Hello everyone! My sincerest apologies for not writing sooner! It's been a hectic month, and things have been pretty crazy! I'll start with news: 1. I got my visa! Which was super exciting! Claire also received her visa later that week, after a very interesting trip to Chicago (which included some delicious deep dish pizza!). 2. I am about 76% funded! Yay! I still need about $900 for set up, and $600 in monthly pledges. 3. I was approached by a new friend, Candy, who is helping me do a candle fundraiser to raise the rest of the money I need! It's such a great and exciting opportunity! If you're interested in helping me financially (and getting a little something extra in return!) Please check out the link at the bottom of this page! 4. My team has shrunk DRASTICALLY! We are now down to three team members: Christine, Claire, and me! I am excited to share this experience with these two wonderful women! 5. My classmates that were headed to Kenya had a huge change in plans, and will now be joining with out Thailand team! That was a big, but exciting change for many friends of mine! Please keep them all in prayer as well! That is all for the news updates!
So, what is God teaching me in this season? PATIENCE! It is definitely a lesson the Lord is constantly teaching me! It is an area in my life that I have had to grow in quite a bit, so I am continuing to grow in this area now, through this process. The Thailand team has their plane tickets bought, and will be leaving in about two weeks. I am SO excited for them! Our France team is still waiting to buy plane tickets. There are a few logistical things being worked out still, as well as Christine and I needing to fundriase a bit more. It's hard. Hard when you want to leave, you want to go out, and share the gospel, learn a new language, and start ministering overseas. But we're having to wait. And pray. And wait. While it feels like there are constant obstacles in our way, and we are barely inching forward, I am having to be content, and stay joyful. It's hard! But the Lord is always speaking to my heart, reminding me that while it feels like I'm not in the right place, I am right where He wants me to be. That while I feel like I'm stuck in limbo, I'm not. I'm right where I should be. And when I stop trying to see far beyond my sight, take a second, and look around, I realize all that I have right here in front of me. I have been so blessed by my friends that surround me here in Minnesota, people I thought I wouldn't see again until after I got back from internship are able to hang out with me a few times a week. I am able to share in the celebrations, the trials, the joy, and the sadness that they are experiencing. Able to be there for them, and with them. And more importantly, the Lord is teaching me to learn from them, to glean wisdom from them, and love on them while I can. I am blessed to be in a place where I am able to spend time with Jesus. To slow down, and take time to let Him speak to me. To read His word when everything isn't making sense, or I am frustrated beyond belief. And most importantly, He is teaching me all about patience in the times when we're ready to jump out of the gate, but the gate just isn't opening yet. I am also learning to be patient with the people around me, to learn that not everyone thinks the same way that I do. It's a hard lesson to learn.
So be encouraged! If God has you in a place that feels like a waiting room, you aren't the only one! Trust that He has a plan for the time He has you there. Learn from the people He has around you, and never write anyone off as someone you can't learn from, they might be teaching you the biggest lesson of all!
Blessings and Love,
Chrissy
P.S. Here is the link for my fundraiser (mentioned at the beginning of the post!): https://www.facebook.com/events/554631631276534/
