. Please continue to pray for my Mom and me as we plan to serve the Irish people.