Child Trafficking Petition for Son of God Orphanage - Carrefour, Haiti

PLEASE REPOST/FWD TO FRIENDS -  HELP BE A VOICE FOR THE LITTLE CHILDREN! PLEASE SIGN PETITION BELOW:

Proverbs 31:8-9 states,

Open your mouth for the speechless,
 In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
 And plead the cause of the poor and needy.

  

Hi friends,

As many of you know, God gave me the opportunity to go on a mission trip this year to Haiti back in March with Adventures in Missions. The trip was a completely blessing, however, my heart had a heaviness for the orphaned children I was able to spend time with . The conditions of the orphanage were very  severe. Naked children playing in their feces, hopelessness, neglect, physical abuse, lack of medical attention, lack of nourishment and lack of unconditional love.  My heart shattered in pieces when it was time for me to depart back to Miami. However, those farewells weren’t over in my heart!

A month later in April, the director of the orphanage was arrested for Child Trafficking. Soon the conditions of the orphanage got worse. Food being donated to the orphanage and clothing was being sold and children weren’t being fed at all. They were only given leftovers or what “Staff Members” didn’t sell. God continue to instill in my heart to pray for the orphanage and the kids yet I had no idea what would happen in the months to come. Nonetheless, I have since kept in touch with my trip leaders and a sister in Christ that lives in Haiti, Megan, whom I have been keeping updated with the condition of Haiti and that Orphanage. 

  

  God foreknew this, but even during all the suffering that is going on not only here, but in the rest of the world with orphaned children and the widows in distress, we find JOY through the Faith God has put in our hearts with the Holy Spirit. Any who, faithful brothers and sisters in Christ have decided to stand up for the least of these and a Petition has been presented. So the reason for this email is simply this: partner with me in signing this petition as we reach 10,000 signatures! This petition will Lord willing help end the Child Trafficking at the Son of God Orphanage. The orphanage will therefore close down and  the 75+ orphaned children can be sent to a safer location and/or orphanage. The link below is Megan’s blog, Founder of Respire Haiti and one of the voices for the Children for the Son of God Orphanage. In this blog post, she gives a brief update of the condition of the orphanage and the Petition link is found shortly after.

Update of the Orphanage is found below:

http://blessedwithaburden.wordpress.com/2011/10/16/from-darkness-to-light-help-us-be-their-voice/

Please consider taking a few minutes to sign the Human Trafficking Petition below:

http://www.change.org/petitions/the-freedom-project-expose-human-trafficking-at-son-of-god-orphanage-in-haiti

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.’ Matthew 24:40

  

in Christ,

Esther Victoria

Facebook: Esther Victoria Toribio

Twitter: esther_victoria

hislightguides@gmail.com

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http://www.hislightguides.blogspot.com/

follow. JESUS.

On the morning of April 13, 2011, my grandfather was admitted to ICU. The Lord can take him any day now. It is all a matter of time. As you might be wondering, "Is he saved?" I can tell you "definitely!" At 85 years old, I can humbly write that he followed JESUS. His life reflected the gospel (Philippians 1:27). In that, it dawned on me and wanted to ask myself and you personally, the person reading this, how is your life looking like? Are you truely seeking out God's will for your life?(Hebrews 10:6) Are you picking up your cross daily? (Luke 9:23)
This is where I am getting to now. Late that afternoon, I challenged myself to read the book of 1 Thessalonians. As qouted on my devotional NIV Women's Bible, The Book of 1 Thessalonians is about Paul writing this letter to the church he began in Thessalonia (Acts 17:1-9) right after leaving them and being unable to return. Paul is excited about their Christian faith and is reminded of his love for them. He answers questions about what death means for a Christian. As you read this book, come to terms that as a believer and a follower of Jesus Christ, when you die you will still be under God's care and will. You will be with the Lord forever. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
In each chapter of this book, I wanted to disect and summarize what I learned from each chapter. below is a summary of what I learned. I pray that God speaks to you in some way. The spirit of the Lord spoke to me in ways after summarizing and I pray that you too, can summarize what you learned and just maybe compare it with what I learned from it.
1 THESSALONIANS 1:1-10

• Bein immitators of God
• Welcoming the message of Jesus with JOY
• Being a reflection of who Jesus is to all believers and to everyone God puts in your path.

related sripture:
1 Corinthian 11:1// Philippians 1:4-6//Micah 6:8//James 1//3 John

1 THESSALONIANS 2: 1-16

• Please God and not man when we share the gospel.
• Not everyone will accept Jesus. It is okay to be rejected. Don't get offended. They are rejecting Jesus, not you.
• Sharing our lives as living proof that the gospel is real. Do our actions match up to Christian living?
• Knowing the difference between biblical teaches v. what is from man.

related scriptures:
1 Timothy 4: 1-6;12//Galatian 1:10-12//Philippians 1:27//

1 THESSALONIANS 3: 1-13

• Coming to those that need to hear the gospel. Remember  for some of you. Somebody came to you to share the gospel. Be that somebody that reaches out to someone that needs JESUS.
• Holding each other accountable.
• Encouraging one another.
• Standing firm in boldness - stepping out of your confort zone.

related scripture:
Acts 26:15-18//Titus 2:1-8//James 5:16//Ephesians 4:4

1 THESSALONIANS 4:1-18

• Living our lives to please JESUS.
• To turn to Him first before decision making.
• Avoid things that displeases our Father.
• Being pure, in singleness.
• To have self-control
• In our actions, do not boast.

related scripture:
Ephesians 2:10//Ephesians 6:19//Ephesians 7//Titus 2//Matthew 6:3//Hebrews 13:4//1 Peter 1:13//
1 Peter 4:1-11

1 THESSALONIANS 5: 1-28

• The second coming of JESUS.
• to remind ourselves that we no longer live in darkness; we have been brought to life through the light of Jesus Christ.
• Putting on the amor of God.
• God' will for our lives.

related scriptures:
John 15:16//Hebrews 6: 4-6//Revelation 20:15//2 Corinthians 5:17// Ephesians 2:13//
Ephesians 6:13-17//Zephaniah 3:1-6//1 Peter 4:12-19


This pretty much sums up what following JESUS should look like. The entire Bible is filled with scriptures that relate to living like Christ. I hope you find these scriptures useful as you dive into the word and learn from it.

In Christ,

Esther Victoria

prayer.

so yes prayer. a word that is so important in our relationship with JESUS. It is a word that we should hold close to our hearts. This is how we can communicate with our God.

I thank God everyday for my mother who has led a great example when it comes to prayer. She is a little PRAYER WARRIOR. Whom ever God puts in her path at any given day she will ask that person if she can pray over them. I love her boldness. She is fearless. Seeing her obedience in my walk with Christ, I have been able to engage in prayer like never before! However, it was never like that in the begining. I had always been afraid to pray outloud in group settings or always afraid that I never was able to pray good enough. Do not get me wrong, I had always prayed outloud before going to bed at night or just in my car, but I never had the courage to just pray outloud. This is something I began to pray for in 2009. Around that time, I was in a bible study and we did something like popcorn prayer, wherer someone would open up in prayer and then if the spirit of the Lord placed it in your heart you would pray and so on so forth. I felt the presence of God over me at that moment. Someone opened up in prayer, and then they were done and at that moment I felt the spirit just tugging at my heart telling me "Esther, now is your chance." and so I obeyed! I prayed outloud in front of people, other Christians. The Spirit totally took over my words, but as soon as I was finished, I felt great. I was like, "Wow that wasnt so bad afterall."

Since then, through God's grace, I have become a little prayer warrior myself. I guess I  tend "break the ice" for those individuals that are afraid to pray first when in group settings. God always tugs at my heart now whenever there is an opportunity to pray and trust me this is not for my gain, this is Him simply telling me "Do it" - - I thank God for giving me the act of being bold and having no fear. He is will me afterall right? (Romans 8:31). Because God is so faithful is all areas, I have been able to take another step of faith and just pray for people in need. I have a prayer journal and ever so often I will take prayer requests and take a day out of the week to fast/pray usually at night. It is so beautiful to see that connection you will have before your King and the communication is beyond my words.

If you are reading this I encourage you to pray outloud at the next bible study you go to or if the Lord is leading you to pray with an individual that needs prayer wether it is a friend, family member, co-worker. Remember everyone needs prayer. Go for it! You never know whose life you may impact if you allow the Holy Spirit to move in this area in your life.  Ask Him today for the Holy Spirit to guide your words in prayer. What do you have to loose? You do not need to be a prayer expert. Remember this is communication between you and God or you God and the people that are around you engaging in prayer.

Below are scriptures that helped me embrace this area in my life and I hope these scriptures can help you as well.

1 John 5:14-15:
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us whatever we ask we know that we have what we asked of him."

Matthew 18:20
"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Psalm 3: 3-5

 "But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
   my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
I call out to the LORD,
   and he answers me from his holy mountain.
 I lie down and sleep;
   I wake again, because the LORD sustains me."

Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Ephesians 6:18

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

John 14:13
"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

I am taking some time Thursday night to pray. If you have any prayer request please feel free to email me at hislightguides@gmail.com

In Christ,
Esther Victoria

worship&justice.

When we think of worship we think of great music where we can just sing to Jesus and lift up our hands and just sing from the bottom of our souls. That feeling is so breathtaking, but I want to clarifiy. Worship is about loving God and loving His people. When we love people we have come to understand what the true meaning of JOY is.
JOY is . .

JESUS first, then
OTHERS, then
YOURSELF

That is a perfect example of worship. To praise God and honor His will for His people. To fully understand to live a life for others. Jesus laid down His life for us, so why not be a reflection of who He is to those around us. To really be the HANDS&FEET OF JESUS to everyone He puts in our path.

 We see in the book of James 1:27 mention what it really is to worship:

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Friends, we want to make sure we are living a selfless life. To be a light into this world and see the change and difference in us. That difference is the Holy Spirit living in us. Whenever we make it to Heaven, we want the Lord to tell us, "You lived out your life according to what the gospel had to say." -

Philipians 1:27-28 is the perfect verse for this scenerio, " Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contendingas one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved - and that by God."

If people really understand the meaning of that verse, they will surely understand the true meaning of worship. Because God is sovereign (set apart from us), He just instilled in my heart to share these next several verses:

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
   ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
   ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

These verses are exactly what it is to put others before you and be Jesus to everyone God places in your path. Be different. Take advantage of that opportunity and step in boldness. There is no fear!
I might have shared these next two verses in older blog, but if you can really understand what Paul is writing here in Pillipians 1:20-21, then you are a person who GETS IT!

It states: " I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

Living a life worth living for. You are all on this earth to live life with purpose: for God's name to be glorified in all areas!

to get involved and put peoples' needs above yourself wether its through missonary trips or just outreach events just outside your backyard please visit the following links:


http://www.caringformiami.org/
http://www.frommiamiwithlove.org/
http://www.godbelongsinmycity.com/
http://www.rightnow.org/
http://dosomethingnow.com/
http://www.compassion.com/
http://www.e3partners.org/
http://www.adventures.org/
http://www.real4christ.com/

Hope this helps (:

In Christ,

Esther Victoria

GOD Belongs in My City . . .

God Belongs in My City comes to Miami.

The Vision Casting will be held this Friday, April 8, 2011

Location: Central Bible Church

1300 SW 87 Avenue

Miami, FL 33174

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Prayer Walk will take place on Saturday, June 4, 2011, location & time: TBA
if you are interested on attending April 8th or ordering t-shirts please contact:
Janeen Pena: janeenpena@yahoo.com
Henry Fitoria: henryfitoria@gmail.com
facebook page for GBIMC - http://www.facebook.com/#!/GBMCMIA
http://www.godbelongsinmycity.com/

make a stand for JESUS

the name above every name!

"I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,  in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought." 1 Corinthians 1:10 

Blessings,

Esther Victoria 



light guides.

below are a few snap shots taken from my digital canon of early morning sunrise on 04.02.11.

i love taking pictures of the sky. it is one of the ways that my God loves to romance me.

He paints the skies for me to see.

 enjoy.

Model: JESUS

Location: in His presence

photographer: His beautiful daughter.

"You are the light of the world." Matthew 5:14

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105 

and this is simply why He makes me feel beautiful internally.

"All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you." SOS 4:7

because . .

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful, I know that full well. " Psalm 139:14

In Christ,

Esther Victoria



i am a rebel.

because I asked God earlier this year to use me in all areas in my walk. I was given the opportunity to serve as a greeter at a mobile church here in Miami called RebelChurch. I am pretty sure you are asking me what is RebelChurch?

Rebel Church is a movement of non-conformists reaching a generation in desperate need of Jesus Christ.

This church meets at different locations throughout the city of Miami. They bring Jesus to you so you can experience Jesus on your own.

 

It's been a blessing serving alongside other believers who are there for one purpose: to reach people to life throuh the gospel of Jesus Christ!

 

God sent His only son, Jesus to come into this world to die for our sins. (John 3:16 & John 10:10) In the same way we need to come to the people that need Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Reflect Jesus and reach those that need to be reached. Romans 10:15 states, 'And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” ' Some people do not know who Jesus is or how to even enter the gates of heaven when they die here on earth .Because we are believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we must approach them!

 

I invite you to join us at our next meeting!

What: RebelChurch Prayer Gig

When: Sunday, April 10, 2011

Where: Calvary Chapel Kendall - Central Campus

16435 SW 117th Avenue, Miami, FL

Time: 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

What to expect: intense time of worship, unity, vision and prayer!

Hope to see you there!

 

for more information please visit the following link: http://www.rebelchurch.org/

Add RebelChurch on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/rebelchurch

Follow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/rebelchurch

Blessings,

Esther Victoria

 

Words of Hope Street Ministries

so here goes. before my trip to Haiti, God ignited a vision in 3 individuals. God had a plan and purpose. The things these individuals have in common = they were once in darkness.experienced Ultra Music Festival in the world.came to know Jesus Christ.live for JESUS.

because God is soooo BIG and Miami, FL is the second most unchurched city, the Lord put it in our hearts to start a street ministry here in our backyard. God is needed here! People need that hope where it can only be found in Christ. He is the living water!

God wanted us to share JESUS to people at Ultra Music Festival. Ultra Music Festival is a 3 day event that happens in March in Downtown Miami where thousands of people come to enjoy electronica/house music. Sadly, but true alot of people that come to this event come here for the drugs. The drugs are tempory fulfilled. I was a victim of this event 7 years ago. I was so caught up in what the world had to offer, which in reality was nothing. I did the drugs. I almost died that night on March 2004. Sadly because of the poor decisions I made that night and the hotel i ended up at with my friends at the time, I was raped. Raped in the sense that I had no control over the situation and the individual still had sex with me knowing that I was unaware of what was happening. It is something i myself am not proud of, but the Lord gave me a second chance! Looking back now, was a few hours of just dancing around and "feeling good" because you are on Ectascy worth it? never, but again God had a planned purpose. nothing compares to the fullness of Jesus  - being our fountain and only fulfillment!

so anywho, 7 years later, God called me and these two individuals here at that very moment of  03.25.11 and 03.26.11. We didn't know what to expect, but we OBEYED. We had a few volunteers from other churches help out each day.

we reflected who He is and what He has done in each of our lives. we were there to plant seeds. As a result, people were saved, we had the opportunity to pray with people and just handed out FREE water bottles to individuals. Free? yes FREE! the living water of Jesus Christ is priceless! :) Seen it from the perspective of being sober and being Jesus follwers, that is where it hit home for us that the city of Miami needs to be reached! It is great to go overseas, but this mission trip is here in the city of Miami where we live!

our prayer is that this ministry can grow and really go out there in BOLDNESS and reach people to come to know Jesus Christ.

 If you are reading this right now and you want a relationship with Jesus Christ, please note that it's not a religion. it's a relationshp. You will be one decision away from entering in a life with Him. He wants to be your friend. Invite Him in your heart today.
Say this outloud:
"Lord Jesus, give me that living water. I want forgiveness of mysins. I want to know that I am going to heaven. I want a new life. I'm tired of the old life I have been living. I want something else in life. I believe that You are the Living Water. I believe that you died for my sins, and conquered death, so that I can drink of the living water and have eternal life and a personal relationship with you. Amen!

If you have just prayed that prayer, we would love to hear from you! please email us at wordsofhope@live.com and we would be more than happy to get you plugged in a church for personal growth!

Scripture:
John 4:13
Isaiah 55:1
Revelation 22:16-17

 if you would like to be a part of the movement for our next outreach event, please email us at wordsofhope@live.com
add us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Words-of-Hope/141380139247177

below are some pictures from the event:

(Christ-centered flyers)

(founders of Words of Hope Street Ministries)

(team of volunteers)

(Got Life?)

In Christ,

Esther Victoria

send me. i'll go.

because God loves us soooo much and when you start to fall deeply in love with Him, you become obedient. A few weeks after Passion 2011, I submitted  my applicaton through http://www.rightnow.org/ . The Spirit of the Lord was speaking to me and these scriptures came to mind:
 Matthew 28:19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
James 1:27 ^" Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."


I really wanted God to prepare me if He were to ever send me overseas and experience poverty outside of Miami, FL. Through prayer and just reading the word sometime around late January/early February, I felt the Lord calling me to go on mission trip. I was waiting on Him to reveal it to me as to where I should go. Then one evening I was sharing with a friend about me going on a trip and that I was waiting on God as far as the location. My friend told me "there is no need to wait". God is needed everywhere." Soon thereafter, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. I felt like He was telling me, “I will let you know where you need to go.” Minutes later I received a response back from Adventures in Mission letting me know that Haiti trips were available this year.  It seems that other organizations like 410 Bridge and Global Aid Network were responding back with “Haiti.” All pointers were leading to Haiti. I felt it was definitely a calling from the Holy Spirit. The Lord had confirmed it. He wanted me in Haiti.
The application deadline for Adventures in Missions was on 02.11.11 to go to Haiti for Spring Break (March13-18). I prayed about it and I literally submitted my application and paid my deposit and I was in. I had no clue as to how I was going to come up with about $800-$900, but I put my 100% trust in God because He always comes through. Two weeks later, I was FULLY funded and I thanked the Lord soooo much during that time and just thanked all the 15 or so individuals that funded my trip! It was a blessing. God really wanted me to go. I had no idea that i would actually have the BOLDNESS to go to the poorest country in the western hempisphere and actually go somewhere where an earthquake hit a year ago, but all in all GOD's name was written all over it and in the end i had to be OBEDIENT.
Before the trip, I asked the Lord specifically to use me as His vessel in Haiti. To remind me that I was there to SHINE GOD's LIGHT in and through me. That is where John 3:30 came into place that week." He must become great. I must become less."
So we had 15 people in our AIM team and working alongside with Pastor Wilnord of Hait.
Since I decided to sleep in a tent on a roof where we were staying it was difficult to journal. So i decided to do a video journal each night. Here is a recap of the most amazing week in Caurrefor, Haiti
March 13th - arrival. second time on an airplane.first time out of the U.S. Church service. John 15:!6*

March 14 - school visit and Son of God Orphanage
March 15 - Prayer Walk. Evangelizing. People were saved.Tentcity visits. church service. I share my testimony. 2 Corinthians 5:17
March 16 - Son of God Orphanage visit w/ donation distribution.prayer walks.women's bible study.teen girl that had a dream becomes a  believer and is handed a Bible.- the video cuts here =/
March 17 - tent city visits w/ food distributions. school visit w/ donations to teachers and students. Son of God Orphanage last visit. devotional and prayer time with team.
http://s1180.photobucket.com/albums/x406/AIMHaiti2011/?action=view&current=Recap031711.mp4
March 18 - saw the team from Christ Fellowship at the Airport. They happened to be in Haiti that same week at Jeremy, Haiti. Shared my experience with a wonderful sister in Christ. She know who she is! Arrived to Miami International Aiport at 1:30 p.m.

After this trip, God changed my life drastically. I have a new love for Haiti and a new found love for mission trips and evangelizing. I felt like i really needed to step out of my comfort zone and that is exactly what God allowed me to do. Remember His plan is PERFECT for each of us!
here are some pictures to relive those memories:

(my place of rest fo the week on a roof)

(tent city visits)

(siblings that share a piece of my heart at Son of God)

(tent city visits; her name was Esther)

(school visits)

(prayer walk/evangelism days)

(Mishelle from Son of God Orphanage)

(i fell in love with this little guy at Son of God)

(food distribution for tent cities)

(Jennika opened up to me at Son of God)

view the video below of the adorable little boys i wanted to take home

http://s1180.photobucket.com/albums/x406/AIMHaiti2011/?action=view&current=061.mp4

In Christ,

Esther Victoria

Here For YOU . .

ahhh! i have been wanting to let you all know that I had the opportunity this year to attend Passion 2011 January 1-4 for the first time! what a humbling experience worshiping the name of JESUS with 22,000+ college students. The Lord was definitely exalted and many hearts were lifted up because He made it all happen!
I wanted to share with you in what we all studied during those 4 days. We studied the book of Philipians! I had read the book of Philipians prior to the trip, but I really hadn't dived into that book until the conference. It was definitely a message each of us needed to hear and really understand.
We sometimes ask our selves questions such as: what is my purpose in life? what does it mean to really live a life for Jesus and not just giving yourself the label: I am a Christian? hmm. Before the conference i specifically asked the Lord to just awaken my soul and convict me of any areas of my life that needed adjustments or improvements. He answered! This conference was life changing. I learned a lot and it made me realize that we need to have an attitude worth living for Jesus.
Apart from the amazing worship music by Chris Tomlin, Dave Crowder Band, Christy Nockels, Lecrae, Gungor, etc. the messages from Louie Giglio, Beth Moore, John Piper, Andy Stanley, David Platt, and Francis Chan were definitely God's words spoken out of their mouthes.

A verse that really stood out to me was:
Philippians 1:27-30 states:

 27 ‘Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,[e] striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.’

Francis Chan covered this passage on one of the nights. It was true. If I say I am a Christian, my life needs to weigh out what is written in the Bible.  It dawned on me that I needed to pray more and read the word more and go out wherever God needed me to go. Isaiah 6:1 states “send me; I’ll go.” I felt some sort of peace over me and the Lord was telling me to take full advantage to be His light here on earth and to go out to those that desperately need His love.
The entire chapter of Philippians 2 speaks about how, God sent his only Son, Jesus Christ here on earth to serve as a servant. A servant to death, even death on a cross. The attitude of Jesus was an attitude of obedience. (Phil. 2:5-11) He did everything without arguing and complaining. That verse hit home for me. It was time for an attitude adjustment. (Phil. 2:12-18) In that same way, I need to be obedient to my Father up above and have an attitude of service, an attitude that reflects the attitude of Jesus Christ. If I wanted to live a life worth living for, that meant I needed to pick up the Cross daily and be obedient towards Jesus. I want to follow Him the rest of my life. I don’t deserve it, none of us do, and we all fall short of His glory. We deserve Hell, but because of the perfect gift of Salvation, we will be living in eternity with the One who gave it all! For that reason, I want to make the name is JESUS famous wherever He sends me!
We also had the opportunity to go in an area called DO SOMETHING NOW, to be that force for good. This area had different non-profit organizations where if the Spirit of the Lord was putting it in your heart, you were able to donate and make each organization reach a goal. All funds collected were going to benefit people in third-world countries in different areas of need. in just 4 days we were able to collect nearly $1.1 million. Below is a recap:
385 micro-loans to lift a family in Afghanistan out of poverty, instead of the goal of 200
• 2,210 children in South Africa food for one year, exceeding the goal to feed 1,000
• 442 children through Compassion International sponsorship and essentials, instead of the goal of 150
• 38 homes in Haiti for displaced families, instead of the goal of 15 homes
• 31,200 Bibles to people in remote areas of Columbia, far exceeding the goal of 20,000 Bibles
• 21 girls trapped in the sex trade in Bolivia with aftercare and vocational training, surpassing the goal of ten girls
• 28 rescue operations to bring girls out of sex slavery in Cebu, Philippines, exceeding the goal of 10 rescue operations
• 141 surgeries to bring physical healing to babies in Uganda suffering from Hydrocephalus, or "water on the brain," exceeding the goal to fund 50
Students also donated 17,478 towels and 85,357 pairs of socks to the local homeless community.

 we made the name of JESUS famous during the conference and we are making His name famous in our daily walk! we are His hands&feet. :)

Anywho, I cannot wait til Passion 2012 at the Georgia Dome. for more information: http://www.268generation.com/, http://www.dosomethingnow.com/

In Christ,
Esther Victoria

2 Corinthians 5:17

so as a first post I would like to share my testimony; it is part of His story. This is to inform you of who I was and who I am now with Jesus Christ. Please know that God has a special plan and purpose for each of you. Jeremiah 29:11 states " For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." here goes:

 All my life I had been raised in a Christian home. My parents had my sisters and I involved in the children's ministry at New Testament Baptist Church (Dade Christian School). I accepted Jesus in my life when I was 12. I was baptized as well. But as a kid, I really didn't know the real foundation of having a relationship with God. I really had no other option than to go to church on Sundays with my parents. In that same year, I received devestating news that I was diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Failure. Basically I was told that I would never have my own children and the only option I'd have was to adopt. I have to admit because of that I blamed and hated God. I wanted nothing to do with him. By the time I was 15, I thought I was "smarter" and became rebelious towards my parents. I had separated myself alot from God because I thought I was too "cool" for God. I fell into a BIG hole of SIN. Cursing, Late Night Partying, Kissing Girls for attention, wearing skimpy halloween costumes, Sex, Drugs and Alcohol were my life between the ages of 15-20. I was the "PARTY GIRL." Considering the fact that I wasn't getting any form of "love" from men, I turned to girls. Yes, I admit, I was Bi-sexual once upon a time. All of these actions were a result of not being/feeling loved and I felt I needed to turn to these things to fill that void. It felt so good at the moment because it satisfied a pleasure, but after it resulted in complete emptiness. By the time I turned 18 up until the age of 20, I became a local lingerie/swimsuit model. I walked around with a lot of PRIDE. I craved the attention and loved the fact that men/women lusted over my body. Externally I felt important, but internally, I felt ashamed. It had its good and bad times, but I knew this wasnt the path I wanted to take. At this time, I needed God more than ever. I would only turn to Him in troubled times. I wanted to change my ways of living. Sure enough to calm my lifestyle down, at the age of 21, I was in my first "real" relationship. At the time I thought it was all I wanted, I said I was a Christian, but I wasn't putting my so called faith into practice. God certainly wasn't at the center of that relationship. Although it took awhile, during the *FALL OF 2008*, it was definately the start of a NEW BEGINING. My sister, Elizabeth had invited me to join the NEW TESTAMENT CHALLENGE SMALL GROUP through Calvary Fellowship. I looked forward to every Tuesday nights soley because I grew a crush on someone there. Attending this small group made me realize who God really is and how important I am to Him. In the meantime, I was realizing that I wasn't in love, and God allowed me to start having a crush on this other guy so God can work in me. Within months I grew so close to God, wanting to know more about Him. After that Bible study, God had changed me completely. I began going to service at church more often, praying a whole lot more, attending bible study, listening to worship music, and reading the Bible. I never actually thought I would ever buy a Bible and actually read it. God is AMAZING. I have been pure from sex since Nov. 2008. I am WAITING TIL MY WEDDING DAY. =) I was baptized as an adult on 09/25/09 at the beach through Calvary Miami. God became so important in my life that my so called other half wasn't willing to accept that nor have the curiousity of what Christianity was all about. I had been keeping it in prayer and God was giving me clues, that certainly he wasn't going to be the one for me. I was sick and tired of living a double life. Lying to others saying I was single when in reality I was still in that relationship. It made me understand that I have to set an example to everyone and lying wasn't going to cut it. In May of 2010, I FINALLY learned how to "Let Go & Let God." I was able to take that stand in who I am living for and what I believe in and decided to put my 110% TRUST in God and in that I firmly believe that God has someone special out there for me. I know that currently He is molding my future husband to be a reflection of who God is. a LEADER, someone who is WISE when it comes to decision making, serves and puts others before him, someone who puts God first in all they do! God knows when I will be ready to be a wife and a mother. I want be the GREATEST BLESSING of my future husband's life. In the meantime, I will be SERVING GOD in all areas during my singleness! I know what I want & I am no longer settling for less than what I deserve. I am not worried & in that I am at peace and in Christ I have found♥ h a p p i n e s s ♥. HE completes me; what man cannot fulfill. Anywho, Out with the Old & In with the New! 2 Corinthians 5:17

update** As of October 2010, I found out that in fact, I can have my own children. My physician informed me that it is impossible that someone with Premature Ovarian Failure could have their own children. He stated "it was a medical miracle." He was right. God, who is my physician has performed a miracle. He placed His hands over my ovaries and I have been cured! So all along for 12 years I lived thinking that I would never have children and here I am 12 years later fully blessed as what the Lord has done in my life. :)

(this image was taken the morning of my baptism 09.25.09)