After being tossed to and fro for what seems like over a year, I'm again settling on another idea. I have had so many dreams and hopes, but pursuing them has never brought anything to fruition - except perhaps learning a bit more about myself and the way God wishes me to live my life. I hesitate to mention this new idea because it always seems like once I share and voice my interests, I watch everything crumble into dust and have to explain to everyone what happened. Still, I'm too excited to not say anything.
So what is it now, you may ask. In my previous post I recounted my discussion with a missionary couple from Venezuela. That talk has turned me in the direction of teaching the english language, both as a way to support myself, but also a means to reach people for Christ. I've been trying to devise a plan to get training, pay off college debt, join a sending agency and just take care of all the other things that stand between now and my being able to serve overseas. I was originally thinking of heading back to Venezuela to join a team training Venezuelan missionaries. I'm not ruling this out, but for some reason after hours and hours of research about TESOL, I have become particularly interested in Thailand. Not only would it be a fascinating country to get certified in and teach, but the population is considered to be only 0.7 % Christian. There is a huge need here for the spread of the gospel and other kinds of work. I'm just getting started on this path but more than ever I am very determined to see this through!
Still, before I make any "permanent" decisions, I need to wait before God for his leading and confirmation. Much prayer is needed!
Here is a link for the TESOL certificate program in Bangkok.
http://www.auathailand.org/sit/index.html
June 27, 2009
May 22, 2009
Direction, once more!
I am too tired to go into too many details, but seeing as I left my journal in the U.S. to save space in my suitcase, I wanted to write some of these things down and record my feelings, thoughts to maybe copy later into my other journal. I am very tired.
But anyways two days ago I heard back from a camp that I had applied to for a year-long internship. They sent me two lines letting me know they weren't going to hire me and told me they were going to proceed with other applicants who were "more suited to their needs". I was pretty sad about the whole thing because I had really wanted it and sensed God was maybe leading me in that direction. But realizing that crying about it wasn't going to change a thing, I decided to just move on, look up, look forward and not worry about it.
Two days later I am amazed at all that has taken place. I'm only down here in Venezuela for two short weeks just to help my family move and go to my sister's graduation, (or so I thought) but clearly God has his own plans. Today I spent several hours talking with a missionary couple down here. My family has known them for what seems like forever. My parents met the wife on their first visit to Venezuela before they even went to language school in Costa Rica. I was probably 2 at the time. It really is a whole long story. But the point of the story is, they were sharing with me the vision they have for the work they are doing here in Venezuela. The passion and excitement they have is contagious. As they shared about where God was leading them and the specific needs they had I got more and more interested. They essentially are trying to put a system/program in place to train up Venezuelan missionaries to send to the 10/40 window. I can go into more details about that later...it's so very exciting and brilliant!
I am nearly ready to fall asleep, but just want to say that in a year or so I may find myself returning to Venezuela to join their team. (I'm inserting this comment here to say that since I first wrote this I have realized it will most likely be several years as I need to get different types of training and pay off my college debt). There are many many other things that seem to line up perfectly with how I have sensed God leading me and the training and skills I have acquired up to this point. Direction, purpose - something to aim for, what a wonderful, joyous blessing! But as always, this will only happen if it is the Lord's will. So now is the time to pray and seek out his leading. Still, if signposts continue to be as clear as the conversation today...I won't need much more convincing!
But anyways two days ago I heard back from a camp that I had applied to for a year-long internship. They sent me two lines letting me know they weren't going to hire me and told me they were going to proceed with other applicants who were "more suited to their needs". I was pretty sad about the whole thing because I had really wanted it and sensed God was maybe leading me in that direction. But realizing that crying about it wasn't going to change a thing, I decided to just move on, look up, look forward and not worry about it.
Two days later I am amazed at all that has taken place. I'm only down here in Venezuela for two short weeks just to help my family move and go to my sister's graduation, (or so I thought) but clearly God has his own plans. Today I spent several hours talking with a missionary couple down here. My family has known them for what seems like forever. My parents met the wife on their first visit to Venezuela before they even went to language school in Costa Rica. I was probably 2 at the time. It really is a whole long story. But the point of the story is, they were sharing with me the vision they have for the work they are doing here in Venezuela. The passion and excitement they have is contagious. As they shared about where God was leading them and the specific needs they had I got more and more interested. They essentially are trying to put a system/program in place to train up Venezuelan missionaries to send to the 10/40 window. I can go into more details about that later...it's so very exciting and brilliant!
I am nearly ready to fall asleep, but just want to say that in a year or so I may find myself returning to Venezuela to join their team. (I'm inserting this comment here to say that since I first wrote this I have realized it will most likely be several years as I need to get different types of training and pay off my college debt). There are many many other things that seem to line up perfectly with how I have sensed God leading me and the training and skills I have acquired up to this point. Direction, purpose - something to aim for, what a wonderful, joyous blessing! But as always, this will only happen if it is the Lord's will. So now is the time to pray and seek out his leading. Still, if signposts continue to be as clear as the conversation today...I won't need much more convincing!
May 16, 2009
Cool Factor.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd have to say my Dad is a 10 when it comes to coolness :)
Check this out:
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