Slow Coming, Perfect Timing

II have been “quiet” for a month now. Not because I do not have anything to say, I do. It’s just that I haven’t been able to find the right words to describe everything taking place. The only thing that pops into my mind is slow coming.

I have been in Georgia for a full two months. I like it a lot. A part of it almost feels like home. Even though it’s hot and humid right now, everything is a lush green. (I have already been warned that winter is a little dreary, but after living in Northern California most of my life, I think I will be able to handle it.) I have found a church home, and I am slowly getting plugged in.

Three weeks after my arrival, I became anxious and stressed that I wouldn’t find a place to live within my budget. (See more in my “Prayer Requests.”) Worry and doubt started to form in my head. I even had a brief moment where I thought about going back to California, but I knew that wasn’t the answer, nor would it solve anything for me.

I soon realized that my mindset had shifted from that of our Heavenly Fathers to the natural. Over the next week, God started to highlight scripture and songs to me that had one thing in common: waiting. One day, while sitting at a stoplight, the song “While I’m Waiting” started to play. As I took in the lyrics, I chuckled to myself and said, “Okay, God, I get it. I’ll wait.” Right after those words left my mouth, a sense of peace came over me.

So, I am W-A-I-T-I-N-G. Something that I am familiar with, but as in all cases, it looks different. I know that our Abba Father can see things that I cannot and knows things & situations that I do not. And even though it may seem slow coming to me, it’s perfect timing for Him.

Prayer Requests:

• Please pray for our partner projects in Haiti & Nepal. Haiti has gone through weeks of violent protests, which has left the country in unrest. The government in Nepal has started to make strict laws to control believers' activities, which has resulted in persecution. Many children's homes have been forced to shut down.

• In the two months that I have been here, I have found that the budget I estimated for renting a little place (apartment) is not sufficient. From looking on Craigslist to Facebook Marketplace and my co-workers' help, we have come up empty-handed. BUT… a local pastor recently contacted a co-worker of mine, stating that their basement apartment could come near the 1st of September. Will you pray about this with me?

• Whether this lead pans out or not, I need to increase my monthly support by $1,000. This would put me very close, if not at, being fully funded! Most of this amount (approximately $750) would be used to cover rent and utilities. The remaining amount would go towards medical insurance or unexpected expenses as some pop up from time to time. Our God is a big God. Therefore I am taking a step of faith and asking 10 people to partner with me at $100 a month. But, please know that no gift is too small. To donate, click on the "Donate" tab at the top of the page. Please designate your donation to my account: 401511.

• We have a handful of new staff members making their way to work out of our office in South Africa! Please pray for them and favor, as we recently found out the visa process to reside in the country has suddenly changed. This change makes for extra paperwork and fees for us as an organization and our new staff members.

Praises & Blessings:

• We recently had our first-ever Teaching Conference in Quito! It was a huge success, and even more so as the Holy Spirit moved and compelled teachers to share ways they can bring Christ into the classroom.

• One of our Initiatives is to help supply our programs & partner projects with school supplies, as many of the kids we work with cannot afford the mandatory school uniforms and supplies and therefore drop out of school. One hundred kids from one of our partner projects in Metro Manila were blessed with such items. As a result, many parents have realized that this partner project genuinely cares about their children and equips them to succeed while demonstrating the Gospel's power and love. Because of this small act, more families have shown an interest in the local church plant.

Perfect spot for alone time with

the Creator of the Universe.