I realize that I seriously owe all of you a life update! Gainesville or “G’vegas” as it is sometimes affectionately called, has become my new home. This past weekend my parents were able to come and get a tour of my life here, and I thought I should give you a little online tour as well.
The square in downtown Gainesville
Gainesville is quaint and charming, unlike any place I’ve lived before. Initially I was in culture shock that I was not in the city or in the third world, somehow this in-between small town threw me for a loop and has taken a little getting used to. But I have absolutely nothing to complain about, and really am in awe of the many blessings, luxuries, and little conveniences life here offers me. I live in an amazing house with six other girls (Yes six! Well, one is in India and technically her room is a closet…but she still counts!). I share a room and a ginormous bathroom and closet with my friend Traday (we didn’t know each other before becoming roommates – it felt a little like freshman year in college all over again!). It has been fun to live in community again, but our fridge is a little overwhelmed (another blessing, really)! I never cooked much before I came here, but I’ve been teaching myself at least one new dish a week! Cooking has become one of my “creative outlets”…and sometimes what I cook is indeed very “creative” :).
Audrey and I (also known as “The Recruiting Team”) hard at work at our desks!
Work is going well, and it has been so encouraging and exciting to see people that we speak to and connect with be really interested in the Real Life and World Race programs. We have spoken / showed a video / had a table at meetings of several ministries at different college campuses around Georgia. We are also planning to attend some conferences – we will be at the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta next week and some conferences around Christmas/New Years for college students. Its been fun to do this job because most of what is required of me are things I am naturally good at. I love talking to strangers and helping people get where they need to be! Still, there is a learning curve in doing this type of ministry. Even though I get to interact with people pretty frequently, most of the ministry is indirect which is sometimes hard. I want to be out “doing the stuff”: holding the abandoned babies, preaching the gospel, casting out demons, entering the pain of the abused and those with HIV/AIDS; but I know my job is actually multiplying the number of people who will go do those things. There will be a time when I get to go again, but before I do I will find others to go too. And it is worth being here temporarily to send others!
I am also committed to finding “the stuff” to do here, right where we are. One of our first steps towards this is holding a barbecue in the park on Wednesday for the Hispanic community, so please be praying for that.
All my roomies!
Thank you for all your love and support. I’ll update you again soon!
