Just a quick update to let everyone know how things are going, and I would like to thank everyone for supporting me thus far on my missions trip. I feel very fortunate knowing that you are willing to partner with me in this ministry, and it is reassuring confirmation through your support that this is where God wants me to be at this time.
So great news, through support letters and the fund raiser at the Bow Island E-Free Church I was able to raise my initial goal of five thousand dollars! This is the ammount that I need to have in order to leave in January, there are other financial deadlines when I need to have money raised, but it is awesome that God has provided for my needs so far.
It looks like the date I am leaving is determined to be January 5th, and as the last month goes by that I will be in Canada I feel mixed emotions. On one hand I am excited to experience new places, culture, people and be a part of the amazing things that God is going to do; yet on the other hand it is difficult to leave family, friends and relationships and basically put them on hold for now. With this being said I know that by going and being committed God is going to totally transform my life and because of the change that is even now taking place, it will benefit relationships I currently have as well as further enable me to reflect the image of Jesus Christ in future interactions.
So over the next month I still have alot of preparation that needs to be done before I can go and I would appreciate prayer for things like shots/vaccines, travel insurance, and getting the proper gear would all come together. More importantly though is that God would work in my heart and prepare me for what lies ahead and that I will allow him to effectively use me in whatever capacity he has in store for me. That I would be willing and eager to serve others ahead of myself, and that a Christlike love would evolve in me for both the saved and the lost. Thanks again everyone for your support and I trust that it will continue over the next year.
Blessings,
Justin Schmidt
