Summer of Life

Has it only been six weeks since I last wrote? So much has
happened! Somehow I’ve stumbled into a season of celebration.
It’s both humbling and spectacular.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The third weekend in May was another Leader Training for Field
Support. This time it was in the mountains of Tennessee, literally out
of cell phone and internet range. In all we trained 52 people- Ministry
Coordinators, Summer Interns, Support Staff, Worship Leaders, and
Project leaders. When the training ended, all of the Ministry
Coordinators, Summer Interns, and Support Staff immediately went on the
field for 10 weeks. That was the kick off to our summer season, the
busiest three months of the year- and what we as Field Support and STM
work towards throughout Fall, Winter, and Spring. With teams constantly
going to, serving on, and leaving the field, this is a busy time for us-
but a time to rejoice as we see God work not only in the nations, but
in our participants, leaders- and ourselves- as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We even had two leaders start playing bluegrass music for us one day! So fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two weeks later, close friends of mine, Talia and Joe Bunting,
married in the front yard of Talia’s family home. After Joe proposed
back in February, Talia asked my friend Connie to decorate the wedding. I offered to help- and I’m so glad I did! We spent the spring shopping and preparing and during the last two weeks, my life was waking up, working at the
office, then going over to the wedding site to make it match the picture
in Talia’s head. It
was a beautiful wedding… a great celebration. The most beautiful part of all was the love my two
friends have for each other, their families, and their Lord. Helping with the wedding was something I truly enjoyed. I love supporting people; helping them see their dreams come alive. Seeing Connie’s vision before me was magnificent; being a small part of the manpower behind that was such a gift! Being creative, working with friends, celebrating- I look forward to more opportunities to do that!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*One of my big jobs during the wedding was taking care of Asha, the morkie pictured above. She was in the wedding and then came out to be with family during the reception.*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And yesterday, after twenty-six hours of active labor, friends of mine from AIM welcomed their first child into the world. While every little one is a miracle, this baby was born to a mother who was told she’d never bear her own child. Right now my Facebook wall is full of pictures of Ezekiel Richard Jacobs and those celebrating his arrival, and every time I log on I marvel at the fact that there is One true Author of Life- the one who makes lilies spring up in the desert, creates a child in a “barren” womb, and fulfills the dreams He gives us.

 

 

 

Now, I’m about to take off again, this time to Costa Rica. We have a
team of 70 from Nebraska who are flying down on Monday for a week long
trip. Please pray for me, the support staff, and the team as we serve God
in Central America. We are excited; however Connie has a bad sinus
infection. Please pray for strength, energy,
and wisdom as I lead this team (this will be my “coached” trip). I can’t wait to tell you about what God
does!

 

I will return from Costa Rica, only to take off a few days
later for California, where a group leader has requested Connie and I come out and
help train his team before our trip. His church is paying for that entire trip, just so we can meet, build relationships, and help train them! Then on July 6, I’m leading in the
DR until the 15th. We’ll be in San Juan, a different area than where I was in 2009. I’m very excited!

 

Then, in August, comes India. I am so excited about this trip! The opportunity to return to a country and people I love is just a few months away! Right now we’re still putting the team together and coordinating logistical details, but I can smell the curry and hear the call for “chai”! Soon it will be reality! I cannot wait!

 

As for support, right now I’m still trying to raise my monthly total so I can meet the original support goal. I will also need an additional $780 to pay for the DR trip. If you have been praying about/are interested in supporting me, please click on the link above to your left, or email me at [email protected].