training and support

 mi mamá y yo

According to my "Countdown", I'm only at about half my support, but I have several potential supporter pledges, I am actually closer to 2/3 of the way there!!  I have raised all my one time expenses, and just need to raise $300-$400/mo more in monthly pledges.  I'm very hopeful that I will get the support I need to be able to return to Bolivia in time to keep my visa.  I believe I need to be back to Bolivia by August 12th in order to keep my visa.   It's been incredible to see the ways that God has provided for me so far, and I have so much hope that He will continue to provide what I need to be able to return.  So, a big THANK YOU to all of you who have been a part of that.

My focus now is to get a larger base of monthly supporters.  If I want to stay in Bolivia longer than 2 years with Iteams, then I need to have more sustainable, consistent support.  If you are still praying about supporting me, please consider making it monthly support.  Even $10/mo helps!  If you are interested, it's really easy to set up support online at www.iteams.org/give.  The best way is to set up automatic monthly withdrawal, since my monthly paycheck depends on people remembering their monthly support:)

Jen, Kristen, me

I'm also in the thick of training in Elgin (Chicago) with International Teams.  I got to see several good friends from Bolivia when I got in to Chicago, and it was such an encouragement to be around people who are behind what I'm doing and who have even more faith than I do that God will provide all my support on time.  Training itself has been really great.  Lots of introspective activities that aim to help me understand myself better so I know how I'll fit in on a team, how to flex and be adaptable with others who are different from me, and to know what my strengths are so I can be more effective on a team.  We've learned a lot, too, about the full-fledged spiritual battle we're about to enter into, strategies to keep us looking to the Lord in the midst of it all, and what kinds of attacks we might experience.

Elsa, me, Kristen, Jen

God is good.  His faithfulness is so steady in my life.  I am grateful for every morning I wake up and have the grace I need to keep serving Him.

Prayer requests:

1. more monthly supporters
2. roommate in Bolivia
3. details and final support to fall into place for a timely return to Bolivia (August 11th or 12th)