Sometimes.. I get a good feeling.

I know I mentioned in the last post how awesome it to to be able to do the work of the Lord and still be able to do the things you love. This week we have gotten to do so many fun activities, talk to awesome people as well as make memories that I can never forget. One of our events was a game night at the park where we played American football, frisbee, and grilled out. We had tons of people show up whom we met on campus throughout the week, which is awesome. Most of them were actually Americans who were studying for various reasons in Germany. This was funny but at the same time there is no way for us to judge when God will move in someones life. Another person that I was UBER excited to see show up was my friend Egor! You read me previous blog then you saw that Egor was one of the that I met on campus earlier in t.the week that showed up for the Tuesday night service. he is not a believer and does not know much about God or why he should bother with religion BUT he showed up for two different events alone and seemed to get along well with the other SFC students. I was sad that he didn't show up to other events in the week but I really believe he will be part of the fruit produced from the trip. So keep praying for Egor! Another fun fun fun day that I just loved was Saturday. One of the guys who is very involved in Students For Christ is Frank. Frank is a Vegan who is an excellent cook. Him and I have had great talks about food and nutrition interests and I admire him so much for his willingness to use his interests and hobbies Tao serve and to bring together the community. Saturday morning Frank led a cooking class open for anyone and learn how to prepare new delicious foods that happen to be vegan foods. We made soups,dips, cookies, muffins, stir fries, hummus, and more. Mouth watering, hu? after preparing all of this delicious food more people arrived and we set up the dining tables outside on the walk way true parisian style and had a feast. Afterwards a few of us worked off our delicious meal with DANCING. So Much Fun. That took up the majority of the day along with some shopping and then movie night that evening. At the end of the day I was in such bliss to have such happy moments..but then I starting to feel guilty about having so much fun. This wasn't the reason I sighed up for this trip. I'm supposed to be exhausted from doing hard work every minute of everyday! Later I talked to a team mate who was feeling the same way but then we reminded ourselves that one part of the reason why, we are here is to get the students who are already believerS even more involved with each other and build a stronger community. It seems strange because we have been surrounded by mostly the same amazing people during our visit but apparently there are only so many who stahl active all the time. My prayer is that the time that we have spent with the visitors as well as the members of SFC will grow closer with one another as they grow closer to the lord. That they will realize the different parts of the body that they, are gifted in and use it to draw in the crowd of lost souls like Egor. Notonly are these cool and fun people to be around. The Lord has blessed them to be attractive to those who have not had much fulfillment in life. It's amazing to see how much people are drawn to these students. I also pray that this will be encouragement for me and other students at Georgia Southern when I come back to Georgia. Bay Bay

As I was praying last night I began to pray for each of the teammates. While doing that I realized how much I've grown to love and respect each of them. God began showing me how each of them in their own way bless and make this group better. Everything from the way Stephanie laughs and appreciates everyone's jokes to Mark making people feel comfortable in a big city. Bailey being approachable and always in good spirits to Hayden's goofiness and intellectual conversations (yes, you can be both goofy and crazy smart). Doug brings the music and is compassionate. Jared's fresh take on big city European life makes him always up for an adventure...and he's a hard worker. We laugh a lot in this team. (If you're wondering...we are right now. Richard is sleeping on the windowsill...kind of like a cat.) That is just a little taste of this team.

Love these guys. I love what God is doing in them and through them. I'm honored that I get to watch it.

Please continue to pray for relationships to be made between German students and the SFC students. Tonight is the American football night. Can't wait!!!

Great expectations

Hoping the Spirit stirs it up tonight. I'm going to miss my newfound brothers and sisters in a week... We've had some long days (seriously its light all the time here...) and I know a special love had been kindled in mein heart for the German people in particular. I wonder what God's plan is in regards to these sparks and subtle flames which lap at some of the roots of my spirit. Here is a pic of some hard working team mates

Hilarious...

So last night we ate at this great Italian restaurant, and while there, Hayden was placing back a bottle of olive oil but it tipped. Doug (in an amazing fit of super speed) lunges forward to make the amazing save, however completely forgot the glass of water in his other hand. During the lunge forward the water in the glass was thrown straight into Baileys face! Here's the evidence

Why is nobody commenting on the blogs???

:(

Hey Ya'llllllll

Hellooooo,

Life has been crazy here in Berlin for the past four days. The last three, of which, we have not even stopped for lunch, we've been so on the go! Things are not quite what I expected life in Berlin to be but then again they are not quite as different as I expected, either. We have spend every day on the same campus handing out free Georgia Iced Tea, passing out SFC fliers and making conversation with students who are interested. Every day has been so different! Most of the students are mostly interested in why we are here in Berlin and what we are REALLY up to on campus. It's so interesting because they are very curious people. Most have never been presented with christianity and it is simply not an important part of life. They are subconsciensly searching for the same comfort and acceptance but have never heard of God, much less having a relationship with him. I've been given opportunities to express that this is the reason why we are here. To literally hang out with students, show them that we are happy and fun people, and that we have love and happiness from a source that they have not heard about. We want them to know that this source is available for them!

The students are pretty open with asking questions and I am so thankful that I have never felt more prepared for a mission trip. One of the things I was most concerned out of the trip was to be drilled with questions that I would not know how to answer. The Lord has truly provided in my confidence and ability to talk. Another thing is that I've realized what a blessing it is to be able to do things that you enjoy doing and have fun and still be working for the Kingdom! I have been all over serving at the free iced tea stand and you better believe that I've been playing up my sweet southern accent and practically ready to serve a nice peach cobbler on a silver platter at any moment. I must say, I am learning the benefits of being a sweet southern girl in non christian European countries. The Lord provides and my grandma's taught me right is all i've got to say.

On tuesday night we had our first event The Living Room, which is the equivalent to our tuesday night PLUG service in Georgia. I had a great time preparing southern style food which included ribs, green beans, potato salad, and banana pudding. There was enough to serve two or three helpings to everyone and there were no leftovers so that seems to be a sure sign that we did something right. There are about 40   regular attenders and there were six new visitors from all the people we spoke to on campus. One of them was this guy Egor, a guy that I spoke to for a while who was interested in hanging out with Americans and getting to know our culture. He was very skeptical about Christianity and was mostly interested in the banana pudding during worship but he was not scared away or weirded out.. well.. atleast not until Mark showed him his dance moves after Egor told him that one of his hobbies are hip hop dancing. One of the hardest things about short term missions is that it's our job to gain their attention and strike up conversation but we can only invest in these people so much until we have to follow through with our next job, which is to help them get more connected with the other German Christian students. I'm really excited, however, to see if Egor and some of the other new students will still be interested enough to come back to our other events this week.

I'm starting to get a little fatigued from being on the go so much so if you could pray for me to have unstoppable energy and for great conversations and attitudes that would be great.

With love!
Bay

New Calling here in Berlin

There is so much to tell about this trip, so much I could write a book. When praying about coming on this trip I thought God's purpose was for me to come and serve others in using my gifts that he has blessed me with. I was so wrong in the fact that I haven't changed other people I have been changed. God has had some revelations to me over this mission trip and I thank him for all the blessings he gives me. I am going to be bold and confess I was confused and lost when coming on this trip. God has revealed to me that you should not have fear and step out in boldness. I have had a calling to ministry before coming on this trip, but in fear turned my back on God and myself. I have had some great time with God on this trip and has really given me peace about going into ministry now. I have no idea what it looks like, but I know God will bless me where ever I am suppose to be. I ask that you pray for me as I am entering this transition and that I will be bold and answer God's call.

No Pants...

Of Course I don't have pants on...I'm in Berlin!

Bball...A Universal Languge

Day 4 begins! Today is the first day we will go to Charite, the medical school. The past few days have been great and our time on campus ha been so productive. This year more than ever it seems that everyone is really spending quality time with students on campus thanks to volleyball, basketball, and free tea on campus. Yesterday I spent a lot of time with Johnny, who was the best German basketball player I've played with in 3 years. Praying he comes to our cookout tomorrow night!

My shield.

13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims."
14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this.
15 But the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?"
16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Let us hold dear our Savior and shield so that forces of evil will be subject to the living Word of God in us. And let us rejoice that our names are written in the Book of Life!

So I just realized that my last three blogs were posted to the 2011 Berlin blog so if you have any interest you can check out that one! Anyways...- right now I am in Frank and Genette Hefert's lovely Berlin apartment flat about to get some much needed sleep. I am so blown away by their generosity and hospitality!! This beautiful married couple in Christ is opening up their home to me and Jared and it is humbling to be blessed in such a profound way. What kind and curious hardworking people! The Germans are great people. -BHC

And the real deal!

It becomes difficult to paraphrase what may be one of the best experiences of your life. We, Doug and I, just got to our hosts "flat" or apartment. My mind has been jumbled with French, broken English and German. CTS was amazing. The people there love God and show it with their kindness. It seems as though hospitality is highly valued from my experience in staying in Europe. Walking on campus and handing out fliers is not the most comfortable thing for me to do. With all the prayer and encouragement I have received makes it easier to punch Satan in the face. These moments are not to be wasted. No moment should ever be wasted. It is easier for me to realize this because of the spiritual charge I have been given. So let me not forget the same revelation that brought me to Christ in the beginning, Life is too short to waste it on myself. I desire for my life to have meaning and purpose.

New Adventure

We have arrived safely in Berlin and already had a busy day.We came into Berlin and went straight to the mission field. We first met the staff here at Students for Christ, and got to know them some. We went to a local technical college here in Berlin and got to talk to students. I got to meet several students today and got to have great conversations. We are now about to meet with our hostesses that we will be staying with. God has continued to show up in mighty ways and continues to in many ways. Please continue for divine appointments and that we will be bold when we try to reach students here in Berlin. Thank you for continuing to pray for our team.

Goodbye Brussels, Hello Berlin!

We have arrived safely in Berlin! We immediately ate some great food and then headed for campus. Had some great conversations and made some great connections playing volleyball for about an hour and a half. Feel so welcomed by the SFC students and staff!
"Bis zum nächstes mal"

Making Connections

It has been great being around the students at CTS. The similarities are refreshing and the differences are even better. Arriving in Berlin has been an adventure because we got off the plane and went to lunch and then went to campus. It was great to step out of my comfort zone and try to start conversations with people who are in-between classes. I know that God is with me and that the enemy tries to make me scared. Bailey and I were able to sit down in a grassy area on campus and open the Word to the campus. Please be praying that we make meaningful connections and strong friendships.

Made It!

We made it to Berlin!!!!!!!

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."

This is the word God shared with me today. I want to be the aroma to Berlin so that they may get a sniff of what God means to me.

Thank you for your continuous prayers.

Berlin

I'm in Berlin now and it is great! Today was crazy we woke up at 5 because our plane flight was at 8ish! Then when we got off the plane we got lunch and then we started doing mission work! Haha it was definitely a breaking down of my comfort zone! It was difficult but great at the same time :) we ended up playing volleyball with a bunch of German students and it was awesome and funny too lol. At the end we invited them to the events we'll be putting on this week! Fun! I'm excited!

Past few Days and Tomorrow

We are now finishing up our time here at Brussels and about to depart to leave on another adventure tomorrow to head to Berlin Germany. Over the past few days here I am experienced God show up in many ways from hanging out with the CTS students, and touring the different places. We have toured Gasbeke castle, Waterloo, and experienced God show up with continued safety on our trip. We toured downtown Brussels today and I got to experience the metro. It was a crazy experience and I am super nervous about continuing to navigate this during this trip. We got see awesome sites today and eat some great food. A Belgium waffle is definitively something someone should definitively experience one time in their life. A great experience was when God showed up and we got to sing praises with the students here at CTS in French and English. Thanks for all the prayers !! Please continue to pray for me as I am a little nervous in going on this new adventure tomorrow and I have to navigate the metro by myself. Please continue to pray for our team as we reach out and show God's love in Berlin. Pray for divine appointments and courage to get through anything. Pray that the hearts are ready to receive relationships and God's love for the people in Berlin. We are leaving at 6 AM for the airport.    

Belgium

Belgium has been great! I love this place and all the people I have met :) today we went Waterloo where Napoleon had his last battle and we also went to a huge castle called Gasbeek. I believe that's how you say it :)! Tomorrow we go to brussels and see the square and i'm very excited. God has shown up in this place for me and it is great :) thank you again for everyone that helped me get here and I love you my family and my girlfriend.

Bon jour, from Brussels!

So many of you have probably been wondering what the heck I've been doing for the past several days. Other than our first two days that were spent in travel we have mostly been hanging around CTS Ministry school with friends. We have made new friends but it is so strange coming to a foreign country and having connections from last year's visit.  Although we have had a lot of fun, we have also been doing hard core evangelizing sessions. Here we have been encouraged and taught that it is through personal relationships and experiences that we are to share love and our faith with others. I am a firm believer that each experience has a purpose. We can only share with other people, what we ourselves have experienced. This is comforting so that we know each person has something to offer. On the other hand, it also encourages new experiences with Christ. The more you have learned and gained in life lessons, the more you are able to share with others. This should be a life mission for all who know the Lord.

Last night I was pondering the life of Christ and how productive he was with the time he was giving. From the very moment he was given life in a  human body he was avidly using every cell, and fiber, and moment working for the kingdom. The spirit was working in him and guiding him through everything. This should be our constant goal, as well. We have also been given new life in a human body, thus we should also be using every cell, and fiber, and moment working towards the kingdom. Sometimes we do not feel as capable for completing such a large task. We forget that the same spirit that lived in Jesus lives in you today. My good friend Priscilla Shire recently pointed out to me the story of the two fish and five loaves. The disciples only saw what they did not have and did not see what they had been given. To all readers, rest assured that the Lord has provided for each of us. He tell us that what he gives is good and will always be enough. Whether it looks like it or not, we have all been given two fish and five loaves. We have all been provided for and all have something to give to the kingdom. SO GUYS. What will you make of your two fist and five loaves today??

Bay

Hanging With CTS Students!

Only at CTS

I will say that there are some things you can only learn from experience. Here at CTS there are about 35 students who are passionate about the Lord. They come from everywhere in Europe and have a lot to share. I have been really embracing their culture and perspective. Today we had a couple of sessions with some students and a professor. Learning about European history. Mr. Ralph spoke of building a bridge. Everyone has their convictions. Everyone has things they believe, some sort of philosophy about life an how to live it. It is my hope to connect between their life and the gospel. RELATIONSHIPS! I hope to be able to start relationships with people bridging the go between the life we think we should live for ourselves and the life we can live for Christ. It is a privilege to be apart of the ministry and God's plan.

Prayer...it's a beautiful thing

This is my 5th mission trip (3rd international) and I've never had such a prayer covering. I just wanted to say a quick thank you to all of you back home that are praying for our teams.

Last Sunday, I left home and both of my parents prayed a blessing over me and prayed for the teams. I began receiving emails and facebook messages of friends praying for us AND then Tuesday we were charged and blessed before we left for the airport.

This is so encouraging to the teams. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Some specific prayer points for the next couple days that we are in Brussels:

• Team Bonding - God would continue to build relationships in each of our teams. 
• The students can connect with students at CTS. We would like to encourage them and just be able to hang out with them.
• We would invite the Holy Spirit to move, in our conversations, in our training classes, and team times. (He already is...but who wouldn't want more??? :-) ) 
• Continued safe travel
• Divine Appointments - Saturday and Sunday we will be out in the city of Brussels touring but we would love to have some God moments with the citizens of Brussels
• Students to embrace cultural differences and not to be frustrated when something is different

Thank you again to ALL the family and friends that are supporting us and praying for us. 

Love: Superior Way

We are finishing our first day of training here at the seminary college in Belgium. I am excited about all we have learned so far, which ultimately will be used as tools in our toolkit.

1 Corinthians 13: 2-3
"If I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysterious an all knowledge and if I have all faith, so that I can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but do not have love, i gain noting."

Over the past few days in traveling across the world, I realized how much someone must have love for one another and mostly for God. In the train station in Paris there was a lovely couple that could not speak any English. They were confused and sent us the wrong way. I realized how important it is to show your love to someone else because you have noting without love and may not know what they are going through.

Please continue to pray for our team in the coming days that we will show love to everyone around us in all we do.

Thank You, Friend

First day of training is coming to an end. We are preparing ourselves for what God has planned for us and are ready to do what he has commanded.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:13-15

Because we are Jesus' friends he has shared his plan with us. A plan to talk to the university students in a way that they will understand God's love for them.

Please continue to pray for us as we finish up our training before heading to Berlin.

The arrival.

Smooth trip thus far. Last year we had many delays. First being a cancled flight which turned into lost luggage which turned into a missed train. We are in the paris airport which is where we spent a couple of hours last year. J'adore Paris.

Bruxelles!

We have gotten to Bruxelles!! It is awesome here :) I'm very happy and we just stopped at a McDonald's hahaha :D we're American.. Oh well.

In Paris!

In Paris!!

I am in Paris right now!! We just landed! It's beautiful here!! I miss home, but I am excited to see what God is going to do!! Hebrews 12:1-3

About to Board the Plane!

Excited

We are about to board the plane
And i am exicited for whats in store.

Excited!

We are about to head out to Paris! I am beyond excited, but im also nervous because i dont like flying on planes! I love my family and everyone that helped me get the chance to go on this amazing mission trip! I also love kayla bieber and i am very thankful for her words of encouragment.

Fear of Flying

Every once and awhile I can catch myself empathizing with those who get anxious about the thought of getting on a HUGE metal beast that will hopefully transport them from here to there. It is distant from my mentality to worry about such a thing but when I look into their eyes and see their most sincere and vulnerable presence, I begin to relate. I am excited. I love flying. I would love to relieve someone's worries if they could only empathize with me. This will be a glorious adventure and even in our weakness we can be strong. In the middle of despire we can have peace. Thank everyone who helped to make this opprotunity a reality.

Euro Bailey Time!

The day has finally arrived..it's time for Euro Bailey to get on a plane again! I got little sleep last night due to my excitement/ procrastinated packing, yet of all mornings i still nearly overslept and had to be shaken awake by my roommate. Thanks Candyn! I'm looking forward to keeping you all posted on the exciting things that God is teaching us and the blessings that come after. I'm praying that this years' 2012 Reach Europe team will be filled be spiritual leaders who are gifted to be a light to our surroundings, to be the one to change the environment of a room, and to fully rely and believe in in these gifts offered to us. It's gonna be a wild ride that i am totally fine loosing control over..and y'all can pray for me that I continue in that frame of mind! Bay

That last post was by Hayden! -B. Hayden Cogswell

In the midst of the hustle and bustle going on today, the day before departure, I am reminded of the importance of ceaseless prayer. I pray in Jesus' name for the saints and the remnant across the ocean, and I bind the spirits of Unbelief, Deceit, Contempt and others blocking the path of the good news of the life of the Son of God where we are sent. Keep prayer at the top of your to-do list these days guys!

Leaving Tomorrow!!!

Well, the day is finally upon us! We officially leave Statesboro bright and early in the AM.  We'll be heading to Atlanta to meet with parents, have lunch, talk about the trip, then its off to the airport!  On the first day of last year's trip, we had flights cancelled, 20 of us get on the only available flight flying standby while about 50 others did not get on, we lost all of our bags (except for mine, which the students made fun of me for carrying on my bag, by the way...I laughed at them pretty good thereafter), we missed our train to Brussels because of the lost bags, and I froze up both my credit card and my debit card...but it was so much fun that I only kind of wish it goes smoother tomorrow!  Here is my morning bible reading and coffee (in my Paris mug, of course!)

The Word Says...

        We are leaving for Berlin soon and I am so excited and ready to experience my first mission trip. I pray that God shows up and just uses me for His glory and I am able to fully rely on Him and give him all of my trust. My prayer is to grow closer to Him while bringing others closer at the same time. Today I have been reading in Hebrews and I found Hebrews 4: 12: "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." I am excited to be able to spread the word of God over in Europe and see the changes that God will make in peoples' lives. For it says in Hebrews 3: 12-13: 12)"Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13) But encourage each other day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." I am aiming to inspire and encourage the people I meet through Jesus Christ and The Gospel. I want people to know that they can be FREE. They can throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and they can run the race marked out for them with perseverance. 

It's My Birthday.

Today is my Birthday. Just another day to celebrate life. Take advantage of all the opportunities that come my way. I want people to know who I am and the presence that I bring. My life is now dedicated to remembering who I am. Who I was made to be. God calls all who believe a new creation.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Understanding what it means to be new. How to let old things go and accept the new. Being an ambassador is the opportunity that I am taking advantage of through the mission trip but also in my life. However, I must first understand who I am.

I AM ME.
Uncertain, unsure.
Perfect for this moment.
Realizing the truth.
I am discovering,
Exploring,
What is, what is not.
I am not concrete,
Not just yet.
I am still forming,
Being molded.
Fighting to be shaped
By the truth of
Who I was made to be
I believe that your love
Is the only thing
That can change me
Tell me who, I AM.

Lucid Dreaming

Need to be reminded by the Spirit to bind up all cares and concerns regarding travel scenarios and bring them bound to the Throne each day as I worship my Father, giving thanks for his finished work and praise for his goodness and love.

I am not becoming more of a Christian but less of a descendent of Adam. God is pulling me in agony and ecstasy backwards along the path of my ancestors. I love and hate this experience as ever anyone has loved being alive and yet as ever anyone has hated dying. I pray that the Holy Spirit will open my mouth now and when I am in Europe to proclaim the knowledge of Life with lucidity.

BHC