The Upcoming Year

Wow! Have you woke up recently and said, "just where did 2008 go?"

I find time continues to fly by me. Then, I get to the end of the year and for some reason this past week seems like time has stood still. Christmas being on a Thursday seemed like a Sat, then Friday seemed like a Sat, then of course Sat was like a Sat. So everything just winded down and stood still for me. I've been able to get quite a bit of rest and renewal as this last week is ticking away. I spent Christmas time in New Orleans! [just like the Louis Armstrong song!]

We have a week full with teams both at Trinity and the Yellow House in New Orleans. It's so good to see a room full of volunteers again! They will be working through the week and spending their New Year holiday helping others rebuild. We are very thankful that they would give up that time to come and be a part of the recovery in Louisiana. In Texas, there are also a lot of people staying and helping with relief efforts this week.

I'll be heading back to Texas this Saturday. God is doing amazing things there with the relational follow up from the ministry contacts we have made this far. One or more bible studies may soon be starting as a result of the outreach efforts by Galveston Bible Church. It's great to see the church passionate about reaching their community!

I'll be in Texas for a few days, then it's up north to WI. I will be arriving in WI by Jan 8th. [I'm not too crazy about leaving our current 70 degree weather for single digits and below zero!]. I will be going back to WI to do more support team building. I really need to focus on that so please pray for me as I enter another period of time set aside for that purpose. I also have a conference coming up the end of Jan that I also would like to ask to keep in prayer. This will be in North Dakota. I love to tell others about the ministry and "how to" develop crisis response for their community.

Hope you are all staying warm, close to the Savior and ready for the blessings and challenges of yet another year!!

Blessings,
Mary

Ike means "laughter"??

Hurricane Ike brought anything but laughter. In Hebrew, Ike is short for "Isaac" and has the definition of laughter. Even though there was devastation and many reasons not to laugh at the results of Ike, perhaps that is an indication of God's spirit as He looks down upon Galveston and the greater TX/LA area that got hit by Ike. God has done so many great things since Ike hit that has caused people to once again smile. The volunteers are coming, the churches are pulling together, donations are coming and the community is being uplifted by the relief efforts there.

I was there for a week and I was amazed at what God is doing. It's great to see people pull together and really rely on God to provide and see them through each day! Galveston Bible Church was flooded during Ike and they are currently torn apart while rebuilding efforts begin. They have opened their doors and hearts to Crisis Response to operate and others from the church have opened up the use of their homes and a warehouse as well. Many people are pitching in and being in Galveston has been a great experience.

These photos were taken while I was there.
Please keep TX in your prayers!
Blessings,
Mary

Another milestone!

I just finished a week of Pre-Field Training Live. Prior to this, I took 3 online courses to learn more about cross cultural missions and other topics that applied to going into full time missions - ie. spiritual warfare, communications, cultural practices and norms, theology, evangelism, etc. This week of live training helped to bring the online courses 'to life'!

This photo is of part of the group as we had a lesson held in a crematorium. The focus was on "giving up our rights" to go into the field of missions. Such as giving up the right to comfort, be right, control, be understood, make decisions, have pleasant circumstances, see results, etc. This lesson really hit home with me as I've reflected on the past time I've spent in Louisiana. There has been many sacrifices that I've had to make and I haven't always handled it well or should I say gracefully. Sometimes, I argue with God rather than humbly submitting and accepting present circumstances and His will. I am excited about the next steps that He has for me and I think that I am getting better at surrendering to whatever the moment requires. Thanks for your prayers and love!

Since I am finished with this training, I can now spend more time in the field and campaigning for the needed support. I look forward to being able to focus on this and feel relieved that the formal training has been accomplished... for now! I know I will continue to attend classes and conferences as I love to learn and will have new opportunities for that. The week of Pre-Field Training has been refreshing and very beneficial!

There's nothing like a view from the top!

I've been in the beautiful state of Colorado this week in the mountains west of Colorado Springs. I'm attending training called CHE which stands for Community Health Evangelism. It's been a great time of learning and reflection. I'll even throw in retreat. It's been very long days but I'm learning a lot about Lifewinds model to disciple a community and foster positive change.

Each day, we have taken a long break after lunch to go out hiking and enjoying the country. I'm not used to this altitude and I could be in shape by the time I leave!!

We made it through Gustav ok. Our mission has been working down in Houma since that hit. We're also doing relief efforts in Texas to address the damage by Ike there. I'll update more on that as I know more. In Colorado, I'm outta sight, outta mind - no cell phone connection and feel like I'm in the ice ages with that. What did we ever do before cell phones??

Blessings to you all!