Official Announcement!

If I haven't already informed you, there are some pretty big events that are going to be taking place in my life in the next year or so. I figured I would take this opportunity to let everyone know officially. As you all know, this past year I went to Israel on a five month outreach with S.E.N.D. ministries to Israel. After my return I was invited to become a part of a completely new re-vamped leadership program through the same ministry. The program is called "RHYTHM" and is focused on raising servant leaders to lead a called generation from the very Heart Beat of God.

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him."

2 Corinthians 16:9

It is a two year commitment to S.E.N.D. The program starts March 1 with a four month in-depth leadership coaching in the classroom followed by a four month outreach to a foreign nation for training on the field. The outreach will be from July 10th to Oct. 30th. Our team with consist of only leaders-in-training and the team leaders of the team leaders :) After we return to the States we will be going on a promo/recruiting road trip across the states from Nov. 2nd- Dec. 14th sharing what the Lord is doing through the ministry in the nations and the need for more workers! After the official training (because we should always be training in something) is completed, one of a few things may happen under the umbrella of S.E.N.D.. 1. I could lead a team for five months to a foreign nation 2. I could go out on my own for a long term solo mission 3. I could become part of the Admin/Promo team here in the the states 4. I could scout out new nations for future S.E.N.D. trips. It is such an exciting time to be a part of this new vision! The RYTHYM program is going to be such an amazing tool in equipping people to be servant leaders. I am so blessed to be able to be a member of the first "class".

“We will lead generations but first lead a life in tune to the exact rhythm of our Father.”

The logistical details are as follows:

Calendar:

Lecture: March 1st- June 19th

Rest: Oct. 30th- Nov. 2nd

Outreach: July 10th- Oct. 30th

Promo: Nov. 2nd- Dec. 14th

Debrief: Dec. 14th- Dec. 17th

BUDGET:

Lecture: $1000

Housing & Food: (while in country- not a part of Rhythm budget): $2100

Outreach: $5000

Promo: $1400

Total: $9,500

Monthly payment: $750

Prayer is much needed for this entire process! By standing with me in Prayer you are standing on the front lines with me. Please pray that when I make the transition to San Diego for classes I may find a job to help provide the funds for this whole thing. If you would like to support me financially there is a "donate" button located on the right hand side of my blog page in which you can donate through paypal. Thank you so much for everything you all do for me and for sending me out to the nations! God is doing great things among his people!

No Strings Attached...

Well, I made it! I can’t even begin to describe how radically God changed my heart in Israel. I have fallen in love with his people and his land. I pray that one day I can return. My outlook on this thing we call “Christianity” will never be the same. God has revealed things to me about myself that I had no idea even existed. Weaknesses strengths, fears, gifts, etc. I am blown away by the God that I serve, and even more blown away that he sees me worthy enough to be his servant! I know that the world will never fully understand the clarity that He offers unless someone tells them. Thats one thing I have learned about the character of God. He offers clarity. My brother recently was told he needed glasses desperately. The optometrist couldn’t believe he had functioned through life so far without them. My brother on the other hand, had no idea his eyes were bad until someone told him. He just figured thats how everyone saw things. He didn’t realize how hazy things were until he was given a pair of glasses. Now he can’t even believe how clear and beautiful everything has become. He can actually read, see peoples faces, and drive without being a danger to the general public haha. I’ve realized that when I draw closer to God I have more clarity about the desires He has for my life. Sometimes people say I am too impulsive and don’t think things through enough but why do I need to? If I am confident in the way the Lord is pulling me He will smooth everything out. That is what is so beautiful about not having any attachments here. If I feel called to go, I can just do it.

Me and Carissa playing in the snow on Christmas Eve in Texas!

financial update

Hello friends! I just wanted to throw out a quick financial update. There have been some mixed up numbers on our financial status and it turns out we currently have 1/3 less than we had originally thought. Since we were already in a tough spot, the recent developments put us in a much more urgent situation. In all reality, the numbers say that we will be coming home early because we do not have enough for rent and food. Although the reality says otherwise, we all are standing firm in faith that God will provide the money to finish the outreach strong. Testing of faith develops perseverance, and we are learning to persevere through our financial issues. God is moving in radical ways here and I am confident he will keep us here until our work is completed. However, it is important to convey to our supporters the reality of the situation. On a personal level, I owe $1,608. Praise God that He has already provided $4,000 for me! Please pray that he continues to provide the remaining amount.

If you feel led to donate you can send all tax-deductible donations made out to S.E.N.D. Ministries 4052 Alto Street Oceanside, Ca 92056 with Alaina Henderson on the memo line. Or, you may donate online at http://sendministries.com.s52753.gridserver.com.com/

Please continue praying for us! You all are standing in the gap on our part. Thank you so much for all your support so far. We are confident that God is going to show himself to His people in miraculous ways during this last stretch. I love you all, and I will see you around Christmas and hopefully no sooner! (not because I don’t miss you all, but because there is so much to do here!) I have put together a short video to give you all a glimpse into what has been going on here so you can see God moving first hand. I apologize for the video quality. Internet connections haven’t been too friendly. The link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyQzXB3w0Zw

God Bless you all! Baruch Hashem.

In our Rescuer,

Alaina

Half way!

So, another month down! I am so terrible at posting these things. It is just hard when I have so much to say that I can’t even begin to relay it all to you. It is a beautiful thing though, that I get to share some of my journey with you. When I look back at the moment I decided to come on this trip, I realize how the Lord has begun to change me. I’ll be honest, I had some good motives and bad motives to come. Knowing that the Lord was calling me to go, it fueled my desire to “get away.” But God has really been moving me in ways I didn’t even expect and it’s so awesome to be able to share it with people I care about.

The ministry here is taking on a completely different face than any of us had imagined. Tuesdays and Thursdays are routine. We help at an Iraqi children’s hospital (Shevet.org) on Tuesdays and serve at a soup kitchen/coffee shop on Thursdays. But our toughest ministry has taken place right in our own apartment. God has been bringing us drug addicts, prostitutes, runaways, and surprisingly, even a couple Orthodox Jews that don’t exactly fit the pattern listed. It feels like the size of our team has been growing by the week. We came with seven, and recently there has been twelve sleeping in our tiny apartment. It seems we are running a soup kitchen, church, and homeless shelter right out of our own home. It’s challenging, but awesome. Let me tell you about some of our friends.

Jennifer: A twenty-one year old girl from Louisiana who has found herself to be, in her words, “stuck here” for the last several years. While we have been here she has ran away from her abusive muslim boyfriend, quit heroin, relapsed, went back into prostitution, went back to her boyfriend, and most recently, ran away from him again. It is so hard to see the hard life she lives. She so badly desires to finally be free from everything but says she just can’t do it. Jennifer always talks about her mom and two little sisters and how one day she’ll fly back to the states to be with them again.

Alex: her story is really hard, and she really needs some prayer. For a number of reasons I can’t tell you about her. If you would like to know, just skype me.

Aviv: A twenty-three year old who believes in Yeshua (Jesus) but his walk with the Lord is really fickle. He is homeless, an alcoholic, and might be facing 3 years in prison for shooting a cop. Yah, he’s pretty intense. We all love him and he is a riot to be around.

Arron: A strong believer who grew up in Guatemala and upon discovering he was Jewish, moved to Israel. I admire him so much for what he has been doing here in Israel. He has been homeless for nearly 3 years and his faith now is stronger than ever. When we first met him, he had an eye patch and was all cut up. It wasnt until recently he finally told the story of what happened to him. He was walking one day when two of his former friends came up and offered him drugs. When he declined he told them about how Yeshua saved his life and that he loves them and wants to save theirs too. They instantly became furious and began beating him. Not swinging back he got of on his feet and said “Yeshua loves you” and they beat him again. And again he rose and said “Yeshua loves you” and this repeated for several more times and the final time he rose and said, “Yeshua loves you, and God is my Justice.” The next day his “friends” ran up to him weeping and apologizing saying they wanted to know more about this Yeshua.

Goel: A 19 year old Orthodox Jew who has come to believe in Jesus as the Messiah only a month or so ago. He ran away from home because he was tired of being in a controlling religious household and he wanted to know what the truth was. He is still struggling daily with the line between following the Law and following Jesus.

Pastor Matthew: A 7-foot tall Sudanese Pastor in Tel Aviv who led 2,500 refugees BY FOOT into Israel. They were fleeing from all the war that has overcome that area in Africa. People are still dying in the hands of the L.R.A. and radical muslims now are holding Christian’s at gunpoint forcing them to convert or die. When this modern day Moses and his people reached Egypt on their journey, the Egyptian government opened fire on them because they did not want them in their country. Many of them died that day, but they marched on with the land of milk and honey as their destination. Here they have found refuge until this last year the Israeli government has been forcing them to go home to their war-torn country. My heart has always been in Sudan and Uganda. After talking to him and hearing his incredible story, God has added even more fuel to my fire. I look forward to the day in which I can finally go.

I am learning more and more about dying to myself and sacrificing all of my energy to this cause. Our team is making it a point to be known: We are not here to force anyone to come to our faith. But we have all been changed radically by the way Jesus has worked in us, how he has given us peace and joy that we cannot produce ourselves. It would be selfish of us to keep that gift to ourselves. I praise God because as He uses me to try and bring His healing love to His people, he has been healing me as well. Its hard to believe our trip is almost halfway over and I feel we are just getting started! For those of you who have been praying for us, I thank you so much. Prayer is our first weapon and you all are on the front lines for us. Please continue to pray! Here are some prayer requests/needs:

For Our Team:

-God will strengthen us through persecution

-We become even more united as God adds to our number

-We all keep focused on the task at hand

-To give us and especially our leaders wisdom and discernment.

For the Nation:

-For open hearts and eyes

-To receive what we have without offense

-For Arab-Jewish conflict to cease in Jerusalem

For me:

-focus

-a sacrificial servanthood

-boldness in the face of persecution

-Finances! (I only have enough money to stay until the end of October)

Thank you all so much for showing interest in the work that is being done here. God is moving! If you would like to donate you can send it to 4052 Alto Street Oceanside, Ca 92056. If check, it is tax-deductable and can be made out to Send Ministries with Alaina Henderson on the memo line. If cash, attach a note with my name :) Also, you can donate online at http://sendministries.com.s52753.gridserver.com/ I can never thank you all enough for the support you have already given me. Through prayer, encouragment, or finances, you have all sent me! Shalom and Shana tova!

I'm Cheating.

So, I was sitting wondering about what I was going to say to you all next. As I contemplated this, Ashley read me her update and I decided to steal it. I could never describe the people we have met nearly as eloquent as she has. So, without further ado, here is Ashley's update titled: Meet the Nation of Israel.

One of the amazing things of life on the field, is the extraordinary people I have met. Sometimes I think, wow i need to write a book one day about all of these people. I thought I'd start with an email:). These people your about to read about aren't Big pastors, or have big ministries. But i tell you the truth, there are men and women out there in the " Highways and Bi-ways" living a life of sacrifice, a place on the road side of the "Big Highway" where life becomes really simple...becoming one with the people. Be inspired and encouraged by our "Today Hebrews chapter 11 people"

Meet Degin... from Ethiopia

A small man in stature... with a courageous heart. Originally from Ethiopia, he came to Israel 12 years ago by foot. In fact he is responsible for leading 30,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel by foot. A real modern day Moses. He now pastors a church in Ashkelon, a city that in continually caught in Arab and Jewish tension. Yet this week i met this Hero standing outside the Madonna concert as he passed out "New Testaments" to the crowds plowing into the streets. People ridiculed Him and Insulted him, but his soft eyes and His bright smile continued. I am humbled by this man who after he has done so much does not think it is beneath him to pass out New Testaments and reach out the nation of Israel.

Meet Erick... from Holland

A tall lengthy man with big blue eyes and a tender smile. He recently came to know the Lord this last year, and now has given his life over to cooking for the poor at the soup kitchen. He never sees or really talks to the 150 people he cooks for, you usually find him in the kitchen, washing the endless line of dishes, or this last week he cooked a secret recipe that has been in his family for 6 generations. His Joy is inspiring, he feels so honored to cook a meal for the Lord.

Meet Dia... from Iraq

A 4 year old girl with longing eyes and a big imagination. A ministry here in Israel has made a way for her to come to Israel for a life saving heart surgery. Her heart has a defect the is life threatening, yet the surgery she will have next week is also very life threatening, the doctors took months to even decide to do it.Her family is muslim but the are very open to the gospel and there hearts are very open to Israel, since Israeli doctors are the ones who are attempting to save her life.

This week we visited her and played with her she loves to dance and give hugs at one point she climbed up into my arms and i held her tight, i could feel her heart beating on my chest, the very heart that is hanging on for life. My heart melted. O Lord may her physical and spiritual heart be healed.

Meet Sadi... from Ethia

I saw her from across the soup kitchen, timidly sitting at a table with her eyes on the ground. Her pregnant Belly looked full term, and she looked about my age. Most people at the soup kitchen are elderly or people with rough lives off the streets, she looked different, she looked like she had been on a long journey. As i sat and talked with her i find out that her and her husband fled from Ethia (a small country near Ethiopia) 2 years ago because people were persecuting them for their christian faith. They fled by foot, yes that right they walked most the way and when the could take a bus they would also. Now here in Israel they find refuge, but still hardships continue. They are about to have their first baby, she came to the soup kitchen to get a meal, maybe get some baby clothes. The whole time i talked with her she never complained about her life, in fact life was bursting out of her eyes and her smile as she shared.

Meet Nina...from Brazil

Since weve been serving at the soup kitchen every week we get to see a lot of the same people, one lady in particular is Nina. she is a bubbly woman from Brazil, and between her Spanish and broken English we have great conversations. She recently received the Lord into her life she keeps saying "jesus saved my life!" Jesus saved my life!" This last thursday she didn't come to the soup kitchen for her weekly meal i wondered where she was, but about 4 pm after everything had been cleaned up we heard a knock at the door it was Nina, she had come to bring an offering, she said God had blessed her with 20 shekels and she wanted to give it back to Him. what a sweet smelling sacrifice her heart is, giving out of her abundance!

Meet Alaina, David, and Nick...from California

Some of our team members this week have faced and experienced some of the most precious scriptures of our faith. "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness for theirs in the kingdom of heaven" Matt. 5:10. This week we stood outside the Madonna concert and passed out new testaments. Did you know that there is no where in israel you can go and buy a new testament? Even if an Israeli wanted to read one they wouldn't be able to find it. It was a great experience of growing in our boldness. A lot of people where thankful to have a free book and gladly took it, while with some it roused up anger; spitting in faces, ripping up bibles, burning bibles, and even standing around in a circle creating a wall so that people could not get any new testaments. But people especially secular Jews when they would see the anger of the religious ones, it made them want a new testament even more. God even used their anger for HIs Glory!

Time would not permit for me to tell you of Bob, an elderly man who lives on a concrete slab in the country side, uses pine cones for fire to cook meals and has devoted his life to the gospel. Or Mary the elderly woman who moved here to retire, to serve at the Iraqi children's hospital. Her job? She washes their sheets. Or arron the young kid from guatemala who has suffered beating after beating for believing in Yeshua.

Here are just a few of the men and women who are fighting the fight of faith...today.

The Lord has been moving in supernatural ways, beginning to see people coming to faith! Pray that as God gives us people he would show us how to disciple and love each person.

Walking in His Grace,

Beto and Ashley

One Month Down!

How can I even begin? It has been about a month since I said my goodbyes and I've hardly had enough time to soak everything in. To start off with, I still don't really feel as if I am actually in Israel. The whole experience is so surreal. I can't believe God has sent me HERE. Not only to Israel, but to Jerusalem! We've started to get into a routine finally. We've been doing "prayer watches" where at every hour of the night someone is up praying over the country and the team. It so awesome to know our whole trip is always covered in prayer.

Ministry has finally kicked off and we've been making weekly commitments to different organizations,ministries,congregations etc. There are two things that have been really incredible for me to be apart of and I absolutely LOVE. The first is working at a soup kitchen every thursday in Tel Aviv. I've always had a heart for homeless ministry and it gives me a little piece of back home with the Povertees gang. One day I was serving this table and sat down to talk with them a while only to find out their names were Abraham,Esther, and Jeremiah! I was sitting with major biblical figures! Well, not literally but how awesome is that!? The homeless in Tel Aviv are so different from the people in Downtown Los Angeles. In L.A., I was usually nervous of getting harassed,yelled at, stolen from,grabbed etc. Here in Tel Aviv, I am more nervous of how I will be received as a foreigner. Frankly, its a little intimidating when a table of 7 guys known to be part of the Russian Mafia are all staring at you. Aside from the mafia crew, the people I've gotten to know are so intelligent, welcoming, and not to mention hilarious!

The second ministry we've become a part of is a children's hospital called Shevet Achim. Based here in Jerusalem, they go into Iraq and pick up children with life-threatening heart issues. Iraq has a very poor medical system and many children with heart problems are turned away at hospitals, left to die with no options. This team of believers reaches out and brings these children and their mothers into Israel for quality treatment. They have saved hundreds of lives and have blessed the Iraqis so much. As a team, we go to the hospital to play with the children, lead worship, help renovate, etc. I am absolutely in love with these kids! Even despite their state of health, they are determined to live like happy, active, normal kids. We will be working with them every Tuesday, all day. I wish I could spend even more time there a week!

It's been soooo sick being here but really terrifying and challenging at the same time. Ashley and Beto are constantly challenging me to lead worship (which I feel I'm not good enough yet) and will tell me to go on stage behind the microphone at any given moment. No preparation, no warning, just to go play. That literally happened on Thursday. I was serving food at the soup kitchen and Ashley handed me a guitar and told me to play some worship on stage. It's been hard but I've been doing it. Maybe it'll make me better, I trust they know what they are doing. Another thing that's been challenging has been walking in boldness. I'm a pretty shy, socially awkward person when I am around new people, ESPECIALLY people my own age. So, I usually avoid meeting newbies unless I have a wingman. Here, thats really not an option. It is against the law for any one over the age of 18 to evangelize to people 18 years and younger. SO, since I am the only 18 year old on the team, it's kind of up to me. That is the hardest thing for me, so prayer would be awesome :)

I really miss you all so much! I look at all of your pictures and it makes me wish I could be in two places at once. Please let me know what is going on in your lives so I know what to pray for!

Shalom from Jerusalem!

After spending a couple days in Tel Aviv, we have officially moved into our apartment in Jerusalem! It is absolutely incredible. It is only by the favor of God that we are here. Before we left, It was prophesied over us that we were going to run into some serious spiritual warfare getting into the country. It was definitely a challenge.

To begin with, Ashley and Lindsay got a serious case of the flu right before we left. Then we had been told that since Beto has a Mexican passport that he would not be allowed in the country. Next, we couldn’t get our boarding passes because our return date was for five months from now when we only have three month visas. We decided to just keep praying, pressing on, and asking different people at the airport to print them. We finally got them all printed, got on our flight, and walked on to customs. At customs however, is where we met our biggest obstacle. The whole team got through except Ashley and Beto. Beto had accidentally pulled out a folder for send ministries instead of the flight itinerary. When the lady saw it, she asked to look through it. It had everything about out trip in it. Copies of all our passports, our mission statement, vision, and it must have included the word “missionaries” like 2374987 times. Now I’m not sure if you knew this, but Israel does not allow “missionaries” into the country. After four hours of almost being deported, somehow they got sick of interrogating them and just let them go. So here we are!

Tel Aviv was so beautiful! The sand at the beach was like flour and the water was so clear and warm. The people aren’t super friendly though. It reminded me a lot of New York. Everyone was clubbing, partying, at a bar, or passing out flyers for all of the above. So I didn’t feel far from home in Tel Aviv. It was weird and definitely not what I expected. Jerusalem now, is a completely different story. Everything is so old! The walkways are all cobblestone and every building is made of all stone from way back when. I feel like I have went back in time. We walked through the old city and visited the western “wailing” wall. It is the saddest thing. These jewish people have no sacrifice system so all they have is their deeds and the little prayers they put in the cracks of the wall. It was really hard to see because they don’t even realize that they have fully rejected their messiah who doesn’t need any of that. By the time were done here, hopefully some will come to realize that. Little interesting thing about the wall, when you walk away from the wall you have to walk backwards out of respect. It’s a way of saying, “ I will never turn my back on the wall or God.” So you see a lot of people running into each other and falling haha. We haven’t started ministry yet but I will update as soon as I can with more news! Thanks for everything, I love you all.

l'hitraot!

(goodbye)

Alaina