Like most people (believe it or not), I am no stranger to having a battery of regularly-scheduled work meetings throughout my week.
Twice a week, however, I walk away from an hour-long meeting feeling…actually, quite refreshed. In those meetings, I have the privilege of connecting with two passionate, godly women and coaching them as they prepare to launch to Asia this coming August. I wanted to share with you a few reasons why I am so thrilled to have these girls in our organization:
Chichi: Chichi’s family served as missionaries in Asia for two years when she was growing up. Now that she is in her 20s, God has called her to serve there on her own for at least a year. Although Chichi has a clear passion for the nations, that passion is superseded tenfold by her rootedness in Jesus Christ. Her relationship with Him clearly comes before her calling to missions work, and that is the makings of a well-grounded, humble servant. I can’t wait to see how God works through her this year.
Merida Merida’s calling to missions is evident. She’s not satisfied with the idea of having a typical nine-to-five job and a picket-fence lifestyle – and it’s not because she’s discontented, a thrill-seeker, or can’t stand the thought of staying in one place. It’s because she has a keen awareness of the fact that she has but one life to live for Christ, and she can’t bear the thought of choosing physical or financial security over sharing God’s love with those who might not otherwise ever hear of it.
I am amazed that I get to play a part in helping these girls prepare for what God wants to do in and through them in the coming year, and also for the rest of their lives. Thank you for investing in Chichi, Merida, and our other new workers through your prayers and generosity. You are having an impact not only in the lives of these young adults, but also in the lives of the hundreds of friends with whom they will share God’s story in the next year.
In addition to coaching these incredible young ladies this summer, I’ve also been working on a few administrative projects. Most notably, we are making strides towards transitioning to a new accounting software. One huge advantage of this is that it will alleviate some of the more time-consuming tasks of my accounting duties, and free up more of my time to work on more mission-critical projects.
As we head into the rest of the summer, I would be grateful for your prayers for:
– Our new first-year team – for God to provide financially and be preparing them inwardly for the next year.
– Safe travels as I and many other CTers travel to Asia in a few weeks for our 10th anniversary event. (I head out June 28th and return July 12.) We’re planning to spend some time on campus sharing God’s story while we’re there. We’d appreciate prayers for God to give us a chance to share with people who will hear for the first time, and also for God to lead us to people who are ripe for the harvest!
– For a restful summer for our long-term workers in Asia, that they’ll be refreshed for a new school year of service in September.
– For our believing friends who will graduate from college in July and return to their hometowns. Six of these graduates in particular feel as though God is leading them to look for opportunities to share His story and start small churches. Please pray for their continued walk with the Lord, and their ministry as God leads.