Friday, October 21, 2011

Even Missionaries Worry...

Hello Hello!

I'm currently in the state of Wisconsin (first time ever!) and I am really enjoying this opportunity to meet with friends who God put in my path while serving on the mission field in New Orleans. It has been a joy sharing with them how far God has brought me in my faith and how He has brought me to the place of pursuing long term ministry with the EFCA.

God is faithful and trustworthy! He continues to show Himself faithful by providing TEN new monthly supporters since my announcement of long term acceptance! He continues to show me everyday that I must put all my trust in Him for His plan is perfect (2 Sam 22:31).

Where I struggle is when I forget to trust God and begin to worry about things like "When will I reach 100% monthly support?", "When will I be able to return to NOLA?", "What will happen to the work I'm putting on hold to focus on support raising?", "Where will the next 60% of monthly support come from?", "What does the next 6 months even look like?"....so yes I start to worry and then it spirals to even more worrisome thoughts.

My prayer is that no matter what, I trust God. I pray I remember His faithfulness over the course of my time in ministry and remember that nothing is out of His control. I pray that I trust God "in the dark, when I have no light" (Isaiah 50:10)...meaning when I can't feel His presence or see how He is working...that I still always trust God! God calls me and you not to worry...that worry is a sign of "little faith" (Matt 6:30). So let's not worry, pick up our shield of faith (Eph 6:16), and trust in our Heavenly Father who loves us soo soo much!

Below is scripture I'm holding onto during this time and my prayer is you take one and hide it deep in your heart (Psalm 119:11) that you may too learn not to worry...

Isaiah 50:10 - "Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of His servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God."

2 Samuel 22:31 - "As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him."

Matthew 6:33-34 - "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do NOT worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Philippians 4:6-7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

LOVE YOU!
katie :)

Monday, October 10, 2011

I'm Trusting God...and Going Home.

Hi There!

I am glad to announce that I have been INVITED to serve as a LONG term missionary with the EFCA. Praise God!!! Just to clarify that I’ll continue to work in New Orleans and on the internship program for TouchGlobal, the crisis response ministry of the EFCA.

Now that I’ve been accepted as a long term career missionary, I have received my updated budget which reveals that I currently have 33% in monthly donations towards this updated budget. To fully focus on reaching 100% support in monthly donations, I will leave New Orleans at the end of November and head back to North Carolina. I will transition from full time ministry with TouchGlobal to full time ministry with raising support. This is a scary decision to step away from the ministry, not knowing when I’ll be fully supported and able to return to New Orleans…but I have to trust in God and trust Him to raise up my ministry partners in His time knowing His timing is perfect.

I invite each of you to pray about what it would look like for you to come alongside the work God has called me to as a ministry partner that I may return to the mission field. I pray this is an opportunity for you as well to trust God with your time, talent, and treasure. Please ask God to raise up a team of people around me who desire to invest in the next generation of Christian leaders!

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me via email, phone, etc.

THANK YOU for your prayers and your continued support of me while I've pursued this plan God has for me! Praising God that He lets me do this!

In Christ,

Katie :)

Trips Planned:

Iowa/MN: Oct 11-16

Hopefully Wisconsin: Oct 18-22

EFCA Internship Lead Team meetings in Minneapolis: Oct 24-25


…apart from me you can do nothing. – Jesus (John 15:5b)

Friday, October 7, 2011

From Short to Long...Praise God!

Hi Everyone!

I am glad to annouce that I have been INVITED to serve as a LONG term missionary with the EFCA. Praise God!!!

THANK YOU for your prayers and your continued support of me while I've pursued this plan God has for me!

More to come with details of "Where is Katie next??"....

Love ya!
Katie :)

"Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him!" Psalm 147:1