I am so sorry!
It has been way to long since I have updated you all.
First, let me say if you have gotten a letter and you are wondering when I am going to contact you, I promise, it will happen. I know I said two weeks and it has been more like four. Please forgive and be patient with me and know I haven’t forgotten about you!
Here our brief updates on what has gone on the past two months and how the World Race journey has already begun and I haven’t even left the country!:
-I sent my letters out back at the end of January and since then I have met with my church board and spoke at my church.
-I had the opportunity to attend a youth workers conference the last week of January which I learned the importance of listening to the dreams and visions God has instilled in us and make that be what drives our life. Not what the world tells us to do.
-The next weekend I spoke at my church and I have been blown away at how they have gotten behind this mission and how supportive they been financially and prayerfully. After I spoke, what felt like everyone that was there( about 70 people), put their hand on me and prayed for my trip, my team, my family, and the countries I’ll be going to. It was an experience I will never forget. Then they did an offering and my church family gave $1,250.00 dollars! Praise God for his provision with a community that supports me in all aspects.
-A few weeks after that I attended a weekend long trip with other students and staff at my school doing a learning experience called Sankofa. Sankofa is a word in the Akan language of Ghana that translates in English to “reach back and get it”. It is this idea of going back in our history of different cultures and societies to get a better understanding of why people are the way they are, and why there are certain issues and conflicts surrounding those different cultures. Then taking that information to use it to see what we can do as whole community to make progress to not be one single culture but to be a community of many cultures.
-With all of that going on I did not check how my support raising was coming along. When I finally checked I was shocked by the amount of support that I have received. At this point I am at $3,650! The thing I probably was the most worried about going into this trip has been the thing that God has made clear to not worry about. This means I have met my first goal!! Thank you all who have so willingly given. I truly believe God is using you to remind me that this where he wants me to be.
-With my first goal achieved I am now looking to the next goal, to raise and have in my account $7,500 by August!
I also would appreciate prayer specifically for:
- Continue trust that God will provide
- Being present with friends and family
- keeping God at the center of my relationship with Mariah
- how I can love people better
- fears that the WR will not be impactful
- trusting the dynamic of my squad will be fruitful
- stress of school, the World Race, and my family moving
- to make more time with God
Thank you all for all the support and love you continue to give. And thank you for your patience with me as I try to update more and blog on a more consistent level.
Love you all
Joe
P.S. I know I am not the only one that is pumped about the snow finally melting. Spring is on its way!
