A New Journey Begins...

Hello Everyone!!!!

I had an incredible time during the training at the sending base in Arizona, and they have encouraged me to enter their long-term missionary application process instead of doing the special assignment ( which is short-term 6-18 months). After an interview with the long-term placement staff, they recognized that my ultimate goal was really to be a long-term missionary, and that it would be more beneficial to begin this process now when considering language learning, ministry and time purposes.

As part of their process I will be attending a missionary Candidate School from May 26- June 6 which is held in Phoenix, AZ . In the meantime, they have asked me to fill an immediate opening in their mobilization department doing administration work. I see this as a great way to serve and to get to know them as an organization. So many details have fallen right into place (including a place to live temporarily in AZ), making it very clear to me that God was opening this door wide for me. I have a lot of peace, even in the midst of moving in a matter of a few weeks. There are many long term opportunities with them, and together we will see how God will continue to lead.

So…what’s coming ahead?
Driving to Phoenix, Arizona - I will be driving with my sister Kristina from Feb. 3- 9

Admin work in the sending office – I will be filling in a needed admin position begin Feb. 11 through at least May, until the long-term application process is complete and I move to the mission field.

Long-term missionary Candidate School - This is a requirement for all missionaries, and will be held from May 26 – June 6

Determining my base assignment - After the school, communication with the base leaders will begin and we will decide which base best fits us all. It is still uncertain when I will actually begin my assignment in Africa, but it seems possible by the summer.

Thank you to all who financially support me!!!!!!
It has meant so much to me during this time of transition that you have all continued to give, it encourages me more than I can say that you still see God’s call on my life for missions even during all these unexpected turns on this path God has chosen. As of now, my support will still be sent to Jericho as before. I will inform you if anything should change. During these next few months, I will be receiving a salary for the administrative position with Frontiers which I am hoping will be enough to live off of, so that I can be saving your support in my missions fund for all the expenses of moving when it comes time for me to go to Africa. May He bless you all a hundredfold for all the ways you have blessed me on this journey!!!!!!!

I have been so encouraged lately with a greater understanding of what it means that "The Lord is my Shepherd”…
“ Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me…the staff is used for guiding sheep…gently into a new path or through some gate or along dangerous, difficult routes. He does not…beat the beast. Rather, the tip of the long slender stick is laid gently against the animals’ side and the pressure applied guides the sheep in the way the owner wants it to go and the sheep is reassured of the proper path”
~ A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller ~

Beginning the New Year with my next step...

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year!!!!

I have some great news…my next step has now become clear…yeah!!!! In my last email, I mentioned that I was seeking other options to go to N. Africa since a team hasn’t formed to go with Iris. I have been in the application process with a new organization for the last month or so, and I am now accepted for a special assignment with them to N. Africa. It is a short term assignment (6-18 months), I will be joining one of their already existing teams serving in refugee camps in N. Africa.

I have been waiting for awhile, and I was still thinking it’s a ways off, but now it’s suddenly coming together…Thank God!!!

What’s coming ahead…
Training - I will be flying to Arizona on Jan. 11- 14 for their required training

Determining my base assignment - After the training, communication with the base leaders will begin and we will decide which base best fits us all. It is still uncertain when I will actually begin my assignment in Africa, but it seems possible within the next few months.

I see this next step as an incredible opportunity to serve, and to get to know them. There are many long term opportunities with them, and we will just see how God will continue to lead. It’s becoming ever clearer that, the journey is much more important than the destination, that He has purpose in it all.

He promises…

“ I will lead the blind by ways they have not gone, down unfamiliar paths I will guide them, I will turn the darkness into light and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do. I will not forsake you.” ~ Isaiah 42:16

Still Waiting...

Hello Everyone!!!!

I am still in the States waiting for God to make my next step clear.
The team that I thought was gathering to N.Africa has changed somewhat…so it does not look like I will be heading there with Iris Ministries before January. I am still hoping that a church planting team will be gathered with Iris in Africa, however I am also seeking other options and waiting for God to reveal what door is the one He has prepared for me to walk through. I trust that He has prepared works for me, that my times are in His hands, and that He will make my path straight and perfect all things that concern me. He is faithful!!!!!

So what am I doing in the meantime…
Arabic classes – I have been given the opportunity to attend Arabic 101 for free at Bridgewater State college, which is the language needed if I go to N.Africa. It has been a great opportunity not only to learn the language, but to learn about the Islamic faith from my professor who is a devout and sincere Muslim. I am also getting to know the students in the class…It’s really been a joy in every way.

Sharing/Speaking - I have had the opportunity to share at more places than usual, including a ‘missionettes’ group and a student activist group for Sudan at a high school. On Nov 5th and 8th , I will be sharing at Cardinal Spellman High School (where I used to be a teacher) with all the juniors and seniors. Please pray for God to really encourage these kids to follow after Him with all their heart, and to see there is no greater life than one in Him!

Encouragement…
“ My dear one, you are not in the grip of fear but in the hands of Love itself. Fear of man, fear of the unknown, fear of making mistakes, fear of looking foolish, of trying new things, fear of not being loved, or being good enough. Fear makes you tense, dark, unable to see things the way I see them. Let me touch your heart with My perfect, all-embracing love and so drive out all your fears…For every fear that has gripped you, My love will overwhelm your heart as you learn to stand before me as a much-loved child….I am looking forward to love, every day with you.”
~ Your Heavenly Father (Graham Cooke, God Revealed)

THANK YOU TO ALL SUPPORTING ME AND ENCOURAGING ME DURING THIS TIME OF TRANSITION, PREPARATION AND WAITING !!!!!!!

Back home and waiting...

September 2007

Hello Everyone!!!

I am now back home in the States…

South Sudan – Sept 1-6 This was an intense trip, very good, very purposeful. I spent most of the days and nights caring for 2 very sick infants, keeping their temperatures down at night…God used us to fill in a gap they were experiencing in their Sudanese staff and to encourage Michelle and Melissa who have been living in S.Sudan since Winter07.
One night Victoria Joy, 9 months old, almost died…she was sick with pneumonia, giardia and malaria…she was losing her breath and pulse, but God kept her through the night. The picture below shows her the day after…amazing!!

What’s next?
I have been asked to join a team that is forming to begin a new work in North Africa with Iris Ministries…it’s purpose would be church planting and everything else that goes along with it. This team is still in it’s forming stages and so there are many things that need to fall into place before this can be a reality and proves to be God’s will for my next step or not…one major obstacle is obtaining visas to enter N.Africa.
So please pray as God makes my next step clear, and that He would show me how to wait and prepare for this next step.