One Thing Conference, Bringing in the New Year!

Hi Family & Friends,

Joyful expectation for an amazing 2011 because the King lives!

Jesus! 

I'm so happy. 

I've been at an IHOP (International House of Prayer) annual conference in Kansas City called One Thing. (The other house is for pancakes.) 

The title comes from Psalms 27, "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek, that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life; to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." 

This is what we've been doing for the past 3 wonderful days. It is a taste of heaven. People from all 

walks of life, cultures, backgrounds, lifting their hearts and voices and glances to the beautiful King,

the Holy One, who is coming again. 

Love 146 Round Home in Philippines

Love146 Round Home from LOVE146 on Vimeo.

A Reflection on a Year at The Round Home | Love146.org

Love 146's after-care director, Dr. Gundelina Velazco, reflects on the one-year anniversary of the Round Home, their safe-home in Philippines for children rescued from trafficking. Click here to read the article:

A Reflection on a Year at The Round Home | Love146.org

Hit a Wall

I hit a wall last night.
What am I doing? 
Do I really want a house for kids, with all these problems, who aren’t even my kids?
The children I met in India were rescued before the brothels. I thought, "I could be a mom for them." But what about kids who have really been hurt? Could I be a mom to them? . . .

Fall Update: Writing/Editing

Hi friends & family,  Quick version: 1. I'm in Indianapolis, staying at my parent's, writing about my Around the World trip from 2007.

-My goal: to finish my personal edits by end of Nov. Eek. It may take longer. But I'm working on it.  2. Praying about next steps.  3. Have some leads with different anti-trafficking groups want to have safe/restoration houses.  4. Connecting with people who have similar interests.  5. Thanks for your love, prayers, & support.

Longer version: Links to anti-trafficking organizations, surprising new fall wardrobe, life-changing revelation of the Pearl of great price, and encouragement for the weary . . . 

IHOP

I came to IHOP (International House of Prayer) last week to see if there were connections for pursuing the dream in my heart. I heard they had an Orphan Justice Center & were involved with fighting human trafficking.

The day before driving to IHOP, I was excited inside my stomach. That surprised me. I wondered what I would find . . .

Brother Time

My older brother Craig is getting married. He invited me to live with him before the wedding. It's been really fun to stay at his house, help him get ready to bring a girl home, & spend time together.

Highlights include . . .

I'm Home

I’m home!

Quick Version:

• I arrived home Tues pm 6/22.
• Planning to be home until January. (6 months to restore, write, reconnect)
• Mostly in Indianapolis, Lafayette, & Colorado for a month in the fall.
• YWAM training was really good.
• 3 months in Hawaii, 6 months in Colombia.
• My Spanish is better.
• Doors are opening to keep walking forward toward the dream of having a house for kids.

Long Version: (3min to read)

Surprising Dad

After 6 months in Colombia, my visa expired . . .

Even the Birds

"God, what am I doing? I could be somewhere else, making money, and have all I want. You said you would provide for me. Will you really?" . . .

Next Steps

Will I get on the flight?
My team leaves for Hawaii this morning. It is the end of our 3 month 'outreach' in Colombia . . .

Not Haiti, Other Open Doors

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

I hope you all enjoyed the game. The house I’m at has cable, so we got to watch on Spanish ESPN. The commercials were cool, but probably not as good as yours. I cheered for my hometown Indy. Painful interception at the end, but I felt better b/c former Purdue Drew Brees was QB for the Saints, and I’m sure New Orleans can use a boost after the hurricane.

Quick update.

We heard this week we will NOT go to Haiti. I’m sad . . .

Introducing Team Colombia

Meet my amazing team. I love them.

Back in September, I prayed God would put together a Dream Team. He did.

We are the most international team, equal guys & girls, and so different it's beautiful.

Zach - leader: chill, easy-going, kind, loves kids, zaney

Sean - student-leader: Pure love for kids, passion for Lord, funny

Taylor - good thinker, intent on walking in everything God has for him, big trust

Julian - poetic-warrior, listens to impressions from God, speaks words from the Lord

Sharon - beautiful flower, loves, serves, nurturing

Sisi - big faith, little girl, big trust in Bigger God, full of laughter and joy

Cathrine - hard worker, dedicated to following God no matter cost, helps keep team organized and on track

Ericka - me!

(Music: Soliders, by Out of Eden, Love, Peace & Happiness album)

Going to Haiti?

"Look at the nations and watch—

and be utterly amazed.

For I am going to do

something in your days

that you would not believe,

even if you were told." Habakkuk 1:5

My mom emailed this verse at the start of ministry school. I didn't believe her.

Now I think she's right . . .

Next 2 Weeks: Street Kid Ministry

I'm so excited about the next two weeks.

We're going to work with Steve Bartell, and the ministry they have with street children.

My favorite part: they have a house for kids on a farm.

That is my dream!

I'm praying for open doors . . .

Dance & Life Expressions

Last Sunday, my teammate Sean asked to borrow my notebook and pen.

I thought he wanted to take notes.

After five minutes, he handed the paper back to me with a message . . .

Ericka's 1st Email Update

Happy, Joyful 2010, dear Ohana!

(Hawaiian for beloved extended family & friends)


This is the first email update for my new adventures.
I’m in Colombia, South America, with my team from the Christian training school, Youth With A Mission (YWAM) . . .

Destiny: Living God's Image on Earth

Tonight in Bogota, I spoke to a group of 20 Colombians attending a 2-week ministry training seminar.

Subject: our destiny ~ living out the image of God on earth.

Like Jesus did . . .