Thank you so much for taking the time to read this latest update, it brings me so much joy to know that you care about my life and this journey that God is taking me on.
Last week I was able to spend 8 days in El Salvador; an unplanned trip, however it was so necessary in more than one way. This trip came about as Jonathan was unable to obtain a US visa to come visit my family and I. I was very blessed to be able to take off some vacation time from work and hop on a plane so that he and I could be reunited after 10 months of being apart. This time was so great for us to be reconnected and renew our strength as Jonathan is currently in South Africa for a 3 month sports leadership training. God certainly blessed our time while together.
This trip also served a great purpose in figuring out more details for when I move down. I was able to get a good idea of possible places to live, things that I should/should not bring, and lots of advice from other missionaries who are currently serving in El Salvador. Although the nitty-gritty details can sometimes be overwhelming, it actually brought on a feeling of excitement for me as living and serving there will soon be a reality. The mindset of this trip was so different that it has been in the past...before I was always there to serve for a short time, but the lens of this trip was completely different as I will be a long-term missionary in this country.
The question that I have been getting the most lately is, "When do you leave?". Well, as most of you know, I must raise 100% of the finances BEFORE I can take off. Because I am still not close to being fully funded, monthly, I am yet to be able to set a date to leave. My goal is to leave in September and am asking and praying that anyone who feels lead to give to the ministry would do so by August 1, so that I can gather a better idea of on how much support needs to be raised, and if I am able to book a plane ticket.
God has been very faithful in providing more and more in these past few months, however there is still a bit to go in order for me to get down there on the field! Thank you for praying for me and encouraging me along the way. Many of you have already committed to sowing into the ministry in a financial way and I will never be able to express my gratitude to you all!
I am sooo looking forward to the update in the near future that says.... "PRAISE GOD, I AM FULLY FUNDED!" I am praying for you all and trust in God's truth for us all:
"Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he
who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just
as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for
God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to
you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have
an abundance for every good deed."-2 Corinthians 9:6-8
In God's grace,
Lauren
