Trek Across The World: Day 1

Today's Goal: land safely in my final destination of Managua, Nicaragua.

Was this goal met? Not exactly.

Well, God decided to begin testing me right from the get-go on this trip. As we pulled in to the Central Wisconsin Airport I was informed that my plane was delayed but I would still get to O'Hare with plenty of time to catch my connecting flight. Once I arrive in O'Hare, however, I was again informed that my flight was delayed. After talking with a lady at the ticket counter, I found out that I was going to miss my flight in Houston that was supposed to take me to my final destination. 

Well, after many tears, phone calls, and plan-making, it was decided that I would just fly to Houston, stay the night, and get the earliest flight tomorrow morning. I was stressin' a little, but I was okay with everything...until I landed in Houston only to find that my bags were lost. Okay, seriously. Only me. So I waited for about an hour and a half for them to retrieve my bags; in the mean time I talked to a few strangers, borrowed their phones, read, and cried some more. My mom was on the ball and booked me a hotel with a free shuttle bus to and from the airport, love her :) So, now, I am finally here...well, as far as I could get today, in a hotel in Houston.

But hey, the Packers won the Superbowl :)

Feelin' so fly, like a cheesehead...

And a song that has been so fitting for me this trip..

Never Alone By Lady A

May the angels protect you
Trouble neglect you
And heaven accept you when it's time to go home
May you always have plenty
Your glass never empty
Know in your belly
You're never alone

May your tears come from laughing
You find friends worth having
With every year passing
They mean more than gold
May you win but stay humble
Smile more than grumble
And know when you stumble
You're never alone

Never alone
Never alone
I'll be in every beat of your heart
When you face the unknown
Wherever you fly
This isn't goodbye
My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you're never alone

Well, I have to be honest
As much as I want it
I'm not gonna promise the cold winds won't blow
So when hard times have found you
And your fear surround you
Wrap my love around you
You're never alone

Never alone
Never alone
I'll be in every beat of your heart
When you face the unknown
Wherever you fly
This isn't goodbye
My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you're never alone

May the angels protect you
Trouble neglect you
And heaven accept you when it's time to go home
And when hard times have found you
And your fear surround you
Wrap my love around you
You're never alone

Never alone
Never alone
I'll be in every beat of your heart
When you face the unknown
Wherever you fly
This isn't goodbye
My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you're never alone
My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you're never alone

How You Can Help...

As I was re-visitng the YWAM Nicaragua website, I stumbled upon a page that allows general contributions that benefit the school that I will be working with during my time there. The link below tells more about how individuals can sponsor a student from the My Little Light school, as well as giving a general donation for the school. This site also provides a little more information about the awesome opportunities I am going to have while in Nicaragua. 

http://www.ywamnicaragua.org/eng/educate.html


God bless,
Hanna Linden

I'll Be The Greatest Fan Of Your Life

The Weekend's Festivites

This weekend, two big fundraisers took place:

1. We were totally blessed at Friday's middle school dance. The turnout was fantastic and all of the kids seemed to have a really great time...I might have enjoyed myself too...

Thank you to everyone who helped with the dance, whether that be the decorations, collecting money at the door, working conscessions, or "chaperoning" out on the dance floor.

Also, a thanks to the DJ...he was kind of last minute, but did awesome!

2. Although our ice fishing tournament didn't produce quite the turnout that we had hoped, that didn't stop us from having a good time...

Our cook (:



Some decided to brave the cold outside...

...others decided to try their luck inside of shacks

--------------------------------------------------------------

                   

And the BIG winner...

                 

Thank you Jesus for being a part of these fundraisers!

Love,

Hanna Linden

Patience, My dear.

I have been praying and praying for God's leading for this upcoming semester. I have felt his calling for this for me since returning from Ireland last summer, but I was just never exactly sure of where he wanted me. Plans for Haiti began to be formed, and my excitement level grew as I already began to make preparations for fundraising and prayer support. But then, God decided that Haiti wasn't where He wanted to go. I was heartbroken...and then I realized that God had something better for me. And so he did...




Throughout my my frantic search to find a mission location, the Lord constantly whispered in my ear: patience, my dear. I prayed daily that I would put all of my trust in God for where ever he wanted to take me, but I continued to have the slightest doubt in the back of mind mind. So I kept asking God to erase that doubt...and once I finally surrendered that control, I received an email. 


So, I now am happy to say that on February 5th, I will be leaving for a one month mission trip in Managua, Nicaragua (: 


"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." – Isaiah 40:31


With love,
Hanna Linden

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge him,

And he will make your paths straight.”

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

As of recently I have been in close contact with two YWAM (Youth With A Mission) bases. One of the bases is in Managua, Nicaragua and the other is in Amritsar, India. I have gotten a good feeling from both of these bases, however, the base in Nicaragua is really being placed on my heart. Right now I have to continue to pray and ask for God's leading and be obedient to His direction. Please keep me in your prayers as well!

YWAM Nicaragua

I would have the opportunity to work with children at risk in the neighborhood where the base is located, work with an elementary school, and they could arrange a schedule of work with pre-school children and visits in the evenings to the houses in the neighborhood, among other things..

YWAM India

They have one children's home taking care of 18 children now, so there would be a chance to go and serve the Lord through this. More information from this base should be coming in the mail soon with a DVD about their program more pictures. 

Decisions will come as God reveals His will to me :)

Love,

Hanna Linden

There May Be Setbacks, But God Provides A Way

Haitians brace for more electoral violence

Rival presidential election camps call on supporters to take to the streets and tip ballot in their candidates' favour.

AP

Published: 00:00 December 11, 2010

A car burns in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Thursday. Barricades were set up by supporters of eliminated presidential candidates to protest the announcement that only government protege Jude Celestin and former first lady Mirlande Manigat would advance to a presidential runoff election.

Port-au-Prince: Haitians prepared for armed clashes and more days of flaming barricades as rival candidates called on supporters to take to streets and tip the balance in a sharply disputed presidential election leading.

Gunfire ripped through post-earthquake shanties near the ruins of the national palace on Thursday afternoon, killing at least one man and injuring several more, witnesses said. Third-place candidate and carnival singer Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly blamed the attack on supporters of government-backed candidate Jude Celestin, who is edging him out by less than 1 percentage point for a spot in a January run-off.

The provisional electoral council announced a seeming compromise on Thursday afternoon with a re-count of tally sheets at which international observers and the three leading candidates — Celestin, Martelly and first-place vote-getter and former first lady Mirlande Manigat — could attend.But the situation appeared to continue worsening.

The United States reissued a travel warning recommending all US citizens reconsider nonessential trips to Haiti — citing high crime, the cholera outbreak and social unrest. Canada closed its embassy until further notice because of the post-electoral violence. Flights were cancelled in and out of the capital's international airport.

Wait On Me

I was reading a small book that my dear friend Jaci Grooters borrowed me containing page after page of "Letters from God." I find so much comfort in reading the "letters" because each one is centered around God's promises and are specifically addressed to the reader, his princess.  One of the passages I read the other night was specifically comforting to how I have been feeling.

Wait on Me, My princess. My timing is always perfect. O know you're anxious about many things, and I see your passion for all the plans I have put in your heart. I know that you long to fly, and I see your enthusiasm. However, just as a vinedresser murtures the vine and waits patiently for the right moment to harvest the grapes, so too am I working tirelessly to prepare you to bear much fruit. Don't run ahead of Me or try to fly before My plans are complete. Your strength will fail you, and your dreams will wither away. Trust Me that My dreams for you are far greater than you can dream on your own. You will run farther and soar higher if you will patiently wait for the season of My blessing. Draw close to Me now, and I promise that this season of waiting will bring you the sweetest of rewards.

Love,

Your King and Lord of perfect timings