So long 2011, it’s been real. What up 2012. 

I hope you fine folks are enjoying this new year with all of the new goals and challenges that it will surely bring. I’ve read several blogs over the last couple of days that have lists a mile long full of resolutions, so good luck to those guys. I’m not sure about you but when I set a New Year’s resolution I always end up breaking them before the third day. There’s always failure there, so I just stick to the attainable goals that I’ve set for myself and just continue working towards them until I eventually get where I want (or need) to be, otherwise I just end up critiquing myself to the point of madness. Once I get to South Africa I’m sure I will post some of my ministry / personal goals. You know, for accountability purposes… No resolutions, just life goals.

Some of you may have already read my most recent update. (If you didn’t get to read it, don’t be a sore loser… just send me your email address and you can be in the club too.) So to catch you up, here’s what has been going on in life and with the move to South Africa.

It’s hard to believe that the time has come for me to move already. A friend of mine asked me yesterday at lunch if I was excited, to which I answered “yeah, of course”. It’s weird though, it’s not the kind of excitement like a ten year old opening presents on Christmas morning, but it’s more of a calm and comforted excitement. It’s been really cool to see how the Lord has so clearly been orchestrating things through this entire process. There is still much to be done between now and the 16th, but as many things that need to come together in order to make this thing come together, I’m not stressed!

There are two huge things that need your immediate prayer: visa and financial support. Let me tell you about the visa. I have all of the paperwork for my visa waiting and ready to go… and I have since mid-November with the exception of my security clearance, which is basically a background check from the FBI. I can currently still waiting to receive my clearance. Without this clearance, I cannot apply for my visa. Without my visa, I can’t go. Are you following me here?

I have been in contact with my local congressmen (whose office has been super helpful) and they are working on it, but they have no jurisdiction over the FBI. So here is how you can be involved: pray. Pray that they would return the clearance by Monday of next week. Why Monday? Well, if I’m not able to get that clearance, then I can’t apply for my visa and I’ll have to delay my ticket. Delaying my ticket to a later date will cost upwards of $300, plus the difference in cost between the old and new ticket. Eish, I just cringed when I wrote that last sentence.

The Lord is good and I know that in his timing is perfect. Like I mentioned earlier, he has so clearly been bringing all of this together and I know he will continue to do so. I can’t help but be reminded that he’s the Creator of the universe, he spoke the earth into existence! My teeny tiny visa issue is something that he can easily take care of. Pray that the security clearance will be completed by Monday of next week, so that I can expedite the visa. I’m excited to see how the Lord is going to work this out. He is faithful and will bring this about in his timing.

Pray also for the remainder of my monthly support to come in. I am still $800 short of my monthly support. Some have asked if there is anything that I need before I leave, right now my greatest need is financial partnerships. All of my financial needs are provided through monthly or one-time gifts from individuals like you. Would you prayerfully consider partnering with me on a monthly basis? If you would like to be apart of my sending team through financial partnership for $25, $50, or even $100 a month, please contact me. I would love to sit down and speak with you about how to jump on board. This is crucial for the ministry to proceed.

I’m really looking forward to serving with the staff of Samaria Mission and Christ Baptist Church. There is much work to be done to plan and prepare for the upcoming outreaches into Mozambique. Along with the logistical aspect of things I will also be streamlining the children’s ministry for those who come to serve on short-term outreach in Mozambique.

Until then I’m closing up in Raleigh. Moving is never easy, but I have been so privileged to spend time with so many people over the last couple of weeks. Let’s keep that trend alive and well. If you’re in Raleigh I want to hang out with you this week, so let me know when you’re free. I leave Raleigh next Monday the 9th, then will be in Denver with my family until I fly out.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers, hugs, and words of encouragement. I’m not sure what I would do without you!

Psalm 96:1-6

 150 days.

250 days.

Update coming soon…

I am privileged to have lots of friends, lots of very talented friends who are passionate about what they do. When the time came for me to get some photos taken for my prayer cards, I had several volunteer to help me out. One sunday afternoon, Justin, Michaela, and I set off to take some photos downtown Raleigh. They turned out great! I am so thankful that they took time out of their busy schedule to do this for me.

This is the photo that I chose to use as my prayer card. If you’d like one, gimme a holla and I will send one your way. In a super cute, homemade envelope no less!

I owe a huge “thank you” to my friend Michael for designing my prayer cards! Didn’t he do a great job? He is also engaged to my wonderful roommate Christina. Yall, the Lord has blessed me with some fabulous folks in my life.