So it begins…

Hey friends,

Tomorrow, the craziness begins. I report for Real Life training and meet my co-leader Stephen (Marissa, the other female co-leader is meeting us in Jo’burg since she lives in Swaziland right now). On Tuesday, our students will arrive and we will have training together for about a week. We fly out of ATL on the 7^th, arriving in Johannesburg, South Africa sometime on the 8^th. We will have to bus up to where we are staying in central Mozambique (which I hear is about a 16 hr trek -yikes!), but these details have yet to be divulged to me. We missionaries have to go with the flow, eh? 🙂

Right now I am at work in the AIM office, tying up loose ends and trying to finish up some projects before tomorrow evening. I am really antsy to get this party started, though-meet my team and get going already! But I know that there is a time and purpose for everything, so I look forward to bonding this time at training camp.

I appreciate your support so much and do ask for your prayer covering as we go out. Here are some specific ways you can pray for me and my team:

· For hunger-I am asking God to increase my hunger for Him-and for each one of my teammates as well. We can’t truly love those around us if He is not the main desire of our hearts.

·For protection from the enemy: any where there is an increase of light and hope, satan tries to increase his darkness. This can be especially evident in places of extreme poverty. Pray that we will recognize spiritual warfare and put on the armor of Christ(Eph 6)

· For our leadership team (Stephen, Marissa, and myself). That God will show us how to lead, love and serve well. Pray also for me as this will be my first experience intensely discipling others. I know God will equip me with every good thing when I need it.

· Safety. There has been a lot of unrest and violence in South Africa lately. Pray for protection as we travel.

· For ministry opportunities. I know we will be working with the children under the Rudolph’s care. I also know that they show the Jesus film there and do outreaches in various villages. Pray for boldness and love as we go out and be His hands and feet.

· The Rudolph family, who were are partnering with in their ministry to orphans. You can check out their website, too at http://www.mozambique-orphans.co.za/. They are truly living in sacrificial obedience and we want to serve them in every way we can while we are there.

· My support. I currently have 2000 dollars in my support account and a hand full of monthly supporters, but am still a long way from my 1500 dollar a month goal. I pray that this trip will help cast vision more for my ministry at AIM as I speak to supporters upon my return in August.

I will continue to post on my blog during the summer, though my internet access will be sporadic. Check back for pics and stories!

Again, thank you so much for who you are in my life. I pray an increase of God’s grace, peace and blessings upon each of you

~Jess