What do double decker buses, Sporty Spice, Manchester United, and Alayna Schlafley have in common? As of January 2016, they will all be residents of England!
That’s right, I am ready to announce what is next after The World Race! I will be moving to London, England to participate in an internship with Bethel-London’s Riverside Church! I will be learning and working in a variety of different ministries in a growing multi-cultural church! I am so excited to be under the leadership and mentorship of the staff at Bethel-London! I have been challenged and mentored by so many different men and women of God over the past two years, and I really believe this next year is going to be a continuation of my growth through my time and position at Bethel-London!
Now I know what you may be thinking….”London? Really?” But yes! London is a bustling city full of a very diverse population of people. London is a central hub and destination of Europe and the UK, this city is no exception to a people in desperate need of a revival centered around the truth, love, and grace found in Jesus!
Honestly, this has been an exciting decision, but also a very difficult one. For the last two years I have been serving in very different ministries, often moving around and living out of a bag. (Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE this life it’s what I asked for), but I haven’t gotten to spend a lot of time at home with my family and friends. There was a part of me that was looking forward to going home and getting to rest in a familiar place with people I love. This made sense to me because quite honestly I am tired and it really would be nice to spend a good chunk of time at home with my family and friends “resting”. About three months before the end of The Race, though, I heard God calling me to something different. I had really started pressing into what the Lord wanted for me after the Race during month 6 in Latvia, but never felt like God was providing a whole lot of direction at that point. Fast forward to month 8 in Malaysia I still wasn’t satisfied with God’s answer, so I pressed in and asked for more details. What does it mean to rest in this next season?
A week into our month of ministry I got a message from my mom telling me about the internship opportunity at Bethel-London’s Riverside Church and the pastor’s interest in me joining them in the next year. I took it right to the Lord in prayer, and decided to reach out for more information about the internship but due to a lack of Wi-Fi, another month passed before I could even set up a call. But in that time I prayed and asked the Lord what He wanted, He told me that he was answering my prayers, and that this would be a season of rest for me but not in the way I assumed. He told me that rest doesn’t mean I will be doing nothing, it means that while I am doing what He calls me to no matter how hard that I have to learn how to truly find rest in him.
After I finally talked with Pastor Ken and got all the details about the internship, I was faced with having to make a decision and fast. I would have to leave in January, a month after I get home from the Race! I was torn over the fact that I would have to leave home again so soon, but the more I prayed, the more I felt the Lord telling me to say yes. He kept reminding me of His promises and that He has far better things planned for me than I could ever think or imagine! So I took a step of faith, and accepted!
So what does all this mean for my friends and family??
I’m about to dive into a grand new adventure and I deeply want to take you with me!! Here’s how we can do this together!
WAYS YOU CAN DIVE IN AND SUPPORT THIS GRAND NEW ADVENTURE! :
Thankfully, I will not have to fundraise for the full internship, but I still have some financial needs! I have not worked for an income in over two years, so in regards to personal expenses for this next year I would love your support! Here are the expenses I will be fundraising for:
-I will need to pay for travelers insurance for the whole year I’m in London.
-Payment of obtaining a VISA from the British Consulate.
-Personal living expenses covering my basic necessities apart from food and living bills.
If you would like to support me financially in covering these three areas for the next year, the best way is online through paypal at [email protected]. If you do not have a paypal and are interested in donating please contact me through the same email address and I can give you my home address to send checks!
I AM ONLY HOME FOR A SHORT TIME!!
I would love to see as many friends and family as I can while I am home! But coming home will not be easy for me; I have been gone for a year in 11 different cultures so it will take some time to readjust to the American culture. I will have a lot to process from this year and a lot to prepare for my year in London.
*Here is a list of things I would love to do while I’m home:
– Coffee dates! Let’s get together and catch up! Feel free to ask me questions and fill me in on your life!
– Phone Calls! Let’s chat it up!
– Lunch dates! IE Chipotle, because honestly is there any other place?? Lets eat and chat!
– Come to my World Race recap get together to hear a presentation on parts of my trip and life on the race for the last year! (time and place TBA, check in with Facebook for the details when I get back!)
– Most of all I simply want to spend time with you! If that means you come to my house or I crash your living room couch for an afternoon with you, let’s do it! I am just so excited to talk, process, and catch up on everyone’s lives!
This year has been the most amazing, challenging, beautiful year of my life and I want to share my experience with all of you! I think that I am the most excited to sit one on one with people to share about my year. Like I said, there will also be a night where I recap my year! My family is in the process of setting up a night where I share some of the highlights of this year. The Lord has allowed me to see and experience so much, how could I not share!?
When I have more solid plans for the night of sharing I will post on my Facebook, if you do not have Facebook and are interested in details for that night you can email me at [email protected].
Ultimately the biggest way you all can support me in this transition is to pray pray pray! Please pray for an enjoyable December with family and friends, that I can process the Race and all God has done in the past 11 months, and for God to go ahead into London and prepare the way for this next year of ministry!
