Cuba: The Beginning

Over Spring Break I was blessed with the opportunity to go to Cuba and serve the Lord. I was such a life-changing experience and I just wanted to share some of my day-by-day experiences with you guys!

Leading up to Cuba I was super excited, but also very scared. I knew that Cuba was a hard place to go as American's, but I didn't realize how hard it truly was. When I realized how dangerous it could be for a 19 year old American girl to travel there, I began to freak out honestly. I thought "Oh great, I am gonna go over to Cuba and get taken and never come back to my family and friends and I am just gonna die there." (Yeah, I realize that thought was probably a little over dramatic, but hey, I am just being honest here and these thoughts really did cross my mind quite often). On March 12, our team was to meet at 10 AM sharp in the Sherman Bible parking lot to head off on our adventure to Cuba. Let me tell you something, March 12th really snuck up on me. One day it was February 2nd, the next it was March 12th, BAM! just like that.

I loaded my bag up with last minute things we had all brought to give away to the Cuban people once we got there, said bye to my family, hoped in the car to head to the airport, and the rest is history. We were off! A new adventure, with people I had only partially known, going to a place I was certainly quite afraid of.

We arrived at the airport, said goodbye to the man who had driven us there, and entered into the airport. Our first stop wasn't directly to Cuba, it was to Canada. And although we rode to the airport with 7 people from our team, we were meeting two more people at our terminal inside the airport, and one more in Canada upon our arrival. The first day would really mainly just be travel (lots and lots of travel), in route to our final destination. We met the two members of our team who live in Houston named Wayne and Pat, and then we hoped on the plane and were off to Canada around 1:30 on March 12. This was it. No turning back. I texted my parents that I would miss them so much and that I would see them when I got back from my trip (hopefully, unless I got taken).

We landed in Canada at about 6 in the evening, and boy was it cold! Coming from Texas, you expect everywhere to be about high 60's/low 70's and sunny, but Canada was definitely not that. Snow on the ground, -3 degrees... CELSIUS. I loved it. We really didn't do too much after arrival, besides meet the newest and last member of our team at the hotel, Dell, who is from Pennsylvania. We also had our last "American" meal, at a restaurant connected to the hotel. It was only 9 by the time all of this was done, and me and the "younger" part of our team weren't really all that tired at all, so we decided to play cards in the lobby of the hotel. That was a super great way to really start off the trip, creating a bond with some of the people that would end up becoming like family to me. I taught them one of my favorite card games, and they enjoyed it, and we just all had a relaxed time before our big week ahead.

When we finished the game, we all headed to bed, and me and my roommate Anna just couldn't go to sleep. Anna is super special to me, we went through discipleship together and she has grown to become like a sister to me. We were the only girls on the trip, and I was so thankful that God paved a way for us to go on this trip together. We laid in bed until about 12 tossing and turning, every once in a while saying to each other, "Hey, are you still awake?" "Yeah, I can't sleep, I keep thinking about tomorrow and how scared I am of entering Cuba." "Yeah, AND being taken." These types of conversations happened 3 or 4 times until Anna and I finally fell asleep, and slept like angels until we had to wake up at 1:45. A solid one hour of sleep really does the body well, let me tell ya! We got up, I zombied my way down to the hotel lobby, hopped on the bus to the airport, and then zombied my way all the way through the airport to our gate. Our flight didn't leave until about 6:30 in the morning, so we had about 4 wonderfully long hours to hang out in the airport. Once the time finally approached for us to board our flight, I was super nervous, but also just so excited to finally be there. We took off, and there we were, on our way to our final destination of Cuba!

Back in the States

Over half of Spring Break and all of last week I was given the opportunity to serve the Lord in Cuba. It was definitely a very life-changing experience. Over the next few days, I will be sharing things that happened each and every day while on the trip, like people I met and places I went. Also the ways God worked in my life while over there. Right now though, I just wanted to share my thoughts as I make the transformation back from Cuban lifestyle, to being here in the USA.

Although I was only in Cuba for a week, it felt like Cuba had become my home. I got so accustomed to the way I was living my life there, and the best part was how dependent I was on God in that time. Being back in the States has definitely been somewhat of a struggle for me. Although I am super thankful for toilet seats and water I can drink, I miss the sweet Cuban people who were so loving and accepting they even called me their family. I miss how willing the people were to open up their doors and invite me into their homes to preach the Gospel with them. Today I am in America, on my MacBook Pro, about to attend a college class that will further my career, and although I am blessed with these materials and experiences, my heart is still in Cuba. Thriving off of the memories I made while I was there.

Yes this time last week I was in a strangers home in Cuba presenting God's truth and telling them the Good News the Bible provides up. But this week is a new week. I am in the USA, my home, and I am here for a reason. I am here because God wants me here, on the campus of Texas A&M, to make a difference in the lives of the people HERE. My mission field last week was Cuba, but today it is College Station, TX, and I need to remember that as I am transitioning back from Spring Break.

I am reminded today to pray constantly, stay in the Word, and seek the lost. And I would encourage you all to do the same. Don't let what happened to you last month, last week, or yesterday determine the way you share the Gospel to those who need it so desperately today. I pray that we would be people who present the truth of God often, not because of anything we do, and not to build us up, but to seek and save the lost, and build up the Kingdom of God.

compartments.

Lately I have started to notice how compartmentalized we are as a society. From our school lives, to your work lives, to our spiritual lives, we are always striving to live each and every part of our lives separate. I believe that the one we most struggle to make a part of each area of our lives is Jesus.

The thing is, I completely understand it. I am not here saying I am better than anyone else, because I do it too. But what can we do to change it? Each day I go to class, sitting by random people and making small talk to pass the time until the professor begins to speak. "What are your plans this weekend? What are you doing over Spring Break? How are you liking this semester?" These are questions my random classmates and I will exchange back and forth in an effort to make conversation.

What I am wondering is why don't I make a conscious effort to create spiritual conversations out of those awkward questions? Sometimes I will talk to people about where I go to church or a Bible study I will be attending that night, but why don't I ever dig deeper? And right there is how I believe we change it. We have the desire in us that we WANT to dig deeper. We begin to subconsciously dig deeper and have spiritual talks that matter with people.

Whether it be a random classmate or a friend you have known for years, don't be afraid to have a deep conversation with someone about Jesus. Yeah it can be awkward, and you might know how to bring it up, but just know that He has your back. If you are working for Him and possibly bringing others to salvation, He will work for you and in the moment when you have no idea what to say, He will help you out.

So remember this, next time you are in a class or office or even a store, talk about what matters most. Because what you're doing this weekend, or how you're enjoying your job is no where near as important as how your relationship with your Creator is. I must continue to remember this as I walk through life, and I hope that some of you would grasp it and take it along into your future as well.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes; first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." 
--Romans 1:16

consume me.

My life is not perfect whatsoever. I have been reminded lately how sinful and imperfect I am. I have had different experiences happen in my life where I realized that I obsess and get upset over the most ridiculously minute things. It's pointless. Why do I make school my life? Why do I care so much about certain friendships?

I look at these things and realize that instead of making God my number one, I make the things that don't matter my number one. Why? Why do I idolize stupid things like grades? Where will that get me in the long run?

The act of idolizing certain things has really been brought to my attention over the last few days. I have realized that being here in college has started to make me to begin obsessing over petty things like a homework assignment, or getting worked up over a test. In reality, I should remember that God works for the good of those who make Him number one in their lives.

I need to remember to make God my all. Lord, I ask that you consume me. Become my life! Nothing else matters. As I strive to become more like you, I should know that you have got my back. You have a plan for me. Although grades seem important, it is because the world perceives them to be that way. I need to remember to not live a worldly life, looking no different that any nonbeliever. You must be my everything. Every situation in my life is covered by Your hand and has a purpose. Let me remember this when I don't make the grade I wish I had on a test. God you are good, and You will do good in my life if I always set my eyes on You.

This lesson I have learned relates perfectly to the verse I memorized last week. God knew then that I would need this encouragement today and every day. Thank you God for preplanning my life and working constantly to build me up. I will leave you with the verse, so that if you are ever in the situation I am in today, you will remember to set your eyes on the goodness of God, and He will consume your thoughts. Consume you emotions. Consume your life.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

-Philippians 4:8

Essentials

This weekend has been such an amazing reminder for me. I heard some really great insight that spoke right into me and my spiritual walk. So often, I feel like we forget the most important and obvious things, so I decided to write this and remind each and every one of you some of the basics.

1. The Spirit is working in us.

We must remember this as we live our day to day lives. Although we wake up in the morning as "Christians", we don't wake up on default to think about the Spirit being alive in us. Every morning, our first instinct is to wake up with our default setting as living in the flesh. This is key for us to remember in our day to day lives. We need to remember that we cannot live in the flesh each day and believe that we will live out a fully pleasing day to the best of our abilities in glorifying God. This leads me to my next point.

2. We must always be in prayer. 

Being prayerful is such an importance in our lives. It is not just a task we do, but it is a part of our lives. Prayer is what keeps us alive spiritually and in constant communication with our Creator. The only way we can wake up in the morning and change our default from the flesh to the Spirit is by praying and filling our thoughts with those of Godly things. The Lord wants to hear from us often, and we must remember that He is the only one we truly need. When we are sad or lonely, and feel like we have no one to talk to or rely on, we MUST remember that the Lord is for us and will always be there for us to turn to. Which leads to my last point.

3. We must be in His Word.

So often times, I believe we think that being prayerful is enough. In reality, that is not the truth. Being in the Word is essential for our walks with the Lord. This is the way we connect with Him and get to know Him better. For me it is so easy for me to believe that being in the Word isn't as important as other things in my life, so I should just save it for another time. This is NOT the truth though! God should always come first. When we spend time in his Word, as opposed to homework or at meetings, that is when God sees our full commitment in Him, and he will reward us for that. So I encourage us to constantly remember that being in His Word isn't just reading a book, but building a relationship with the only one who truly matters in our every day lives.

Now I know that all of these are simple things that each one of us know we SHOULD do, but how often do we actually put these in to practice each and every day? I know that I do not live these essentials out to the best of my abilities, and I can definitely use them to play out a huge role in my life. I pray that it would be the desire of our hearts to want the Spirit to be working in our lives constantly, be in continuous prayer and conversation with our Lord, and to dig into His Word and get to know and understand our God better.

God is good, and we must see this and remember it each and every day. These key points will help us to remember the magnificence that is His.

thank you Lord

Often times I forget how fortunate I am. It is insane how quickly I fall into the life America has made for me. Then I remember my time in India, times when I was in a third world country for only about a week, yet was completely wrecked by how good we have it here in the US. I quickly humble myself and thank God for the opportunities and blessings he has presented in my life. What if I had not been born in America? What if I had been born in Africa, or India? How greatly my life would differ.

Day-to-day we don't think about anyone overseas. We are always only thinking about ourselves, but in reality, there is so much more! We need to be the change. We need to remember those in other countries who are struggling to stay alive, as we are here stuffing our faces with our iPhone's in our hands. Myself included. We need to be the change, and care about people other than ourselves. I challenge us all to make even one small change in order to enhance the lives of those in other countries. I ask God to put it on our hearts to influence those who have no idea who we are, and help us to be on fire to see a revolution in our lifetimes. Only God could make the change I am hoping to see, but I know He is fully faithful and committed to the desires of our hearts, and I know that us working together to be a force for good can change life in other countries as we know it. Join with me and help to remember how fortunate we are and use it for good! Okay, rant over.

Caribbean Mission Trip

Howdy!

I'm Bailey Auten, and the Lord has called me to go to the Caribbean over Spring Break. I go to Texas A&M University, and am in the Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 2016! I am asking for you guys to join me in my journey to share my love for Christ to those who have no idea who he is. I leave March 12th and return March 20th. The cost is going to be about $3,000 dollars. In order to make this possible, I need to develop a sponsor team that will help me in prayer and finances within the next month. As a college student (broke and hungry), I know how hard it is to raise this much money in such a short amount of time. But at this point, even $5 from one of you will help me out. Please help me to fulfill my dream of going and sharing the love I have of Jesus to other. Thanks so much, and I appreciate all of your support! You can very easily click the donate button below or send a check to Sherman Bible Church with the note "caribbean" on it.

Much love, Bailey Auten