Hope you are all well and that you had a wonderful Easter/Passover season. Easter is my favorite holiday in the year as I celebrate that my Savior and Friend rose from the dead and is full of power.
Praises:
- Health
- Visit with my Grandma
Prayer:
- Job hunt
- Financial partners for the work in Nicaragua
- How to juggle support raising, training assignments, and life
March was a busy month of travel. It was wonderful to visit with people in churches in NH, MA, NY and Maine as I shared about what God has and is doing in Nicaragua. And I had a couple of opportunities to share the gospel with people in CT and with acquaintances/relatives of people I’ve visited in some of those churches. And God has opened doors to encourage believers in those churches.
The first week of March I was in Pennsylvania at ABWE headquarters (my mission agency). While there I completed the interview and approval process. I’m happy to report they accepted/approved me to be a long-term missionary to Nicaragua. My next step is to start raising support to go back.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Missionary to Nicaragua = I am planning to return to Nicaragua.
Long-term in Nicaragua= at least 4 years, but really for many more years than that.
When will I return to Nicaragua = however long it takes to raise support. Estimating 1yr-1.5yrs. Praying God guides me to individuals and churches with a heart to partner in the work financially. So I plan to stay in the Northeast for the next year or two.
Currently support level: 23%. Praying for 100% by end of summer 2019.
MISSIONS 101
During my time at headquarters they provided some initial training in cross-cultural ministry, and mapped out a list of research and training assignments I will need to complete over the next 12 months.
They also had sessions on what is involved In support raising. The world of missions and support raising has changed much in the last 50 years. Over the next several updates I will share a little bit about these changes and what is involved.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT?
While some larger denominations appoint missionaries and fully finance them immediately out of the denomination’s general fund, it is different for those of us from independent churches. For us, once we have been approved by our home church and mission agency, we start a personal journey of faith in seeing how God provides. It can be a full-time job seeking out financial partners and we learn a lot about trusting God. It is also a time of ministry to the people we meet on the journey. It can be anywhere from 1 – 4 years. Formerly this time period was called “deputation” or “support-raising”, but now is frequently called “pre-field ministry” since it is before we arrive at our intended field.
UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS (Email me for a list of upcoming locations)
If you would like to have me come share in your church, home, or group, I would love to come share about Nicaragua. If you know of churches or people who might be interested, I love to hear your referrals.
How to Sign Up to Give:
https://mulderoverseas.weebly.com/contactgive.html