Visiting

It's been a while since another update, so I'll just write a quick, short update for those wondering how and what I'm doing. This past weekend I took a short trip down to just north of Kansas City, MO to visit Rick Jacobsen, the Director of Operations of TIME Ministries who is in charge of taking care of the missionaries in many aspects. He used to be a missionary down in Monterrey and so I had worked with him previously as an intern when he was the site director there. It was good to visit where they are now States-side, catching up with them and seeing their new place. God has blessed them in this new place and position. On this nice, relaxing weekend I was able to go through with Rick much about support-raising and what it will look like concerning finances as a missionary. It was helpful. I find that when I begin to get discouraged or just worn out through this journey, God brings a way to give me a pick-me-up. This weekend was one of those.

Exiting My World. Entering Yours.

First, I want to introduce you a little to my current world. I am at the end of my first week of three at Missions Training International in a very nice hotel/lodge-like place in Colorado. There are 39 people in the program, and this group seems particularly young with many in their twenties, some married with children, some just married, and quite a few singles. It has been a good group thus far and I feel very blessed to be here. We spend our days with classes from 8:00-4:00 with breaks and meals in between and left to spend our evenings as we wish, often with games and good conversation. I'm enjoying the beauty of Colorado. Just today I hiked up Mount Herman nearby. It was so beautiful.

(view outside my window! There's a train,though not very visible here in the picture)

(at the top of Mt. Herman)

(view of Pike's Peak from Mt. Herman)

One of the main things that we are discussing and learning here at Missions Training International in Colorado is about exiting your own world to enter the world of others. This is a fact of missionaries, but one of the most striking things about what we've discussed is that this concept of learning to exit your own frame of reference and entering into another's is that we do not have to wait for "missionary training" or for actually going onto the field to practice and learn this. It is an everyday part of our lives. Our training field is here and now, most importantly with the family and friends we come in contact with every day.

I want to and attempt to go "cross-cultural" and understand another world, and God may very well be laughing from up above (with grace) saying to me, "Karen, you want to leave your world and enter into this new world in Mexico? You can't even do it with the people that are around you now! Start there first!" You see, how many times have I expected others to see and do things my way, to enter into my world? When was the last time I initiated entering into someone else's world? And especially with my family? I can't say I've done a very good job. I've been missing out on my missions training all these years!

But today is a new day, with many opportunities to practice this yet. And only by God's grace, will I be able to do this. It is only by crying out "God, help!" that I can truly even attempt to "cross cultures." So I challenge you to think through this: how much do you really seek to exit your own world and enter into someone else's? Cry out to God today that He would enable you to do this as He did this for us, leaving His heavenly world to enter into ours. Praise the Lord that Jesus Christ did this for us!

In Training

Yesterday I flew into Colorado Springs to start my three weeks with Missions Training International. The travel day is becoming more and more familiar. Everything went well. Actually, my last flight was delayed because power went out in Colorado Springs airport so we were unable to take off for it, but it turned out for the better because then I got to get something to eat.
I am excited for this program. I was looking forward to it before arrival, although I didn't know what to expect. Now that I've gotten to see a little bit of what this will be like, I think it'll be really good. I do think it'll be a lot of stretching and growing and "peeling back the layers" which is not very comfortable, but good and essential. There are 39 people total in this program and the place is really nice, especially the view.
Hopefully I will update more on how things are going as I get further into it.

Encouraged

Being a new missionary working on raising support is a rollercoaster. Some days I'm so excited as I look forward and other days I get discouraged because I am not there yet. God is teaching me patience and how to wait on Him, trusting Him. I won't say that it's easy, but God is keeping me strong in faith, praise the Lord! And overall, I am still encouraged and excited for what God has in store for me.

I recently went to Dallas for a TIME Ministries board meeting, with a lot of discussion (which wore me out). I was encouraged to hear from the others that I am doing well with raising my support. Sometimes it's hard to see that. I can't say I've done it before or really have any idea of what to expect, so it was very encouraging to hear from others who are more familiar with the process that I am doing well. And it lifts my spirits to hear this when I know that the economy is not good and there are many changes going on. If I can see God continuing to provide for my support during these times, then I know that God is leading me still to go to Monterrey. It's good. I needed that encouragement and it keeps me going, continuing to wait on God, one step at a time.

I Will Go

So I decided that in order to encourage myself and "keep the faith" as I wait through this process of raising support, I would make an"acts of faith" list: things that remind me and show me that I will indeed be leaving for Mexico through God's provision. One of those things is making a CD of some of the songs that have been influential to me these past two years on the path to missions.

There's one song by Marcela Gandara that talks about being a long journey but at last arriving, and being exactly where God wants me. This song motivated me with the idea of this CD. I want to make this CD and play it when I move there! And I know that there will be times after I have moved that I will waiver, and I would like to have this CD to remind me of God's calling.

So I've been starting to put it together, and though there are many songs on there that mean so much to me, I will share simply one with you now. This song was our theme song at the Fall spiritual emphasis retreat (at ICA) after the first summer interning in Mexico with TIME. That summer was when I really began to think about if I wanted to go into missions instead of teaching. I came home from Mexico knowing I wanted to go back for more, but still not sure about if I wanted to make this my new life. At first in hearing this song, I couldn't sing it! The words meant so much more for me to sing than I think it did for the rest of the people in that room. But being the theme song, it was sung again and again and again! By the end of the retreat, I allowed myself to sing along, beginning to truly believe what I sang. The song is entitled, "I Will Go" by Starfield.

Listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg1_KXcrg-8&feature=related

God's Existence

No matter where I go,

I sense God's existence.

He's above all that I can ever imagine,

His vastness fills the heavens of heaven.

His presence secures me in that

All will be well.

He brightens my world,

Even at the darkest hour.

I close my eyes and feel His power.

God sets my feet on level ground.

God's existence, yes, sustains my existence!

~Rogers N., PA~

I really like that poem (written by an inmate in the Crossroads Bible Institute program), and thought it appropriate in reflecting on this past summer. One thing that I will most take away from this summer is the evidence seen that God exists, He knows all things, and His ways are perfect and higher than my ways (Isaiah 55:8,9).

I say this because the plan was to go to Monterrey, Mexico for the summer to join in helping with groups coming there. However, that was changed when unrest began to be seen in the area and groups were cancelled. So instead, the missionaries went to the Dallas and Dominican Republic sites. And even though I was disappointed, it was for the better. God showed in so many ways that His way for the summer was higher than my way. Let me tell you why.

First, there was some unrest in the area, and although the summer probably would have been fine concerning this, it was wiser to wait and let things settle down and understand the situation better. We plan to continue with groups there again this next summer. Also, it was good for the Monterrey missionaries to help at the Dallas site in order for it to function more smoothly there, and for us to see what opportunities there are there. I think the most exciting thing for me to see there was the work done through the VBS at the church and at several apartment complexes. What an opportunity there is to minister to people within apartment complexes--something I wouldn't have thought of! The last week we did VBS at an apartment near the church we're connected with. There, two girls, referred to (by themselves) as Taylor 1 and Taylor 2, prayed to accept Christ! Praise the Lord for the work He did in Dallas this summer!

Then, there was also the opportunity for myself and another missionary (Jess Heagy) to visit the Dominican Republic site. It was enjoyable to be able to see a new country, meet some new faces, and get some new perspectives. It was a personal learning experience for me, and for Jess it was refreshing to feel like she was on a missions trip again. We both enjoyed a day in a village called Cercadillo, where a missionary is providing work for the women there through sewing. It was very enjoyable to see how TIME works in the D.R., especially to see how they build a chapel in a week, and put it up in a day! That's a way to provide for churches there that really takes experiencing it to fully appreciate it.

Oh, and did I mention that hurricane Alex affected Monterrey so much as to bring major flooding, wiping out major streets? Yeah, that would have been when we had a group. That would have been interesting and I'm quite sure that week would not have been very effective. They say that clean-up will take about six months there.

So you have an overall snapshot of the summer now and I hope that you too can see the evidence of God's existence and the fact that He knows all and cares for us enough to work out things for the better. "His presence secures me in that all will be well." Seeing the evidence of this spurred me on to continue to believe that what God has in store for me is bigger and better than whatever my way may be. Though I may think I understand which way would be best, I have a God that sees all things and will carry out His will in the best way, all to His glory! And I can rest in this knowledge.

So I say, "God's existence, yes, sustains my existence!"

In the Dominican Republic

I have to say this summer is kind of crazy with the jumping around from place to place. I am now in the Dominican Republic at the TIME site here and will be here for a total of about 2 1/2 weeks. We've finished now two groups in Dallas, which have gone quite well, and have one more remaining. But in the meantime while we're waiting for that last week to come, Jess (another TIME missionary) and I are visiting the other TIME site in the D.R.

So far, our time here has been quite nice. We were greeted at the airport by a bunch of interns/staff jumping up and down around us in celebration--a taste of the boisterous spirit here in the DR. Jess and I came here just in time to go out with the group for a trip to a beach resort on the northern shore (we're in Santo Domingo, the southern part) for 2-3 days. It was (and still is) the group's week-long break from groups, a time to refresh. So it was very nice to be able to go swimming in the ocean, lie on the beach, drink virgin pina coladas, and nap! Wonderful! Now back in Santo Domingo, we're hanging out and getting ready for the next group that comes on Saturday. I'm excited to see how this place functions here with groups, to see the process of building a chapel in a week and setting it up in a day, as well as getting to know everyone here better.

I can use your prayers right now though. I'm doing well, especially after having had that break at the resort, but I'm also finding myself emotionally stressed out and exhausted. I don't always have the best attitude about being here and am tired from trying to find my place in all of this. I think jumping around from place to place is having its toll on me right now, and I find myself longing for home and normalcy and friends who really know me. I am blessed to be here and I praise God for where He has placed me. I need to be focused on God's blessings and promises, because that is everything to me.

Working for the Lord

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Col. 3:23, 24

This past week I was in Dallas for our first church group of the summer. To tell you the truth, it's kind of surreal being there now as a missionary, instead of an intern. It's exciting, but it's also intimidating. There's a new level of involvement and responsibility. So I find myself easily wanting to prove to myself and to others that I can handle it and do well in it. It can become a chase for approval. It's tiring and exhausting, because that's not how it's supposed to be.

I started out my week that way, wanting to have the approval of others and focusing too much on that. It quickly wore me down and my focus was off-track. But when I re-focused back to who I was working to please, the God who has brought me to work with TIME Ministries and who gives me the abilities to be effective, the striving to please others faded away. Yes, it's still there as a struggle not to fall into that trap, but when I remind myself of whom I'm working for, the approval of others just doesn't matter as much.

And so how did the week go with this group from Arkansas? Being that it's at a site that hasn't been used for week-long groups in a while, it went well. The group worked on painting a black gated-fence. It took longer than expected, but it also made the church's presence more visible with people out there working, and with a fence that looked new, it shows that the church is occupied and present in the community. The VBS that they did went quite well too. It wasn't a very big group of kids, but still a good amount, around 20 kids. The encouraging part to the VBS was that, according to the pastor, there were many there from the community that had not come to the church before. It was good to see God working that week and to be a part of it. My reward in serving the Lord Christ is far above the approval of others.

Change in Plans

I've more recently understood the words of James 4:15, "Instead you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'" Plans are good to put in place, but it's still about following God where He has for you. This summer, I planned to go to Monterrey, Mexico to join with the TIME Ministries missionaries as the summer groups come in. However, due to a more recent up-rise in violence associated with the drug war, summer groups there have been cancelled and redirected to our other sites in Dallas and the Dominican Republic. The missionaries themselves there still feel safe, as the violence is only directed toward those involved in the drug war. However, after much thought and prayer, the decision was made not to bring the church groups into the area because of this shift in the area.

What does this mean for me and my "plans" then? Well, now I will be going to Dallas, Texas for the groups that will be there this summer, as well as to the Dominican Republic for three weeks in July for two or three groups that will be there. I will still be able to visit Monterrey for a short time in between groups one time this summer. Although this is much different than my original plans, I can see that this change in plans also brings about good opportunity. Through this, I will be able to see not only one, but two other TIME Ministries sites under operation. So, though this is different, I am looking forward to what God has in store for us through this summer. I truly do believe that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Rom.8:28)," and so I know that these plans are better than my own.

As far as long-term, my "plans" are still to move down to Monterrey as a full-time missionary with TIME Ministries when my support is ready. I am still trusting that this is the Lord's will for me, and so I will go "live and do this or that" in Monterrey when I am able and ready.

Missions Conference

Well, it's been a while since it happened now, but recently (about 2 weeks ago) I participated in a missions conference at First Federated, Des Moines, IA. And by participated, I mean I was one of the missionaries! I'm still not actually living on the mission field yet, but I've had my visits (last one in March for 3 weeks) and I've been involved for some 2 years now with TIME Ministries, so I was the missionary representing it at the conference (conveniently, being that I'm the one who lives in the area).

So what did this conference entail? For me, just two days, although the conference went the whole week. First, I set up a display in their fellowship hall with pictures of Monterrey that correlated with "5 reasons to get involved with TIME Ministries" (although I meant to put "5 reasons it's TIME to get involved). The reasons were: 1) Service, 2) Exciting Sight-Seeing, 3) Ministry, 4) A Vision of Missions & the World-Wide Church, and 5) Relationships and Changed Lives.

I was at the church then for their two services, each at which we were briefly introduced and four other missionaries shared a little. In between their services, I briefly spoke with the youth at their sunday-school class, along with two other missionaries.

Sunday night, I visited with one of the small groups and shared a good meal together and some time to share about my ministry and how God has been so good in my life in bringing me to be a part of TIME. There was also another missionary couple there, some Wycliffe Bible Translators from Papa, Indonesia. Did you even know there was such a place? I'd only heard of Papa, New Guinea, the other side of the island apparently. It was a rewarding and encouraging time.

Then lastly, on Wednesday night I headed back to the church for an international dinner buffet, with very good food (more than just tacos). I spent some time afterwards to speak with the youth group, shared along with some time of singing in Spanish, led by one of the local hispanic churches, and again other missionaries. It was nice to be able to be with them, especially as this church has a group going on a TIME trip this summer, where I'll see them again.

Something I really appreciated about this experience was simply that I was now on the other end of such a conference, being there as a missionary, instead of someone interested in missions. With this conference, as with every year they do it, the missionaries go to speak to various schools during the week. I used to every year be one of those teachers that would have a missionary come to speak in my class, and now this year, I was the missionary (although I didn't go speak to classes because I'm working). It was a neat reminder of how God has brought me to where I am today and how He will use my life as a blessing to others, as it is a blessing to me.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Taste and see that the Lord is good!

Well, I'm coming to the end of my stay here now in Mexico. I leave already on Tuesday. It's hard to think about leaving when I feel like I'm starting to establish myself here. But it will be good to be back in Des Moines, continueing to serve God's purpose for me there still.

I thought I would have updated more on this blog during my stay, but it easily gets busy and tiring here. A good way to sum up my time here is through a verse that came to mind one morning walking to the church: "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!" (Ps.34:8) Through my visit I have gotten a taste of what's to come, and indeed, the LORD is good! I am so thankful for what God has done in my life to bring me here and what He has in store for me. I know there will be struggles too, and I got a taste of that as well, but I've seen how God helps me and encourages me.

And "campamento," the church's week-long retreat, went well. I ended up only being there essentially 2 full days, which was good, since even that got a bit tiring and overwhelming. The first day was a lot to process and take in and it did get overwhelming, but the next day I felt more relaxed and was encouraged through it all. My prayer for my time there was that I would be able to connect with the church. I feel God answered my prayer in that I now feel more comfortable with them and know more people. God is good.

I ask you please keep in prayer for me as I prepare to go back to Iowa, not only for safe travel, but also for settling back into my life there and as I use my time there in preparation for my eventual return to Monterrey.

Visiting in Mexico

Well, I had a fabulous time with my brother and his family. I made the trip yesterday down to Monterrey. The flights went well, though it was a long and exhausting day. On the last flight I ended up waiting in the airplane for some time before taking off because they had to fix a lighting problem. But, at the end of the day, I was here in Monterrey, Mexico.
It's kind of weird to be back again, especially now that I'm back as a missionary, although not on the official move yet, just a visit. It was weird to think last night that this is where I will be living. But exciting too. I look forward to my time here, both visiting now, and moving here later. God is full of blessings!

A break from the normal routine

Do you ever feel like you're going through the daily routine and you've lost sight of what you're doing it all for? I've been doing now for 5 months the routine of cleaning houses, coming home "free" to do what I like, but really needing to work on what I can with raising support, go to sleep and start over again. I'm thankful, but it gets monotonous and it's easy to lose sight of its purpose.

I've been learning about what it is to "wait on the LORD" and to have confidence in the hope that I have--of getting through to reach the goal of being a missionary in Mexico, of learning about myself to be more effective, and of God's saving love that is made evident through the work of His Spirit and the coming return of His Son. "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD" Ps.27:13,14.

I need to be more intentional about continuing to learn what it means to wait for the LORD, in all things, especially in this time in my life I have of waiting, when it is so easy to lose sight of what I'm waiting for.

So, I can be thankful that I will be reminding myself what I'm waiting for as I visit Mexico again. Right now I'm enjoying visiting with my brother and his family for a week. It's so nice to get away and spend time with them, especially my 1-year-old niece, Abigail. She's a very smiley girl and I'm so pleased that she takes to me well. There's plenty to be visiting here, seeing California. I've already eaten at an In 'n' Out, and we'll be going to a zoo, and visiting much more as we're able to. Plus, I'm also able to catch up on "Lost" as they have all 5 series on DVD. I'm starting with the 3rd series as that was when I started to miss out on my favourite TV show. We'll see how far I get. :)

And then it will be off to Mexico for 2 weeks. I'm looking forward to it. I'll be there for a church group coming in for their week of short-term missions. I'll help out as needed, but not sure what to expect really. And then the second week I'll go to the local church's retreat that they have for a week. I'm hoping this will be a good time to get connected with the people of this church. Praise God for these opportunities, an enjoyable time of refreshment, and for God's reminders along the way as we "wait for the LORD."

Praise the Lord, I'm starting to see some progress on the support money and pledges coming in! I'm still much in need of support, especially consistent, ongoing pledges. It's still a slow process, but I'm being encouraged. I'm also being encouraged because of the progress I've been making on what I can do with getting in touch with people; actions I am able to control. I've pushed myself more this past month, although I probably need to continue to push myself more.

To be honest, I went through a time of not getting much done and then feeling guilty about it, and avoiding the work to be done. Not that I wasn't doing work, but not focusing on what I needed to, not pushing myself. And then I realized more how I need not be held back by my guilt or shame any longer, because God operates by grace. Nor need I be held back by fear, because God is Almighty and wants to bless me.

So I want to leave you with two passages that reflect this truth:

Romans 11:6 "And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace."

1 Chronicles 28:20 "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished."

Wherever you lead, I will follow

I found this song on Youtube called "Follow You" by Leeland with special guest Brandon Heath. I really like it, first of all because I like Leeland and Brandon Heath and they're just good artists. I also like it because it touches me right where I'm at in life and reminds me of a moment I really began this journey of seeking missions. I want to share that with you and hope it brings even more meaning to this song and to show you the glory of God's leading and our humble submission to follow Him.

God started to change my life and the path I was on starting about two years ago, first when I went to a dream conference. I know, a dream conference? It sounded to me at first like interpretation of dreams, but really it was an opportunity to write down on paper what you dreamed for in life and bring it before God, allowing others to see it posted on the walls as people went around praying for these dreams. My dream was to live for a time in a Spanish-speaking country serving God. I remembered this dream I had had and laid it before God, not really sure even what that meant.

Later, I took some students to Mexico on a service trip through TIME Ministries. I heard about the summer internship and was interested. I inquired about it, but also was not sure that I would be able to go. As I was there in Mexico, one night when thinking about it and the possibility of not being able to do the summer internship, I found a place by myself and I cried to God, cried because I ached to go and was pained at the thought of an opportunity before me being taken away. It surprised me, in a sense, how upset I was about the possibility of not going and I realized how important it was to me. I realized how I had always been waiting for an opportunity such as this, and couldn't bear the thought of losing it. So I prayed and put my request before the Lord, humbly submitting to His will--for if He would grant me the opportunity and for if He chose not to. I repeated again and again, "Wherever you lead me, I will follow."

And so now I continue in following His leading as He has granted me my dreams I laid before Him, seeing how He has answered them in giving me so much more than I could even imagine that time at the dream conference. I now find myself preparing to follow God's leading to live in Mexico as a full-time missionary with TIME Ministries. God is good! And so as the song says, I say to my wonderful God, "I'll follow you into the homes of the broken, follow you into the world."

Listen to the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ajIFfSaEzE&feature=related

Prayer Request for Church Support

I have a couple of opportunities to get connected with churches for support. The first, of course, is the church I currently attend. I've already met with the newly-formed mission committee, which went well, and am waiting on the church to set its next budget to find out what kind of support I'll receive from them. That should be around come May I think.
I've started contact with my hometown church as well, but that's really only just getting started.
And tomorrow at 4 I meet with someone from another church in the Des Moines area (First Federated) which has been connected with TIME Ministries and will be sending a group to Monterrey this summer, God willing.
Please pray that my meeting goes well, and that these churches have wisdom and capability as they consider their support for me in my ministry.

Follow-Up Time Approaching

Well, I've been sending out newsletters about my new ministry to many of you. If you haven't gotten one, but would like one, you can check out my newsletter actually on the left-hand column, and feel free to contact me about it as well. I'm still getting a hang of how to raise support, so don't feel offended if for some reason you didn't get one.
Anyways, I'm getting myself ready to go around and check up on people to talk more one-on-one about my ministry and inquire as to how you can help support me. I look forward to talking to you!

Newsletters, Newsletters, Read all about it!

Well I've been trying to figure out how to post up a link to my newletter and I finally figured it out. Check it out on the left sidebar. I'll probably post up some more soon. I'm very happy I figured it out, so don't disappoint me--check it out!

Welcome!

Well, I wanted to have a blog for people to follow my journey as I enter into the mission field in Monterrey, Mexico with TIME Ministries. I hope you enjoy this. I admit this is my first attempt at blogging, so please be forgiving if I can't figure things out quite yet. So glad you've visited here and I hope you stay posted.