Hello Friends and Family,
Thank you so much for being my support system while I was abroad and continuing to extend grace to me as I have returned. Returning was a whirlwind of job searching and looking for a church, community, and ministry in the new town I live.
Upon returning I was offered to start help leading in a high school ministry with Grace, a local missions and refugee minded church. I work with about 40 high school students who have brilliant questions about the gospel. We spend our time laying the frame work down for these new believers and students interested in learning more about Christianity. I fell in love with the ministry quickly as I got to know all of the teens. Please be praying for our ministry called “Ignite” as we start back in the next few weeks.
Job searching was indeed rough at first, but as I searched I was offered to substitute teach at my old high school. I stepped in for my high school art teacher and music teachers as they were away. I continued to look for more work as I subbed and was hired with a company in Atlanta. This company offers independent contract jobs. This was perfect job for me to start with, having a desire to really invest time in finding a Christian community. I feel how ever, God is now changing my assignment and I am going to be back on the hunt for a more stable job.This job I am soon to find, I hope, will place me in a more financially secure place for the next thing he is calling me to.
A few months after working and being involved with Ignite I began leading at an elementary school 30 minutes from my home as they started the schools first Good News Club. From the first week I worked to now we have jumped from 30 kids to 60. We have new applicants every week and it has made us leaders grow close and excited. We can see God working and so I think that closeness is the Holy Spirit drawing us together for big tasks. Our Christmas party was a blast and sugar filled elementary students (oh dear).
About three weeks ago I was driving home from Good News Club and I felt the Holy Spirit lead me to a church I had only heard about. I drove over and showed up to a prayer meeting on a last minute choice. Before I knew it I started doing local outreach with them. We go out and pray for people we meet. I’ve seen God use people to preform healing and miracles in the area and it just pumps me up. My friends prayed over a girl in Panda Express, a food place, and she went from walking in with crushes to walking out healed.
Through this group I also got re-intouch with my craft and art side. I have met some really talented people. They remind me much of my art friends from my years in school. I have started working with furniture again and feel God moving me to continue to fall in love with what captivated my heart towards the end of college. Woodworking. I believe it is a blessed passion and I take time to see what could become of the work spent.
Thank you again for being so patient and understanding. I hope to be able to speak with each of you individually soon.
Blessings.
