Roller coasters and Missions

Despite growing up 20 minutes from the roller coaster capital of the world, I didn't ride one until I was 19 years old. Of course, if you've waited that long, might as well go for the tallest and fastest in the world, right? After ending the 4 minute ride, my poor brother and sister-in-law had to all but carry me to "safety" as I hyperventilated and fought back tears. Let's just say it was NOT love at first sight!! (Thanks for nothing, Millenium Force!!) I vowed never to ride a coaster again, but finally decided to try one equipped with shoulder straps that pulled tight against me. I loved it and to this day, I will only ride (or at least only enjoy) the coasters with the harness that goes over my shoulders, allowing me to feel secure throughout the ride.

So what does that have to do with what I've been up to this month? Well, to be honest, this has been a bit of a rollercoaster month, with ups and downs, blessings and trials, great joy and some tears. Some of these were ministry related and others were personal, as I walked with friends through some really heartbreaking things, then rejoiced in some provisions and amazing answers to prayer. What a blessing that God is holding me, providing the security I need to be calm regardless of the circumstances! Honestly, sometimes the falls, the turns, the twists can get my stomach in knots and my mind so focused on "finding an out" or holding on 'til the end that I miss what God is doing in the middle.

As I think ahead to all that missions work in a third world country among an unreached people group will include, I'm pretty sure there will be more figurative ups and downs than I can count (probably a lot of literal ups and downs too, since we'll most likely have to travel by helicopter/plane everywhere we go). :-)

Life will always bring pressures...but how I respond to those pressures determines whether I end up being stressed or if I grow in endurance and maturity. (James 1:5). Pray for me that I'll continue to grow in this area, and respond in faith and trust to both the ups and the downs that are ahead. 

(This seems like a good point to insert this video which shows the ups and downs of the landscape of PNG from the wing of an NTM pilot. The first airstrip shown (Simbari) was the village where a dear friend and fellow missionary worked for many years.)

                                   -----------------------What I'm doing now-------------------
Thank you to everyone who is praying for me and supporting me! God is continuing to provide and exceed my expectations as I have the opportunity to present and speak at churches. It is more exciting than I can describe to share with a congregation who doesn't realize that there are still so many ethnic people groups unreached by the gospel. Seeing the Holy Spirit grip their hearts with the reality of the need is humbling and so encouraging! I'll continue to be busy with presentations and support raising over the next two months. Then, on August 22, I will be moving to Ontario, Canada to begin training at Emanate, a missionary training center operated by New Tribes Missions. Time is flying by!


Praises
1. I'm currently at 17% of my total support.
2. There have been tender responses from the individuals in the churches where I've been presenting as they recognize the need of the unreached people groups.
3. Encouragement from God's Word when I need it most.

Prayer Requests
1. For my support level to be at 30% before I leave in August for the Emanate Missionary Training Center in Canada. (I'm praying for individuals and churches to partner with me financially). 
2. For God to use my up-coming presentations to give people a burden for the need of unreached people groups.
3. For humility and spiritual growth in my life.

Click HERE to see a summary of who I am and what I'm doing.

Click HERE to find out more about financial partnership.

Click HERE to download a pdf bulletin insert of this update.