Transitions
Two weeks ago, I shared about my calling to go and serve in Kenya for three years. (If you missed that, watch my video here, and then read this blog post first!) Today, I wanted to provide a little update on some transitions taking place, and what’s coming next…
So, for the first time in over 10 years, I’m once again living under the same roof with my parents. This has been an interesting transition, as I’ve become pretty independent and I wasn’t sure how this was going to go. It’s actually been going pretty well. (And I have to be nice, because I know my mom will be reading this!) I’m back in my old bedroom, or at least the last room I had here. But, it’s a bit more crowded in here, now. I basically went from a three bedroom house, to a one bedroom apartment, to what really amounts to a studio apartment. I honestly feel like I’m living in an attic, as my whole life is boxed up and stacked up all around the room. But, there’s just enough space for my bed, my couch and my TV to be setup, so I at least have some space to live. So far, the most entertaining part of living back with my parents is when my dad, out of what I assume is respect for my privacy, will send me text messages about getting dinner from right downstairs!
The move to my parents’ house was necessary from a budget standpoint, but it’s still only temporary. This week, I’ll complete another transition. I’ll be fully transitioned out of my previous role and department at CMF. Instead of working with the Child Sponsorship Team, I’ll be working in the Personnel area, assisting with important things like booking flights/accommodations for missionaries heading to or returning from the field. I’ll be monitoring things like making sure everyone heading to a field has all the proper vaccinations/medical clearances, helping them to get visas, and assisting in sending important documents to the appropriate government agencies for certification and authentication so these folks can get work permits in the countries where they’ll be working. I’ll be helping to schedule home office visits for those who are back in the states for a period of time. But, most of all, I’ll be bringing my operational mind to this job to help streamline some processes and create a bit more structure in these areas.
The biggest change, though, is that I’ll only be working part-time starting October 1st. This is because my real priority now will be working to find people who are interested in partnering with me over the next three years as I serve in Nairobi, Kenya. Raising support and building relationships with partners is pretty much another part-time (or maybe even full-time) job, and one that I’m honestly looking forward to! I hope to fill my afternoons and evenings with visits and meetings with those who are interested in hearing more about where I’m going, why I’m going, and what I’ll be doing there.
I’m looking for people who can partner with me in a variety of ways, and you can learn more about those in the partner section of this website. If you were at all moved by the video I shared two weeks ago, and feel as though you want to be involved in this ministry, would you consider partnering with me? I would absolutely love to sit down and talk with anyone in more detail about what is actually going on in Mathare Valley, why I feel as though I’ve been called there, and how, exactly, my skills will be put to use! If you’d like to talk with me more about how you can be involved, please contact me via Facebook, e-mail, or give me a call. My Facebook and e-mail accounts are linked in the sidebar to the right under the “Stay Connected” banner. If you prefer to call, I can be reached on my cell at 317-409-1749. If I don’t answer, leave a message and I will certainly call back! Additionally, please feel free to pass this website and my contact information on to anyone who may be interested in hearing more about my story.
I have a pretty aggressive goal of getting to Nairobi within a six month timeframe (or sooner!). And, while the financial aspect will play a big part in that, I’ll also have a few trainings I’ll need to attend as well before I can go. I’ve been completely overwhelmed by the support and encouragement of so many since I shared this news just two weeks ago. I hope many of you will stick with me as I continue through these transitions, to the day I depart for Kenya, and all the way through the next three years as I embark on one of the most important things I may ever get to be a part of! Thank you so much for your thoughts, prayers, encouragement and support!
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Prayers are with you!
We would be privileged to partner with you by pledging $100.00 per month.
Let us know when and how to start.
We pray your transition will go as The Lord allows!
Wow! Mark you are really on your way! You did such fabulous work here in Indy to get all of those sponsored kids “computerized” for us all to communicate with and made it look so easy, cutting the work down to get those sponsored letters in the hands of the sponsors from all the children in the Mathare Valley, more quickly than in the past.
Hope things continue to fall into place for you and you raise the support you need very soon.
Love, Blessings and Prayers,
Marcia