In a few hours my teammate, Janae, and I will be in the Kansas City airport boarding the plane on our way to Chicago, then to Munich and eventually end up in Genoa, Italy early afternoon on Monday, June 1. I must say that I have butterflies and excitement welling up inside me!
The last few days we have been in Kansas City getting more familiar with Avant and it has been an incredible time of growth, learning, and preparation with 5 other girls who are also doing internships with Avant this summer. I wish I could share on here all that we have learned in the sessions we've had, but alas, I want people to come back here and read what I update, so that means I should keep these updates short! :)
The key thing is flexibility. I have heard it over and over again from so many people and that must be what God wants me to know right now. I may not know anything else, but that's ok. If I'm flexible, that's ok! The other thing has been to remember what God has done in the past and what He has done to get me where I am today. I also have been learning to listen to people and be slow to speak.
Please be praying for Janae and I as we leave for Italy tomorrow (well actually today by the time most people read this!).
Also be in prayer for the other interns who we have all grown close to in the last few days:
Charity in Spain
Michaela in Argentina
Jessica in Prague
Brittany in Kansas City
Pray that God would use us and teach us much, also be praying for Satan to not have any foothold in our lives, hearts, and minds as we go out and that we would be on our guard ready to fight in the battle. Pray also that God would confirm in our lives what He wants us to do next and show us our gifts and how to better use those gifts for His service.
Thank you for your partnership in this adventure! He is faithful!"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
1Corinthians 15:58
As the days are quickly approaching for my departure to Italy, I have been super busy attending graduations and a wedding. This has included much travel and seeing many family and friends. The most asked question I have received is, "what will you be doing in Italy?". I respond to this by saying that I will be with a church planting team of about 10 adults. They each have different roles they play in the church planting process, I as the intern will shadow each member as well as do anything they ask me to do. I do not know more details right now, and that is fine. I am willing to be flexible and learn from the missionaries!
Yesterday I attended a wedding for a couple that I met at Moody. Both of them are my good friends, and it was a joy to spend the day with their families and the rest of our friends. The groom's brother is one of the missionaries in Italy on the team I will be working with. I was able to meet him, his wife, and one of their little boys. I was happy to put faces to people I have been emailing and I think meeting them has helped mentally prepare me for the reality of what is to come in a few days.
Please be in prayer for:
- Good weather conditions concerning travel.
- Safety in travel
- Spiritual readiness for me and Janae
- Physical rest in these last few days before we leave
- Our hearts to be open and ready to be taught and that God would go before us, preparing the way
Those of you on my snail-mail list will be receiving the above prayer card shortly. If you want me to send you a card, please email me your snail-mail address!
In two weeks I will be boarding a flight from Kansas City, Missouri on my way to Genoa, Italy!! That did not hit me until tonight at church. I had not realized that the trip is so soon!
The last week has been very busy with events and I have found myself caught up more in getting things accomplished rather then enjoying the moments and relishing the precious time I have with people who I may not see for a long time.
Please pray for me as the time is approaching for departure. Thank you for your participation in what God is doing this summer!
- Pray for me as the next 2 weeks before Italy are packed full of work, travel, a wedding, more travel and orientation before leaving.
- Pray that God will open my heart for the things that I need to learn and be prepared for before I leave.
- Pray that God will keep me and my teammate Janae safe as we travel from college to our homes, then to Kansas City, and then to Italy.
"You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its remotest parts and said to you, 'You are My servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you. Do not fear, for I am with you: do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'" Isaiah 41:9-10These verses have been an encouragement to me this week in my devotion and meditation time. I know through these verses that God has me where He wants me and that He has a plan and a purpose for this trip and that He will do many things, but that I have to rely on Him for strength.
This is to start out communication to all those who are interested in my internship to Italy this summer. First off, I would like to thank God for His amazing provision in helping me with finances and prayer support that was necessary for making this trip possible. Without Him this would not be possible. I also want to thank my friends and the mentor people in my life who have encouraged me countless times about how clear it is that God wants me in Italy for this summer! Thank you for being faithful to His calling by being involved in my life.
This week is finals week at Moody, which makes me an almost senior. Next week my dad will be here in Chicago at Moody for the annual Pastor's Conference. I will travel back to Colorado with him in time for Heidi's high school graduation and a friend's wedding. And then I fly out to Kansas City, MO on May 28, to Avant Ministries to begin orientation and meet my teammate, Janae. Janae and I leave for Italy on May 31. Please continue to pray for both of us as we finish up our semesters and prepare for travel in the states and across the ocean! God continues to amaze me with His goodness! He is faithful!
Prayer cards and pictures are coming soon. Thank you for partnering with this ministry!
