Dearest Friends and Family,
As I said in my thank you letter, life since returning to
America has been a whirlwind. Sometimes it feels as if 2011 was a dream (a
really good one, I might add).
God works in really incredible ways. It’s something that I
have seen over and over again in all of my years but I feel I’ve especially
been given the eyes to see it lately.
I remember a beautiful fall morning with my family in a
cabin in North Carolina 5 or 6 years ago. Sitting around enjoying breakfast and
the simplicity of cabin life, we began to talk about what stirred us up and
made us passionate.
When it came to me, I said that I had a heart for ministry
with young women; that I wanted them to know they have value and they are
loved. I desired to teach them about Biblical models of relationships and
purity so that they could experience life and relationships as God intended
them. But at the time, I was studying to be an elementary school teacher. I had
no idea how the two would coincide. So while I strived to live as an example, I
was not actively serving in this capacity.
I was recently reading a book by Bill Hybels called “Holy
Discontent”. The author set out to find why we do what we do. Why do so many
people volunteer countless hours and dollars outside of their work and family?
His supposition is that we have seen something that we cannot not do something about. The following in
an excerpt from his book:
“What is the one aspect of this broken
world that, when you see it, touch it, get near it, you just can’t stand? Very
likely, that firestorm of frustration reflects your holy discontent, a reality so troubling that you are thrust
off the couch and into the game. It’s
during these defining times when your eyes open to the needs surrounding you
and your heart hungers to respond that you hear God say, ‘I feel the same way
about this problem. Now, let’s go solve it together!‘”
We all have these firestorms of frustration. But the moment
they become “holy” is when we fuel them with divine passion and energy and see
them through the lens of Scripture and the eyes of the Father. It’s not enough to be outraged or offended.
BE. ACT. DO.
This year I spent 8 months straight on an all women’s team.
For 233 days, I was inseparable from Brittani, Carrie, Sarah, Alicia, Jessie
and Kim. Sharing our stories and walking alongside each other all of these
months, I found myself in love with the women of God that they are and broken
hearted at some of the things they walked through to get there. I praise God
for the trials, because it shaped us into women for the kingdom, but I was so
indignant at patterns of this broken world that I saw at work in our pasts.
More fuel for the fire.
A lot of times in my life, I have reached this point of
frustration, but I have never followed it further and deeper into action.
While I was in month ten of my eleven month World Race
journey, God placed an opportunity before me. My team was working with Andrew
and Jenny Kelly. These two have completely dedicated their lives to bringing
both the message and the actions of the Gospel to the people of Ukraine. They
run a ministry called Jeremiah’s Hope (please visit www.jeremiahshope.org) that aids the
children of Ukraine in many fabulous ways. They run a camp all summer that
serves as a haven for orphaned children and children from abusive and
neglectful family situations, they maintain contact with these children by
delivering food and doing house visits monthly through a program called the
Sasha Project, they have established a transition home for older orphans, and
they are also involved in their immediate village community.
They have two beautiful daughters and last month, they
welcomed their son, Noah. As you can imagine, running all of these ministries
and keeping up with a family is very challenging. They were looking for someone
to do pre-school with the girls and since I am a teacher, they approached me about
it. Of course, I laughed (to myself) because I knew my mission tour was soon to
be up. Home was one month away. But as I continued to talk to Jenny about the
girls in the village and a program she was trying to establish for them, my
heart began to soften and eventually break. Last year, she was able to host a
“girls’ retreat” in the Spring and the young women absolutely loved it! Girls
who were typically shy and quiet during home visits really began to open up and
come alive in this setting. Many heard for the first time that they were loved
and valued, that they are daughters of the King. Imagine, girls who have been
treated as nothing learning that they are Royalty. They are Princesses! Not in
this bratty, entitled way, but in a way that ensures the love and Divine
provision of a Heavenly Father who treasures them highly.
such confirmation in my Spirit that Ivankiv, Ukraine was exactly where God was
calling me in the Spring of 2012. And now I couldn’t be more excited! God used
my vocation to give me an open door to operate in my passion.
So on February 27th, I will set foot on a plane once more and return
our sweet village. And for about 5 months, I will be working alongside Andrew
and Jenny in these areas that God has ordained for me. I am not going through
the World Race, so life will look a little less rugged (no more backpacking).
But once again, I come to you asking for support. Prayers, input, finances. All
equally important.
my church, so that they have a more hands on role in my commissioning. I need
to raise $1,000 per month, so my total goal is $5,000. This will cover my
transportation, ministry budget, groceries, utilities, etc. I will be living on
the Pine Branch campgrounds next to the Kelly family and I look forward to
becoming a part of the church body I was able to attend in Kiev. If you are
interested in supporting in any way, please send cash or check donations with your information to:
for taking the time to invest in me and in this ministry! May God bless you
richly!
