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Amanda "Mandy" Michelle PerkinsValle de Angeles |
History of Mandy Perkins:
Praise to God, i was born into a Christian family with amazing parents. i have an older sister and a younger sister, so yes, i have the middle child syndrome (If you're a middle child, you know what i mean.) Anyway, i was raised in church, but it never really clicked what it meant to have a relationship with Jesus Christ until i was 13 years old. On Feb. 3, 1993, i gave my life to Christ. It was then that my life changed, and i somehow knew i was NOT going to live a normal American life. My first "mission" trip was to New York City when i was 14. That trip opened my heart to missions. When i was 17, i went for 3 weeks on a mission trip to Israel where we ministered mainly to the Arab people. This was the trip that confirmed my calling. I knew God was going to lead me to give my life "somewhere" overseas. After high school, i attended Word of Life Bible Institute for one year. It was here that i made the decision to give my life to missions. I just didn't know when, where, or how. After 2 years of just working and now that i look back, living for "me", the Lord convicted me, and i knew i needed to get back to work for Him. So in August of 2001, He led me to attend New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. While there He gave me a passion to work with youth and children. I attended for 4 semesters when God stopped providing funds and led me back home, to Murphy. I really didn't know why. I know my life is a puzzle where everything fits together eventually. He used everywhere i went to prepare me for what laid ahead, and that is exactly why i needed to go home. He wanted me to discover a place called Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters. The summer of 2003, i worked as a missionary, on the Nantahala River, through the local Southern Baptist organization. It was that summer that God not only led me to get involved in a church called Little Brasstown Baptist working with the youth, but also the summer that i found SWO. The next two years were a training time for me i know. The summer of 2004 and 2005, i worked as staff at SWO, and God taught me so much. He was preparing me. In November of 2004, i began the process to become a Journeyman through International Mission Board. "I" wanted to go back to the Middle East to work with the Arab people, so i applied. At the same time, i was preparing to go on a short mission trip to Orphanage Emmanuel in Honduras with Snowbird. The day before i was to leave for 16 days to Honduras, i received an email from IMB pretty much saying that it wasn't going to work right now for me to do Journeyman. I really didn't understand why, but God knew. I was devastated. What did God want me to do? So i left for Honduras searching for an answer. The first day there, i was doing my quiet time and this is what i read: “Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘ GO from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.'” -Gen. 12:1. This was my answer. I knew it. I didn't admit it at first, but i went out that day with open eyes and an open heart. “The land that I[God] will show you”...not the land that i, Mandy, wanted...or thought i wanted. Throughout those 16 days, God worked on me. I became so sick that i couldn't leave my bed for a few days. God really wanted to get my attention, and Satan really wanted me to ignore Him and focus on my sickness. God of course got my attention by breaking my heart for these kids. Never in my life did i think i would end up in a Spanish speaking country, but these kids here are my life. My life was never my own anyway. I am just a vessel...for Him.
My Calling:
The children especially the youth of Honduras. To help the older girls ready to leave orphanages but are not ready to be on their own-to help them transition into their new lives-discipleship-bible classes-budget classes-how to value and use money properly-finish their education-find jobs.....etc. I am now in the Valley of Angels - Valle de Angeles, Honduras. The people here are precious to me. I see the great need here not only for a church but a youth center. This is also a perfect place to start my transition house. It is away from everything in the mountains but only 30 minutes from the capital city of Tegucigalpa. I now have a missions partner, Leonie Webster of England. We will start a ministry here by the name of Cedar ministries: seeds of change - transforming lives one seed at a time. The ministry will include a church, a community-youth center, a clinic-birthing center, a children´s home but with the purpose and goal to find the children christian homes and families - Psalm 68:6, and last, my transition house which will be called The Branch - Jn. 15:5. Please also see Ezekial 17.
My other goal is to seek the Lord and with His help and in His timing help young adults coming from orphanages get plugged into normal society. I already have one, Heidy, who is my first seed ... the daughter born from my heart. My life is not to be lived to please man. My life is not to be lived in tolerance. Why do we think that children without families deserve to be raised in a center without the love and attention EVERY child of this world deserves. I want adoption to become more prominant in this world and in Honduras. Let´s seek the best for these children not just mediocrity. I want to stand before my Lord one day and hear not only, well done my good and faithful servant. I also want Him to say, whatever you did to the least of these, you have done unto me. Orphans and widows are First in My kingdom and you, my servant have made them your life on earth. Please enter for your reward is Great.
GALATIONS 1:10 It's definitely not an easy task, but if it was easy, i could do it without Him. I can not do ANYTHING here without Him. Everyday is hard, but it is so worth it. One day when i see Jesus face to face, nothing in life would have mattered EXCEPT what i did FOR Him.
I've been here since August of 2005, and I really feel at peace that God does not want me to go anywhere else. So, this is the land that HE showed me and led me to, and I pray I can be a faithful, obedient vessel until Christ's return.
Prayer Requests
- Need to start a church and a need of a pastor for the church.
- Girls at orphanage Emmanuel.
Contact Me
mandy perkins
apdo 30148
toncontin
tegucigalpa, honduras
CELL number: 011.504.3290.6127
email: thebranch155@yahoo.com
Supporting This Mission
Mandy is currently receiving regular financial support from TEOTE Missions.
Tax-deductable donations can be made out to Snowbird Outfitters, with "Mandy Perkins - mission support" in the memo line, and mailed to: Snowbird Outfitters 75 Mae Johnson Way Andrews, NC 28901
Besides TEOTE and my church, you can send checks to my parents made out in my name. Their address:
John and Laurna Perkins
1045 Keener Rd.
Murphy, NC 28906
(Animated flag is courtesy of 3DFlags.com.)