Sadie and I went down to Mississippi; leaving snow and ice for 70 deg. weather. So, suffering through that adjustment (hehe) we got to meet the Global Outreach Home office staff, and spend a week with them, learning about all the parts to serving overseas that I hadn't thought of before. The training itself was really good, but fairly intensive. There was lots of lecturing . . .and sitting (that was the first time it's ever actually become painful to sit, like, sore muscles all the way from my knees to the middle of my back!), but most importantly, there was a lot of sharing from people who blew me away with their experience and wisdom. Sammy Simpson, the founder of Global, was such an amazing guy! He was 73, but his passion for the Lord and His work hadn't been even slightly dampened by all those years of the world bombarding him with its "reality". A couple who were on leave from their ministry in Haiti had some amazing stories of both the challenges and the encouragements to be had on the field. Wes White (the executive director) and Brian Tyndall (missionary development) gave the majority of the lectures, and were amazingly helpful at explaining and pointing out various things that you have to be ready for and have lined out on the mission field (things that I either hadn't given thought to, or had tried not to think about (i.e. insurance, fundraising, budgets and power of attorney).
The most important part of the training week, however, didn't have so much to do with the content. I had been (mostly unconsciously) resistant to joining an organization, and was pursuing the application process with Global Outreach because John Fulks requested it. I though I was on board enough, since I was following through, but I was still somewhat hesitant to place myself under the authority of an organization that I didn't know and that didn't know me or my specific abilities/ministry. Well, getting a chance to talk with and hear from almost all of the staff was just what I needed, and I was able to join, support, and become a part of Global Outreach, knowing what they (and I) stand for and strive after. Even though my workload is much larger now (with all of the organization andpaperwork I have to get done for them) I feel more at peace about going to Uganda as a Global Outreach Missionary!
One of the girls who was at the training was also bound for Uganda. Amanda is going to work in the islands on Lake Victoria, but she'll be in and out of Jinja (where her ministry's office is), so Sadie and I were super-happy to get a chance to start a fellowship that we were going to get to continue on the field!
Sadie left on the second to last day of training (ticket scheduling problems cut her training a hair short), and it was very exciting and sad at the same time, watching her head off on our adventure more then a month ahead of me! But I was very glad for that training time we had together, where we got to learn and equip ourselves, as well as have the time to just talk and pray together. At the moment, she's living in the Global Outreach Bunkhouse in Jinja, Uganda, and doesn't have much in the way of internet access, so she'll probably have to wait until we move into our house together before she can post anything, but please be praying for her as she adjusts, pursues ministry and reaches out to the people around her.
I'm down to about three weeks before departure, and still have a bit to do, so please be praying for myself and my preparations as well. This is the part that I struggle with, I am looking forward to being there and getting into the swing of my homeschooling schedule, and the culture of Jinja, but right now I'm working through insurance, support lists and other unpleasantries (like dentists). I need to stay focused on the Lord through the midst of this, and be ready for whatever He asks of me.
The Fulks are leaving next week for the lower '48, and then for Uganda (they'll beat me by about a week), so keep them in your prayers for traveling safety.
OK, thanks for all your prayers!!!! Let me know how you're doing/what you thing! Also, if you don't think you're on the mailing list to receive newsletters, shoot me an email or something and we'll fix that.
God bless!!!! :D
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