"Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."
Prov. 19:21
This is the verse that popped in my mind as I thought how to start this letter. I and the administration of RVA had planned for me to stay at RVA for a 2 year term, but it seems the Lord has made it clear that I am to return home instead after only a 6month term at RVA. I am thankful for His leading and the encouragement from many of you and fellow staff at RVA as well. The Lord is GOOD and Faithful. I know that I can trust in Him to show me what His will is and that it will be for my good and His glory.
The Lord also brought this verse to mind as I have been processing all the emotions of what is happening.
"You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."
Isaiah 26:3-4
I have no doubt the Lord had a purpose for me being here these last 6 months. While I don't completely understand the Lord's timing in this, He has given me peace about it all. He has shown me in His word many times over the last month that I do not have to worry; but that He is Sovereign and knows what He has for me. My hope and prayer is that, Lord willing, I will be able to return to RVA in January to continue on with the girls I have had in my dorm for their Senior year. I told the girls that sometimes we don't know why the Lord works the way He does, but that we can trust Him because we know who HE is! I also said that even though I hope to come back, I also want to be open for His leading if it is in a different direction!!
Ok, I should probably back up here. :) I wrote to you all in June asking you to pray specifically for my monthly support situation. After working with AIM and the leadership of RVA we set a deadline for July 8th to see if there would be an answer to that prayer. God seems to have answered very clearly that, at this time, I need to return to the States to raise support. I do want to thank so many of you who gave extra gifts this last month, that was such a blessing to receive so that I could have just what I needed to finish out this month here. Thank you!
As I said before, our goal is that I might be able to raise enough support for me to return to the field by January of 2016. I would ask that you would be praying for God's direction and provision if that is what He would have me do! Also, please pray for my girls who will be going through a lot of transition at the start of their Senior year. This was really hard (emotionally) on us all. I am praying that the Lord would use this in their lives to draw them to Himself; to learn to trust Him even in the uncertain times. Pray for RVA to find a dorm cover for the time that I am away and for all those details to come together.
So, what now? By God's grace and strength I will get through a very busy end of the term, one day at a time :). I have many travel responsibilities to get our students on their way to their parents by July 15th. I have dorm-party on Monday the 13th. That will be a ton of fun and very special but also a lot of work. Graduation is on the 16th, and somewhere in there I turn 30!!!! YIKES! :)
Thankfully I was able to change my ticket date from November when I was hoping to come for a visit. The ticket change was very expensive, but cheaper than eating the cost of that previous ticket so I am very thankful that worked out! I will have a few days to pack up before I leave Kenya on July 20th. I will fly into Charlotte, NC and spend some time with my brother, Jon and his family before going back to Indiana sometime before August.
Since I have this unexpected time in the States, I will want to make connections with as many of you as possible. Also, if you think your church or maybe a small-group of some kind; Sunday school, fellowship group, etc would be interested in hearing more about the ministry that happens at RVA, please let me know! Would be so wonderful to connect with you. We could also grab a cup of coffee :).
Work-permit. Starting to cringe at the mention of that word. haha. We still have not been able to get my permit though it has been approved and paid for. I am not sure what the hold-up is, but God knows! Thankfully I was able to get another extension in my passport so I am legal in the country at least! It would be great if I can still get the permit before I leave so I don't have to mail my passport back to Kenya to get the permit stamped in the passport from the States!
I will try to have more information for you about the time at home as I learn more. This is all pretty sudden so haven't had a chance to make plans with AIM yet.
In all this, I know that the Lord is with me. He has also surrounded me with such a strong support group at RVA, my family, and my friends (you)! The body of Christ is a wonderful thing. Clinging to Him as my Rock!
serving with you,
Amy
