This past month has been a whirlwind of emotions thinking about all the changes to come as time marches forward. While lamenting the shifting of relationships and circumstances to one of my closest friends, she shared those wise words with me. What an encouragement she was in sharing the blessing it is to look forward to still praying together for each others ministries and growth, laughing together as we recount new stories, and crying together over pain that will literally be, worlds apart. Even with some of the difficult changes yet to come, there is an excitement in the air as progress in so many places has been made!

100% : )

I am so excited to share I have reached my full support! God has been so faithful raising up individuals to partner with me in my ministry through both monthly commitments and one time gifts! I’ve spoken at multiple churches, small group gatherings, and shared with individuals as the Lord has been faithfully stirring in the hearts of His children (HEY THAT’S YOU) to faithfully give!

Monthly Commitments: 100%

Moving & Related Expenses: 100%

Gifts beyond what have already been given will all be set aside for the inevitable purchase of a car at some point down the road (yes- pun intended!)

This past weekend I was blessed to speak at two small churches in Indiana- these churches, not knowing who I was, sent me to Niger two and half years ago with their Pastor (a family friend) on the missions trip that God used to begin working in my heart to move to Africa. It was a very humbling and moving experience to stand before their small congregations and say, “Thank you for allowing the Lord to use your generosity to change the entire trajectory of my life.” Between speaking at these churches and hearing of an official partnership with my Grandma’s church, this weekend was exciting indeed!

Baby Steps…

Less than three months and things are getting real! Each small detail reminds me that time keeps moving forward…

• The Closet Purge: Four garbage bags full of clothes taken to the thrift store! It was hard letting go of some of my pretty shoes, but alas, they can’t ALL fit in my suitcases…
• The Bookshelf Purge: My sister will store some of them for me, others I’m donating to the library, and a select few, I will be dragging across the world with me.
• The Furniture Purge: A few pieces of furniture have already found a home! …Others I’ll process in June.

• The Furniture Decision: I have furniture awaiting me for when I move! It was so encouraging video calling with the retiring missionary I am purchasing from, getting a glimpse into where I’ll be living in 3 short months. At one point she flipped her camera and showed me the beautiful sunset as she sat outside on her porch, me on my couch across the world, bundled up in blankets watching the same sun continue to rise to not yet midday in my sky out the window.
• The Bank Decision: Another major step has been opening new bank accounts that help mitigate international withdraw fees. That felt like a HUGE step and was a relief to get done!
• The Technology Decision: I’ve done research on purchasing a new computer to replace the one I get to give back to my work in June.

• The Medical Requirements: I’ve gotten all of my immunizations (Yellow fever, polio, typhoid Hep A & B… the whole cocktail!) and sent in my medical paperwork for clearance.
• The Bible Requirements: I finished some work on biblical competency requirements! This was fun to work on 🙂
• The Book Requirements: I’m trucking forward! One down, one to go baby… required training books to be read!

Prayer & Praise

• PRAISE: For time with my mom and dad who joined me on the quick trip to Indiana!
• PRAISE: For God reminding me of His goodness, through dogs, rainbows and recounting His grace!
• PRAISE: Ummm……. FULL SUPPORT!
• PRAISE: New partnership with my Grandma’s church who was so encouraging to me as I spoke there last month
• PRAISE: At the end of the term, 100% of the RVA students tested negative for COVID before leaving for their home countries
  
  
• PRAYER: That I would continue to work & walk in faith, labor in love for my current students, and continue my last few tasks of preparation in endurance (1 Thess 1:3)
• PRAYER: That I would fix my eyes not on what is seen in the current changes and nearing transitions, but on the unseen of serving Christ and the goodness of how He has faithfully called me to this path (2 Cor 4:18)