At the beginning of choir a few weeks ago I passed out notecards to each of my students. I told them they could each write down one question they wanted me to answer, in order to let them get to know me a bit. They asked questions like "What is your favorite memory from college?", "What is your favorite band?", "Where do you get your cute clothes?", "What brand of lipstick do you wear?", and "What is your middle name?" - I was asked that question by three different students. A few different kids wanted to know about my dating history, which I declined answering.
There were also several cards asking more serious questions. One of the cards asked me for advice to girls about being a single female on the mission field. This question required a more thoughtful answer, and one that I tried to answer in the context of my life.
At this point, I do not feel called to be on the mission field long-term, but I am called to be here at RVA for the next year, or so. I told the students that following Christ means listening for His call in your life and stepping out in faith in that call. I have been blessed to hear God's call several different times in my life - attending Whitworth for college, moving to the Bay Area in California, and coming to serve at Rift Valley Academy as the choir director. Every time I have been called and taken that step of faith, God has provided and blessed me.
Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
The other advice I gave them was to make use of Skype as much as possible. The hardest part about being out here is that I miss out on daily life with my family and friends back home in the states. For friends and family back home, their daily lives have not changed too much, it's just that I am not there. But my life has changed so drastically that I do feel that distance with people back home. Skyping (mainly with my family so far) has been such a fantastic way to keep in touch and not feel as homesick. I can see their faces and talk to them about life here and life there. I have even Skyped with (almost) my entire family a couple of times - my brother wasn't able to squeeze onto the couch with everyone else.
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| Skyping with the crew! |
I have also used Skype to connect with some friends. This last week I have skyped with one of my best friends, and two other couples who I have been friends with since college. I love being here and being a part of this community, but I have had moments of feeling so disconnected from my life back home. Skype calls have really been wonderful in keeping me connected with those important people.
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| Skyping with one of my besties - Kurt! |
As I said to my choir students, Skype is an amazing way to keep in touch with people when you are alone on the mission field. Emails and messages are also fantastic. So if you ever feel like emailing or skyping or having a Google hang out with me - just let me know! I would love to talk with you and hear what's going on in your life and tell you about mine.
Hello from Florida! I am one of your mother's blogging friends, and she posted a link to your blog in her blog and asked us to pray for you. I want you to know that I have been praying for you ever since I heard that you were planning to go to RVA. I think I even told your mother that there was a time in our lives that we prayed about becoming missionaries to Kenya, and especially to the RVA. That apparently was not God's plan for us as He directed us in a different direction, but not until He took us to the precipice of serious prayer and saying "Yes" to going, if indeed it was His will. Once we said "Yes", He said thank you very much, but that is not My plan for you. However, throughout our years of ministry we experienced many times of feeling a bit "homesick", being in ministries far from our homes and loved ones, and learning new cultures right here in America. Amazing how different people can be in one part of the country from another. Anyway, I write all this to say I will continue to pray for you as you enjoy your days in service to the King of kings. He will never leave you nor forsake you, and by the time you leave RVA to come home again you will find it very hard to leave behind so many that you have come to love. I can imagine that your life will never be the same again...and God will be showing you new and marvelous plans each step of the way. May God's peace be your peace...and His strength your strength. Treasure these amazing moments in your life. They are priceless.
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