Changes

Almost 2 years ago I wrote this about how I longed to be a career missionary. I longed that my student loans finally be paid off and the next school year would be my last (not because I didn't like the school, but because I ached to be on another mission field). That was my plan. It was not God's plan, and I learned to be okay with it. Honestly, I love the school, it wasn't that I couldn't wait to get out of there. So another school year went by, another group of students graduated (my first group of 7th graders at the school), God closed the door on changing my mission field, and I signed another contract.

Then, last fall right after I paid off my last student loan, my car (mine, the one that I owned outright) died and I didn't have the money for another one, not to own outright. I thought, Really, God? You say that "the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few" and here I am ready to go and you keep closing the door! I am thankful that God is so patient with me! He reminded me "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9) and "Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!" (Psalm 27:14). Let's be honest, waiting isn't easy, and for someone who is a planner (hey, I'm a teacher, I have to plan ahead) not being in control of my plans was/is hard. But, I know God is faithful, I have seen his faithfulness time and time again, not just in scripture, but in my own life. As much as I thought I was ready to go, I wasn't. I still needed to learn to TRUST.

A couple of weeks after I bought started making payments on a "new" car, I had real contact (not just an email to info@whateverministryorganization.org) with someone at Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship (PEF), we talked on the phone, then they sent me their ministry documents (including the application). While it seemed like a perfect fit, I took a few weeks months to read their information, praying about it, talking to others about it, and putting it off until the right time in the school year, I finally filled out the application. A few weeks ago, I heard back. They had accepted me as an evangelistic candidate! That's right. I am now a member of PEF.

So now my journey of raising support begins (and sadly that means no more full-time teaching). Please pray for me as I take this next step of faith. Also, pray for me as I prepare to go before the PEF board in August.