Into the Journey

He saved us, not because of righteous things we have, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Titus 3:5-6
I can’t believe it’s only been just a few weeks since I have been in the Philippines. God has been moving and challenging me so much and I have been eager to write to you to tell but I just didn’t know where to start. So if this is scrambled, I apologize just stick with me as I hope to get better at this.

What God has laid on my heart this week:
What does True Worship mean? Does it mean to give up some things, or say you give it all but still hold on to those things that you don’t want to let go? No it means offering your WHOLE life. This is something God is challenging me on, what could happen if you surrendered your WHOLE life to Christ. I thought I knew what this meant but when I got here I truly found out what it meant to live daily in Christ putting all selfish desires aside. Even though I don’t want to at times, I am seeing that this is for His Glory not mine. Why are we here on this Journey? What makes your life different? Please read Romans 10:10-15 and Joshua 1.

The Journey:
For the past week we have been in language school learning Cebuano. If you know me at all you know school or just studying does not come easy for me! So this has been a challenge since I usually choose to do other things besides study like read (Wide Awake!) However, I think I am getting used to taking bucket baths and squatting to use the CR (bathroom)  Cooking has been a challenge for us ha ha we are learning to eat lots of rice and hope to start cooking Filipino dishes. We have been blessed with many good meals that God has provided other people to cook! I say blessed because when we first got here we were so thankful to see ramen noodles on the shelves! That is what we had till we learned to cook rice. Oh our first experience with rice was more like soup, you should try it. Language has been some what of a barrier but if they have been in school they learn English. We love our teachers and our school has been great to learn the culture and prepare us for the mountains and communities we will go to at the end of Feb. Right no we just go there on the weekends, learning and again preparing for the new adjustment. The transportation here is um…..timely. We have to leave early anytime we go somewhere to make sure we can catch a minicab or tricycle (those are fun!) The culture is a lot different and very interesting. It is very relational and since we are American we have to say hi first or acknowledge them first. Overall things have been going good here, I am excited about the journey and can't wait to start investing into the Filipino's lives. I am humbled to know God has chosen me to be His Hands and Feet and I want to Embrace this time and learn to Trust God more than ever.
I am praying for you all and I hope I can encourage you as much as you have encouraged me. This time here on earth is short and we are here to SERVE Jesus Christ evem though it may be tough at times in the end we will know We lived a life Glorifying to Him.

I love you all truely! Eph 3:16-19
In His Embrace,
Whit

Arrived!

Maayong Butag! (good morning)

I wanted to write a quick update and tell you thank you for all your prayers! We have arrived to the Pacific Rim safely and my team and I are very excited about the journey ahead :) The flight was very long 13 hours with no movies! I was def spoiled when I went to Kenya. I don't have much time at this point to write but I will hopefully in the next few days I will be settled in and write more. We are in orientation right now but on Wed we head out for the next 4 months! Thank you for your prayers and I will update soon! I love you all and miss my home but I know the Father has many plans during the next months ahead!

Love you all,
In His Embrace,
Whitney

Okay I think I got everything worked out. Please make checks payable to North Cleveland Baptist Church and my name on the memo line. Also if you want to send it to NCBC that is totally fine or you can send it to me and I will give it to them. Sorry again for the mix up and thank you for your prayers and support!

New Info!

Hey I just talked with IMB and I have misread the letter for the way to receive support. If you would like to financially support me it doesn't need to be made out to IMB. It actually needs to be made out to Whitney Barton and then when I have got all the money I will send one big check. If you don't feel comfortable I am trying to make an account with my church to see if they will start one for me so you can get a tax right off. Sorry for the mix up.
Love you!

Goal of a Missionary

The goal of the missionary is to do God’s will,
not to be useful or to win the lost.
A missionary is useful and he does win the lost,
but that is not his goal.
His goal is to do the will of his Lord.
~Oswald Chambers

The Starting Line of the Journey Ahead

Well I am so excited to finally start getting things together with this trip! I was thinking tonight how it all feels somewhat of a dream. But I know the Lord has His plan for me and until He shuts the door to this opportunity I am going all in. I have had a hard time getting some things together but I can hear my dad saying "Whit let's get this started", well dad here we go.....
I wanted to do this blog to allow you as my supporters and my friends to hear my heart and for me to hear yours. I believe in community with other believers and I hope in some way this can keep us connected when I don't get to see you on a day to day bases (maybe months). I am not sure what the internet system is like of in Butuan but for now I wanted to keep you up to date with the journey the Lord has laid ahead for me and for you. I love you all!