Reflection and Future Plans

First, I just want to say thank you to all of you who have been such an encouragement in my life, even from a distance. Your support, words of encouragement, and prayer have truly been a blessing and left a lasting impact on my life. Sincerely, thank you!

Today I find myself enjoying my last Saturday in Southwest Florida. My internship here at ECHO (Education Concerns for Hunger Organization, www.echonet.org) officially comes to a close this next Friday the 17th. It is so crazy to think that a year has gone by already. God has been so good to meet me here in this, at first, strange and intimidating environment. He has blessed me with amazing relationships, a new perspective, and knowledge about his heart and character that I lacked prior to coming here. For all these things, and more, I am so
grateful!

The girl who will be taking over the PR internship (Deanna) is scheduled to come in tomorrow evening and I will begin orienting her on Monday. We only have a week together, so please pray that I will be able to prioritize activities and train her well. Also pray for her transition to this new environment.

Also on Friday the 17th, my good friend Dana will be flying into Fort Myers to join me on the drive from Southwest Florida back to Montana. Another adventure, no doubt. We will then load the Blue Beast (aka. Mazda Protege), and hit the road first thing Saturday morning rolling into Missoula, Montana on the 24th (my birthday for those who did not know :)) Please pray for safe travel as Dana flies down as well as for our drive.

I will be in Montana for a week or so to attend the 5 year reunion of the Alpha Omega Fellowship House (yeah!) and to catch up with friends. Then will travel to Portland to stay with my family for a while. I am really excited for the chance to hang out with my Mom and Step Dad, not to mention my little sister(who is awesome I might add). Okay, well they are all basically really cool!

I will be in Portland for most of July, but will spend the last week of July in the Seattle area volunteering at a cancer camp for kids (Camp Agape). Please pray for a safe and healthy week for all the counselors, parents and kids envolved. As well as strength and open servant hearts for those going to help and serve.

Finally, the really big news! Shortly after cancer camp I will be making final preparations to spend three months serving in the central plateau of Haiti (August 8th to October 26th). I am currently in the middle of fundraising and God has been so faithful to provide already. I am half funded, so please pray that the necessary finances will come in before I depart.

Also, Haiti is scheduled to have their national elections at the beginning of November. As the elections draw closer riots and political uprisings have become more frequent the larger cities. Please pray for Haiti's interim government, the political process, and that His hand would be on both the candidates and the gangs causing riots.

To delay any fears, I will be spending my time in the central plateau of Haiti which is a rural farming community of Pignon. Fortunately Pignon is separated from the larger cities by terrible roads, making it difficult for people to travel between (including the political gangs in the larger cities). I never thought I would be thanking God for terrible roads!

After Haiti, I'm not exactly sure what I will be doing (most likely finding a job). I know that God has a plan, and I am waiting to see what doors open over the next few months. It's like the old hymn, "Trust and Obey" :)

Well, that is life in a nutshell right now. Again, thank you for your support and prayers. You are all such a blessing to my life.