California
In September I returned to my hometown and it was a time of mutual encouragement. I sensed that God really desired to strengthen my community back home. The vast majority of my people are leaders in their spheres. I found a deep hunger for encouragement and realized how often it goes un-noticed. A time and place where we get together and then leave one another full of courage. I realized that oftentimes it's easy to think leaders have it all together that we stop praying for and appreciating them. We're all still showing up and in the fight and these moments give us what we need to keep going.
Family
I was able to spend a good amount of quality time with my Mom on our trip to China. It was a whirlwind of sights and sounds and learning from her and our friends there the social concerns they have. At time as I shared what I do for work, our friends would say you should send people to China! To which I'd reply, "We do! Even now there is a team in Eastern China!
During my trip to China, my Dad was diagnosed with colon cancer. We are thankful that it was caught early. He had surgery and I was able to delay returning to Georgia to be there for that and for the first week after his operation. We're currently hopeful that it's the end of it. He's felt and commented often on the care and prayers he's received from my community as he does not have many friends.
|
|
Back at Adventures HQ
I've been back in Georgia now for two weeks. Another Training Camp has just come to an end and many of the staff are recovering. It's a demanding 10 days but when it's all over people walk around with a happy glow. It's the satisfaction that comes from pouring themselves out and seeing people encounter God.
I was excited to hear the story of how God brought everything together so that we could send Y Squad to Lesvos, Greece to support the effort to serve the Syrian refugees that are coming through there. It's an incredible how it was just in time. I was even prouder to find out that Benita (pictured below) who was in my CGA class last semester is currently the Squad Leader. If you're led to pray she asked for strength, wisdom, patience, opportunities to minister and joy to overflow.
Meanwhile, I just started working with Courtney Knoff who is in The Fellowship Program. I've also just started discipling Jenna Martin who is in CGA. She told me her story today about how she felt led to come here to be trained by Beauty for Ashes, our women's ministry in order to bring it to India in January, when Adventures starts a long-term base there. Meeting with them has reminded me why I'm here and how much I love what I get to do.
|
|
|
Talent Management
My current projects are related to the continuous improvement of the work environment here and I'm about to begin life coaching again. With over 150 staff and 40 interns, it takes a lot of coordination to bring about the vision. It's the focus of the Talent Management Department and we're gelling more these days as a team.
Praises
- God responding: When I first got back to Georgia I felt off and unprocessed. As I sought God's help, I felt like a child that didn't know what I needed. I'm so thankful that in just a short while, through moments and interactions, I saw God give me what I didn't even know to ask for.
- Community: Though starting over is never easy, when I look back I can see that God has made it the softest landing a girl could want. I started a women's group of co-workers here in Gainesville and have started going to church in Duluth called Karis. I also continue to Skype into my women's group in the Bay area and all these have been sources of life.
- Fundraising: I was so surprised when the Sept 30th deadline rolled around and my fundraising goal was met. SERIOUSLY. Did not see that coming. Thank you to those who prayed and gave.
Fundraising Update
The fiscal year started over October 1st. With monthly pledges and one time gifts I have 50% of the monthly goal of $1583/month.
Make a donation online
Prayer
If you have a prayer request I would love to hear it and join you in it. Here are the things I would love partnership in prayer on.
- To be given strategies in work and in prayer
- To be given guidance regarding which areas of my life need more discipline
- To support my leaders well
- To be effective in coaching people in their pursuit of the Kingdom
Thank you for being a part of my community.
You mean a lot to me.
|
|
|
|
|
