VIDEO BLOG- VISITING A REHAB CENTER- VIETNAM

THE LEAST OF THESE- HIV HOME - VIETNAM PART 3

Our third stop for the day was at an HIV/Orphan home and the atmosphere there was the greatest. Father Joseph just glowed with Jesus' love for these kids.  He has 3 homes that are comprised of about 80 kids total. The one we went to today has about 50 small kids.  The kids are on meds for their HIV and are doing well. He said they have only lost 7 kids in 7 years.  They are in need of another nurse, if you all want to spread the word. It would mean moving to Vietnam. :) 
The kids loved the balloon animals and at first were scared of the face painting but once they figured out what it was, they wanted everything!  Father Joseph and the staff were just filled with joy to watch these kids have fun!  Mary Ellen and I were sitting on the floor doing the face painting and we had kids in our laps, behind us and hanging on us. It was very challenging to get the painting done.  Mary Ellen had this one little girl who refused to get out of her lap and we had to be diligent about keeping paint brushes out of her hands!  Mary Ellen finally gave up and by the time we were done this little girl had almost every face painting pic on her body!  Haha!! This one little boy, did not want any of the designs I had but kept motioning with his hands what he wanted. It looked like this: 

As I was laughing and we were doing this back and forth, I assumed he wanted a yellow dinosaur. My dino did not turn out as I wanted and so I wiped it off. He still made the same gesture and I sat there trying to figure out what to paint since he was so set on it, I looked at his shirt and saw power rangers. When I pointed to the yellow one, he was very happy for me to paint that! When I added blue lightening strikes, I became the hero of that little boy!  Whew! 
 We left there with those kids all happy which made my heart happy.

THE LEAST OF THESE- VIETNAM CANCER WARD - PART 2

Our next stop was at the Cancer Ward for Children at the Govt. Hospital. That was a fast and furious visit!  As I have been it international hospitals before the impact was not so much a shock for me as I believe it was for some others on our team.  As we arrived , We divided up into 6 teams and had snacks, milk, clothes and over 100 stuffed animals. We had to divide up most of the stuff outside of the bus and gathered a crowd as all these Americans were doing something!   As we hit the ward, each team taking a small room or two and the hallway where people were lined up on mats, It was like heaven came down! The person in charge of the floor was very protective of us and the kids and as word spread through out the hospital that we were handing out stuff, he screamed at them all to go away! It was just for the kids! 
As we walked into each room, giving out the things mentioned above, there really wasn't any walking room. In a room much smaller than most of our Master bedrooms were 6 beds. Kids with mats under the beds and parents that  were there with their. There were at least 24 people living in each room.  Just as fast as we got in,  It had seemed that we had brought so much but 200lbs of items seemed like nothing as we got going.  The joy and delight on the kids faces as we handed them a milk and a stuffed animal was worth every mile we traveled to get there. Unfortunately, we got ushered out as soon as we finished handing out everything, so hugging on kids was not really an option, so smiles and the love of Jesus was what we left behind. Bob's motto is just ooze Jesus and it is enough. The power of Heaven and Jesus' healing is in his hands.   But an amazing thing happened.  Bob lagged behind with Ari, his 2 year old and all of a sudden people requested that Bob and Ari bless them. They loved Ari!  She has the sweetest smile. So with her daddy, she went through the ward and they got to lay their hands on every kid and pray over them!!!!! I can't really explain publicly why this is great that Bob got to do this but it is!!!  This same little 2 year old wanted to hold an 8 year old at the medically fragile home and so her mama let her. It was a precious sight to see her sit on the mat and lovingly hold the other sick child way older than her.  This little girl already has the heart of Jesus and has just been a joy on this trip. 

It was off to lunch after that and we went to some gorgeous gardens by the River where I ate some delicious Vietnam food including a fried fish. (Served with the head) Some of my team mates had a problem with that! hehe. 

The LEAST OF THESE PART 1

Even though our day was long, it was an amazing day!!! We went to 3 places with in the city. The first was the medically fragile home run by the Catholic church. These kids all had some kind of physical and/or mental handicap and had been abandoned. They ran to greet us when we got there.  At first we just walked in and started playing with the kids and it was a little overwhelming.   I didnt know which child to sit down and play with. As I walked around stopping to pat some and talk to them, I asked God which one did I need to touch the most?  As I walked into an adjoining room, I saw him.  There he was all cuddled up in a corner.  He looked like he must have been around age 9 or 10. We will call him Saang.  He just sat there playing with a little block toy, flipping it around in his fingers. I slid to the floor to sit beside him and noticed his eyes were crossed somewhat. He didnt really notice me until I said something to him. Though he couldn't understand what I was saying, he turned his head towards me. I scooted in closer, continuing to talk to him telling him what a wonderful kid he was and that Jesus loved him. Not knowing how much he could see, I touched his face tenderly. He seemed to like it and I took his hand in mine and there we sat, very close together. Not really feeling like I needed to say much, he just held my hand and you could tell he was trying to see my face.  During this time of my holding his hand and talking quietly to him, I had another very little down's syndrome girl climb into my lap. She proceeded to lay her head on my chest and pat me! Hehe! Then evidently, she has uncontrollable urges to hit and I got side swiped  right in the front of the face before I could catch her. Man! was that painful!  Without letting go of my little friends, hand, I managed to grab hers to stop the beating and quietly spoke the word Peace, Peace.  She immediately stopped and I was so glad. She did this a few times unexpectedly,  but each time I would pray Peace, she would stop. She then decided that that it was time to get off my lap and move on and play. All this time, I had been holding on to Saang's hand.  I felt Jesus just wanted me to sit with him.  I turned my full attention back to him and everytime I had tried to pull away my hand, He just found it again to hold. I then decided to see if he would let me draw him close to hug on him. When I reached my arm around him, He immediately cuddled up to me and settled in for a long stay. Laying his head on my shoulder, he tilted his head up to hear everything I was saying and wrinkled his face as if he was trying to understand my words. As I spoke words of life over him, My heart cried out to Jesus for his salvation from his diseased body. As I sit here typing this my clothes sorta reek of his smell. Though that smell is not so lovely, I know he is lovely. He longs for love and a destiny just like the rest of us.  Fighting back tears, I smiled and loved on him as he continued to snuggle in close.  The rest of the visit was sort of a whirlwind in my mind but it was pure joy to see the children light up when I painted their faces with paint.  But Saang will forever be imprinted on my heart. 

LOOK WHAT WE HAVE !!!!

Our trip is coming up soon and I wanted to give you all an update of what we have collected to take with us as we head to Asia. I would appreciate your prayers as I go with this amazing team. Hopefully we can post updates of our trip, so you all will know better how to pray. I want to thank all of you who contributed financially to my trip. Your seed is going to grow tremendously!!!!

That Sure is A Lot of Fleece!!!!

I am getting pumped about my trip to Asia! There is so much going on to prepare for my trip to 3 countries in Asia  (I did get quite a bit of cooking done and got some dinners in the freezer  along with some snacks for several days! Whoo hoo!) I also  have many other things such as meetings to attend with my team as we plan what we are doing while there. We are all collecting things to take with us.      ( We will be taking 750 lbs of supplies with us) That is a lot of stuff! This is really fun for me as I get to shop for craft and art items.

My son and daughter's high school is going to help us make the blankets we need for the cancer patients that we will visit with in Vietnam.  That is awesome! They get community service and I get blankets!  I went into Joann's Fabric today as they are having a liquidation sale and asked the manager if he could even give me an additional discount on the fleece than what there already was. He did and I ended up getting 75% off of the fleece. I would have bought more if I'd had more cash!  The ladies  and manger in there treated us like Royalty. and it was a great shopping experience. I love being the daughter of a King and get favor when I go places!  We did get enough material for 38 blankets!

Almost immediately after getting home, the kids wanted to make some blankets and I made a deal with my 16 year old.  I told him I would unground him if he would help make 3 blankets! He heartily agreed, shocked at such an offer. He got even more shocked when I asked him to go and put on his music so we could listen to it! LOL He wondered, "Where is my mom and what have you done with her??"  I actually was gong to unground him yesterday but forgot. :)


I better head to bed, it is 1:30 am but it is Saturday and I can sorta sleep in for a little while.

I'm Grover and I know it!
Allenni and Graham

Andrew got all the material cut into the right lengths

That is a lot of fleece

THAILAND,VIETNAM & CAMBODIA- HERE WE COME!

My friend Kimberly with I.Dignify on her last trip to Asia caring for orphans

I AM soooooo excited about my trip to Asia. A BIG THANK YOU to those who gave for me to be able to go! A BIG THANK YOU also to those who are going to cover me in prayer while I am gone!   Please plan to check my Melissa Carter Facebook or this blog for updates while I am there. 

We had our first planning meeting for this trip and there are 11 of us going. We will be arriving first in Thailand and staying for several days.  Then head over to two other countries in Asia for the remainder of our trip. 
Our flight leaves April 1 and we will return on April 20. 

B& K of I.D. WE are limiting identification on this trip for security reasons.)  will be leading us on this trip and they are awesome friends who are changing the world! When I think of Justice Heroes, I think of them!  They are making a huge difference in the life of so many people and girls who are caught in sex- trafficking. 
I am including a long excerpt from an I.D.'s newsletter that will tell you a little bit about what we will be doing in Asia. I ask that you partner with us in anyway you can! 

"While in Asia we will be working with, training, equipping, and ministering to women and children that have been rescued out of trafficking as well as the staffs onsite at the organizations that are pouring their lives into their restoration. We will be holding workshops for the staff, doing arts and crafts with the kids and holding worship services with over 200 rescued children.

In T. we will be bringing the gospel of Jesus to a people group who have very little exposure to His word or even who He is.  In this area of T. less than 1% of the population has heard of Jesus and so we will have opportunity to go into the tribal villages and bless them,  and love on them.  We will also be doing a drama for at risk children who work in the trash dumps.

In C. we will be visiting several orphanages and rescue homes for children. Our team will receive training from a man who has done thousands of personal rescues himself and we will also be ministering to a rescue home where the women are making purses which Macy’s is going to begin selling, allowing their home to be self sustaining. We will also be ministering to multiple highly persecuted churches.
In V. we will be visiting some more homes with medically fragile children and also a drug rehab home and cancer ward with over 200 kids in one very small ward. We will also be ministering to tribal villages where Jesus raises dead ones on a regular basis as there is no medical doctor or facility nearby!  We will be doing water sanitation and street ministry in the red light districts.  We can't discuss some of the details of our trip because of safety concerns for believers there and organizations there but please know we need your prayer coverage.

This is what the filters look like. They just hook up to a bucket with water

People in Asia getting the water filter systems for their families

 
Please consider sowing into this incredible trip, as it is through people like you that it is possible for us to go and be a blessing!  To give you an example of how simple and practical the need is, because unsafe drinking water is the second highest killer of people worldwide, we are bringing filters that cost around $50 a piece.  The filter provides clean drinking water for 50-100 people for life!  It needs no filter replacement & no maintenance!  The more we are able to bring with us, the more people will have access to clean, safe drinking water. 
Click here to join us in support
 
We are also in great need of intercessors to cover us in prayer as we venture into these places.  

If you will be partnering with us in prayer please email me back and let us know what the Lord has put on your heart to pray for us and the time commitment you are able to make, even if it is simply 15 minutes a day!  Your prayers are our covering, they go before us, behind us, and work through us!

If you would like to send supplies for us to take with us, here is a needs list.  Please send them no later than March 17^th so they will arrive to us by the 20^th and we can have time to pack them.  Please send them to Kimberly Johnson 1095 Hilltop Drive, suite 369, Redding CA 96003  OR  Melissa Carter 7783 Churn Creek Rd. Redding, CA 96002

Here is the List!

• Art supplies for the women in the rescue homes. (Paints,(finger,watercolor,acrylic) good paintbrushes, watercolor pencils, sketchpads, crayons, canvas, face paint, plaster molds, stickers and more!) 
• Kids clothing, all sizes including shoes. If it is used, please be sure it isn’t stained or torn.
• Used or new baby items
• Blankets for the children
• Jewelry supplies for them to make jewelry
• Anything specific the Holy Spirit leads you to send to either be given to the children, or even the staff. 
• Snacks to take to the children.  (Candy is okay as it opens a door to minister to them.  Ideally fruit juice sweetened snack packs, goldfish, teddy grahams etc.  Just be sure they are in individually packaged containers from the manufacturer, not zip locks.)
• Blankets for the babies (handmade or not) as none of them will have them. 
• Toys, dolls, coloring supplies. E.g. balls that can be deflated and then blown up on the other side  (Please get things that are small and light where possible as it allows us to bring more to children.)
• Small journals for rescued girls to write in.  You are welcome to decorate the covers, just use caution with using Christian terms for safety and English words, as they will not be able to read them.

The Items below are ones we will purchase before leaving and/or once we get there.

• Powdered Milk for the kids in the cancer wards
• Water filters for water sanitation - these only weigh a few oz and each one can give 100 people clean water for life! $50

If you would like to donate financially towards the trip and towards the above mentioned items please Click here to join us in support
Many of these rescue homes will give us coconut water, snacks etc. while we are there and this can cost them money so we will also be giving them offerings to at very least, offset the cost of our supplies.  

I will be posting and keeping you all updated as I prepare for this trip and as I am in Asia if there is internet

You've Gotta Do What????

Leaving for a 3 week trip to Asia is more than just getting a suitcase and throwing my stuff into it, kissing the kids goodbye and boarding an airplane.
It is WORK!
Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining! It is just a fact that it requires lots of planning and preparation.  I am now in TRIP MODE! My mind is whirling of all the things I need to do before I go.
 I will do my best to maintain a great attitude as I plan out what needs to happen for the Carter world to continue to rotate!  I KNOW the kids are going to get tired of my reminders for the next month of what they need to do while I am away. Somehow it makes me feel better that maybe if I say it enough times, it will stick like this song you can't get out of your head! LOL!
So what does this mom need to do in order to be away for 3 weeks, when she is not just a phone call away?  With 8 kids away and your two oldest daughter not living with you any more, with them and all the grandparents 3000+ miles a way, it is not as easy as it used to be when it seemed I traveled a lot. But it can be done with lots of preparation. I should not be on this computer blogging with all I need to do but here I am because I feel you would like to know!!
Of course with 8 kids at home, there is much more to do than there would be with just two kids at home. With 6 boys at home, that narrows your selection down to what they can handle responsibility wise. Remember My last posts about eggs and near fires?? I rest my case!

With two girls, left in the house, there are limits to what each of them can do.  And it is not because I have not tried to train. There are times when you just know someone is not ready. MY two 10 year olds are the best at cooking and can help whip up a meal for 10 people pretty well.

 So I scan the crowd of kids, seeing where their strengths and weaknesses lie and then dole out my daily responsibilities.  This is not as easy as it looks or sounds.  I have to come up with a plan that somewhat will help the house not to fall apart while I am away.  I do have awesome kids and they most of time do step up to the plate when needed and in the end they usually surprise me and make me proud.

I am learning not to stress out over what they didn't get right and go with the flow. So what if Isaiah raided the fridge on the hour, depleting the apples and oranges for the kids school and made a mess with koolaid all over the kitchen???  So what if the dogs didn't get fed two times a day???? So what if the laundry is piled sky high when I get back and all my kids are practically naked except for my oldest daughter at home who has the supply of a store in her closet??? I have to remind myself that  this too will pass.....  and we will laugh.
So what do I do to get ready for a trip?
I start up to a month a head and start putting meals in the freezer, making up a menu for the period I will be gone. I try to do as much ahead as possible so the kids only have to add a salad, veggie and fruit.  So this means 22 + casseroles. Of course I have to grocery shop so said casseroles can be cooked.
The next course of action is to make snacks and freezer lunches for school( I'll need 90) , I'll purchase the additional snacks and freezer lunches needed.
Next on the list is to line a kid or kids to wash the laundry everyday, print up kids schedules and make sure everyone has a ride back and forth to school and their other activities.
Call a few friends to see if they can stop by on occasion to make sure all things are running smoothly while dad is at work.
I usually start making a list of the things I need to pack as I think about them  and pick them up at the store if needed.
I type out a list of the house rules and boundaries as a visual reminder of what is required of everyone, since I won't be there to break up fights or tell someone that their talk is inappropriate. I'm not really sure if typing up a list of rules and reminders really does any good or if it's only purpose  is to see if I will get eye rolls but it makes me feel better that I have left no stone unturned!
There are so many other minor things I have to do that just make a household run while I am away and I will spare you the details.

As crazy as it sounds I enjoy organizing, hoping and planning that all will go well! This trip is worth all the work I will do to prepare for it. Besides, I think having a break and not hearing the word, "MOOOOOMMMMMM" 100+ times a day might be worth the work but  I will miss the hugs, kisses of my precious children.
I love my kids and husband for allowing me this time to go do something I LOVE. Their sacrifice means love to me.
This is probably going to be the senario tomorrow:
ME:"Oh? What is this?? Here's my suitcase? What? you want to help me pack?
What time does my plane leave?
Oh, you want to fix all the meals and you will feed everybody?
THEM: Have a good time, Mom!
ME: Why are you pushing me out the door? My plane doesn't leave for another 2 1/2 weeks?!! "

SEE.... They LOVE me!

THE KIDS DECIDE TO HELP ME RAISE MONEY!

I am going to 3 countries in Asia in April with I.Dignify and am so excited. I have been trying to raise the last of my money and my kids and I thought we would be silly and do a photo shoot!  I am almost at my goal!!! 

Look at those kids holding up signs!!!! TRYING to get rid of mama! 

REALLY ELI?? You DO?? lol

I KNOW she is gonna miss me greatly!!!!!

I know you would Nathaniel!!!! LOL

These too are already rejoicing! 

Isaiah wrote his sign that said something to the effect of ccc% $ dhof
INTERPRETATION: I'm gonna miss my mom but I am glad she does what she does!  

I Am Almost There!!!!

I am going to be SHAMELESS here and do some begging! --- Please forgive me ahead of time! 

I REALLY WANT to go to THAILAND, VIETNAM and CAMBODIA. I am ready to get back in the trenches again after not having traveled for almost 3 years! 
This 3 week long trip with I.Dignify is not just an ordinary missions trip for me and the 10 others going with me! I believe it is going to be LIFE ALTERING for all of us who have committed ourselves to rescuing those who have been enslaved in sex- trafficking.
This team that is going has been academically and spiritually trained to work with sex trafficked victims and this is our trip to assess the needs in these countries, Set the Captive Free, Heal the Broken Hearted and Wounded, and Give Them Wells of Water, Naturally and Spiritually!

I NEED $965. THANKS to my wonderful hubby, Duane, who has given to this trip in more ways than one and to others who have helped me to already raise the other $2235. I am so appreciative of your love and giving!

They have given us one more extention to get the money in and it is March 7th. With your help I can go.
You can give a tax deductible gift securely through this link:
https://missiontrips.ibethel.org/transactions/new/1699 OR you can send a gift through paypal to kdcarter@mac.com

I will be sending a small copy of one of my paintings for everyone who donates!! BLESSINGS AND FAVOR for you all!

I'm going to THAILAND, VIETNAM and CAMBODIA!!

Hi Everybody,

Hello from beautiful California! 

As most of you know, Duane and I moved here to Redding,CA to attend Bethel church. 

We have been loving it here. We are amazed everyday that we get to live here in this beautiful area and Kingdom Culture! In this last year and a half, God has grown our hearts and enlarged our territories. We are seeing the possibilities of dreams that we have had for years                                           beginning to unfold.  We are amazed and stand in awe at what God is doing in our lives. 

As we have been here, God has allowed me (Melissa) to become involved with I.Dignify, an organization started by Bob and Kimberly Johnson. ( http://idignify.com ) 

I.Dignify works to equip caregivers of children and young women who have been rescued out of sex trafficking as well as participate and support other organizations who rescue and advocate for victims of sex-trafficking.  They bring the love of God to many who are lost and hurt.  

My heart comes alive when I am working with I.Dignify. It is awesome to be able to teach others about bringing hope and healing supernaturally to these lost young ones. It is awesome to know that because of our efforts through I.Dignify many will learn what it is to become a daughter or son.  

I have been given the opportunity to go with I.Dignify on a trip from April 1-18 that will land us in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia where we will be working in brothels and with caregivers in rescue homes. Duane, being the super great husband that he is, is taking over as Mr. Mom! 

I believe this trip is going to be very instrumental in my future work.  When I went to Thailand almost 3 years ago, it rocked my world and changed my life! I knew I would be back!   I feel the time is now with this great opportunity!  ( For those of you thinking it, No, My plans are not to bring back a little one, though you know I want to!) LOL! 

LONGING FULFILLLED

As a radical lover of God, I realize that I have the privilege of going to the ends of the earth to impart who I am and what I have received, which is the love and life of Jesus Christ. I have been given the grace to demonstrate God’s unconditional love and introduce His abundant life to every person I meet. (Ephesians 3:19, John 13:34)

I typically do not write a letter asking for support but I feel that it is important that others join with me in this effort whether it is by PRAYER or FINANCES.  As most of you know, I grew up on the mission field and have traveled to many countries adopting and doing mission work. Bringing Love to the world is important to me. I love Bethel’s  wonderful Missions Vision because it goes right along with my vision. A portion of it is below:

  “ The heart and passion of the Bethel Mission Department is to see the sons and 

daughters of God in all the nations awaken to His goodness and love. As children of Heaven, we have access to His Kingdom and demonstrate His love, glory, and power in all aspects of society. Our strategy is to raise up a generation of world changers in their own nations to begin to run with their God-given inheritance to bring heaven to earth and transform their nation.”

 The total cost of my trip is $3200 and has to be paid by February and March. If you would like to donate, financial gifts may be made online at  

https://missiontrips.ibethel.org. This gift is tax deductible and you will receive a statement at the end of the year for your tax records. If you wish your gift to be anonymous, please check the anonymous box.  This will allow you to receive an end of year statement, but will not allow me to see your name.  This is a non-refundable donation to the Bethel Church Missions Department for the benefit of the iDignify Social Justice Trip/ Melissa Carter.    

If online payment is not an option, check donations can be made payable to Bethel Church and mailed to the following address:  Bethel Mission Trips Department, 915 Twin View Blvd., Redding, CA 96003.   Please include a note with the donation designating Melissa Carter as the recipient.   My email and paypal address is kdcarter@mac.com .  My snail mail address is 7783 Churn Creek Rd. Redding, CA 96002. If you would like to talk to me or make a donation by phone, you can call me at 530.215.1426-  Pacific  Time. 

I want to say a huge thank you ahead of time for those of you that are investing in me. 

I know a support system, a community of people who invest in me whether it is through prayer,finances or encouragement is very important. I want to Thank You for believing in me and what I am doing!  (Matthew 10:8)

Blessings to you, Melissa Carter

If you would like to be sent a reminder to pray for me on this trip as well as receive updates, let me know and I will get you on a list!