Beca 2 Brazil

     It is incredible to think that I have been on the field for two months already! It’s been awesome to see all that God has done just in this short time. I want to thank all of you for all your continued prayers! It is only because of the prayers of faithful Christians that I am able to be here and live here. The Lord has allowed me to accomplish much in the short time that I have been here, and I have been able to start getting involved in a small part, in the ministry here in Ribeirão. The last two weeks, my mom has been in town. It has been a blessing and encouragement to me to have her here for this short time, I am so thankful that God worked it out for her to come and spend some time with me.       In the time I have been here, the Lord has opened the door for me to start getting to know, and begin building relationships with several of the young people in the church as well as meet people driving Ubers and out in the community. There is one y...

  Three weeks!  How it’s been only three weeks since I arrived in Brazil, I have no idea. These last three weeks have been so full,   so exciting, and I have learned so much. Since arriving on the field, I have learned much about the people here, the culture, the language, all of that was expected. I was not expecting just how much I would learn about myself. Though it’s only been a short time, I have had my share of absolutely amazing days, and some extremely difficult ones. I have seen myself react correctly to difficult situations and react quite poorly as well. The Lord (as well as those close to me) have certainly given much grace, for which I am thankful.   One of the things I have seen repeatedly in myself, is just how much I need to learn to depend on God alone. This was a lesson I began to learn on deputation, but I am seeing now just how much more it must be learned and acted upon. Moving to the mission field, single, at 23 years old sounds absolut...

One week down, forever to go!     Thank you all so very much for ALL your prayers, kind words and for reaching out! I have heard from so so many of you that you are praying for me and so many who have reached out to see how I am doing. I am so incredible thankful for your friendship and encouragement! I am SO thankful to say that my moving day was incredibly uneventful! I did not have anything stolen, lost, broken or even  taxed! Everything arrived when and how it should have. Praise the Lord! Thank you so much for all your prayers.  This first week on the field has been absolutely amazing! It has been so surreal to be here and I have felt the summation of the last 11 years of my life. I was called to missions 11 years ago, and began serious preparation for missions in Brazil 9 years ago, at this point that feels like another lifetime ago.      This week, I have moved into a temporary living space, God provided me a FREE apartment for these first ...

       The hesitancy to add the word ‘finally’ to that title… That is kinda how I feel today, yet, I am so immensely aware of how perfect Gods timing has been every single step of the way. He really has ordered my steps and illuminated my path. Alongside the overwhelming crash of emotions that today has brought is the knowledge that THIS is Gods perfect will for me RIGHT NOW! From finishing high school, to college, to teaching, to deputation, I can see Gods sovereign hand leading and guiding me to this exact moment. There have been many trials and obstacles, but God has given the strength and endurance to overcome each one and grant victory. I can walk into this next step with the assurance that God has brought me here and will continue to guide, continue to bless and will continue to sustain.      I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity afforded to me to serve God in such an amazing capacity!  Please pray with and for me today, that all of m...

       Have you ever gotten news that made you feel as though your feet would leave the ground and lift you away? As though you would simply float off of planet earth and live amongst the stars? That’s exactly the way I felt on Friday, January 19, 2024 at 11:49am; like if I could, I would fly away.  My visa had been approved.       Knowing know how it all played out, I suppose I feel a little silly remembering the ways I doubted. I knew God was in control, and I knew His will would be accomplished, in fact, I was even certain that I would, eventually, attain my visa. But I was near certain, without doubt, it would not be this time.      My first visa application had been with the Atlanta consulate, that was the appropriate consulate for a resident of Tennessee. For reasons unknown, they rejected my application and told me I could reapply if I wanted to. I was next advised to try applying with the DC consulate. Because of the ti...

     I am still waiting for word on my visa. I was never informed as to why it was not  approved, but the advice I was given was to resubmit the same paperwork but to a different consulate. So that is the course of action I took about a week and a half ago. I am waiting and praying for a positive response this time.      During this time the Lord has allowed me to stay busy. I’ve spent some time with my parents church (my sending church). I’ve been able to teach Sunday School, sing in church and help with a conference they had several weeks ago.   I’ve also been busy traveling to some of my supporting churches in NH and SC. It has been such a blessing to see friends again and let them know what God has been doing. It’s been such an encouragement to see people who I haven’t seen in so long and hear how they have kept up with my ministry and how they are praying so specifically for me. It is such a blessing! I have been convicted to reorganize...

 Waiting, everyone’s favorite thing to do. Whether its in the line at the post office, for a doctors appointment or for your turn on a roller coaster, we all hate playing the waiting game. And yet, as I write this, I can see that the classroom of waiting is the one being assigned to me. Blind waiting.       As most of you know, I sent out my prayer letter announcing that I had (finally) reached 100% of my support! And the next day was informed that my visa application had been denied. It seems to be a running theme sometimes, mountaintop days quickly followed by seemingly unconquerable valleys. But God. Were I in a situation where God could not reach me, this would surely be a panic-inducing situation, however, I have certainly seen God move some mountains for me in my days. The numerous answered prayers before and during deputation are the thoughts flooding my mind of late. I think back to the instance with Ray (my car) and how God truly moved to keep him runni...