New Year, New Vision

I really try to think about plans for the New Year before it even starts, but I usually come up with nothing. It’s not until the year actually begins that God starts to show His vision for the year. This year was no different. Through the back-to-school projects and the annual missionary retreat, God has revealed to me a bit of the direction for the ministry this year, and I couldn’t be more excited!

First things first, the ministry continues to grow. This year, about fifty kids were blessed with some sort of back to school help. A few of the kids will receive help throughout the year to cover other educational costs, bus money, or tutoring.  It is such an exciting and hopeful time of the year, as families and kids think ahead towards their futures and the steps they must take to make it there. As I deliver uniforms or supplies to each family, I sit, talk, and pray with them that God will use education as a tool to bring them further down the path that He has created for them.

As the ministry has continued to grow, I’ve noticed the need for help. It is becoming increasingly difficult for me to manage all the families God has called me to serve (and to serve them well). I’ve been brainstorming ideas and hearing advice from missionaries far more experienced than I, and what I feel that God is planning is to use the kids from the community to help support the ministry. Specifically the teenagers have a unique ability to not only payback a little bit of what they have received, but be proud of the work they do in their own community and help me know how to best serve their community.  My plan for this year is to involve them more. I want to get the group together (there are about 10 highschoolers), build a group that can not only support one another but others as well. I want to meet with them semi-regularly to get to know them better, pray with them, and hear their concerns, ideas, and hopes for their community. I hope that by the time next year rolls around, they can be extra hands for me to pick up school supply lists, communicate and visit with families, and be physical help as I carry everything in to the community. They also have first hand knowledge of the families that truly need the most help. I would also love to use them as tutors for younger kids following in their footprints who need extra support. Not only will this benefit everyone involved, but I truly believe it can start to change the environment as neighbors are serving, loving, and encouraging one another.

I also have felt led by God to make sure that whatever I do, I do it well. I want to make sure that the families in whom I invest know that I truly care for them, have time for them, and are wholeheartedly supporting them. I hate cheap handouts, or the attitude of “well, it’s not great, but it’s better than what they had.” If I have committed to support a child and he or she is struggling in school and lacks support at home, I need to be able to set up a tutor for them. I need to know the families well enough to be able to address deep issues such as abuse, neglect and dangerous behaviors. If I’m going to support a kid in school, its not a one time handout, but the beginning of a long relationship with the entire family.

When God does something, He does it well, and this is His ministry. God is not unable to find the funds to do things well; He doesn’t have to settle for half-done projects. Whatever I do, I want to do well because I’m doing it in the Lord’s name.

I have most clearly seen this play on in my sponsorship of Carlos. In the past, he has not seen much academic success. He has failed all his classes, only passing them because Honduran law says you can’t fail a kid. He has never been given the books or tools to complete mandatory homework. He has never received tutoring even though is he so far behind in all of his classes. This year, to give him the chance he deserves, he will have all his books, support and a tutor to help guide him. It will always be up to him to take advantage of the opportunity or not, but at least he has the chance.

“Doing things well” extends into family life as well. Family is priority even before ministry, so I’m trying to care well for the kids also. This means intentionally carving out and protecting family time even though our house is fuller than normal and always welcoming unexpected guests. This means to begin having Anderson and Asmin meet with a Christian psychologist to help them work through the confusing feelings surrounding their family situation and working through some of the past abuses they’ve suffered. This also means starting the formal adoption process  (once I turn 25, the minimum age to adopt) to legally secure their future and make it possible for our family to travel together.

In a nutshell, as the ministry grows, I need to be more intentional than ever to honor God in all I do and rely only on His guidance. If I walk in faith and don’t shy away from the hard things, my life, family and ministry can reflect His greatness and power.

This is a bit of my vision for this year. I’m sure God will continue to reveal and fine tune His plans throughout the year, and I know He’ll be faithful in keeping me in the loop! I’m excited about this year and I’m constantly thankful for how much I love the ministry God has called me to! I’m nervous about the thought of a quickly growing ministry, by I know my hands aren’t really the ones holding everything together. I also start to worry about finances as sponsoring more kids, forming a “club” from the highschoolers, and paying tutors, psychologists, and lawyers all costs money! Honestly, I’m already worried to see just how fast the money has been drained during this back-to-school season. Luckily, I’ve witnessed God’s faithfulness time and time again and I know He’s not the type to call me to something big without providing everything that is necessary – protection, provision, wisdom, etc.

Please pray with me as we dive into this year. Even just these first few months, I’ve had to rely so heavily on the Lord and the prayers of His people for me. God only knows what the rest of the year has in store, but I sure am excited!!