Hailey's Newsletter

Hello!

I hope you are having a wonderful day!

This letter serves as a means to update my family and friends on my life, as well as explain where I am headed.

To begin, I’d like to immediately thank everyone who made my last trip to the Dominican Republic possible.

Since my visit to the Makarios school, God has continued to press on my heart the need to care for his children and his people, all while expanding his kingdom.

He also provided me with an amazing new community to grow alongside with and learn from!

Currently I am finishing up my last semeseter at The University of Texas (hook em’ baby), while also interning at a non-profit called Side by Side Kids as their Media and Marketing Intern.

After graduation I will be heading to Tyler, Texas to serve on Pine Cove’s media team! Come the end of the Summer, I will be seeking full-time employment (a.k.a. growing up).

God is doing so much in my life, more than I could ever imagine. He is consistently providing daily proof to his truth that a life focused on putting our trust in him and glorifying his name is a life unimaginably rewardable and joyful...

The Journey of a Lifetime

R E P U B L IC A D O M IN IC A

As I mentioned before, my time in the Dominican Republic was so sweet. During my visit, our team served as support for the long-term staff living there. It was so humbling to see families, individuals, both older and younger who have commited their lives towards the children and families living in three nearby villages. These villages and the quality of life of the people in them was astonishing. It quickly became clear how blessed America is in resources but also how poor we are in community. These children didn’t have television, iPads, or playstation... they had each other and a ball (only when we brought them during village visits). Through this though, we saw so many smiles and so much love.

The most pressing experience I had occured halfway through our trip when I wondered into the cafeteria where the Makarios children were eating breakfast. This breakfast was different than others, it was the first meal since being back from Christmas break. As I looked around I noticed an overwhelming majority scarfing down their bowls of rice and beans. It was explained to me by one of the staff members that most of the children only eat at the school, their other meals are non-existant, and the break results in more hunger than normal. It still to this day often baffles me when I look into the immense amount of food sitting in my pantry.

Overall, my trip heightened my level of compassion for the nations. From the girls who constantly wanted to play with my “gringa” hair, to the little boy who continously asked me to kick the ball and take a picture of him catching it at the same time (almost as impossible as it sounds), I will cherish my time in the Dominican Republic. Since my return I have struggled greatly with the realization of how much more we have here in America compared to others. The only reason I can see as to why we are so blessed in comparison is found in Luke 12:48 where it states “to whom much is given, of him much will be required...”

Beat of my heart

In January of 2012, so exactly one year before my past trip, I decided to take up playing the guitar. Now I have always loved to sing, but I believed that I had passed the point of learning to play an instrument.

Come to find out with YouTube all things are possible. As I struggled through learning your basic chords I began to deeply enjoy the ability to make my own music and sing along.

Exactly one year later, a talent that I thought was nothing more than petty fun, God used for his glory. My playing, alongside the beautiful voice of Laurena (pictured to the right), lead worship for our DR team. How amazing that God prepared that for our trip over a year in advance and that He let me be a part of leading others to lift up his name!

$2,900

THE NEXT ADVENTURE:

Athens, Greece.

$1,300

I know, you’re probably asking yourself “what can Hailey do for God in Athens, Greece?” To be honest, I thought the exact same thing, that is, until I began to learn about the people of the city. Surprisingly, many (including myself) are unaware of the immense amount of unreached people, those that have never even heard the Gospel, living in Athens. With this being said, I have been blessed with an amazing opportunity by the Austin Stone Community Church to travel to Athens, Greece this summer to share the Gospel with many. My time there will be spent partnering with a local organization to help them further understand the area, pray over the community in Athens, and give this existing team of missionaries a gift of Jesus-hungry people that they can teach and disciple after we leave!

While my previous trip was focused on caring for God’s children, this trip highlights a different aspect of serving our God, sharing the love of Christ to those who have never ever heard His name. I am so excited about this opportunity... but more than anything, I want more of God. I want the world to know who He is, what His character is like, and how much joy is found in him. I want to know him more and am confident the Lord will use this trip to Athens to increase the fame of his name and increase our joy as he uses broken sinners like you and me to call his people to himself! With that being said, I would be honored if you would join me on this expedition.

Austin Stone has challenged us not to fund this trip or pray for this trip by ourselves, which would be so much more comfortable and easier (if I’m being honest). So, I’m following through, I’m stepping out and asking my friends and family to support me financiailly and with prayer. Please don’t consider either avenue out of obligation. I pray you partner because you want more joy, because you want God to be your delight as well as others, and because your genorosity results in “the profit which increases to your account” and eternal gain (Phil 4:17).

If you would like to join by giving financially, I will need to raise only 1,600 more dollars to cover the cost of my trip. I would also like it to be noted that I am not sending out graduation announcements so please consider this in replacement of that! Either way I am excited for you to support me in my future no matter the means. Thank you for even joining me by reading this letter and caring about where my life is and what I am up to. I can’t wait to share with you where God takes me in the next year, all I hope for is that He increases and we decrease.

If you feel inclined to give financially, you can give online here: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=33cb5d or by check to 2505 San Gabriel Street, Apt 602, Austin, Texas 78705

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