A Year in a Nutshell
Well as the year comes to an end and the light of a new one appears just over the horizon it is time to look back at the last year of my life and reminisce on the trials, the gifts, the pains and the glories of the year.
I am nothing short of amazed of this year, perplexed actually. just a year ago I had a full time office job on the 8th floor over looking the beautiful port of Portland Maine. And just a year later I am couch surfing and living out of my car and off of people I know because I took a step forward towards God without thinking about it. now to recap...
January 2011: The End of the Beginning
Like mentioned I was knee deep in a professional data entry/call center job; 40 hours a week (sometimes more) money to pay my bills and loans, something of consistency every week that I could count on being there. Was the job healthy? probably not. most likely the vision to make the next step in my life was probably a good thing. As much as I enjoyed the position of calling people all over the world of different background and personalities and explaining there package that they have purchased for the upcoming event, other piece of the job puzzle were not fitting very well. Management was very shady, new people were brought on into positions, yes I was a little jealous of, that I could have been capable of doing with the 3 years of knowledge of the business that I had, things were shredded (not so secretively) in the backroom, and upper management personalities were very... what's the word?.. oh yeah.. lacking. Everything about the product and work itself was not so bad.. so needless to say the voice in my head was probably doing me a good thing. lets step back.
May 2010: The Voice in my Head
my second missions trip, and my first time in Guatemala. like every missions trip I have been on something is shown to me and I don't feel like leaving. Well needless to say as we were heading through the airport in Guatemala City, A voice in my head was punching the inside of my skull, massaging my brain with the poking repetition that usually is followed by "are we there yet? are we there yet? are we there yet??" but this voice was saying "stay! stay! stay!"
Well I got on the plane and didn't stay and for weeks afterwards that was still running through my mind. well at the time work was becoming monotonous and a stress in my life I was still dealing with the loss of a very precious piece of my heart, and things just seemed to yell "YOU NEED A CHANGE!" One day I just said OK! "Fine voice in my head I will stay longer if Pastor David will let me."
I emailed Pastor David and he was very excited that I wanted to stay longer. I proceeded to say OK and made plans to stay for 6 weeks to help CCCG in Guatemala.
Back to 2011...
January 2011: Let the Adventure Begin
So I made plans with work earlier on in 2010; I sat down with my bosses and explained my thoughts and situation. They all went to talk about it and came back a few weeks later and agreed to let me go on the trip and let me keep my Health insurance while I was there. That was honestly more than I was expecting, definitely a gift God gave. we made plans for connect when I return and get me back into the office. so I had health insurance and a job when I return! SWEET! Stroudwater Christian Church and I departed on January 10th
January-February 2011: A whole New World
The plan was to stay for 6 weeks and help David with his ministries in Guatemala which ranged from helping with the feeding programs, to helping with a sports camp, to finish a church and mixing cement, to being support and an extra pair of hands and feet for a Canadian Worship band doing a 40 day concert series throughout Guatemala, to building a new website and updating profiles for the organization and the feeding program.
I always expect God to share some piece of advice on these trips. this 6 week stint He shared a lot on this trip about Obedience; every group I was with would share something about it, and them not knowing it were Breathing Gods words to me. It was a very interesting experience. come the last Sunday,
I had that voice in my head telling me "stay stay stay" I replied "OK obedience has been a large part of this trip, if this is my test I will be obedient as long as Pastor David is OK with it I will stay longer. So after the service I went up to David and asked if I could stay longer and explained the voice and the story and before i could finish he replied "yes Cory, you can stay as long as you want." I didn't expect a yes, probably because I hear No a lot, but I was stunned with happiness and fear all at once. Happiness that I got to stay and help and fear that I have jumped on faith to this idea and its coming to. I changed my plane ticket and stayed an extra week and a half.
February 2011: The Return of the Prodigal Son pt. 1
Things didn't slow down when I returned home, I was immediately thrown into having to help get things together for the Missions talent show fundraiser, by making sure cameras and media was all set up and ready, that my presentation of the thank you letters that the children in the city wrote to our church for a gracious donation to help more than 80 of them continue to stay in the feeding program. upon my return as well I had been in contact with my former job and they said to connect and we will get things all squared away when I get back. in doing so it took multiple calls to get a hold of them and I had to go in and retrieve a tax paper something from one of my friends there and found out very shortly after they didn't have the need for me at the time. So, I came home poor, no job. I had made plans before the trip to move in with a new friend into Westbrook, so I made the transition there as well. And on top of the return I find out my car was broken and needs over $1000 of work done to it.. needless to say the money wasn't there for it all. I applied for unemployment which helped me survive in the economy for a few months.
April 2011: An Unexpected Journey
During April my church had a trip to WV for a missions trip to help some families in the Appalachian region. being a helper and traveler at heart, if remember correctly, I splurged some of my money on the trip, because I felt led to be apart of it. it was a great trip to get to know some family members I didn't know very well and a way to get to know some of the kids in our church at a much more personal Christ relationship. One thing with Missions trips is you come back knowing everyone more as a brother and sister then a friend.
May 2011: A New Job in the Horizon
Come the end of May I still could not find a job, and was doing odds and ends to give me something to do while I waited on job offers, and was collecting unemployment to pay my rent and gas. I was handed a job opportunity from my pastor for a position as a youth activities director for Alton bay in NH and at the same time found a job working at a summer camp till the end of August doing video and photography. needless to say I was offered both jobs on the same day go figure. I spent 3 months not finding anything and then two fall in my lap on the same day.
Well i prayed about it and didn't have any of my spidey-senses about either of the jobs. i took it as Both jobs will do good for me, and will get me to Gods goal using different paths to get me to the same end point. So I chose the video and photography position.
June -August 2011: Welcome to Camp "Kickme"
The summer was fast paced, fun, adventurous, exciting, new, and also overwhelming, hard to make it though and utterly frigged up.
Needless to say I learned a lot about my self. I learned I am better leader and know my creativity better then anyone else. That I don't work well with lazy wastes of space, and that I am still wearing my heart on my sleeve. Even though the summer was hard and not as fun as I expected I still gained a lot about myself and my relationship with Christ. Truthfully I fell a little because not being around a Christian family makes it hard for the fire to continue burning. I also did get to go white water rafting 3 times!.
September 2011: Return of the Prodigal Son pt. 2
The month began like a deja vu. No money, no job, no idea of the future ahead of me. on top of it, I was out of a place of my own to live. On a good note my car was still working. Camp got done a week early because a last week of camp ended up not happening. So in awesomeness the the camp was they docked our (or at least my pay) a substantial amount from my final check and on top of it I had a $500 hospital bill from the beginning of the summer I would have to pay because 
of a trip to the emergency room I didn't need to make and was forced to. So the in my mind the $600 I had in a check in my hand was already going towards this stupid bill that I came back to.
Graciously the Lord put some projects in front of me that have helped pay for my gas and food for the past 4 months. one of my projects I had to jump on (because I knew I was coming back to Guatemala no matter the cost) was my Missions calendar. I wasn't sure how it was going to sell but I made a packed that all the money made from it would go towards the calendar and trip. Amazingly I have sold just 90 out of 100 in the past 3 months.
I had some senior portraits, some sports recruitment videos and a VHS to DVD job that really supported the weight of the fall.
I felt like I went and spent everything that was given to me and came back to open arms and sufficient work to get me through.
December 2011: Feeling the Weight in Seeing the Light.
I never thought I would have made it 4 months couch surfing at peoples homes. My friends and family have all been amazing in supporting me and giving me a place to stay. of course coming with this is the feeling of being a burden to people, always being in there way and in their lives when they probably want space. It is a hard feeling to deal with especially since the conversations recently have been harboring towards those thought. My portion of the Guatemala 2012 trip has been paid off successfully with the sales of my calendars and sponsor letters I had sent out in September, and I have been able to be busy and have money to suffice.
2012: A New Year
I have come to understand we can not know our future, but we have a for in being persistent and obedient to what we want it to become. God has the final plan on things but we have to make the choice to pursue it. There is only one way to Heaven, through the cross, but to get to that foot of it God will allow options to bring you there. I never wanted to live like I am but if it was what needs me to do to bring me to Him then it must be done. I always wondered if I would be like everyone else If i changed my prayer when i was in 8th grade from "please just let me get through life with what I need" to "please let me be rich and have all the awesome things I want in this world" if things would be different... But I can't complain for I have been given great provisions; a place to sleep and roof over my head every night, work to keep me busy, and family. nothing else is great but Christ.
Thank you everyone for supporting missions, and people like me. And even more thank you for supporting Children like this young lady and her cat Poncha. With you support from people with a chance young one like her may not make it into school, may go days without a good meal, and possibly miss out on what God has in store for there beautiful talents.
If you are interested in supporting CCCG's feeding program please feel free to contact me OR contact Pastor David and his team in Guatemala directly by emailing them at david1@cccguatemala.com
Many of these children don't have a fighting chance to get a good meal before school; which results in lack of retaining information in school becoming less educated and less likely to succeed.
I hope everyone has a wonderful new Year and we will be back January 10th late from the Guatemala 2012 trip.
Dios te Bendiga (God Bless You)
Back from Virginia
Well Hello Maine, goodbye Virgina. Another week and another missions trip on my belt. This will be my third trip in the last year that I have made with Stroudwater and can't say enough great things a bout what they are doing and how
Team Virginia
they are going about it.
One thing that is made sure to do on each trip is to build relationships through devotion times, and other relationship building activities that show up. They want to share the Love of Jesus through not just words but actions.
This last trip was definitely more of an action trip then anything. I spent a week in Jonesville VA with Stroudwater Christian church and family doing emergency construction on homes in the Appalachia area. the world we walked into was that of third world poverty in some places. We worked our butts off building walls, siding houses, and sheet-rocking rooms. one of the homes was no bigger then a living room and had a family of wife and husband and 4 kids in it.. no room what so ever for them to move around in. another home we finished siding from another groups project, in which the living arrangements were to unhealthy for the family to live in until the work was done. the third place we worked on was a young couples home which they have lived in for two years. ASP (the group we worked through) had already taken out a whole wall that was
ASP Cabin in Jonesville, VA
flopping in the wind. Another group had put in one window and side a 6th of the back wall. this house got totally made over. We added four windows, built a back wall to the building, took out a door, and side the rest of the building. yet again, We at Stroudwater have gone far above and beyond what was expected of us. the staff at ASP were blown away with how much we accomplished.
There are many reason I am thrilled I was able to be apart of this trip, one being getting the opportunity to build my relationship with family members. But I think, as I was pointed towards, the reason God allowed me to make this trip was to learn to take compliments better.
Out of everything in the world Receiving compliments is the hardest most awkward thing for me to do. I never know what to say and am pretty sure I look like a highly medicated patient when someone gives one to me. But low and behold people I hardly know were complimenting me left and right on things I've never done and things I always do.
Olivia and Haley Cutting Vynal
My favorite ones were the compliment from a family member who now understands why I am so passionate about making a difference for people. the other came from one of our youth kids who came, she looked at me and said 'I don't like understand the decisions you make, but like you have such a big heart, and are like giving the glory to God for everything, and like I wish I could like live like you do.' give or take a few likes. 
But it was super hard for me to take those, even harder then picking up a skill saw, even harder then sharing my testimony... But I learned to take them and felt I did well.
The other thing that was great to have on the trip of the devotions. We went of the 2 Peter 1:5-8, which goes through all the things and steps we need to take a Christ followers in our walk and every decisions we make. We have done a little over this verse before and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite verse. it says "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
I love this because its all true, if you do these things in order with any decision you have to make, you will have a loving outcome. You want to make a new friend.... follow this pattern... you want to make your job something you enjoy?? follow this pattern... you want to help someone understand your faith?? follow this pattern..
yet again God brings out something for me on one of these trips from left field. I hope that everyone in the world some day can experience a trip some time. it will make a difference, it will change the lives of others, and you will make life long friendships grow.
Home owners dog, Baby
God Bless everyone and thank you for all your support and help.
Cory
On the Road again… soon
So I am leaving for Virginia tomorrow night. One week in the Appalachia area where I will be doing God work helping build better homes for families in the area with my church. I've had people ask me 'What are you expecting of the trip?' honestly I've been expecting horrible tings to happen this week but nothing huge has really hit. I got news that I didn't get the job I was looking forward to which I guess could be a bummer if I wasn't trusting that God had a plan for me. And I have to believe that because somehow, I have money to pay for rent next month and had enough money for the trip. God blessed me with some little job here and there. I went and helped out one of the ladies from our church yesterday clean out her garage and reorganize it for her husband as a surprise. She paid me $75 to help out... unannounced to me, I went to go pick up some final stuff for the trip and that helped pay for it all. Which means I do not have to take out of what I have already saved. So God was a huge blessing through them to help get some of the missing stuff for my trip. I am in pure procrastination mode and will not have things packed until tomorrow when I return back to the apartment. I did put some of it together but I need to put it all in the bags. I also need to print out some worships songs so I don't look like a noob when I am playing them for worship down there.
This morning I picked up a strange lack of breath not sure what it is but I would love for prayers of good health and travel for all of us on the trip. We are going into untracked territory for all of us. Yes I've been out of country for over 2 months of my life but most car accidents happen no more than 10 miles from your own home.. So I can't expect it to be any safer.
I am finally excited to feel useful to people that need help. I have been struggling since I have been home trying to find a job and had a couple good leads but end in not good answers... And I've been hearing a lot of people complaining about their jobs when I am happy to do what ever.
But God is good and has provided me things to do for friends and family to help raise some money, I was also granted a littel bit of money to help pay off some of my debts which was SUPER gracious and I can not thank him enough for it.
But what do I expect. I expect something different, I expect to grow in my relationship with Christ and my family from the church, I expect we will finish some sort of a job down there and bring back what we have learned to hopefully do the same in Maine.
I haven't really thought of it, I am kind of letting God take reign as much as possible and... going with the flow.... I trust God will provide situations for growing, talks and events for healing, rest, and most of all a fun exciting time in the Heart he wants us all to have.
Do I think I am right? I hope I am, I can only go by faith because nothing else is really mine.
I hope to keep updates for you all but I am unsure of how the internet is there. So I will try and keep blog writings and added them when I return.
God Bless everyone and please email me if you want a calendar. charrill@hollowgroundmedia.com with the subject 'Calendar fundraiser'
God Bless and thank you all for everything you have done for me.
Cory
The Passion of the Christ
Well tonight might have been one of the most pivotal moment in many of our young ones lives. We were given the opportunity to watch the Passion of the Christ through our Church and wanted to offer it up as an evening plan for our Journey 527 kids and family members.
I personally have seen the movie multiple times, because there is so much goodness from Story telling, to visual effect, to camera angles, to acting that just fit into amazement. And let me tell you, if you have a weak stomach, don't like blood, don't like subtitles, have a problem with torture, this may not be the movie for you.
The Passion of the Christ is a VERY visual film of the crucifixion of Christ and His ministries of Love from God to the people. I would recommend this movie to anyone even if you do not believe I Jesus the way I do. If you go through this moive and do not feel a change at all you should really ask yourself the question 'why do I not feel any different after seeing a man who did nothing wrong get complete humiliated in every manner?'
we had about 20 people at the event and it was the first time I have been in a room with any of the kids and no one say a word. Especially after a movie that is rare if not never. Me personally can't get through the movie without being broken. In my own words I don't care what people think of me. I don't even care what they think of Jesus claiming He was the Son of God. I do care that people believe this man was not real, that this did not happen, and that they want to pretend it all away. At least have the repsect that this man went through this horrific event. That alone should make you think twice about how you live your life.
Jesus Loved us all enough to go through all of that and to see some foolery of a Rap star, swapping out his teeth for Platinum BLOWS MY MIND!!! To watch a Beautiful person be taken from the street she lives on and prostituted into the world of Playboy and leisurely sex brakes me. To hear of man kill someone because they didn't want to give him money for the addiction he had to meth... well.. I dunno.. my mind is going haywire.
I realized my viewing of this movie makes me want to be quiet because I have so much to say. but everything I want to say comes out as anger towards the world, which God doesn't want, and Jesus wouldn't recommend. So I keep quiet. But when does not standing up for something and saying something become irrelevant to sharing your faith. is it when you end up on the street corner shouting at everyone telling them they are going to hell unless the repent? is it when you see a friend in dire need to saving from the knife the have to there arm? NO!!! it becomes irrelevant the moment you walk out your door, the moment you wake up and put your feet on the floor. The moment you say your first hello for the day.
We should be living lives to better show the Love Jesus shared, and not being afraid to live that way. and you know what, once you start adding those things Jesus taught to your way of life, you realize that they are not that bad, they are actually... better! I challenge any of you to do so. find something in the Bible, or talk to someone who has knowledge of the Bible and Jesus' teachings and trying one of the many things Jesus presents to us for a week. just one thing, and see how it impacts your life. Go ahead I DARE YA!
Well needless to say I am fired up and wish everyone would see this movie or attempt it. Its not easy to watch, its not exciting thriller, but it is True and it is Love.
OTHER NEWS:
I will be heading off to Virginia with our churches first In states missions team. We hope to be able to bring back things we learn to help around our own community here in Maine. also the calendar photos are in. I hope to have them made by end of May. You can email me at charrill@hollowgroundmedia.com, text me, or message me on facebook and I will add you to my order list.
Thanks everyone for all your support. I will be looking for some sponsorship help soon for Guatemala. I hope to get as many people to buy Calendars as I can because I feel you should receive something for helping out.
God Bless
Cory
Virginia, here I come.
Word up internet. Glad you're keepin' it real, by being accessible to everyone in the world at the touch of a few hundred dollars and addiction. haha.
Well topic for today is Virginia. My Church is heading there end of April and I have decided to go, weather money is permitting or not... I guess I am praying God has a plan for this, and that people can step up and help me out a little. I mean I can afford it, but its going to break my bank... leaving me moneyless and jobless upon the return. But this trip isn't to much of a hall and I figure there are a lot of people who want to be involved in helping out the needy and poor in some manner weather it is local of over seas. One of the ways those people can help out is by helping fund people like me who can go and want to go serve on the field. This trip is much less then Guatemala and is running around $550. I at this time need $385 to finish the payment. I a not looking to pick pocket people out of any sorts of guilt or attachment.
I hope that anyone who gives to these causes of missions is doing out of there own free will and in wanting to help support ministry in this fashion. SO with that said if you see me at Church feel free to drop me a dollar or two. OR send me a check to:
747 Main Street Apt #4,
Westbrook Maine 04092
Payable to either me Cory Harrill OR Stroudwater Christian Church. I am kind of thinking the whole idea of monthly sponsors to help fund a little bit of this at some point... not sure what that will look like. but hey, that is the future which God is handles for me right now. So one time donations, are awesome, and anything counts no donation is too small. grab a penny on the street and pass it into me. I would be happy to put it towards the trip.
The Virgina trip is going to consist of Construction work on some of the families home in the Appalachia area. this area, from what I have heard, is third world country in our back yard. it will be very interesting to see what these places are like. I am hoping to gain a better sense of construction jobs and tools and well as be able to gain a better liking for leadership for the next group that we take down in July. I can trust God will show something on the trip, weather it is a reminder or a revelation. He poured a lot into my 7 weeks in Guatemala and my hearts been dying to go do something with it... but lack of Job and money is holding me back unfortunately.
So feel free to help out. again no skin off my back, just money out of my pocket. But the help would be greatly appreciated.
God Bless Everyone.
Cory
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