How to Donate (tax deductible)

I now have a way for your online donations to my trip to be tax-deductible! If you would like to donate, simply go to this link and select my name. Thank you for all the love and encouragement. I have the best friends! :)

Me, right before take off to London.
My first time across the sea and all alone! This was before the tears ;)

Missions..or not?

God has been bombarding me with opportunities to think about what missions is recently. I'm in one of John Piper's "Let the Nations Be Glad" video studies with the ladies at my church. Using scripture, Piper short and sweetly defines missions as

1. Culture Crossing

2. Language Learning

3. People Pursuing

So when I went to New Orleans in high school it was actually an... evangelism trip?

Mind. Blowing.

Another speaker I recently listened to, Steve Burchett with Jim Eliff's ministry in Kansas City, went through Acts 13 and Acts 14, or "the first missionary journey". He used this passage to conclude that missions is

1. Church Planting

2. Done by men

3. After you plant, appoint elders, establish truth, you leave and move on to the next place, but stay available.

That makes women on the field and anyone who is abroad, but not planting churches, helpers and workers - as they called John Mark in the passage.

Mind. Blown.

What do you think?

I was temped to say "I DON'T KNOW!!" and move on, but how would that help me grow? I still don't have a conclusion, but I'd encourage you to study the bible for yourself and spend some time thinking on this. Why is it important? In today's day, lots of people say, "Well I'm a missionary, I told my neighbor about God last week." or, "Everybody is a missionary," or, "I support missionaries so I'm good". What's the problem?

We need to define missions because it puts the pressure back on the local church body to evangelize. The church needs to be sharing the gospel at home, in their neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools. Ask yourself, when was the last time I shared the gospel with an unbeliever?

Comment and let me know what you think missions is and why!

These are definitely condensed versions of what are the result of a lot of study on these men's part. To order Piper's book, go here for an older addition for just $0.01!

Nkosinathi

Nkosinathi: God is with us.

When the day comes that you find yourself flying across an ocean by yourself, leaving your family and the familiar for two months, all alone, there might come a point in your trip where you ask yourself, "What am I thinking?" At that point it will be very important to remember something: you are not sitting on a plane, about to fly an ocean a way from 'security' by yourself. Instead, remember this: God is with you.

You may not find yourself in that exact situation, but it's very possible that you have and will find yourself in situations where you feel vulnerable, lonely, frightened, or unsure. It's important to remember: Nkosinathi, God is with us.

When I went to South Africa alone last summer, I needed to know that as I crossed the ocean, when I was homesick, when my house was being broken into, when I was tired of changing dirty diapers, and so many other times. One of the most important and comforting things I learned was that I am never alone; God is always with me. That is important, because He is both our best friend and our strength.

As I anticipate going back to South Africa this summer, even though I am going with a team, although I want unity among the team, I don't want us to rely on each other only, but to remember that God is with us.

Please pray that we will go WITH God and follow where He leads us.

Nkosinathi is a Zulu (South African language) word meaning God is with us. It's on the T-shirts I'm selling right now. If you are interested, email me (claimag05@gmail.com) with your size, color, and sleeve length and I'll send you an invoice and a shirt!

Options: Blue, or red; short sleeve or long sleeve; you pick your size :)
Short sleeve are $13, long sleeve are $18. $5 charge for shipping.

If you don't want a shirt, but still want to support me: scroll to the bottom of this blog post to learn how to give, including tax-deductible donations. It will also tell you about the African necklaces I am selling!

To learn more about the ministry I'll be working with in South Africa, go here to learn about the baby home, go here to learn about the church, and go here to learn about the non profit.

To follow our team on facebook, go here to meet the team members and get updates on prayer and fundraisers.

Sticks and Stones

Today, just a few minutes ago in fact, I was called a name.  My mom always told me not to believe the children's taunt,

"sticks and stones may break my bones, 

but words can never hurt me."

because it isn't true. Today though, the name calling hasn't broken me, it hasn't even hurt me. The name calling has brought me unexplainable joy!

Last year, some friends and I talked about the mission we wanted our dorm life to be this year. We haven't had a bible study in the lobby or gone door-to-door sharing the gospel. We have been intentional to be a part of the lives of the girls around us though. It's not always easy. When you are busy and need to start homework and that girl that just never stops talking is sitting in the lobby, it would be easy to take the other stair case.

Today I said hello to a friend as I walked through the lobby. I left my stuff in my room and came back out to offer her some of my Cinnamon rolls. In another chair was a girl I had never seen, 

      "That's one of them," my friend said to the new girl.

      "One of what?" I asked her, cocking my hip and getting a little sassy.

      "One of the bible-thumpers," she said with a grin.

      "When have I ever thumped my bible at you?" I asked, turning the sass up even more (she dishes it out so I've gotta keep up).

       "You're just all bible-thumpers, all down this hall," was her reply.

She is an unbeliever who I have never outright shared the gospel with. I've been kind to her, but to be honest it's some of my other friends who have pursued her much harder than I have. All of them have loved her, been her friend, and spoken truth when the opportunity arose. So, we are bible-thumpers to her. We'll take it!

It hardly counts as persecution, but it brings me joy to know that others around me know that I am a believer in Jesus Christ. It's also a reminder to pray for those around the world who are persecuted on much more serious levels. Take a second and pray for our brothers and sisters. Then, remember:

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and hide it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16

Power in Prayer

For those of you who don't know, I am going back to South Africa this summer from May 11th - May 27th. you can read this blog post to hear more about it. I'm like a kid on Christmas Eve. I know, I know, I got the saying wrong! But, I said it how I meant it. See on Christmas eve, it still feels like an eternity lies between a kid and those presents. They still have to get their jammies on, brush their teeth, and maybe their parents will even make them eat breakfast before the get to open their presents!  They've still got a lot of work ahead of them! But, I can promise ya'll, I'll be like a kid on Christmas morning VERY soon!

I've got my fundraising pants on right now with necklaces for sale for $15 (wait! don't go! I'm not going to talk about money for this whole blog!):

I picked out my colors for Tshirts today, and I've started planning another super fun fundraiser that I'll tell you about later because it's a secret :)

I also have this website that you can go to if you want to donate online or hear updates from me. And you can give a tax-deductible donation by writing a check out to "The Bible Church of Little Rock" and writing "Claire Magnus" in the memo [ This is important or the money will just go the the general fund not me specifically]. You can mail them to: 

Claire Magnus

6120-B Tech Lane

Russellville, AR. 72223

What am I doing besides fundraising to prepare for the trip?

After going to the Cross Conference in Louisville this past winter break, I began to realize that I have a responsibility not just to go on a mission trip in the summer, but to be a part of missions all year long. I can do that by giving out of the little that I have as a college student, but I can also do it by faithfully praying.

Thanks to the conference, I have also been given the desire help reach the unreached. How am I practically doing that? Well, God was gracious to entrust me with the idea of starting a prayer group on campus. On Thursdays during lunch I've invited students to gather in a central place on campus and pray for the unreached.

Did you know that there are 6,000 unreached people groups in the world? That means that there are 6,000 people groups that are 2% or less evangelical Christians. Did you know that 3,000 of those groups are unengaged which means that no one is seeking to plant a church in their people group? It's true! Check out joshuaproject.org to find out more.

Join with us at 12:20 on Thursdays and pray with us from wherever you are that the nations will know that He is God! And if you are a tech student, come to Young at 12:20 on Thursdays! I'll have cards telling you about unreached nations and different scriptures to pray for them.

From Arkansas to Africa

Hello friends and family! I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday season and is enjoying the new year. I know I did and am! I spent the end of the year at the CROSS Conference, which is a wonderful conference for college students about missions. It really spurred me on and encouraged me.  Thank you all for following my blog and keeping up with me. It is so encouraging! I especially loved knowing that people were keeping up with me while I was in South Africa over the summer. I am preparing for the upcoming summer and I would love to offer a quick update to everyone.

I have so enjoyed spending the majority of the past two summers abroad on mission trips and God has been so faithful to provide the finances for me each time. This year, I feel that I need to stay home, serve at my church, and work. That was a really hard decision for me. In His incredible goodness, God has provided for me again! My Little Rock church, The Bible Church of Little Rock, is taking a trip to South Africa again and they have approved me to go! I am more excited than I know how to express! I haven't stopped thinking about my friends, brothers, sisters, and babies in South Africa since I left. They are in my prayers daily.

Over the summer, I spent most of my time serving at the baby home. This time, I will help in the baby home, but I will also work to encourage the missionaries there, do construction projects to help national pastors and their churches, assist in conducting bible studies in refugee areas, street and door to door evangelism, as well as, work with Living Hope Church in Sunnyside with their current community outreaches. I will get to experience a different Africa than I did last summer and I’m really excited about it! I will be gone May 11- May 27^th. I will spend the first few days helping the missionaries in RSA (Republic of South Africa) prepare for our team to come. The team will arrive around the 18^th and then I will join them. We will be collaborating with Living Hope Church, which is also the church I served with last summer. I am so excited for this opportunity to see another side of Africa! Another huge blessing is that Blake (my boyfriend of two years who was so kind to let me go last summer), my mom, and Rebekah (my sister) are going to go too! I can't wait for them to meet the people and country who have stolen my heart!

I look forward to keeping you all updated on this new adventure God is blessing me with!

Will you please join me in prayer? It’s never too early to start praying for a mission trip. Pray for:

1. Team unity;

2. That we would encourage the missionaries;

3. That the gospel would go forth;

4. That God would be glorified.

Right now, it looks like I will need to raise $2500, give or take a little depending on the airfare, by April 27th. If you would like to help send me, please feel free to donate.

1.       You can donate online here: https://www.youcaring.com/ClaireMagnus

2.       Or you can give a tax-deductible donation by writing a check out to “Bible Church of Little Rock” and writing “Claire Magnus” in the memo [This is important or the money will just go in the general fund]. Mail them to:

Claire Magnus

6120-B Tech Lane

Russellville, AR. 72223

Also, I am currently selling these beads from South Africa for $15. If you are interested in buying some just leave a comment!

I cannot thank you enough for the support you have all shown me as I follow God where He leads. Though I don’t know my future, it’s amazing to feel God pulling my heart more and more towards a desire for long term missions. It’s because of you wonderful people supporting me as I go on short term trips that my love for missions has been fueled into a fire as passionate as it is. Thank you!

"Lord send me anywhere, only go with me"

Victoria Secret Models and My Very Bad Day

Tonight, the twitter sphere is blowing up with anti Victoria Secret jabs and pro Proverbs 31 thrusts because the Victoria Secret fashion show is airing. I usually avoid adding my opinion about controversial topics to the plethora of them already on the Internet, but this is an area in which God has been working on my heart recently so I thought I'd dust off the ole keyboard and give it a go.

First, let's rewind about six days to last Wednesday (12-4-13). It's the day of the Wesley Christmas Banquet. For those of you who have no idea what that means, Wesley is a campus ministry and each Christmas they have a banquet when all the college students lose the leggings and sweatpants and get real spiffed up in semi-formal attire. I had grabbed a few old dresses from home over Thanksgiving and didn't think a thing about it. Tuesday night I tried on my old dresses (We are talking one is from ninth grade homecoming - 6 years ago) and they just didn't look so flattering anymore. In comes the self-consciousness. Out comes the car keys. It's the afternoon of the banquet and I'm off to find a dress. I succeeded, but here's the deal: I had already let those insecurities take hold; and I was not strong enough to talk to myself and tell myself the truths that God has in His word because I hadn't been reading the bible everyday.

I got ready with two friends and noticed that all of us had plenty of compliments for each other and plenty of negative thing to say about ourselves:

 "Ugh, I hate my hair!" "Oh no you look beautiful!" 

"I look so bad in this dress" "Girl, you're rockin' it!" 

"Man I need a tan!" "Look at my skin. Yours looks great!" 

Have you ever been here before ladies? Always comparing.

I finished getting ready while the girlfriends I got dressed with left for the party and my smile with them. You see, all day long I had struggled with selfishness and anger. All week long if I'm being honest. You know those weeks when no one understands you and everyone on is out to get you? Yep. That was me last week. The truth? I am sinful and I wasn't stopping to confess my sin, but kept plowing through my week and pretending like I wasn't leaving a disaster behind me. I stuck each earring in, placed my necklace around my neck, tucked a few strands of hairs away and plastered the smile back onto my face.

When I arrived at the party, compliments were aplenty, but none of them pleased me. My attitude was sour despite the fake smile on my face. I was finding constant fault in those closest to me, despite their kindness to me. As I stood at the banquet with my makeup flawless, my beautiful new dress on, and my boyfriend by my side, I felt like the ugliest person on the planet. And at that moment I realized just how true the verse is "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain" (Proverbs 31:30a) I looked around me and saw a hundred people who were completely deceived by my beautiful outside. It didn't matter how pretty I looked, I felt miserable. God was not fooled though. He dealt with me that night like no other. As the song says, I was "sweetly broken, wholly surrendered."

According to Twitter: Proverbs 31 is the opposite of Victoria Secret Angel. I think this is false. As my boyfriend said  tonight, "It is...a false dichotomy to say Proverbs 31 women and [Victoria Secret] models are against each other." I agree completely. They are not opposites so why are we treating them like they are? Let's each check our own hearts. I learned the other night whether I am dressed my best, in a long skirt and baggy turtle neck, or a Victoria Secret model, what really matters is where my heart is.

Stop and check you own heart. Are you concerned about those models' salvation? Or are you just wanting guys to remember to look at your heart, 'cause goodness knows your legs don't look like that! I think we need to do a double take.. because as much as my 5"1' body is a contrast to a Victoria Secret Model's... my heart is just as far from a Proverbs 31 woman's. We claim the standard; we shout to the men to look at the hearts not our outsides, but do we know what we are asking for? Is our pride blinding us? Let's all remember, "They heart is deceitful about all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). Be careful what you ask for. Let's not fool ourselves into thinking that our hearts are pretty.

David Platt recently encouraged me through one of his sermons when he reminded women not to be discouraged by the Proverbs 31 woman who is not a real woman, but a standard. I failed to honor God last week because I hadn't put on the full armor. I did not pick up my Sword. I did not have his word hidden in my heart that I might not sin against Him. There is good news though! We can look to the Proverbs 31 woman. We can look to Christ! Let's strive together to be holy.  Let's put on the breastplate of righteousness and praise God for washing us white and seeing us as clean. 

Thank you, Father, for seeing me as clean.

"Create in me a clean heart, Oh God"

Psalm 51:10a