WOW!

What a week! It has been a week since my visa arrived, and a lot has happened!

I HAVE MY PLANE TICKETS!!!!!

...AND, I've finished my Christmas shopping! Two nice accomplishments, if I may say so myself! I've given notice at my job, and my last day of work will be January 7, 2011. I leave for the Congo on February 5, 2011. Finally! I can't begin to describe the tumult of emotions... I'll leave that for another post!

I GOT MY VISA!

...and my youngest left for Hawai'i today... no, not for a vacation, TO STAY! So, ups and downs today, excited for her and for me, though!

Really?

Finally? Really? Are you sure?

Yesterday I filled out my visa application for the Republic of the Congo! I just need a couple more items, then I can send it in! The wheels are turning, approvals are finally on their way, and so am I! We are projecting a February departure date! This will be a great Christmas! I still need more monthly support, but I'm approved for the first year of my assignment! When the support comes in, I'll be given a one year extension... I have faith!

What is Faith?

Interesting question, isn't it? Mine is being stretched, strained and strengthened these days. God has placed many wonderful people in my life who are encouraging me, praying for me and mentoring me through this process, and I thank Him every day for those who have "made it through" the types of struggles I am facing... with faith as their shield...

So, back to my original question, what is faith, anyway? There is an old acrostic I learned in Sunday School, Forsaking All I Take Him, but that doesn't really tell me what faith is, it tells me what I must do that shows my faith...

Then there is the biblical definition, Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) In this case, I suppose I do have some measure of faith, because I am sure of Christ's return (what we hope for) and certain of the existence of things I cannot see...

How then, does FAITH make people well? (Jesus told several people that their faith had healed them...) Are there different kinds of faith? Does my faith in things I cannot see really extend to the unseen hand of healing? ...or the miraculous provision of needs? ...or the restoration of a lost sheep to the fold?

Lord, continue to strengthen my faith, even though this time of testing is difficult and painful... I do have faith that all will work out according to your plan... help me to properly wield the shield of faith to defeat the attacks of the enemy... give me strength to persevere... and wisdom to know when to move on...

A Lovely Day...

They really are sweet together... My youngest daughter and my new son-in-law!

I wish them much love and happiness, forever...

Once upon a Happy time...

My VERY BEST friend... ever...

One More Time....

OK, this is getting old, but what can I do? The much anticipated departure date for Africa has been pushed back again, this time to January, 2011. I'm not good a dealing with rejection, even if it's not personal... All I'm asking for is five minutes and a "love offering." That's not so much, is it? The ministry speaks for itself, and people respond when they hear about it... I just need a chance to speak... Father God, I can't do it on my own, I need a miracle...

Just Thinking...

On the edge of the world...

Moving Targets...

While it's good to have goals, one must be able to adjust them as situations warrant... such is the case with my much anticipated departure date for working in Africa... getting there and staying for two years is still my goal, but the anticipated date has now been "shoved back" again... We are now "aiming" for September, 2010... yes, I know it is a long way from my original goal of January, 2010, but these things take time... besides, God knew I was going to need to be in Austin, Texas on August 15, 2010... something wonderful is happening that day, my youngest daughter is getting married! I can only hope that I'm packing my bags by that time, and that my departure date has been confirmed...

A short history of Nouvelles Créations

Missionaries Gary and Janice Dickinson have been living in Pointe Noire, Republic of the Congo, since 1994. After their two daughters left the Congo to attend college in the United States, Janice felt led to contribute her time and effort towards a new ministry to young women. Due to a prolonged civil war, severe poverty and 80% unemployment, hundreds of young girls have been forced into prostitution, just trying to earn enough money to feed their families one meal a day. These are not hardened, sensual women but young girls who are surviving the best way they know how. Many of these girls will prolong their lives just long enough to contract AIDS or some other deadly STD. Janice decided to spend the rest of her time in Pointe Noire to tackle this issue head on.

Janice began by forming close relationships with young girls who were on the brink of entering the prostitution industry or who were already in it. She knew she was doing the right thing when one of these girls told her: “Maman (mother) Janice, if I’d had a mother like you I would never have become a prostitute”.

Her next, “more formalized” effort took the form of a Bible study group for young girls that were at risk of becoming entangled in the prostitution industry. The girls were very receptive to what she was teaching, but during these meetings Janice noticed that the girls were hesitant to participate and refused to read out loud. She found that many of them were illiterate because they had never been able to go to school. Janice thus realized that it was essential for her to start a school for these young girls. So, Nouvelles Créations was born...

Our vision
Our aim is to provide our students with the opportunity to gain skills for a better future for themselves and their families. We also hope to create an environment where the girls are constantly reminded of their value and worth. Essentially, we want to kindle a flame of hope in our students by showing them the love of Jesus, and providing them with a safe place to learn and advance new life skills.

Janice is now passing on her sewing and embroidery skills to young women from Pointe Noire. She is attempting to “catch them before they fall” into prostitution, rescuing these young ladies from a life of danger and despair. Nouvelles Créations provides the girls with an opportunity to learn how to read and write, basic math, and additional skills, such as health, hygiene, and nutrition. The school is still in its beginning stages and is only able to help a small group of girls each year. A new building has recently been completed to house the school and a small boutique where the girls sell their creations. With the completion of the new building, we hope to increase enrollment each year as funds allow.

Criteria for accepting students
Any girls who have missed out on gaining a formal education are eligible to attend Nouvelles Créations. The only prerequisite is that they are interested in learning and willing to work hard to improve their future.

Products

All the products created by the girls are for sale in the school boutique. Some of our current products include children’s clothing, home décor items such as pillows, curtains, bedspreads, quilts, duvet covers, tablecloths and napkins, and various other household and gift items. The girls also learn basic business skills as they run the boutique.

My Part / Your Part
My assignment as a Missionary Associate will be to assist Janice in this vital ministry. I will live in Pointe Noire and work with these young ladies for two years, beginning in the summer of 2010. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to share my sewing skills and business knowledge with these young ladies. You can help by committing to support me financially, either by a one-time gift, or a monthly pledge. Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to follow God’s leading, and thank you in advance for your support.

Numbers....

Sometimes numbers are just numbers... but sometimes numbers are unfeeling, unwavering, unyielding tyrants scheming to rob us of our dreams.... an emotionless reduction of tangible needs and intangible wants to a list of simple digits... some on this side, some on that side, depending upon their source and destination... they move in and out, up and down, with military precision, 2+2 ALWAYS equaling 4, no matter the weather, mood or circumstance.... the only digit with any flexibility is the lowly zero - in some places it is merely nothing, while in other places it becomes a place-holder, a representation of more than nothing, but still nothing of itself... but I digress...

When the numbers represent dollars, and the numbers aren't big enough, it REALLY gets me down... my fundraising goals have not been met, so I decided to get creative with the numbers...



Here are the GOOD numbers! (...if numbers can have moral attributes... hmmmm... but I digress again...)

Pre Field Budget Raised - $22,013.04

Pre Field Budget Need - $4754.96

Now for the OTHER numbers...

Monthly Pledges Raised - $830.00
Monthly Pledges Needed - $2270.00



SO, if 227 people will pledge just $10/mo each...

OR, if 151 people will pledge just $15/mo each...

OR, if 90 people will pledge just $25/mo each...
(I think you get where I'm going with this... )

Looking at it in a different way, $60,000.00 in cash will meet ALL my goals, and finish my support needs for two years on the field... (so, if any of you know anyone with an extra 60K sitting around that they NEED to donate to a worthy, tax-deductable charity, point them my way!)

I've got a long way to go, and a short time to get there....

New year, new goals...

What is it about the turning of the year that compels us to set new goals? My goals have always been moving targets, not stationary objects... My goals change as I change... The ultimate goal remains the same, but the intermediate goals need to be adjusted from time to time... So, some of the goals I have set before me have changed a bit... I am still preparing for a two-year mission to the Congo, and I'm more convinced than ever that this is God's will, and that He will provide exactly what I need, exactly when I need it... The timing has now been pushed back to early June, to coincide with the travel plans of the missionaries there... That will allow me more time to work and save money in preparation, as well as to prepare myself physically and spiritually. When my dad asked me what my New Year's Resolution was for this new year, I said, "It's not about me..." That has become my new theme, and perhaps even my mission statement... I have been blessed with so much I don't deserve, I just want to share it with those in need... Whether they need a hug, someone to hold their hand, listen, teach, or just be a friend, that's what I want to be... To quote a famous person, "Mankind is my business...", one person at a time...

I'm SO Thankful!

Now that it's November, the season of thankfulness, I feel the need to list some things I am thankful for... so, in no particular order, here are a few of them...

1. Plumbing (if you've ever been to Africa, you understand....)
2. Having a Job... 'nuff said
3. Laughter
4. Family
5. Friends

See, really in no particular order... there are lots of other things, these are just the first five that popped into my head.

Have fun making your own list, 'tis the season to...

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!

Will I Ever Get Done?

I hope not! At least not completely... now let me explain... I've had so many things on my plate lately, moving out of my house, taking a French class, changes in responsibilities at work, traveling, raising money, etc... so many "chores" that just seem to keep on coming... Just when I think I've got one almost done, another bigger "chore" seems to come along... It all seems a bit overwhelming... I can see a few accomplishments, and these interim "milestones" are nice, but I don't feel like I'm really making much progress in the grand scheme of things... HOWEVER, I'm still here, I'm still breathing, I'm still useful to somebody, so I'M NOT DONE!

My goal is still January, 2010 to leave for the mission field, and only with God's help will it be possible. As of today, October 1, 2009, 7 months from my "official" budget approval date, I have about 30% of my cash budget raised, but only 10% of the monthly pledges needed for my support while on the field... I believe it can be done, but I also know I can't do it alone... My wonderful parents have really stepped up to the plate, and have done the lion's share of the moving for me while I've had to work, there is no way to thank them for their love and support... I thank God for such selfless, giving people in my life! They are the Godly examples who taught me first, "It's not about me..." Sometimes in my life I have forgotten that, but I'm always reminded by someone or something... I thank God for those sometimes painful, but loving reminders... Not only am I not done, HE'S NOT DONE WITH ME!

Where am I?

If "Home is where the heart is..." then I don't have just one... My heart is in several places these days... but not always where I am physically present... Pieces of my heart are all over the place, but which place is my true home? I only know that I'm not completely at home here... my true home is somewhere in the future, with my Lord and Savior... in the mean time, I will keep scattering pieces of my heart...

BIG CHANGES!!!

Been a bit out of touch lately, lots of goings on to get ready for my new venture (or is that ADventure?) My health is much improved, thanks to a two-week stay at Central Bible College in Springfield MO. No, it's not a health spa, I was there for a missions training school. I know that doesn't sound very restful, but in reality, I got a surprising amount of rest! Breakfast was at 8, sessions started at 9, and it was only a five-minute walk to get anywhere I needed to go! Sleeping late and going to bed early for two weeks did wonders for me! I also received some much needed spiritural refreshing, along with the necessary training. Just being with people from all over the US who have a passion for missions is energizing and uplifting!

NOW for the BIG CHANGE alluded to in the title of today's post... I am no longer assigned to Mozambique, but to a school in the Republic of the Congo! Thanks to an unofficial conversation with the Area Director's wife, I discovered the school in the Congo is doing EXACTLY what I want to do in Mozambique! So now, the TENTATIVE plan is for me to go to Congo for a couple of years, get acclimated to full-time missions work, and then we'll see what happens!

God's plans are so awesome!

I'm not just tired, I'm sick....

So, I finally went to the doctor about my extreme fatigue, and it was nice (sort-of) to find out that I'm not just tired, I really am sick! It seems I've had mononeucleosis for over a year, and it has now progressed into Guillain-Barre Syndrome. That explains a lot of my physical difficulties over the past year, and the progressive fatigue I've been experiencing! Now all I have to do is rest, rest, rest... Easy to say, hard to do... I really am trying to get better...

I think I need a housekeeper...

This fundraising thing takes a LOT of time! It's almost like I'm working two jobs now... My house looks like a tornado hit the inside since I come home late, exhausted, throw down my stuff and head for the bed. I rarely have time to cook, but it really doesn't matter since I'm rarely home at meal time anyway... I'm having a really hard time getting up in the mornings, so no picking-up time then either... AAAUUUGGGHHH!!! Those of you who know me know that clutter doesn't really bother me, but this is getting to me! I have stumbled over my vacuum cleaner on my way to the kitchen several times because it's been sitting in the same spot now for over a week... it's waiting for me to pick up all the CLEAN clothes from the floor of my bedroom... I need to reorganize my closet, putting the winter things away, and getting out the summer things... that's why the clothes are not being hung up - waiting for an empty container to put them in! My yard needs mowing, the flowerbeds need weeding and I can't remember the last time I dusted...

Besides all that, my life is great! No, really! It's the beginning of a new adventure, and I know it will take time and energy to get it all together! I feel like I'm on the 'going up' section of the roller coaster, things seem slow now, but I know it will all speed up eventually... Sometimes I get that excited fluttering in my stomach that you feel just before the roller coaster starts on the fun part of the ride... June looks incredibly busy with a garage sale, district council meetings and a two week missions training school... in July my church is having a commissioning service for me, and I already have services scheduled for August and September... when I started, it seemed such a long time until January, but the time is slipping away! I just need to make sure I'm making the best use of it...

Pray for me...

Getting Started...

I'm getting started (I think...) on my next adventure! I've sent out a ginormous stack of letters to family, friends and churches, and now I need to make about a gazillion telephone calls to follow up! Finding an appropriate time to do that will be a challenge! I've already spoken at one pastor's meeting, scheduled one service, and have an invitation to another informal gathering in my section!! It's such a big job, sometimes I think I'll never get there, then I remember how God has always provided exactly what I needed WHEN I needed it, and I rejoice at His faithfulness! Every day I long to be about His business, and this is His business just as much as serving on the field... I pray I will be able to share with others His incredible love for them!

He Never Fails...

I have just received another reminder of that fact... I was wondering about paying up-front expenses for fund-raising... You know, purchasing paper, envelopes and postage for a newletter mailout... that can get expensive... Well, yesterday I won a drawing for $100... I never win those things! Since I don't believe in LUCK, and I believe God has everything under control, I just have to give Him praise for supplying a specific need! He NEVER Fails!