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| our welcome sign! |
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| Yes I bought a shirt! |
I'm back from Pre-Field Orientation. This means I am looking at going for a year long stay after my 3 wk September visit. PFO was to prepare me if I go for a year long stay. It was 2wks long and packed full of many things.
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| The Howards and I...They are going to the Philippines too! |
I loved getting to know other missionaries. I heard many stories of how they where called. Many people repeated the saying " you all cried somewhere" meaning that something tugged on our spirit so much that we cried. I really related to this missionary saying. I remember many services, big or small, that I would cry when they spoke about kids. I thought it was just me. Instead it was something deep inside that God was doing. So pay attention to the stuff you cry over that most people aren't as bothered by...God could be calling you!
We had many teachings:
I learned about how the Asia pacific region's culture. The Filipino culture and American culture are very different. For example they don't say no. It's all about "saving face" and never embarrassing someone. If I invited you to come over but we were in a group, you would say yes, even if you were NOT coming. This is so I am not embarrassed in front of the others since you don't want to come over. Very odd. All through out these teachings we would keep getting books. I brought back over 10 new books!
Other teachings were on budgets, investing in missionary kids, history of AGWM, support raising, principles of compassionate outreach, visa/travel, insurance, code of ethics, managing conflict, missiology theology, destructive emotions, Holy Spirit ministry, live a devoted life, and many others!
I had lots of extra activities with other:
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| "Caving" |
James River Assembly &Central Assembly services, nature walks seeing ground hogs, ducks, geese, turtles and baby skunks, caving (sorta), hiking, $3 movie, shopping, pillow fights, bed bugs, yummy meals- one at lamberts where they throw rolls at you, celebrated birthdays at ihop(pancakes not prayer) dance off...and much more great memories!
Its a wonderful place to be when you are able to surround yourself with followers of Christ who desire to go all over the world telling others about Jesus! I was really stirred up. Something in my spirit was changed. It was like a second family. They knew about my nephew David Allen Haynes and his story. Then during the first week my Aunt Joyce also passed away. They all surrounded me with prayers and support. They helped me get through an emotionally rough time. I stuck it out and was so grateful I did. The result being another change for the better in my life.
On the flight home I was delayed in Atlanta. The weather was very bad. We finally boarded the plane but had to sit longer in the plane. There was a line up of over 20 planes waiting to take off! And we flew off in the storm. I prayed so hard. I finally made it home safely.
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| Sara and Stehenie are the best! |
The next day was my 21st birthday! I felt the love of God so much through my family and friends. Most of my beloved friends had served all week at Gainesville outreach. That is when they stay at the church and do ministry to gainesville all week alongside the youth in our town. My friends still celebrated in the tiredness. It was so beautiful to me to see the tangible love that Christ has for me, shown by these people I respect so much.
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| the crew that stayed a little later than the others |
