Just a quick note to let everyone know that I made it to Pretoria! I'm still quite hazy from two 10-hour flights, a long layover, very little sleep, and of course the jetlag. My second 10-hour flight arrived in Joburg this morning at 7:00am. As we taxied across the tarmac, I spotted an ad out the window that said "Bet you just can't wait to see your friends." It made me smile.
It's a little surreal to be back--in many ways it seems nothing has changed, and yet there are small clues to changes all over the place. (Where did that couch go? Where are the dish cloths? Who are all these strange new people?!) But, it's been great to be back at Pangani, to see friendly faces and get hugs from old friends and soon-to-be friends. I have very much felt welcomed home.
And now, I'm going to find some dinner and then unpack!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Leaving soon
Lately, the weeks have been rushing on, and it seems that I am doing the same. It's been quite the process getting to this point, but the plane ticket has now been purchased and I'll be leaving for South Africa one week from today! Yes, after months of answering the question: "When are you leaving for South Africa?" with: "I'm not sure...", I'm happy to now be able to offer you a response: April 21st.
The past couple of months have been quite the ride. Since attending CRM's New Staff Orientation in February, I have plunged into raising support and otherwise preparing to move to South Africa very soon. I have been completely blown away to see my full financial support pledged during a little over a one-month time frame--this was what I was praying for, yet seeing it happen was both amazing and humbling. My transitional expenses and monthly budget have been covered, and I've been cleared to go.
I had my official assessment with CRM on Friday, April 4th at CRM's Anaheim office. This most-of-the-day-long conversation with three CRM/NieuCommunities staff was fun, encouraging, intense, challenging, and affirming. Yes, all of those things at once! Following this assessment, I am now officially part of the NieuCommunities/CRM family! And yes, usually the raising support part (and the attending New Staff Orientation part) would not come before officially becoming part of the organization, but my process has been a little off-kilter. Since I am someone who really likes to be prepared, do things in the right order, plan, and know what's coming next, that's been a learning experience for me, but God has used this time to teach me a lot about flexibility and faith.
So: over the next week, I'll visit with friends and family while I can, sort through and pack my belongings, sell my car, and agonize over which books I can take with me and which will have to stay behind. There are another 80 things I need to do as well, but I'll spare you the details. I'm excited about this next step, and honestly can't wait to get back to South Africa and rejoin the community there. It sounds like the apprenticeship year so far has been an amazing one, and I'm looking forward to both reconnecting with good friends from last year and getting to know some new ones.
Upon my arrival, I'll be staying at Pangani (the NieuCommunities site in Pretoria North) for a few weeks. One of my fellow apprentices from last year, Sarah, will be returning to South Africa as new staff as well, and the two of us plan to find and share an apartment in the neighborhood once we both get back in South Africa.
And so, I suppose this is a goodbye of sorts. I hope to see those of you in SoCal before I leave, and for those who are farther afield, well, we're already communicating from afar, so you can't be too sad about the whole departure thing. =) As always, please stay in touch and keep me posted on your lives as well!
Prayer:
-For peace as well as diligence in the flurry of things that need to be done
-For good conversations and meetings during the remainder of my time in California
-For safe travel April 21st-23rd
-For my readjustment to life in South Africa with new friends and old
-For continued confidence in living out a new calling and vision
The past couple of months have been quite the ride. Since attending CRM's New Staff Orientation in February, I have plunged into raising support and otherwise preparing to move to South Africa very soon. I have been completely blown away to see my full financial support pledged during a little over a one-month time frame--this was what I was praying for, yet seeing it happen was both amazing and humbling. My transitional expenses and monthly budget have been covered, and I've been cleared to go.
I had my official assessment with CRM on Friday, April 4th at CRM's Anaheim office. This most-of-the-day-long conversation with three CRM/NieuCommunities staff was fun, encouraging, intense, challenging, and affirming. Yes, all of those things at once! Following this assessment, I am now officially part of the NieuCommunities/CRM family! And yes, usually the raising support part (and the attending New Staff Orientation part) would not come before officially becoming part of the organization, but my process has been a little off-kilter. Since I am someone who really likes to be prepared, do things in the right order, plan, and know what's coming next, that's been a learning experience for me, but God has used this time to teach me a lot about flexibility and faith.
So: over the next week, I'll visit with friends and family while I can, sort through and pack my belongings, sell my car, and agonize over which books I can take with me and which will have to stay behind. There are another 80 things I need to do as well, but I'll spare you the details. I'm excited about this next step, and honestly can't wait to get back to South Africa and rejoin the community there. It sounds like the apprenticeship year so far has been an amazing one, and I'm looking forward to both reconnecting with good friends from last year and getting to know some new ones.
Upon my arrival, I'll be staying at Pangani (the NieuCommunities site in Pretoria North) for a few weeks. One of my fellow apprentices from last year, Sarah, will be returning to South Africa as new staff as well, and the two of us plan to find and share an apartment in the neighborhood once we both get back in South Africa.
And so, I suppose this is a goodbye of sorts. I hope to see those of you in SoCal before I leave, and for those who are farther afield, well, we're already communicating from afar, so you can't be too sad about the whole departure thing. =) As always, please stay in touch and keep me posted on your lives as well!
Prayer:
-For peace as well as diligence in the flurry of things that need to be done
-For good conversations and meetings during the remainder of my time in California
-For safe travel April 21st-23rd
-For my readjustment to life in South Africa with new friends and old
-For continued confidence in living out a new calling and vision
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Prayer Letter, blog edition...
I’m going back to South Africa! Last year, my apprenticeship with NieuCommunities was an amazing journey of discovering how God has uniquely gifted me and exploring my calling and future ministry. Since returning home, I have taken time to discern what might be next, and God has reaffirmed that NieuCommunities South Africa is what he would have me pursue for the next season of my life. I’ve been invited to join NCSA staff, and there are still details to be settled, but I’m moving forward in faith!
NieuCommunities is part of Church Resource Ministries, which develops leaders to strengthen the church worldwide, in fulfillment of their mission: “To make God’s name renowned among the nations.” NieuCommunities develops young leaders through a ten-month program, inviting apprentices to come alongside staff to learn and do life & mission together.
Last year, in my learning with NC and the ministries I pursued, God began to call my attention to two threads that had been woven into my life for some time. The first thread—my gifting in shepherding—emerged as I saw how God has enabled me to disciple others in friendships, small groups, and ministry relationships. As I built friendships with the women in “Granny’s family,” I began to better identify this gift in myself and see my heart for helping others grow closer to God. The second thread—my interest in the arts—emerged from a writing project with fellow apprentice Sarah, telling the stories of women we befriended in Soshanguve and downtown Pretoria. It was this that helped me respond to God’s call to integrate my interests and passions with my ministry.
Understanding that God can—and desires to—use my gifts, abilities, and my interests resonated in my heart. Toward the end of the year, I wrote a vision statement that has come to encapsulate the dreams God has given me for my future life and ministry. I feel God calling me to grow in shepherding, and to pursue a new vision in ministry: of drawing people into a deeper relationship with Him through their experience of the arts. As I explored this calling—what it might look like, and where I could best live it out—God drew me back to NieuCommunities, and my heart to South Africa. In April, I will return to Pretoria for at least two years: growing in mentoring apprentices, and pursuing a new ministry vision of arts-based discussion groups designed to connect people with God through fiction & film.
I am planning to return to South Africa on April 15—just two months from now! I hope to reach 100% of my support goal by March 31 (my birthday!). This goal breaks down into two categories:
• $2000 for transitional expenses (visa expenses, airfare, getting settled in Pretoria)
• $2200 monthly to cover my living and ministry expenses
May I encourage you to begin praying about your level of involvement? I am praying God will provide 12 people to give $100 per month, 10 to give $50 per month, 14 to give $25 per month, and 15 to give $10 per month. If you would like to contribute, please visit this link and search for me by last name.
Thank you for being part of my journey to seek God’s calling on my life and follow His leading into cross-cultural ministry. It is a blessing to have your faithful support, both financially and in prayer. I would love to talk more with you soon about your part in supporting me on this new journey!
NieuCommunities is part of Church Resource Ministries, which develops leaders to strengthen the church worldwide, in fulfillment of their mission: “To make God’s name renowned among the nations.” NieuCommunities develops young leaders through a ten-month program, inviting apprentices to come alongside staff to learn and do life & mission together.
Last year, in my learning with NC and the ministries I pursued, God began to call my attention to two threads that had been woven into my life for some time. The first thread—my gifting in shepherding—emerged as I saw how God has enabled me to disciple others in friendships, small groups, and ministry relationships. As I built friendships with the women in “Granny’s family,” I began to better identify this gift in myself and see my heart for helping others grow closer to God. The second thread—my interest in the arts—emerged from a writing project with fellow apprentice Sarah, telling the stories of women we befriended in Soshanguve and downtown Pretoria. It was this that helped me respond to God’s call to integrate my interests and passions with my ministry.
Understanding that God can—and desires to—use my gifts, abilities, and my interests resonated in my heart. Toward the end of the year, I wrote a vision statement that has come to encapsulate the dreams God has given me for my future life and ministry. I feel God calling me to grow in shepherding, and to pursue a new vision in ministry: of drawing people into a deeper relationship with Him through their experience of the arts. As I explored this calling—what it might look like, and where I could best live it out—God drew me back to NieuCommunities, and my heart to South Africa. In April, I will return to Pretoria for at least two years: growing in mentoring apprentices, and pursuing a new ministry vision of arts-based discussion groups designed to connect people with God through fiction & film.
I am planning to return to South Africa on April 15—just two months from now! I hope to reach 100% of my support goal by March 31 (my birthday!). This goal breaks down into two categories:
• $2000 for transitional expenses (visa expenses, airfare, getting settled in Pretoria)
• $2200 monthly to cover my living and ministry expenses
May I encourage you to begin praying about your level of involvement? I am praying God will provide 12 people to give $100 per month, 10 to give $50 per month, 14 to give $25 per month, and 15 to give $10 per month. If you would like to contribute, please visit this link and search for me by last name.
Thank you for being part of my journey to seek God’s calling on my life and follow His leading into cross-cultural ministry. It is a blessing to have your faithful support, both financially and in prayer. I would love to talk more with you soon about your part in supporting me on this new journey!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Exciting news
If you just want the exciting news up front, here it is: I'm going back to South Africa!! If you want the details, you can read on. =)
The past few months since I've been back from South Africa have been quite a journey. They have also been full of journeys--to places as near as Visalia, California and as far as Glasgow, Scotland. I've been reuniting with friends new and old, as well as seeking out ministry opportunities and taking time to discern what might be next for me.
At the end of December, I traveled to Wales for my Welsh little sister's wedding! Jude and I became good friends during several summer mission trips to Wales, when her family was my host family. It was a beautiful wedding and though it was a busy and rushed reunion with her, her family, and dear friends at Gilgal Baptist Church, it was so good to be there. Following the wedding, I traveled with a friend to Oxford, Glasgow, and London--visiting various friends along the way. I connected with several people in London, exploring ministry opportunities there and taking time to discern if it might be the place God was leading me to. My time in London very much affirmed my own ministry vision, but it was also a time of seeing closed doors. There are a lot of exciting things that are building and growing there, but I know it's not the place for me right now.
In the month since I've been back from the UK, I've taken time to pray about and imagine what God might be leading me towards. I've come full circle back to NieuCommunities and feel like this is the place God is calling me for the next season of my life. As I explored a couple of options within NC, it became clear that my heart wants to be back in South Africa. The NCSA team and I have talked back and forth over email and over the phone, and both sides feel God's leading in this. So, I'm excited to report that as of Wednesday, January 30th, I have been invited to join the NieuCommunities staff in South Africa!! My role with them will continue to be clarified over the next few weeks and months, but I'm excited for the opportunity to be part of mentoring others through the apprenticeship program, exploring my own ministry vision in the broader community in Pretoria North, and continuing with my writing project (especially as my fellow writer Sarah is also returning to staff in SA).
The week following my invitation to join NCSA, I was able to just barely make it into New Staff Orientation with CRM (NieuCommunities' parent organization). So the past two weeks have been quite a whirlwind. I am now working through the administrative details with CRM (getting me all official), putting together a financial and prayer support team, and taking care of the many details that have to be settled in order to move to another continent and hemisphere! Things will continue to happen quickly, as I have been asked to aim for returning to Pretoria in mid-April.
I would like to keep you updated on my process as well as invite you to continue supporting me, both in prayer and financially. I will be sending support letters soon, and would love to include you on that list. Toward that end, I would greatly appreciate you sending me your addresses! Feel free to email me using the link in the sidebar. More to come soon. =)
The past few months since I've been back from South Africa have been quite a journey. They have also been full of journeys--to places as near as Visalia, California and as far as Glasgow, Scotland. I've been reuniting with friends new and old, as well as seeking out ministry opportunities and taking time to discern what might be next for me.
At the end of December, I traveled to Wales for my Welsh little sister's wedding! Jude and I became good friends during several summer mission trips to Wales, when her family was my host family. It was a beautiful wedding and though it was a busy and rushed reunion with her, her family, and dear friends at Gilgal Baptist Church, it was so good to be there. Following the wedding, I traveled with a friend to Oxford, Glasgow, and London--visiting various friends along the way. I connected with several people in London, exploring ministry opportunities there and taking time to discern if it might be the place God was leading me to. My time in London very much affirmed my own ministry vision, but it was also a time of seeing closed doors. There are a lot of exciting things that are building and growing there, but I know it's not the place for me right now.
In the month since I've been back from the UK, I've taken time to pray about and imagine what God might be leading me towards. I've come full circle back to NieuCommunities and feel like this is the place God is calling me for the next season of my life. As I explored a couple of options within NC, it became clear that my heart wants to be back in South Africa. The NCSA team and I have talked back and forth over email and over the phone, and both sides feel God's leading in this. So, I'm excited to report that as of Wednesday, January 30th, I have been invited to join the NieuCommunities staff in South Africa!! My role with them will continue to be clarified over the next few weeks and months, but I'm excited for the opportunity to be part of mentoring others through the apprenticeship program, exploring my own ministry vision in the broader community in Pretoria North, and continuing with my writing project (especially as my fellow writer Sarah is also returning to staff in SA).
The week following my invitation to join NCSA, I was able to just barely make it into New Staff Orientation with CRM (NieuCommunities' parent organization). So the past two weeks have been quite a whirlwind. I am now working through the administrative details with CRM (getting me all official), putting together a financial and prayer support team, and taking care of the many details that have to be settled in order to move to another continent and hemisphere! Things will continue to happen quickly, as I have been asked to aim for returning to Pretoria in mid-April.
I would like to keep you updated on my process as well as invite you to continue supporting me, both in prayer and financially. I will be sending support letters soon, and would love to include you on that list. Toward that end, I would greatly appreciate you sending me your addresses! Feel free to email me using the link in the sidebar. More to come soon. =)
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Last update...
I write this from Southern California, aware of the irony that it's warmer here in the almost-winter than it was in Pretoria in the almost-summer. I arrived safely back in California this past Saturday, and have been spending my time catching up on sleep, good food, and seeing family and friends. While it's good to be back for all of those reasons, I'm also very much missing South Africa and friends there. (As well as friends who were there and are now in various stages of transitioning back to the U.S.)
The whole NCSA group at our farewell dinner the night before I left
Time is stretching out for me in strange ways. The past month, so full of experiences, and so full of bittersweet goodbyes, feels like it's a world away. We had our year-end celebration on November 4th, at the top of a mountain overlooking Pretoria. We invited the friends and ministry partners who have been part of our lives over this year and shared a meal, before taking time to worship together and pray over the city of Pretoria and the Tshwane metropolitan area. It was an amazing time of celebrating together and saying goodbyes. A week later, I was back in California, celebrating a dear friend's wedding.
Praying over the city from the walls of the fort atop the mountain
The time since my last update has been full of celebrations. Gatherings for birthdays, baby showers, and goodbyes--many goodbyes--have filled my weeks. Goodbyes at Potter's House, a farewell party given by Granny's family--goodbyes said in many different ways and in many different languages. We've spent our "conversations" discussing releasing and re-entry, and looking back on what God has done in our midst and in our hearts over the year. It's been an amazing year filled with friendship, growth, and a deeper awareness of God's work--both in me and in the world around me.
The table arranged for the farewell party at Granny's
The next steps for me are still coming together. There are a couple of things within CRM that I'm thinking and praying about and will be exploring further in the coming months. Be in prayer for me during this process, as I seek God's leading and discern where He might have me be during the next season of my life. I do know that I will likely be heading away from California--beyond that, the details are still sketchy.
On the writing project front, Sarah and I are (still) working. As our time in South Africa came to a close, we had to keep revisiting and revising our goals for the year, and we realized that we wouldn't be able to finish our writing and editing while we were there. So I'm attempting to be disciplined about diving into that writing now that I'm back and am looking forward to seeing what takes shape. There are some amazing stories to tell and we look forward to sharing them with you. I'll keep you posted.
If you'd like to look back on my year in South Africa (as I have been doing!), you can revisit pictures here and you can also peruse our community blog here.
And with that, I'll be on my way...
The whole NCSA group at our farewell dinner the night before I left
Time is stretching out for me in strange ways. The past month, so full of experiences, and so full of bittersweet goodbyes, feels like it's a world away. We had our year-end celebration on November 4th, at the top of a mountain overlooking Pretoria. We invited the friends and ministry partners who have been part of our lives over this year and shared a meal, before taking time to worship together and pray over the city of Pretoria and the Tshwane metropolitan area. It was an amazing time of celebrating together and saying goodbyes. A week later, I was back in California, celebrating a dear friend's wedding.
Praying over the city from the walls of the fort atop the mountain
The time since my last update has been full of celebrations. Gatherings for birthdays, baby showers, and goodbyes--many goodbyes--have filled my weeks. Goodbyes at Potter's House, a farewell party given by Granny's family--goodbyes said in many different ways and in many different languages. We've spent our "conversations" discussing releasing and re-entry, and looking back on what God has done in our midst and in our hearts over the year. It's been an amazing year filled with friendship, growth, and a deeper awareness of God's work--both in me and in the world around me.
The table arranged for the farewell party at Granny's
The next steps for me are still coming together. There are a couple of things within CRM that I'm thinking and praying about and will be exploring further in the coming months. Be in prayer for me during this process, as I seek God's leading and discern where He might have me be during the next season of my life. I do know that I will likely be heading away from California--beyond that, the details are still sketchy.
On the writing project front, Sarah and I are (still) working. As our time in South Africa came to a close, we had to keep revisiting and revising our goals for the year, and we realized that we wouldn't be able to finish our writing and editing while we were there. So I'm attempting to be disciplined about diving into that writing now that I'm back and am looking forward to seeing what takes shape. There are some amazing stories to tell and we look forward to sharing them with you. I'll keep you posted.
If you'd like to look back on my year in South Africa (as I have been doing!), you can revisit pictures here and you can also peruse our community blog here.
And with that, I'll be on my way...
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