Praise God, and thank you all for praying! After two crazy weeks (and a LOT of meetings, and even more praying)- I believe God’s going to have me minister here. It fits so well: there’s a huge need for steady personnel in childcare- and God’s given me not only training but even experience in childcare. These little ones are going to be missionary kids- having a very unique life with all kind of special challenges, adventures and blessings- and I happen to be an MK who can relate J. I want to be part of the Gospel going where it has never gone, which is what NTM is about, but my passion is encouraging believers in their own relationships with God- and what a neat place to do it- right here. Encouraging people as they prepare to go! I’ll also be able to continue to do this through the Hold the Ropes prayer ministry- which I’ve also been approved to continue, and continue working the kiddos at Potter’s Houseand the Celebrate Recovery Ministry. Yay!!! I am so excited!
· Question: What about overseas? Well, if God says go, I will pack up and go. But as I have prayed and prayed and prayed about West Africa over the last few months, it was like the more I prayed, the less peace I had about. Maybe someday that is where God will have me go. Or maybe He’s got something totally different in mind. Like the path I’m on now. Certainly was NOT what I was expecting. At all J And if He changes my direction after a while, I wouldn’t be at all surprised.
· Question: When? Ah. Good question. See paragraph below
· Question: How? Another good question! Also see paragraph below
Basically there are two options. Option 1: graduate in December, become a member of NTM, go back to Philly and raise full-ish support, come as staff as enough support is raised. Option 2: Graduate in Decemeber, don’t become an NTM member, return in January as worker, join the mission in May, and work on support raising over the summer.
Basically the pro of option 1 is that right after graduation is the prime time to raise support, and that, if I join the mission, people would be able to give through the mission website etc, and when I come, being able to afford housing, insurance, taxes, etc. BUT- childcare is losing close to half their staff in January- and they’d really like me to come then. Support raising is typically a very very long and difficult process, and barring God doing something incredibly amazingly awesome…. I don’t think I’d be there anywhere near January. Full support for a single here in Missouri is listed as $2,891/month (that covers everything- NTM doesn’t cover any expenses for us) and I’m required to have at least 60% of that to start. Including my jobistry at Potter’s House- I’m almost up to 6%. And personnel thinks it would be wise for me to try it for a semester before committing longer term than a year (minimum commitment required for childcare).
With Option 2, I would leave the mission, and get paid as a worker (pro!), but not enough to make ends meet (con). I’d be looking for a second job in the area (there aren’t many jobs in the area)- but that could be tricky with the other ministries I’m already committed to here. Also, if I don’t join right away, people wouldn’t be able to give through the NTM website, they’d have to send it to me directly. And they say it’s a lot harder to raise support for a ministry you’re already doing. That makes sense, I guess. But, I would be able to start in January, and they’d still let me take membership in May.
Most people are recommending Option 2 at this point. Ideally, God would do amazing stuff, I would join the mission in December, and in the remaining two months before January, my support level would be high enough to come in January. BUT- it seems like that would be pressumptious/foolish to assume that would happen. God could do it anyway- (that’s kind of how I’m praying, and if you’d like to pray that way with me, I sure wouldn’t object J). Neither of these choices is really a financially feasible option at this point actually. But that’s never stopped God before with any of the other stuff He’s told me to do before. College. Romania. Mongolia. Being here. Etc etc etc. He promised to provide, and He will (Lk 12: 27-34).
Praise: direction- YAY!
Praise: peace, actually peace, excitement about direction!
Pray: wisdom concerning timing/money of it all: option 1 or 2
Pray: that however whatever happens ends up happening, it would be honoring to Jesus!
Pray: for the Celebrate Recovery kiddos, and opportunities to help them know Jesus.
Thank you all SO much for praying- your prayers have made such a huge difference!
If you have any more questions, thought, comments, advice, prayer requests- I would LOVE to hear from you!!
1 comment:
It's so neat to see the Lord directing your path. Thanks for the update! Sounds like you've got some things to sort through. You're right, God can do it! And remember you need to do what is right for you. If childcare needs staff for January then the Lord will provide for that. He might use you to fill that need or He might use someone else and have you go raise support right away. I guess what I'm trying to say is that don't feel pressred into doing something because of the need you see. God will take are of them just like He's going to take care of you. Don't know if that makes sense. Praying with you! =)
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