Thursday, January 31, 2013

A Busy Month

January has been a busy and productive month!

First, my Bangladesh visa was approved.  The process was a rather easy one and the turnaround time was two weeks.  However, the visa expires 30 days after my arrival.  I will travel to India for two weeks in April  to visit the cities of Kolkata and Varanasi.  While in India, I will renew my Bangladesh visa.

Next, my India visa was approved.  The online application was a nightmare that took several hours to complete.  I thought the application would be easy since I was familiar with the process of two years ago.  But, no, the outsourcing company changed the online procedures, supposedly simplifying the process.  NOT!  When I went to the Fed-Ex office to mail it, the clerk commented, "It only took you 45 minutes to process the India visa.  I had someone in here the other day and it took them 3-4 hours to complete it."  I explained to him that I had already spent 3-4 hours on the application prior to coming to his office.  Once the application was mailed, the entire process took less than a week.

Next, I bought my airline ticket to Bangladesh.  This, too, was quite a challenge as I had talked with three different travel agents, none of whom could resolve the complications regarding my Bangladesh visa which expires 30 days after my arrival.  Finally, after my frustration level had reached its limit, two people advised me, "Call Anna."  As it turns out, Anna is a pastor's wife in Missouri and an independent travel consultant specializing in missionary travels.  I simply explained my dilemma to her and she expertly took it from there.  It was such a relief to have someone who knew what to do that I could trust.  Merely 48 hours after talking with her, I purchased the airline ticket.  The best part?  Anna saved me $800 over the other travel agents' prices.

Last, I paid a security deposit on a brand new two-bedroom apartment located one block from the Bible school.  The monthly rent?  $160.  This good deal cut my monthly expenses drastically, which will help me to raise the total budget more quickly.

Like I said, it's been a busy and productive month!  It's been amazing to watch God put all the pieces into place in a timely and beautiful manner.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Accepting The Call

I am so happy to attend Because of the Times conference in Alexandria, Louisiana, the theme being "Hear the Voice."  It's so wonderful to be among dear friends again who share my passion for missions.  Today, the speaker asked all the minister's wives, missionary wives, and ministerial women to come to the front for prayer.  I haven't quite adjusted to the thought that I'm no longer laity but a leader, so I stayed in my seat.  That is, until I saw I was the only woman remaining behind.  Suddenly, I realized who I was and who God had called me to be: a missionary.  I quickly made my way to the front to join the other women.  As I raised my hands towards Heaven, I accepted God's call upon my life.

Maybe you're thinking, "Wait, I thought you accepted the call when you applied for the Associate in Missions (AIM) program?"  Yes, indeed I had responded to God's call as an AIMer when I applied, but I viewed it as a temporary calling, one that I was to do for six months.  Today, I accepted the permanent call of God upon my life, the call of a missionary.  I know what I am commissioned to do: to go into all the world, teaching all nations and baptizing them in Jesus Name.  I will gladly carry out His Great Commission and accept the new responsibility that was placed upon my shoulders today.

I don't know how God will fulfill His Call upon my life as a missionary.  I only know that I "heard the Voice" and agreed to follow Him through life's journey from earth to Heaven.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Looking Forward to 2013

It is a new year, a time of reflecting over the past year and looking ahead into a future year.  As I ponder my goals for 2013, I realize no matter which goals I set, it will be a challenge this year.  How do I set goals when in two short months, I will step out in faith into the unknown world of Bangladesh?

One goal is definite: to win souls for God's kingdom.  I've always had a desire to win souls, and I have been actively involved through outreach, van ministry and teaching Bible studies.  But I decided to step it up a notch in 2013 by signing up for Matt Maddix's Soul Winners Training Center.  This program will provide me with invaluable training in this area.

I love it when God confirms my direction.  I read this Facebook post from Bro Corbin, missionary to Bangladesh: "Our target for each church in Bangladesh for 2013 is 50 new souls saved in 2013 for every church. Vision health for 2013 is over 5,000 new souls in Jesus name." This is a man of God with a vision!  I am so excited as I will be a part of the Bangladesh church in 2013!  I cannot wait to see what God will do as a result of the soul winners training AND serving under a man with a vision for souls.

I am expectantly looking forward to 2013!!