Missions (Older Post)

A few missions I am/have been passionate about include:

Compassion International: (July 2016)

As of right now, I have the privilege to sponsor two children with the Compassion International program. One is a young girl from Bolivia. The other is a girl close to my own age who lives in Tanzania. They are both absolutely beautiful and I hope to one day meet them. 

Trinity United Methodist Church: (April 2015 - June 2016)

God used me in many ways at Trinity United Methodist Church, including being the Children's Director! I loved teaching about God and His love at Children's Church, Bible Basics, and Vacation Bible School. Planning and going on trips with the kids was a ton of fun. I hoped that I would lead the kids by being an example. A major goal of mine was to teach the children 1 Timothy 4:12, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity."

Salvation Army Vacation Bible School: (Summer 2015)

In Summer 2015, the workers at the Salvation Army and I conquered a Vacation Bible School at the Salvation Army Area Command in Gulfport, MS. It was a three day event that taught the children the gospel from the creation to Jesus to heaven. With the "Around the World" theme, we were able to learn that God has the whole world in His hands and that He loves all of the children of the world. We had crafts, snacks, games, and teaching. It was a ton of fun and I am looking forward to doing it again!

Alta Woods Baptist Church's SWAG (Saved With Amazing Grace) inner-city ministry:

I had the privilege of spending two and a half years helping with the children's ministry at Alta Woods Baptist Church. I was able to teach the children about the love of Christ as well as show it to them every Wednesday night. I still do love to donate materials and supplies to help the ministry continue to be God's hands and feet.  

England:

A girl from the small group team I led at Super Summer the summer of 2013 was blessed with the opportunity to go to England for the summer of 2015. I was able to help her with the funds for that as mission trips can be quite expensive. I hope to one day take a trip over to Europe myself. The GEM ministry has a wonderful video and website explaining the surprising lack of Christianity in Europe. 

South Africa student:

In May 2014, I had the privilege of traveling to South Africa. While there, I met a girl named Samantha whose dream is to go to college for music. Her passion for music was so inspiring that I hope to help her as much as I can to make her dream come true.  

YouTube videos:

Another project in mind is to help in making videos for middle/high/college age girls. The videos would encourage girls living in this world today and help them through troubling times that I and my friends have been through as well. It would hopefully set a good example for these girls as well as let them know that we are here for them through all trials and temptations as well as praises.

The Homeless:

I am finally beginning my project to write a book about the homeless. It will include bios of many of the homeless on the Gulf Coast and be a way for people to get to know the homeless on a slightly more personal level.

Another idea to help the homeless is something I call the "Do Something" project. It would require a businessperson to volunteer a Saturday to sit with one homeless man/woman and do what he/she can do to help. Hopefully connections would be made, and the homeless could get off of the streets and into better lives. The businessperson will be asked to please explain that the only reason he/she is there to help is because of God's grace and undeserving love. Hopefully this can begin something that we will be able to do quarterly or at least annually. 

Genesis Play:

I have written part of a play I plan on finishing and hope to get published by a Christian publisher. This play is a humorous, fun version of Genesis I hope people enjoy to watch. I do plan on having many preachers read the play to make sure there is no blasphemy, and only good, fun humor. 

Maria's Missions Store:

One day, I hope to open a shop and sell my crafts there as well as others ministry products such as Thomas Street Coffee or local missionaries selling crafts for their missions as well. I also plan on employing a few either homeless or previously imprisoned women to help make the crafts. I will, of course, have to go through a very intricate interview process, but the goal is to offer jobs to these women who have a heart for God and just need a little help getting out of their current state.