Hey Everyone!
Ministry Update
Big praise of the month is that I got my paperwork back from the State Department! This was a big thing that I have been waiting on for a while in order to move on to the next step in the visa process. I got it mailed out to my team in Eastern Europe for the next step of going through a translation agency and 3 government agencies for approval. I learned that this step takes roughly 6 weeks, which is longer than I originally anticipated, so my departure date will be late March, maybe early April. My trip to the Embassy in DC was a success, and I got the other set of paperwork taken care of there that I mailed out with the paperwork from the State Department.
I started leaning more into language learning the last few weeks as I am getting closer to leaving, and it has been going well so far. There are a lot of similarities between it and Russian (which I learned at university), so it has been smooth sailing so far, but I know it will get more difficult as I learn about the complexities of the language.
Personal Update
I have gotten to spend time with my friends, growing friendships more as I am preparing to leave, and it has been such a sweet time. It has been helpful and encouraging getting to spend time with them as I prepare to leave. It has helped me make peace with leaving my friends and comfort zone for what God is calling me into in Eastern Europe. One of my friends convinced me to do a rock climbing competition with him in late February, so I will be preparing with him, and it will be my first time competing. It has me a little nervous since I have never competed before, but it will be a fun thing to do with him before I leave. There is also a rock climbing gym in the city where I will be living in Eastern Europe so I am hoping that I can use my passion for rock climbing and experience to make friends there and share the gospel with people I meet at the gym.
Praises
- My one-time goal is completed!
- My paperwork came back from the State Department!
- God loves each and every one of us, meeting us with grace and mercy as we bring our messes to Him!
Prayers
- That the paperwork goes smoothly and quickly through the government agencies.
- That God provides the final bit of the funding I need.
- That God prepares my heart for the work in Eastern Europe.
- That God softens and prepares the hearts of all the people I meet to hear and accept the Gospel.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my newsletter and hear about what God has been doing!