25 July 2011
If you’ve been following my trip around the world as of late, you might realize I officially made it to the States (Kalamazoo, MI) a week ago Sunday. I’m praising God for the prayers of all of you – my trip was blissfully uneventful, luggage arrived on time and in one piece, and I’ve been a BIT less culturally overwhelmed thus far due to my time doing grad work in Germany.
So what am I doing here? What’s next?
I’m hoping to send out a newsletter SOON! But as I wait for my official budget information (so I can share this info with you…), I wanted to at least let you know what was going on via my blog.
Here’s the plan.
I am almost officially finished with all my grad post-course work, and am looking forward to getting that all turned in SOON! One step down, many more to go! :D (This is a necessary step to keep my teaching license current...)
Tomorrow (as in, Tuesday the 27th), I’m headed to my brother’s “church” wedding and traveling a bit with my family. So excited! Part of me is ready to stay in one place for awhile now, but I’m also looking forward to some much-needed “down time” after running hard with school and studies since Christmas-time. I look forward to being back in MI around the second week of August.
Come September-December, I will be taking three grad classes (all online).
The goal is for me to make it back to Tanzania around March of 2012… about 8 months from now. This puts me there in time for language school and to get adjusted a bit to a new location before I start teaching. I’m glad to have my feet set on solid ground here for awhile. Even if everything here does seem a little strange at times after living in the Land of Tanz for two years!
In the meantime, I will be spending a lot of my time visiting with all of you!, intentionally connecting with churches, raising funds, and networking with believers who are excited about what God is doing! In MI, IN, NC and anyplace else I might end up along the way!
What does this mean for you?
Well, here’s the deal. I can’t do this alone. I am so excited to be back in Michigan (and at least the same country as NC!), and I’m thrilled for the chance to see all of you. You have no idea how much I’ve longed for this time! I’ve felt like Paul a lot lately… longing to be with you and to be encouraged by your presence, but unable to be in the same place.
But… I need your help. To connect. To get involved. To PRAY! To let me know where to go for the best milkshakes, and which coffee shops to hang out in. :) To invite me to your small group or connect me with your church and pastor. To pray and join me in fundraising. (I'm about $1500 short a month right now of what I'll need to go back... and am definite need of new partners who are excited to join my team!) To help me to connect with people intentionally and to hang out just for fun. And just as much as I needed (and am thankful for) your PRAYERS, notes, EmOtIoNaL sUpPoRt, and finances on the field, I’m also in need of many of these same things while in the States.
So… I look forward to hearing from all of you. (If you’re interested in doing any of the above, or just want to connect, feel free to email me. I love hearing from you and knowing how I can be praying for you, so send me a note (or comment on my blog) when you can! And watch for me to be in touch with you. SOON. After I have a couple of much-needed weeks with my family and celebrating my brother’s marriage!
Many blessings!
Many blessings!
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