This week marks the half way point in
my 6 month commitment working with Adventures in Missions in
Gainesville, Georgia. It was two years ago in April that my journey
with Adventures in Missions began, and so as I step into this month,
I am reflective of my time with this organization.
my 6 month commitment working with Adventures in Missions in
Gainesville, Georgia. It was two years ago in April that my journey
with Adventures in Missions began, and so as I step into this month,
I am reflective of my time with this organization.
It was April of 2009 that the Lord
really started pressing missions on my heart. I was teaching 8th
grade in East Chicago. I loved my job, I loved my students and I
loved my life- for the most part. There was, however, a part of me
slightly dissatisfied. I knew that God was calling me into a
different season. Not something bigger, but something different. I
think its often easy to say that the Lord calls us into bigger
things, but I am confident that He used me at Westside Junior High
School as much as in the bush of Africa.
really started pressing missions on my heart. I was teaching 8th
grade in East Chicago. I loved my job, I loved my students and I
loved my life- for the most part. There was, however, a part of me
slightly dissatisfied. I knew that God was calling me into a
different season. Not something bigger, but something different. I
think its often easy to say that the Lord calls us into bigger
things, but I am confident that He used me at Westside Junior High
School as much as in the bush of Africa.
That spring God spoke to me in various
ways and eventually confirmed that I needed to take a step of faith.
I remember thinking, “I can’t do that. I
can’t just leave my job that I love and live out of a backpack for
one year.” But I
could submit an application. I could take baby steps. I applied. I
was interviewed. I was accepted. It all happened so fast, but in
the whirlwind of the process, I had peace knowing this is what and
where and who
God had called me to.
ways and eventually confirmed that I needed to take a step of faith.
I remember thinking, “I can’t do that. I
can’t just leave my job that I love and live out of a backpack for
one year.” But I
could submit an application. I could take baby steps. I applied. I
was interviewed. I was accepted. It all happened so fast, but in
the whirlwind of the process, I had peace knowing this is what and
where and who
God had called me to.
Similarly,
I find myself in a whirlwind here in Georgia. The first 3 months
have flown by and although I don’t always see the fruit of my
efforts, I know that God is doing big things here at AIM. While my
attempts to recruit young people to take advantage of an amazing
opportunity to serve the Lord
may at times seem futile, I know the Lord is working through that. I
know that as AIM is about to send out their 90,000th
missionary over their 22 years in existence, God is alive and working
through AIM.
I find myself in a whirlwind here in Georgia. The first 3 months
have flown by and although I don’t always see the fruit of my
efforts, I know that God is doing big things here at AIM. While my
attempts to recruit young people to take advantage of an amazing
opportunity to serve the Lord
may at times seem futile, I know the Lord is working through that. I
know that as AIM is about to send out their 90,000th
missionary over their 22 years in existence, God is alive and working
through AIM.
Life
here is not easy. In many ways, it was easier living simply when
everything I owned fit neatly into a 65 liter backpack. My daily
responsibilities included things that I felt alive in. I was able to
use my gifts and I saw the fruit. I had limitless opportunities to
play with children or have a
conversation with a local.
It’s hard to make 20 phone calls an hour from
an office and feel like
you’ve made no difference.
here is not easy. In many ways, it was easier living simply when
everything I owned fit neatly into a 65 liter backpack. My daily
responsibilities included things that I felt alive in. I was able to
use my gifts and I saw the fruit. I had limitless opportunities to
play with children or have a
conversation with a local.
It’s hard to make 20 phone calls an hour from
an office and feel like
you’ve made no difference.
But
just as I start to feel discouraged, the Lord so graciously provides
me with that one phone call that holds me over, that keeps me going.
Just last week, an 18 year old recent high school graduate reminded
me that ministry is not about where, but
who. And so I keep
persisting and the Lord keeps blessing me with opportunities. Like
the sexually abused college student from inner city LA who after
telling me her horrific story prayed for me in
Spanish. Or
the young lady from Wisconsin who emailed thanking me for the
encouragement I gave to her earlier that week. Or the laid off
teacher who told me I was an inspiration to her and applied to the
World Race. These are the people I am here for.
just as I start to feel discouraged, the Lord so graciously provides
me with that one phone call that holds me over, that keeps me going.
Just last week, an 18 year old recent high school graduate reminded
me that ministry is not about where, but
who. And so I keep
persisting and the Lord keeps blessing me with opportunities. Like
the sexually abused college student from inner city LA who after
telling me her horrific story prayed for me in
Spanish. Or
the young lady from Wisconsin who emailed thanking me for the
encouragement I gave to her earlier that week. Or the laid off
teacher who told me I was an inspiration to her and applied to the
World Race. These are the people I am here for.
So as
I enter my 19th
month serving with AIM, I find peace knowing that Lord has not just
called me here, but as
called me to specific people. I will admit that I often have to
shift my attitude from worry and stress to a heart of gratefulness
and honor. It is an honor to work her at Adventures in Missions, an
honor that I ashamedly have taken for granted at times.
I enter my 19th
month serving with AIM, I find peace knowing that Lord has not just
called me here, but as
called me to specific people. I will admit that I often have to
shift my attitude from worry and stress to a heart of gratefulness
and honor. It is an honor to work her at Adventures in Missions, an
honor that I ashamedly have taken for granted at times.
My
work here is not alone and I have relied on faithful supporters to
join me in this ministry. I simply could not have continued my work
with Adventures in Missions without the financial support of people
whom I love so dearly. I am still in major need of support and
specifically need $1000 a month to continue receiving a paycheck. I
know the Lord will provide, but I know that He uses faithful people
like you to join in this ministry!
work here is not alone and I have relied on faithful supporters to
join me in this ministry. I simply could not have continued my work
with Adventures in Missions without the financial support of people
whom I love so dearly. I am still in major need of support and
specifically need $1000 a month to continue receiving a paycheck. I
know the Lord will provide, but I know that He uses faithful people
like you to join in this ministry!
I am
humbly asking that you would help support me in my last 3 months with
AIM. Would you consider a monthly donation or a one time gift? If
only 20 people committed to give $50 a month for the next 3 months,
my work here at AIM could be continued. Please pray about this
opportunity to support the work AIM does.
humbly asking that you would help support me in my last 3 months with
AIM. Would you consider a monthly donation or a one time gift? If
only 20 people committed to give $50 a month for the next 3 months,
my work here at AIM could be continued. Please pray about this
opportunity to support the work AIM does.
The
support I have received financially, emotionally and spiritually over
the last 2 years have been absolutely overwhelming. I am forever
grateful for the close friends, family and complete strangers who
have joined me in this ministry. I pray that God will continue to
use you in this way!
