Thank you to everyone for your encouragement and support over my big announcement last week!
In case you missed it, in August I will be coming on staff with Operation Mobilization and then February 2018, will be moving to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for 2 years. WOOT!
I wanted to take the time during this next blog to answer a lot of questions I’ve been asked. So here we go:
1. What does Adventures think about you leaving to work with another organization?
Something that is really important to me is operating from under the umbrella of authority. While I was praying about this big life change, close friends and church leadership were praying with me. As soon as I knew for sure I was accepted to Argentina, I went to my boss (who is a dear friend). Her response was both positive and confirming!
Then I emailed my CEO, Seth Barnes.
I’ve known Seth for about 8 years, and I really really love Asha, his Morkie. (In fact, my final campaign at Adventures is going to be putting her picture on the staff page portion of the website under “Human Relations”). I told Seth what was going on as far as leaving Adventures and moving to Argentina, and asked for his blessing in stepping into this new season—and he gave it.
So I am leaving Adventures covered in blessing, as I come under the authority of OM.
Adventures’ culture is very unique. We’re an organization that values innovation and we constantly have new people joining our staff—and being sent out at the same time. This makes for a very fluid, beautiful community that understands and celebrates seasons—and even change. Having been around for 11 years, and on staff for 8, I’m actually considered an “old timer”… because I’ve been here more than 2 years. So announcing that I was leaving surprised a lot of people, but I am being sent out joyfully!
Also, here is a picture of me and Asha, just because:
2. Why Operation Mobilization (OM)?
I’ve known about them since college, because a recruiter came a lot and hung out with the students. He was pretty cool, and I became very impressed with the organization.
When I worked in Long Term Missions for 18 months, I served under a former OM missionary who had served in North Africa for over 20 years. While listening to his stories and hearing about his ministry, my respect for OM only grew.
Not long later, a friend I grew up with at Community Bible Church in Stockbridge, Georgia, and her husband and kids went to Montenegro with OM. Again, seeing their ministry and dedication to the Gospel from afar has only grown my appreciation of the organization.
Because of those 3 things, I ended up on their website looking at opportunities. Here’s what I found out in my research:
Operation Mobilization exists to see vibrant communities of Jesus followers among the least reached. It has been around for over 50 years. They have over 6,800 volunteers and staff in over 118 countries. They are part of so many different types of ministries and work all over the world.
Most importantly, they are dedicated to spreading the Gospel.
To read more about what OM does around the world, click here. (Also, as the writer from Argentina, I imagine I’ll be a part of sharing stories like this from my field!)
3. Can’t you do something like this with Adventures in Missions?
Actually, no, this kind of opportunity and ministry does not exist with Adventures.
OM is set up differently than Adventures. Adventures has a main base in Gainesville, Georgia, which is where I work every day. I go into an office and sit at a desk (or outside on the porch). 🙂 We do have long term missionaries and some bases, but they operate differently than the main office. I’m a part of Marketing for the entire organization, all from Georgia.
With OM, each country (field) has its own office. So every country (or region if it’s really small) has its own accounting, its own marketing, etc.
This opportunity with OM will allow me to do writing and missions while living on the field.
This opportunity is kind of like… taking a goldfish out of a plastic bag and putting it in a bowl… and then taking it out and putting it in a tank. And then putting it into a pond. Each time it goes into a bigger container, the fish gets bigger. For me, I’ve been doing writing and missions from the States, and now I have the opportunity to do it from the field.
It’s not about what I’m leaving behind (because there is so much that is wonderful about Adventures), it’s about the season and opportunity before me and what God wants to grow me into.
5. What do your parents/family/poodle think about this?
I have been blessed to have a family who are 100% supportive of me and God’s calling on my life. I am so thankful! It’s going to be hard on all of us (especially poodle), but we all know it’s ultimately worth it.
In fact, when I told my Mama, she said that when I was in kindergarten, she heard a speaker say, “More people would go on the mission field if their families didn’t hold them back”, and she vowed that wouldn’t be her—not knowing God would ultimately call me into missions.
I am so thankful to have parents and a family who value, affirm, and support the call of Christ and sharing the Gospel!
But please do me a favor and take care of them for me!
6. Does OM send short term mission teams?
Yes, they do! And teams can come work with me! Want to put a trip together from your church and come to Argentina? 🙂
7. Can I start sending support to OM while you are still on staff with Adventures?
Yes, please, and thank you!!
My role with Operation Mobilization will be 100% support raised. I will need to raise around $2300/month (budget is still being finalized).
This will cover everything from rent, utilities, internet, food, and transportation, to health insurance, ministry costs, emergency fund, admin fees and taxes, etc.
In addition, I will have start up costs of $5600 to cover trainings, start up expenses, opening housing, language study, flight, visa, etc.
So I’m asking everyone reading this to pray about supporting me, not only in prayer but financially as well.
In order to go in February, I need to have enough in funds raised or proof of monthly commitments to cover the cost of 2 years (and start up costs) by December 4, 2017.
Online donations can be given at www.omusa.org/give. If you type in my name, it pops up.
In addition, anyone currently giving towards my fundraising at Adventures would need to stop their support manually by logging into their account and cancelling the donation by August 10, 2017.
If you would like to give by check, you can send it to:
Operation Mobilization
P.O. Box 444
Tyrone, GA 30290
*OM asks that anyone giving by check include a note stating whether it is for a monthly gift or a special gift. This is so they know how to calculate it towards the monthly support commitments. Online gifts will automatically ask that question.
____
Thank you!! That’s all for now. The next blog will talk about Argentina specifically, but I wanted to just send this information now. Hope you all had a great 4th of July!
