Stories from the Field

If you received this blog last week, please forgive the re-release of it. I tried a new format and when I asked people what they thought of it, several said they didn't receive the blog update. So this is a re-post. A new post on Guatemala is coming soon, I promise!

Hey, Friends!

I'm back from Guatemala and cannot WAIT to tell you about it! Pictures are up, videos are still being uploaded, and the stories are swirling in my mind. Please stay tuned for the next couple posts!

Before I tell you about it, I have a few things to share with you. Some of you have asked for an update on financial support, so I'm sending this update before the stories this time:

Financial Support:
First, I came home from Guatemala to an unexpected surprise- a medical bill. I've been having stomach issues since the New Year, and it became evident in February that I needed to go to the doctor. I assumed I paid in full at the office, only to find this lovely letter waiting for me when I got back. Today, I called and asked if there was anything that could be done to this not-good-surprise, and they reduced it by 50% – PRAISE GOD! He is so good! But, between that, the cost of the initial appointment, and the medication… well, unexpected bills are no fun. But I would also appreciate prayer. The doctor and the tests that were ran didn't have any diagnostic answers, only that I don't have celiac disease (PRAISE GOD!). And while the medication and the doctor's recomendation of changes to my diet have helped tremendously (I feel like I did before I got sick! YAY!), I'd would love for this to not happen again.

In addition, it's time to start purchasing airline tickets! This is so exciting! The first ticket to be purchased is for the Thailand/Cambodia trip in May. It's been priced at around $2000 in total (for 2 tickets- round trip ATL to Bangkok and then round trip Bangkok to Phnom Penh). This year was also the blessed year of passport renewal, which means I also have a Indian visa to renew, which is an additional expense.

Finally, my monthly support is up, and all I can say is THANK YOU! Seriously… thank you so much! I'm now within $70 of meeting my monthly support goal. Thank you to all of you who give! I thank God for you and wish I could bless you as much as you bless me… Instead, I just trust that God will do that for me. Know that I pray for you and thank God for you often.

In all, between the medical bills, the flights, the visa renewal… I need to raise $3000 by June 1. This is in addition to still needing $70/month in order to meet my support goal. Will you pray about helping out with this need financially? Whether it's a monthly committment, a special gift, or a pledge of a tax refund, I greatly appreciate it all! To give financially, you can click "Support Me" on the top left of the screen for an online donation, or send a check to:

Second, I wanted to share with you two exciting blogs. If you like to read blogs, especially about missions, these two I'd highly recommend.

The first is A Life Overseas. I read this blog every day, because it makes me think and also keeps me aware of what's going on in missions. This blog is written by missionaries all over the world. It is inter-organizational, cross cultural, international, inter-generational…. from brand new, fresh faced long term missionaries to those who've been on the field for decades. These men and women write from all over the world about the current struggles they face in modern day missions. If there's one blog I'd recommend to anyone, it's this one.

Last month, Seth Barnes, AIM's founder and CEO, was even a guest blogger on it! Anywho… to check out the blog, just click on the picture below.