Good stuff

Lots of good news to share with you. I didn't update last week because I was still trying to figure some number stuff out before I shared anything with you.

Here is the first piece of good news...
I am at $600 in monthly pledges and $1,645 in one-time pledges. PRAISE GOD!! I just heard from Pastor Alan last week and its looking like I won't need as much monthly as I thought I was going to need in order to live there. So I will only need to raise another $500 in monthly pledges to make my budget. I am well on my way in one-time pledges as well. The $1,645 I already have will go toward my plane ticket. I still need to raise $2,400 in one-time pledges for the rest of my plane ticket as well as some extra expenditures I will have when I first get to Africa. God is providing, family!! Thank you for listening to God and obeying His leading to help me!

If you are still praying about the amount, whether it is a one-time donation or a monthly pledge, I thank you in advance and can't wait to hear what God speaks to you. Some of you have already indicated that is what is happening and I appreciate that. It is always good to know that you have decided to support me, even if you don't know the amount, that way I can hope for it and know what to look forward to.

Another piece of good news is...
Pastor Alan wrote me an email today letting me know that they just painted my room and it is ready and waiting for me. I asked him to send me a picture so you can see it. I also let him know that I plan to arrive there the first week of September. It will be a perfect time to get there because schools will be back in session and their ministry events start back up in full swing around that time. I will hit the ground running, but I'm EXTREMELY excited to know that I will be needed and busy. I'm VERY ready for new challenges and a new part of my life to start.

One last piece of good news...
I am doing great. God has been speaking some new things to me. He is revealing some strengths I never thought I had and some spiritual gifts that I need to start developing. I realize that my last few blog entries have been pretty intense and have sounded kind of down, but just know that you are on an intense journey with me. It is better if I am honest about how I am feeling and what I'm going through so you know specifically how to pray for me. Your encouragement during those times helps me get through the hard days...you are the ones, along with Jesus, who help me refocus on the bigger picture of what I'm doing. It helps me to be real with you because I know that you are fighting for me in prayer...so don't be discouraged, because I'm not.

Standing firm,
Gina :)