July 1

As I type, my arms are shaking. Not only because it was arm day today at the gym, but because of the reality that in 17 days (not counting today) I will begin my first experience as a short-term missionary and the excitement is overwhelming.

This past month alone` has been a difficult one. The school year ended, I bombed the GRE, had an interview (and got the job), started the job (did I mention how challenging it is?), felt heavy hearted during the 6 month reminder that my dad is not here, I visited my hometown and have been so busy all around. My summer went from pool time to no time in the blink of an eye. And July is here.

July 18th we leave. Teams have been set, plane tickets bought, and hearts are being prepared.

I would not be anticipating this date if it hadn't been for you. You are the real MVP. So thank you. Thank you again for sending me to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Thank you for allowing me to have the opportunity to love on some kids and share the love of God. I'm not 100% sure of what to expect while I'm there, but I open to anything.

Therefore GO

I am soo willing! And I'm almost there!! 

It feels as though the next 3 months (actually less than 3 months) will fly by and we will land in the Dominican Republic with one goal… reach the nations with the Gospel. 

All funds are due by June 1st. I am ALMOST THERE!! It has been overwhelmingly amazing to see God open doors and provide for this trip waaaay before it even happens. So thank you. Thank all of you who have allowed yourselves to be used by God in investing in this trip. It is more than just a plane ticket. It is more than hotel costs and street skits. It is literally reaching the nations. I can practically already see the glow on the faces of the children and adults who will connect with their Father over the span of that week. I can only imagine the generations that will be impacted afterwards. We have to be willing to be the hands and feet of Jesus and allow Him to do the heart changing. It's such an exciting feeling. Send me.

Still "almost there" requires a little more. I need your help. If you feel led to send me through financial donations, thank you. If you feel led to pray for me and my team as we prepare to be the light, thank you. Either way you'll want to be a part of this. 

If you would like to donate financially you may do so by visiting LuminousChurch.org and click on the give tab. My name can be found on the drop down menu (1N1D-Amanda Rocha). The link to the giving page is here:

https://luminouschurch.ccbchurch.com/trx_submit.php?type=public_gift

I appreciate you and thank you for believing with me and the work that God is doing. 

God Bless.

I Need YOU

In almost 4 months, the One Nation One Day campaign will break ground that will shake the entire nation of the Dominican Republic. It is my hope to not only be there as a witness of God's amazing love, but to have made an impact on the community in which they too can participate in and witness the same love.

I can't do this alone. I need you.

It is with great excitement that I extend my arms and ask for your help. Along with a passionate team of fellow missionaries, we will be traveling to the Dominican Republic for a life-altering, short-term trip with Mission.Me. We will be leaving on July 18th for a 9 day trip focused on gospel outreach - specifically in the outreach of shoe distribution in impoverished regions. We will have the opportunity to reach out into the community sharing the Gospel with children while speaking life and hope into them. I have a passion for children, and to have this opportunity to share God's love makes my heart skip a beat. This is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

I do believe this is the next step in my calling to the nations of the world. In preparation for departure, I am seeking support, both financially and in prayer, and I need you.

I need to raise $2850 total to make my trip possible. By April 1st I need to have raised $1000 of the total to begin purchasing flights for the trip with my team. Will you consider a gift of $100, $50 or $25 or more to make my dream a reality? I believe in a BIG God who WILL provide, and this is your opportunity to take part in what God is doing.

Would you be a part of this campaign by helping send me to the DR?

I sincerely appreciate your prayerful consideration in helping make this trip possible either through financial support or prayer. Either way I could not do this without you. 

If you would like to help send me to the DR through a financial donation you may do so by either check (make check out to Luminous Church) or visit LuminousChurch.org and click on the give tab. My name can be found on the drop down menu. The link to the giving page is here:

https://luminouschurch.ccbchurch.com/trx_submit.php?type=public_gift

Also be sure to visit https://missions.me/campaigns/1nation1day2015. There you can watch videos about my trip, and get more information.

Mail all checks to:

Luminous Church

Attention: Amanda Rocha

P.O. Box 781809

San Antonio, TX 78278

I sure do appreciate you. Thank you for taking the time to read what God is definitely preparing me for in reaching the nations. 

Blessings, 

Amanda

A Call to the Dominican Republic

For those of you who followed me in my journey throughout Central America, post college, the adventure continues. This time, to the Caribbean… specifically the Dominican Republic. Just as I left Honduras in 2013, One Nation One Day was about to plant seeds of the Gospel throughout the nation of Honduras. At the time, I had the privilege to discuss the anticipation of God moving within the country with my students. This time, I have the opportunity to participate in planting more seeds with One Nation One Day in hopes of bringing a nation, the Dominican Republic, to the throne of Glory.

Of course I can't do this without you. This life-altering, short-term missions trip will take place this summer, July 2015, with a team of passionate missionaries. Medicine, education, and of course spreading the Word of God is our mission. The government and local leaders of the Dominican Republic are open and ready for our team.  This unforgettable experience will require much preparation. I am seeking support, both financially and in prayer. I need to raise a total of $2850 to make my trip possible. Would you consider a gift of $100, $50, or $25 or more to make my dream a reality?

I know that God has been moving in my life personally and want others to know the same love and hear the Good News! This trip will give me the opportunity to reach a nation, one person at a time, by sharing the message of His love. What a responsibility, but also what a privilege! Would you be a part of this by helping send me to the Dominican Republic?

If you have any questions about the short-term mission trip, please feel free to contact me. I thank you so much for your faithful prayers and financial support. If you feel led to give, visit LuminousChurch.org and click on the give tab. My name (Amanda Rocha) can be found on the drop down menu. The link to the giving page is here:

https://luminouschurch.ccbchurch.com/trx_submit.php?type=public_gift 

Also be sure to visit https://missions.me/campaigns/1nation1day2015. There you can watch videos about my trip, and get more information.

I sincerely appreciate your prayerful consideration in helping make this trip possible.

Blessings, 

Amanda 

 

P.S.

If you don't know me personally, you can leave a comment below with your name and email and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Comments have to be pre-approved before they are posted for the world to see, so any personal information will NOT be posted. That can make it an easy way for us to contact with each other. Once again, thank you for helping send me to the Dominican Republic.

Goodbye 2014

So much happened in 2014.

Dad - May 2011

Looking back, I am in awe. Sitting here, my heart is overwhelmed with the clear reality that God is with me. This year I took a leap of faith and moved to a city that I never before saw myself living in, the culture infused San Antonio, TX. I left being at my mom's house for 8 months (the longest I'd been there since high school). I was reconnected into public schools here in the states, and I started a routine of living here again. Making connections, building relationships, more Jesus. Thankfully, I had the summer off, as most teachers do, and I was able to chaperone some kids to a kids camp, and travel a little. And then he got sick again.

Praise God for Brandie who encouraged me to rush home to see my dad who now was struggling with a collapsed lung, phenomena, and something else that I can't seem to remember. During my visit, my dad and I talked about Jesus. How did we know we were saved? What would heaven be like? Would we be accepted there? I asked him for forgiveness for the things I held against him. I asked him if there was anything he wanted to forgive me for, and then the conversation moved to the topic of grudges. I wanted him to make sure that he didn't hold any grudges with anyone. He said, "I have nothing against anyone. Not you or your bothers, not your mother, not my parents or my siblings". I told him that was great! The doctors said he had gradually been getting better. A nurse was assigned to him when he was released. I went back to my new home before then to begin the new school year. I was hopeful and at peace with the conversation, but still wanted more for him. I wanted him to want to get better - something beyond my control.

Me and Dad at my graduation. May 2011

The fall semester was no easy task. The new dynamics of parents and students, my new role, helping with a church plant and trying to stay organized. Not to mention the heartache, confusion, moments of frustration, and still I was being stretched and molded. Yes, I had those moments of excitement (kayaking and paddle boarding in the ocean!), and the anticipation of new beginnings (my birthday!), but my heart was waiting for something bigger to happen. I went home for Thanksgiving via the train - an awesome experience. I saw my dad again. This time in a hospice house which was the result of a serious fall that he had experienced in October. He wasn't doing well. He didn't respond. I visited him twice with my brothers, we prayed together, I whispered things in his ear and gave him a kiss on the cheek and went back home to finish off the semester. And then it happened.

Wednesday, December 10th. I was at school. It was late. We had a guest speaker. My heart felt like it collapsed when my brother told me, "He just passed. We're waiting for the nurse to call it". That night my heart skipped several beats, I knew it. The pressure was too much at times. Sleep was difficult, but praise God for friends and a warm home to rest in. Thanks Deborah for opening your home to me. Thanks for the homemade chicken noodle soup, and the fire in the fireplace, and a bed to attempt to sleep in. Thank you for helping me make arrangements to go home - thank you to everyone involved. Thanks God for a church that helped me make a way to go home quick.

So I went home. Came back and went back home. Everything done in God's perfect timing.

To say the least, 2014 was full of transitions and preparation for what's to come. God is moving, there's no doubt about that. 2015 will be the first of many years - the beginning of a new chapter. I am nervous, but a wise woman told me this yesterday… "Being nervous is a good thing. That means that you realize that you can't do it without God". May God be ever so close to my family this year, may He reveal himself to us in new ways that just blow us away.

Things will never be the same, but memories last forever. 

Love you dad.

Arsenio Rocha
Feb. 22, 1950 - Dec. 10, 2014