Saturday, May 2, 2015

One Season Ends, And Another Begins.

Ready to Graduate!
Some of my closest friends here at Bethany!
Love these girls so much!
Yesterday I graduated from Bethany Global University (Formally Bethany College of Missions). It's crazy to think that I'm done. Like, CRAZY. It still hasn't hit me that I may not see some of my classmates again for a LONG time. A season of my life is over. And what a wonderful season it has been! I have grown and learned so much. The Lord has shown me so much more of His character, His love, and His patience in this time being here. He has used my classmates, my teachers, the staff, so many people have been a part of this time. I can't even begin to thank all of you who have been such a big part of this journey! I love you all, and pray that the Lord blesses you abundantly for your hard work, and the time and energy you have put into the lives of those around you, especially mine. From the very depths of my heart, thank you for being here for me, and for loving me.

Christine, me, and Claire
Les Trois Filles!
So, what's next? As I said in my last post I will be going to Belfast (woohoo!! So excited!!)! So, what does that actually look like from here? Well, first, I will be staying on campus for the next two weeks. After, I get to take a road trip with my best friend, Claire, and her brother down to Florida. I'm pretty excited! I think it's going to be lots of fun! I'll be in Florida for about three weeks (one of which will be spent at my sister's bachelorette party!). Then I'll be flying up to New York for my sister's wedding! I'm so excited to celebrate with her, it's going to be a blast! After that, I come back here to Minnesota for a week. I'll be going through candidacy with Bethany International Ministries (This is an organization that is connected with my school, and the organization I was under while in Marseille). Once I finish going through candidacy, I can begin support raising! So the beginning of July will probably be the time I begin to raise support.

My Friend Amanda and I
With flowers and balloons
From my siblings!
I am so excited for this process, and for everything to get underway! As I described in my last post, I'll be working with Every Nation Belfast (I worked with Every Nation Marseille, formally Evolution 13, while I was in Marseille. So I'm pretty familiar with Every Nation as well as Bethany International, which is so great!). It's a church plant in Belfast (http://everynationbelfast.co.uk) pastored by Johann and his wife, Andrea. I felt the Lord place this on my heart when I visited back in November, and after a lot of prayer and seeking the Lord, I believe this is where He wants me! I am excited to be working in prayer ministry as well as children's church! Ireland has had people of great faith come before, C.S. Lewis from Belfast for example, and I want to be a part of helping people find out who Jesus really is. That they might go and share the gospel all over the world. I want to see them healed, and called up to leadership. I want to help equip them with the tools they need. I want to work with children, to help bring them up in the knowledge of God's love for them, and this world. I want to see Christ and the true gospel once again burn in the hearts of the Irish. I want to love well, to be a light, and to take the gospel to those who so desperately need it. I believe the Lord is asking me to do this in Belfast, to learn, to grow, to love, and to share. I am so excited to have you partner with me in this, whether through finances or prayer.

My Partner in Crime, the Peanut Butter to My Jelly, My Best Friend
Miss Claire Pinney, I'm going to miss this girl more than I can say!
So stay tuned! There will be more details to come! In the mean time, the Lord bless you and keep you, continue seeking His face, continue to love Him and seek Him in all that you do. Know that you are cared for, prayed for, and deeply loved. Thank you for everything, and I'm looking forward to the years to come!

Blessings and Love,

Chrissy