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Water and a Map
“Do you have any water?” I turned from my engulfing view of the Pacific Ocean to see a couple young men who had been running along the beach. “What?” I asked, not sure if I had heard him correctly. “Do you have any water?” I pulled my water bottle out of my bag and handed it to him. After taking a big swig of water, he handed me back my bottle and said, “You probably just saved my life.” I wasn’t so sure about that, but I nevertheless turned back to my awe-inspiring view of the vast ocean.Shortly thereafter, I followed my parents back up the hiking trail to where our vehicle was parked. I decided to take the longer way back, and I enjoyed the winding path up the side of the hill that had lead to the beach front. Having studied the trail map, I knew I needed to keep left at the fork. When I got to the fork, a couple was standing there looking very unsure of where they needed to go. I pulled out my map from my back pocket and explained to them where each path led. They were very grateful for the help.
As I hiked back to meet my parents, I thought about both of these two events. In each situation, I was able to help those around me because I came prepared. I had brought my water, and I picked up a trail map before we left and had been studying it. Without those preparations I would have been useless to help others and may have even gotten lost myself.
This next year is a time of preparation for me. I need to make sure that I have the resources I need to be able to do the ministry God has called me to at Faith Academy. The primary focus of this year is partner development. I will be actively seeking to offer others the opportunity to partner with me through prayer and finances in the ministry of teaching and discipling missionary kids (MKs). I will also be preparing myself spiritually through focusing on developing a stronger relationship with God through Bible study and prayer time. Another way I will be preparing is by doing some country and ministry-specific reading. I will be learning more about teaching cross-culturally as well as learning more about being a missionary.
You are an integral part of my time of preparation. Your encouragement, prayers, and gifts are all going to help me as I prepare for moving to the Philippines. If you would like to join my prayer team, please reply to this e-mail and let me know. I will be sending out a weekly prayer update called “powerUp,” which provides a couple prayer requests and praises so you know specifically how to pray. You also can help me prepare by sending me encouraging notes or Scriptures as you think of them. I would also love to hear how you have been praying for me. You can also help me by praying how God might want you to be a financial partner in this ministry. If you want to find out more about how you can do that, go to http://oboejo.wix.com/foundfaithful and click on “support” or e-mail me at oboejo09@gmail.com. You can also help me prepare by suggesting other friends or churches who might be interested in supporting my ministry to missionary kids. Maybe your church would be willing to have me come speak sometime!
I look forward to this time of preparation and your part in it. I get the privilege of building a relationship with you through this process, which is something I look forward to! I also want to be in prayer for you. How can I be praying for you?
Thank you for your constant support and prayers, and I look forward to seeing what God will do!
God Bless,
Amanda Benson
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