I need YOUR help!

Dear Family and Friends,

I am writing this letter with an immense amount of excitement as I have been offered an amazing and unique opportunity through my church. This summer they are taking a team to Bolivia on a ten-day mission trip and because I truly have a heart for missions, I feel God is calling me to participate.

Our team will be leaving in June to go to Bolivia where we will be ministering through several outreaches.  We will have an opportunity to meet and minister to high school and college students, as well as support churches planted by previous teams. This is a mission after my own heart because of the passion I have for my generation. It is such a blessing to be able to minister to people who are in the same situations God has delivered me from. Not only will I be able to help in the transformation of other lives but I am fully certain that my life will also be forever changed. I believe this opportunity will strengthen my relationship with God.

In order to be a part of this mission I need your help. As a team member, I need to raise $2,500; the first $1,250 must be in by April 19^th, and the remaining amount by May 17^th. I am asking that you and anyone you know help me by partnering with me through a gift of $100, $50 or $25. However, if God is not laying one of those amounts on your heart, I appreciate any gift you are able to offer. As my partner, you not only invest in the Great Commission, but together we will have a ministry that will reach people all over the world.

Whether you are led to donate or not I do ask that you keep myself and my team in your prayers. This is a time that God is going to stretch us and deepen our faith as He prepares us for His mission. Please pray for our perseverance, for His provision, and for souls to be saved in Bolivia. Pray for the advancement of His kingdom.

I will follow up with you in approximately one week to ensure you’ve received my message. If you have any questions or would like to discuss further, please feel free to call, text, or email me. I would love to connect with you!

Giving Options:

Online - https://admin.everynation.org/giving-tendays/?missionary=100324008

Checks – Made out to Every Nation using my mission I.D. 100324008

**If you would like to send a check email me & I will get you an address to send it to! zkayy41@gmail.com**

My prayers are with you. Thanks so much for your support.

Love, Zakia Alcantara 

Lets take the mask off

       We live in a world that is hypersensitive to the outward image. Everything is about portraying a certain image and being socially accepted. Weakness is highly frowned upon, and most have traded emotions for numbness. But look at this verse... 

 ^"Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

       Paul was so desperate for God to take away some ailment He was suffering with, but God kept saying "no." Why? Because it is in our weakness that God truly shows His glory. It is on our brokenness that He can show His power. To deny our weaknesses is like denying the Lord the opportunity to be glorified through us. It is also saying to God "the way you made me is wrong!" The word says that we are beautifully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14) and that we were created in His image (Genesis 1:26). Stand on those truths even in the midst of weakness. The Lord knows you inside and out (down to the NUMBER of hairs on your head!). He was also keenly aware of your purpose/future before you were born. Therefore, no weakness can stop you from the calling He's placed on your life! He is faithful to work through those weaknesses so that you are always humble and dependent on Him. 

       So Ladies & Gents, lets embrace our weaknesses in this season. I challenge you (and myself) to be transparent! We are accepted by God!!! No man's approval or disapproval can change that fact! Lets show the world that we are broken, and it is only Christ shining through our cracks that they see. Lets take off our masks and be real! With God, with people, and with ourselves. 

[Important note: Please don't take this to mean that you should spill your brokenness to every person you meet. But always keep in mind that your struggles may encourage someone else! Discretion is so important!]

        I love you guys, dearly! I truly hope you are being blessed by the words the Lord is speaking to my heart! Please feel free to comment. I would love to talk to you, and hear your feedback :) <3 

"We always carry the death of Christ in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body" 2 Corinthians 4:10 (HCSB)