Good ol Cincinnati, Ohio, there really is no place like home. The thing I'm eerily finding out is that home seems to become each month. The moment I'm gone from my ministry site for too long, I'm ready to be back…to be home.
Here's the pickle I've found myself in..the reality of possibly coming back to Cincinnati 3 months sooner than planned. Every few months we have a deadline of fundraising to reach and I am currently $1,300 shy of making my deadline for March 1st. I know March holds huge plans from God because He has us stepping into woman-istry month and also called for me to team lead. I can't imagine Him calling me to a place and then me having to go home, so here it is..my one last shout to the world to help fund just another missionary out on the field. Someone once told me that donating to a missionary is like a ministry, you help them and see the fruits of their actions in other countries. So to all of you who have gotten me to 8 countries around the world, I want to honor you more by telling you what your money has done. Relationships. The most amazing part of this mission trip of spreading the gospel..it's making the relationships along the way.
The endless number of homes we painted in Ireland of widows who lost their loved ones along the way – you supported them. The conversations over tea that they INSISTED we have every 30 minutes, but were so comforting to them – you supported.
The babushkas in Ukraine who work endless days and nights, but received the best spa day of their lives from some Americans – you supported. To the English classes we taught where Jesus was asked about – you supported. To the home we helped renovate to help those try to start their lives over in Israel – you supported.
To the playground we built in Moldova to keep kids off the streets – you support those kids. To the orphanage we helped renovate – you supported. To the kids who warmed up and came around to asking about Jesus – you supported.
From walking in the jungle..one hut to another hut for hours to proclaim the gospel – you supported. People asking for blessings and healings nonstop and actually receiving it – you supported that. Preaching sermons to as little as 5 people and up to 2,000 – you supported. Stepping out in faith and leading worship in front of schools – you supported me.
Watching people long to seek out in friendship in Tanzania – you supported. To fighting for our beliefs in a headstrong country – you supported. Becoming a family – you supported.
Going through hell or high water to see the good news is shared in Mozambique..literally – you supported. Being ministered to by the most wise people I've ever met – you supported. Spending time with the 5 most beautiful children – you supported. Walking boldly into a prison and knowing they're your brothers in Christ and God needs you there – you supported. Painting HUNDREDS of children's faces to let them have the time of their lives and give them candy they've never seen for – you supported. To pray for those caught in bondage by witch doctors and witch craft – you supported.
Walking up the Himalayan mountains for hours to have fellowship – you supported. Walking hours up the same mountain again – you supported. To teach the next generation how to teach and lead the church in Nepal – you supported. Making the outreach of sex trafficking wider than before and more knowledgable – you supported.
The kids. The 130+ beautiful children that reside in Maharashtra Fellowship for the Deaf in India – you support. Teaching classes to them about art, science, history, English, and more – you support. Worship..yes, worshiping with them – you support. The slice of heaven here on earth with all it's angels – you support.
Here's to all 8 months and hopefully 3 more. Thank you to Mom, Dad, Doug, Shannon, Maylan, Tracie, Sonia, Monica, Laura, Joe, Riah, Carmen, Lydia, Joshua Moore, Jake Floyd, Garrett Grohman, Krista Blessing, Bria Blessing, Rhonda and Mark Blessing, Bryan Hoffman, Megan Washington, Ashlee Coleman, Cory Morton, Marti Martin, Matthew Boyle, Cody Mac, Devin Kelble, John Day, Colton Williams, Jennifer and Erin Mauriello, Joel Janke, Corey Miller, Hannah Singleton, Laurette Durick, Daniel Durick, Alissa Thody, Levi and Jojo, Lynette Holzworth, Cynthia Smith, Susan Tobergte, Diane LaCour, KJ Blair, Crossroads Community Church, Carla Piening, Daniel Wines, and more..you all are such a blessing to me. Thank you for not only supporting me, but supporting every relationship and ministry along the way. To letting people find the good in one another, to seeing Jesus – you supported. I love you and hope I don't see you until May
