HELLO //
I hope you are doing well! I have been praying that in the midst of this busy holiday season, that we are all finding new things to celebrate and be thankful for.
This last month has felt very full and I think this update proves it (it's worth the read, l promise). I'm excited to share with you what I've been up to and all that I've been learning!
SOME UPDATES //
This past month has felt like a breath of fresh air as I have gotten to pause and sit in the reality I find myself in.
During this time of rest, I have gotten the opportunity to reflect on these past few months of support raising. I've also found myself with much more free time, which I have used spending time with some of my closest relationships as I say goodbye for the next two years.
But before I get into all the ooey gooey reflection stuff, I have an exciting announcement:
I am currently over 100% funded!
I am so beyond grateful for the people who have stepped out in faith and have prayerfully joined my team. To know that there are over 60 individuals and families who have committed to generously give toward this journey I am on is such a gift to me.
REFLECTIONS //
As I reflect on the past 3 months I have spent full-time support raising, I can't help but notice a few themes that the Lord has graciously (and sometimes not so graciously) revealed to me.
The one theme that I want to share with you today is from a passage of Scripture the Lord simply won't let me forget about (it's a blessing and a curse). It's the story found in John 2, Jesus' first miracle - turning water into wine.
For those of who you grew up in the faith, this might seem like a typical passage - trust me, I thought the same thing. But what I want to share with you is a more unique perspective I have never considered before - so don't check out just yet!
JOHN 2:1-11
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you." Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
I had this epiphany during an appointment with one of my partners (you know who you are). We were talking about this story and how it overlaps with the idea of calling that we always hear being thrown around the Church.
While I have felt called to do overseas ministry for awhile now, at the time of this appointment I was beginning to notice a few struggles come to the surface during my support raising process.
One of the most challenging things for me was acknowledging the pedestal that many missionaries get put on inadvertently. I was the missionary, the one who got to go to Thailand, the "goer." This idea made me so uncomfortable. I was the one with the boots on the ground. I had a hard time with the idea that while I was the only face that people saw, behind me I had a huge team of people who were the real MVP's, the ones who sent me.
What I learned about this passage has a lot to do with obedience. Everyone is called to obedience, but obedience looks different in everybody's life. When we look at this story, we see that Jesus performed a miracle because of a response of obedience. The servants were asked to get jars and to fill them with water. They were asked to do something and they responded simply: with obedience. They were given no credit for their response (we don't even know their names - WHAT). But because of their response of obedience, Jesus was able to perform His miracle.
After reflecting on this story, I could not help but identify this one single truth: I believe that everyone's calling on earth, regardless of who you are, is to be a water carrier. Everyone on earth is being called to respond in obedience and to carry water on behalf of individuals and communities so that Jesus can perform the miracle He intends to perform.
I am able to carry water to my brothers and sisters in Thailand because you all have been willing to carry water for me. I am grateful and humbled to get a front row seat to the miracles and wonders that God has in store for our family in Thailand because of how you have generously responded.
I know that these words have been a huge encouragement and pillar of strength for me in the season I find myself in. I hope that in whatever circumstance you find yourself in today, that they do the same for you.
WHAT'S NEXT //
Here's where you can find me these last few months:
- December: Time off to visit with family and friends in Arizona.
- January 2 - January 5: I will be spending a few days in Southern California. If you're free, I'd love to chat over a cup of coffee!
- January 6 - February 23: Pre-field training in North Carolina.
- February 24 - Mid-March: I will be spending some time in Arizona and some time in Southern California (dates are TBD).
- Mid-March: I will be launching! I just got my approval to purchase flights last week and will get my official launch date and will purchase my ticket soon!
CELEBRATIONS //
- For me meeting my goal with time to spare. I will be celebrating this FOREVER!
- Time spent with family and friends that has been very life-giving and grounding for me.
- Continued excitement for my pre-field training that's in just a few weeks.
- Establishing healthier rhythms of work, rest, and preparation.
- Lots of time to read and fill my soul! Here are some of my recent favorites:
- Cross Cultural Connections // Duane Elmer
- From Buddha to Jesus // Steve Cioccolanti
- Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy // Eric Metaxas
PRAYER REQUESTS //
- PRAY for safe travels as I will be bouncing around quite a bit over the next few months.
- PRAY for logistics of my visa, flights, and paperwork.
- PRAY that my time of training would be beneficial and rejuvenating.
- PRAY that the Lord would use the training to build relationships with fellow missionaries and my team member, Emily.
- PRAY that this last Christmas with my family (for awhile) would be full of joy and celebration.
- PRAY for the goodbyes that have happened and that are going to happen. I'm learning pretty quickly that goodbyes are really, really hard.
Grateful for you and your willingness to carry water on my behalf.
Blessings,
Autumn