A week ago the plan was to go to the New Jersey/Pennsylvania
area for a week or so and then head down to Georgia. The “plan” was to go to a
state school near Atlanta. The “plan” was to get that out of the way in two and
a half years so that I could go back out on the field with an actual degree.
Well…after a discouraging conversation with financial aid
that basically determined that I can’t afford school next year, it dawned on me
that all of that might have been my plan;
not necessarily God’s. After the initial
shock of realizing I’m coming home in a few weeks and have no idea what I’m
going to do, I started to pray a lot harder. I had been making a lot of
arrangements before asking God what HE wanted
me to do next year.
I trust that Christ has a unique plan for my future, and I
am willing to step out in faith even when it’s scary. After spending some time
in prayer this week, I still feel like I am meant to be in Georgia, so I will
follow through with that. However, it is especially intimidating for me right
now since I have no job in GA, no home to move into, and no savings to rely on
in the meantime. Just the same, I will pack up my belongings in PA and head
down to GA around the 4th of August. God has never let me down in
the past, and I believe He will continue to be faithful. Please pray for me as I
continue to seek Him in what the next step is. Also, please pray for my
financial situation. I will return to the states without the comfort of a team
fund to pay for my food, lodging, and transportation. As of now, I have my
flight to Philly and very little else for my move to Georgia and for the time
while I look for a job. I trust He will take care of those things as well,
though.
If you are interested in dropping me an encouraging word or
helping me out financially, you can contact me via e-mail at [email protected]. Any financial gifts
can be sent to my parents at the following address:
Traci
VanSumeren
c/o Tim
VanSumeren
2040 Lehigh
Street #209
Easton, PA
18042
I really do appreciate every
prayer you guys offer up on my behalf. In addition, the e-mails and comments
that several of you have sent me over the year have been such a blessing. Many
times they have been exactly what I needed on that day. I look forward to seeing
many of you when I get back in less than two weeks. Please let me know if you’d
like to get together for lunch, coffee, etc. I would love to catch up with what
has been going on in your lives and tell you even more about this incredible
experience. This is a ballpark idea of where I will be and when:
July 24—fly
into Ft. Lauderdale, FL
July 25—fly
into Philadelphia, PA
July 25-Aug
4—Easton, PA/Phillipsburg, NJ area
July
27—presentation at Cornerstone E. Free Church during 3rd service
Aug 4—leave
PA; overnight in Virginia
Aug 5-Aug
15—Tifton, GA & Jacksonville, FL (I’m not yet sure whether I’ll be in
Tifton for the first few days or the last few)
Aug 15—hopefully move up to the Atlanta area
(eek!)
Thank you, thank you, thank you
again!
