Remembering 2016

In the midst of the busy holiday season, I always try to spend some time reflecting on the past year and looking ahead at the new one.  It's a helpful way to remember what God has done, and I think He wants us very much to live a life of remembering what He has done-not just in our own lives, but throughout the generations and the history of mankind. In the book of Joshua 3 and 4, He commanded them to build a memorial for this very purpose!  

Like every year, there have been highs, and there have been lows.  Successes and victories, disappointments and frustrations.  But as I look back, I definitely see God's hand; and this post is to remember and celebrate what God has done this past year.  Actually He's done so much more, but this is mostly focusing on the call I'm responding to.

~January~
As an attempt to discern God's will about going full-time with EE, I attended the European Conference in Vienna, Austria.  It was affirming, and I met Helmut, my future boss.

With former 2015 interns Pete and Jasmine at Europe Conference in Vienna

~February~
On a phone call with Rod (EE leader), I was invited to a couple of EE events in the upcoming months, one of them mandatory for me to go full-time.  This answered my question about not renewing my contract to teach this year.

~March~
Within 24 hours of informing my principal and head of school that I would not be renewing my contract, we received a random email with a qualified replacement!

~April~
After several encouragements, I attended the New Wineskins Conference in Asheville, NC.  Not only was so encouraged and affirmed, but I also met SAMS' director and interim director and began to dialogue with them about a partnership.

A huge surprise to run into the Powells from my BFA days (2008-10) at New Wineskins Conference...and they introduced me to SAMS' leaders!

~May~
Made my first visit to EE International headquarters in Asheville.  Had a bittersweet finish to three amazing years of teaching amazing students with amazing colleagues at First Baptist.

~June~
Traveled to Switzerland to meet the leadership team I would join and get a taste for what is ahead.

Re-connecting in person with long-time friend Gunnhild in her homeland of Norway

~July~
Got to re-connect with long-time and newer friends in Europe before heading to Australia and re-uniting with more friends and attend a missions conference at a church I knew from the previous year's internship.

With Aussie friends at FAC's Missions Conference in Wollongong, Australia

~August~
First time to Asia (Indonesia) for my first Congress of Nations!  A very sweet, exciting time as I gained a big picture and met the "whole family" as well as the team in Europe I'll be joining.  Also attended Crossroads Conference in Ambridge, PA as a SAMS candidate.

With European team at Congress of Nations in Malang, Indonesia

~September~
Found buyers for our condo before it ever went on the market (It's a God story).  Packed and moved before leaving for Fiji at the end of the month.

~October~
Joined 21 others from 13 different nations to attend the Leadership Development Training for full-time staff with EE.  Our condo closed while I was there.

At EE's Kennedy Training Center in Fiji for 6-week Leadership Development Training

~November~
Had my first opportunity to share about my journey at St. Matthew's Parish in Fort Motte, SC, where I recently learned my grandfather lived during his childhood!  Also, started my first one-on-one XEE training!

XEE training with new friends Dot and Chris...
At our old condo...because they were the buyers (Only the Lord!)

~December~
Encouraged and touched by the many people God has put in my life to encourage and support me through the ups and downs of life and especially to spur me on to continue on and embrace the call and vision God has given me.

2016 was a year of risk-taking, 100% yes, and some dreams coming true. It hasn't been easy, but it has been exciting and fulfilling.  I'm thankful that we have a God who is faithful to lead us and love us. Here's to remembering what He has done.  And since I'll be without Internet when the New Year rings in, here's a cheer to the New Year 2017!

Ready or Not?!

If you're at all familiar with the church calendar, it's Advent season.  As I shared with the church I visited this past Sunday in Fort Motte, SC, I love this season: not only do we look back in history to when God fulfilled His promise with Jesus coming to earth, but we also look ahead when God will fulfill His promise of Jesus returning to earth.  It's not the festivities and stories I like so much, but the implications behind them: Jesus paid the price no one else can pay so that relationship can be restored both with God Himself and with others! While God offers us SO much here on earth like forgiveness, physical, emotional, and relational healing and reconciliation (to name a few) because of His first coming; He offers us so much more--an eternity of a world where we are whole and no longer in need of healing--through His second coming!

When asked which mug I wanted for my tea during St. Matthews' Sunday School, would you believe they had the same exact mugs I always chose in Fiji in their cupboard!?!  With my friend and childhood Sunday School teacher, Janet Echols.

So, back to my original sentiment, that I love this season!  Well...at least in theory.  The reality is that Advent is a season of waiting and preparation for the "not yet."  And when you figure in the added element of the unknown "when," it can get a bit uncomfortable if we don't heed God's instruction to get ready!  

I can very much relate to this tension in my personal life as it depicts exactly where I am: I have already let go of things here--like my job and condo--and am preparing to move to Europe and join the EE team there; but I have no idea when, other than soon!  I'm in a holding pattern and cannot give the precise date to myself, much less those who ask.  But then again, this position is consistent with God's warning when he tells us to be ready for Him to come like a thief in the night (Matt 24)!  He doesn't say how long, just be ready!

So I guess the next question is "How?"  Well, John the Baptist's job was to "prepare the way" for the Lord's first coming; and his message was to change their thinking about God.  In particular, He announced it was the King who was coming to bring the restoration and hope to their unique, personal situations that all mankind throughout all history has been desperate for. I believe the message is the same this time around.  

If that's the case, a good question is What's in the way?"  What in my/your heart and mind needs to go? For me...so I'll be ready to join the team in Europe?  ...so I'll be ready to meet the King when He comes?  When I look at things this way, I see any potential delays or "extra" time as a form of grace to prepare so that I will be ready when the time comes!  So, I'm trying to embrace and accept the unknowns and focus on the goal ahead, with the means to reach it being readiness.  

The signs are all around.  We may not know the "when," but we know the what and the where! Ready or not, He's coming!  Let's be ready!

Let's Stay Connected!

Don't feel too bad if you can't keep up with exactly where I am and what I'm doing.  My computer's confused about where I am too! :)  That said, I want to stay connected, so keep reading!

I made it back to Charleston a week ago just in time for the Super Moon, FBS at State Championships, and the holidays!  As we enter Thanksgiving week, I'd say I have a lot to be thankful for.

Thankful to be able to witness and cheer on the FBS Hurricanes as they earned their very first ever state football championship! FBS is my alma mater, where I taught French the last 3 years, and where my niece and nephew go to school.  My nephew, Nicholas, is on the team, #17. :)

Friday night, a friend hosted a party for me to share about what I'll be doing.  It was truly encouraging to share the journey I've been on and to have others who are a part of it with me as I continue on!  One thing I'm aware of is that the upcoming ministry role isn't all about me and how much I do need the support of those around me.

Thankful for friends--new and old--who stayed to listen, ask questions, encourage and pray

When asked how others can support and stay connected with me, I shared these ways and want to share with you:

1.  Stay connected through social media and email.

I plan to regularly post on this very blog.  Each time I post, I post to Facebook and in the future will send the link to anyone on my email list (please contact me if you'd like to be added).

2.  Give to the ministry.

Like all EE staff, I'm responsible to raise my living & ministry expenses.  I need $5000 USD /mo per year.  A monthly or one-time donation of any amount is helpful!

Online giving:  Click here.

Give by check:  Contact me for details.

3.  Pray!

For me, EE Europe, and those who need to hear the Gospel.  I'll be setting up a Facebook group for those who give or wish to pray to regularly share what God is doing and specific prayer requests.  I also plan to send regular newsletters on top of the frequent blogs so that you know how to pray.

Stay tuned for my personal webpage that SAMS is creating.  It will be an all-in-one stop with my bio/pic, link to blog, and link to online giving.  ETA: January.

And while I'm still in the States (at least through the holidays): if our paths haven't crossed, and you want to connect in person, please let me know!

Farewell, Fiji Friends!

Fijian Farewell Song to Internationals 

Coming to Fiji these 6 weeks was a challenge.  At the beginning of September, I needed to sell my condo, raise support, and try to get to Switzerland as soon as possible.  Not only did God provide, protect, and bless the sale of the condo--which closed while I was here--but He also had people approaching me who want to partner with me financially before my support account had even opened--which also happened while I was here.  While I still have a long way to go with that, I actually have a goal of leaving early January.

    See the rainbow? Two days in a row!

The Leadership Development Training has been a very significant step to prepare me for my upcoming role.  The content has given me a better understanding of the structure and tools within the ministry.  The workshops brought fresh encouragement as we were able to share and train locals with the Gospel while also learning different styles and techniques from others.  The atmosphere including time set apart for personal and corporate prayer, Word, and worship has nurtured my relationship with God and been conducive to hearing from Him.  The unity of worshiping, living, and learning among a variety of diverse cultures and denominations has enriched the experience not just personally, but also because it is a tangible expression of EE’s vision of “every nation equipping every people group and every age group to witness to every person.”

    Group at Graduation With Certificates

Planning and goal-setting can theoretically be done anywhere in the world, but my experience here where all of these conditions that I mentioned co-exist has been ideal for the Holy Spirit to inspire me and shape the process in a way I’m not sure could’ve happened at a desk or coffee shop back in my busy hometown--at least not in the same way.

          Sunrise from Training Center

As we conclude the final week here, I feel strengthened in vision, affirmed in the call, and prepared to take the next step: to move to Switzerland and join the team in Europe to carry out God’s command and EE’s mission: to glorify God by equipping believers to multiply in and through local churches in Europe "and surrounding areas"--for friendship, evangelism, discipleship, and healthy growth.”

Planting and Watering

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:6

    Our "back yard" of sugar cane fields 

I saw this verse in action this past week at the XEE workshops.  In case you're wondering what XEE is, it's a tool to share the Gospel with Generation X, who prefers talking about life rather than death and having a conversation than being preached at.

We spent the mornings in the classroom training and the afternoons out in the neighborhood putting what we learned into practice.

My group was able to pray with a couple of Fijians the first day and share the Gospel the next. The third day I felt so discouraged when they were unavailable to follow up.  But when we reached the church our fellow trainer Mei exclaimed with joy how they had met that couple who today were now ready to accept Christ!!  With that news, my sadness turned to relief and joy!!

       My group meeting with a local 

Then the last day we came across a guy whose 2 uncles were pastors, knew about a personal relationship with Christ and whose life has been radically transformed even!  But he, like many I've met, sadly are not sure they're going to heaven!!  That breaks my heart yet gives me great privilege to proclaim the truth that anyone whose trust is in Jesus alone and not our own efforts--even good things like going to church, reading the Bible, and praying--have power to save us.  What good news!!!

        Last day of XEE workshops!!

Thank you so much for your prayers for this past week.  We all have different parts to play in God's plan of salvation.  None of us can do it alone. Your prayers are a major part of the work! Vinaka!

Clinic Time!

The last week was full!  We had our Hope For Kids workshop where we were able to train 10 locals and 23 internationals.  The last day we shared the Gospel with 11 children.  I loved learning from Rusila, my friend and roommate these 6 weeks!

Then Sunday I actually got to visit her church.  We were finishing the worship time when they announced that their "sister from Switzerland" would share her testimony. Good thing our motto during last year's internship was "I was born ready!" 

 It was actually really special to be in this small village church surrounded by sugar cane fields which reminded me of my own home having grown up with tomato fields in the "back yard."

Today was a prep day for the XEE workshops which begin tomorrow. Thanks so much for your prayers. We've been reminded of our need for them . Please pray for good health, unity, and protection and for open hearts as we train and share.  More later!

Take two!

"You are part of a group who was never supposed to exist." 

          

Joana's words pierced the air in the training center last Saturday.  She had arrived from Australia to teach us communications. As if to drive the point even further that God has chosen us, she informed us of the bigger picture:

Eight years ago, a donor had provided funding for a project called Implementation Field Worker (IFW) Training.  Not only did the funding run out last year, but sadly the man who had run the program recently passed away from cancer. This meant no money and no leader.

But God had a different plan: someone provided funding, and Rod (VP of EE Internstional) pooled together people to teach and lead another training!  Take two!

    Practicing dramas: God is both 

                  loving and just 

Apparently it's been a bit different than normal; but I have a feeling it's just what it's supposed to be for this time.

Back to Joanna: she taught us a lot about how to communicate effectively, and today we had to perform dramas we learned last night in front of the class while getting critiqued!  Then take two as we re-performed trying to improve.  I'm not gonna lie. It was scary!  But good.  And really funny.  

  Hope 4 Kids skit: Heaven is a free gift 

The skits were prep for the Hope 4 Kids (H4K) and XEE workshops we're running later this week and next. It's quite a challenge as some of us, like me, have never learned H4K before, but we're up for the challenge!  

Giving demo: Jesus paid our debt and     

    restored our relationship with God

Still, please be praying for us!  We'd really, really appreciate it!